Rumor: Rumors and Proposals Thread | PRussell resigned to a 1-year extension $700K
- Thread starter Bryanbryoil
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I'm not sure that the answer in improving the team's transition game is adding a defenseman who simply passes better.
What I do know is the Chicago series gave us a brief look into how prematurely we're giving a certified top four title to Ethan Bear's pairing, who were zoomed by our top two forwards for much of the year. That's a bit of a ding on Nurse as well.
If we're assuming Oscar Klefbom is getting tougher match-ups and weaker support, I'm not confident that an undersized rover defenseman (Barrie) or an undersized puck-mover (Vatanen) is really the guy who's going to help keep him out of the weeds.
At least @gordonhught was joking. Ask Leaf fans what it was like scoring all the goals.
Nostradumbass
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If you're trading a LHD from the top 4, you're replacing him with a LHD for the top 4. Jones is in no way ready to be a top 4 defenseman in the NHL. Let him prove himself on the 3rd pairing before shooting him up the lineup.
McShogun99
Registered User
I think Jones is actually better than Bear. It’s just that we need a Dman like Bear on the right side more then we need a Dman like Jones on the left side.
McShogun99
Registered User
Calm down.
What are we going to do then to get Nurse to improve his decision making?
He just turned 25 years old. You think he's hit his full time high? Defencemen take longer to figure things out unlike forwards
McDNicks17
Moderator
Nurse and Bear still had infinitely better transition numbers that series.
Klefbom was the one who got exposed and we saw how much help he needed. Larsson deferred to Klef, Klef couldn't move it successfully if his life depended on it and they ended up playing the entire series in their own zone because of it.
He needs someone on his pairing who can move the puck in the worst way.
And despite the Leaves being known as a goal scoring team, the Oilers only scored about 5-10 goals less than the Leaves last season.
Mr Positive
Cap Crunch Incoming
- Nov 20, 2013
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I think Jones is right on the line there, where either opinion is valid.
A forward thinker would love to let Jones run with it. He's already established himself. Played very well in the top 4 already. Outclassed true bottom pairing types like Benning and Russell
But yes, I get the appeal of sticking to slow and steady progress. It is the right way to do things, in general.
To me, the main appeal of having Jones there is what it frees up elsewhere. It frees up assets to trade. It means you can limit your spending in the top 4.
That's the tie breaker for me. Run with Jones, have a little faith in him, and you can do some great things at 3C and for McDavid's wing, and in net. I think Jones can do it. And yes, maybe there will be growing pains and the D takes a hit, but there will be gains elsewhere in the lineup
Nurse/Bear were fine. Made some mistakes, but overall they did OK that series. Some bad breaks.
I agree that Klefbom was exposed. Russell made it clear he cannot play top 4 minutes anymore.
This is why I am not opposed to moving Klefbom if the deal is good for the Oilers. You could argue that Klefbom is what he will ever be.
Nurse still has tons of room to improve. He got drafted high based just as much on his sheer athletic ability as his skill playing defense. Just watch, Nurse will be that guy at 35 who plays like a 28 year old. I am OK with Nurse taking a few more years to continue learning to play defense. He will continue to get better and better. I don't see Klefbom continuing to get better and better.
They also got spanked.
There's a lot more to the game than just transition. Not to mention that it also depends who's receiving those passes determine whether or not the puck stays in your possession.
McDNicks17
Moderator
What?!? Bear's pairing was -4. Toews outmatched him handily. Russell, on the other hand, was our best defenseman.
I'm not a big fan of using such small samples to determine where a player stands, but I think it's important to see how early it is for Bear. It would be a mistake to throw too much onto his plate next season.
TopShelfGloveSide
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- Dec 10, 2018
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Maybe they give up higher scoring chances against hence lower SV%?
Actually wondering.
McDNicks17
Moderator
Nurse and Bear had the lowest scoring chances against per 60 in that series. They just got really unlucky.
Goals/goals against just isn't a good way to make predictions in such a small sample.
I'm not sure sv% is really valid in a four game sample size. Bear, for much of the series, was matched against the Toews line. They capitalized on it. They successfully cycled against them and scored at least two goals off of tips and Kubalik's series winner.
Bryanbryoil
Pray For Ukraine
- Sep 13, 2004
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What are the odds that Holland and Tippett want to see Broberg here next season? We can't just deal 2 of our top 4 D without replacements in mind unless we are willing to go very young with Bouch and Broberg stepping in together.
They would be. They generally play with Edmonton's elites. Thus in a larger sample, you could conclude that their results might be a little skewed.
Klefbom and Larsson didn't? Also, who is supposed to cover the point shots? Dmen or wingers?
Pretty sure that rumour or article was created to drum up views on it lol. Maybe we move one Dman. No chance we move 2 top 4 dmen
People are saying Russell was our best dman in the series. Imagine if Russell had played against the top line. Would he be our best dman or would he be getting ripped apart like Nurse is right now?
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