Recalled/Assigned: Slepy Sent down, Beck recalled.

[joestevens29]

That would be hilarious that a seemingly career AHLer gets to play top line with top 3 player in the world yet Eberle, Pulju and whoever else we have couldn't mesh.

Kinda like how Pittsburgh is always looking for wingers to play with Crosby, but have had success with guys like Dupuis or Sheary?

Different skill sets just seem to mesh. Not always an exact science.

 

[McDraekke]

Beck is very good. I predicted in the summer that he would be cracking this roster by the end of the season. I think he will surprise if he gets into a few games... although there's a high probability he'll just be glued to the pressbox taking the place of Slepyshev.

Pitlick
Slepyshev
Beck
Puljujarvi
Lander

These 5 players are exactly the type of hungry players that this team needs in the lineup that will work their butts off and compete.

I think there are several vets on this team underperforming and I know it won't happen because of contract considerations/hurt feelings/dubious coaching decisions... but I think those 5 players named up above (who are getting very little time on this club) would make this team MUCH better if they were in the lineup and had more minutes.

I absolutely believe this to be true even if on paper it looks like those players aren't as talented/skilled.

There's something not right with the chemistry on this team currently... but I do feel the ingredients are there to make this team competitive... they just need less of the floaters and danglers.. and more of those heart and soul players up above who actually have something to prove and don't have huge paychecks holding them back from giving their all every game.

I know people seem to love Lander, but he has more to prove than anyone else on that list. Every time he's in the lineup, it becomes clear that he has zero offensive ability whatsoever. He had one good year of 20 points in 38 games, but has never come even close to that production in any other year. (That's about what Antoine Vermette produces over his career over 82 games, as an example of probably the best faceoff specialist in the game right now).

I get it, he works hard. But that's not enough, in my opinion. There are plenty of defensive/faceoff specialists who can produce more than a career average over 82 games of 13 points (which is about what he's on pace for this year over 82 games).

People were unhappy with Boyd Gordon's numbers, and he's above Lander in terms of points/82 games (~18 pts/82 games). Not sure why Lander gets a pass.

That said, I hope he proves me wrong, but I don't see it.

Glad to see Beck get a call up.

 

[Alberta]

I know people seem to love Lander, but he has more to prove than anyone else on that list. Every time he's in the lineup, it becomes clear that he has zero offensive ability whatsoever. He had one good year of 20 points in 38 games, but has never come even close to that production in any other year. (That's about what Antoine Vermette produces over his career over 82 games, as an example of probably the best faceoff specialist in the game right now).

I get it, he works hard. But that's not enough, in my opinion. There are plenty of defensive/faceoff specialists who can produce more than a career average over 82 games of 13 points (which is about what he's on pace for this year over 82 games).

People were unhappy with Boyd Gordon's numbers, and he's above Lander in terms of points/82 games (~18 pts/82 games). Not sure why Lander gets a pass.

That said, I hope he proves me wrong, but I don't see it.

Glad to see Beck get a call up.

I think part of the reason is Lander doesn't make $3 million like Gordon did.

 

[joestevens29]

I think part of the reason is Lander doesn't make $3 million like Gordon did.

Lander seems like the ideal 13th forward IMO. Brings something that others don't to the lineup. Maybe you don't need him everyday, but at less than a mil he's a good contract.

 

[McDNicks17]

I know people seem to love Lander, but he has more to prove than anyone else on that list. Every time he's in the lineup, it becomes clear that he has zero offensive ability whatsoever. He had one good year of 20 points in 38 games, but has never come even close to that production in any other year. (That's about what Antoine Vermette produces over his career over 82 games, as an example of probably the best faceoff specialist in the game right now).

I get it, he works hard. But that's not enough, in my opinion. There are plenty of defensive/faceoff specialists who can produce more than a career average over 82 games of 13 points (which is about what he's on pace for this year over 82 games).

People were unhappy with Boyd Gordon's numbers, and he's above Lander in terms of points/82 games (~18 pts/82 games). Not sure why Lander gets a pass.

That said, I hope he proves me wrong, but I don't see it.

Glad to see Beck get a call up.

Lander's 5v5 P/60 is the same as Eberle's and better than Kassian, Lucic, RNH, Pouliot, Hendricks and Caggiulla's this season.

Just sayin'.

 

[BoldNewLettuce]

Lander's 5v5 P/60 is the same as Eberle's and better than Kassian, Lucic, RNH, Pouliot, Hendricks and Caggiulla's this season.

Just sayin'.

I think people dislike Lander because his peaks lasted 3 months (?)

I'd have on my team over Stu or Hendo next year.

 

[Aceboogie]

I like this move. Beck is ripping up AL and was before Lander went down. Reward that. hell be hungry but also on a hot stretch. Could be receipt for some goals in next 5 games. When he cools down, send him back down to create that fire again, but call up Lander in mean time

 

[Joey Moss]

Slepyshev should be a regular IMO. Does more than Pouliot.. was very good with Letestu and Pitlick IMO.

 

[belair]

Slepyshev should be a regular IMO. Does more than Pouliot.. was very good with Letestu and Pitlick IMO.

Slepyshev was good in a light role but I'd argue your point about Pouliot. Slepyshev has been the classic case of guy looking like he plays hard. And you can look like that and be completely ineffective. Pouliot plays smart--minus the penalties. He wins board battles, he cycles well, strong on the forecheck and when he's not ice cold he's good for 30-40 points. I know we love to pile on the guys earning the big paycheques and for good reason, but teams just don't load up on nobodies because they look like they work hard.

 

[Jet Walters]

Could Ded Moroz inject some life into the career potential of Mitch Moroz?

No, but someone on the ice could yell, "You're Dead Moroz", and Slepy would stop skating, gleefully looking around, saying "Father Christmas?", costing the Condors a goal against.

 

[space321]

Why? Slepyshev doesn't deserve to be scratched let alone sent down...

 

[Asiaoil]

Too bad for Shelp. I thought he was a pretty good player but had no finish.

Basically same goals per 60 rate as eberle at ES and been on the ice for a single goal against all season. Don't mind Beck coming up but sending Slepy down makes zero sense when Caggiula is leaking goals like a sieve (2 more goals per 60 which is massive) and scores less as well.

The Oilers have not made decisions on player usage based on icing the best team or forming the best lines all season. Honestly it's like they are actually trying to ice an inferior lineup and avoid creating lines that could work. JP and Cags should be in Cali if results mean anything but clearly it doesn't.

 

[Tyrolean]

Slepyshev should be a regular IMO. Does more than Pouliot.. was very good with Letestu and Pitlick IMO.

Fully agree. He's been made a fall guy.

 

[Kalost]

Slepyshev should be a regular IMO. Does more than Pouliot.. was very good with Letestu and Pitlick IMO.

Agreed, Beck should get a shot though, maybe getting a ton of minutes for a bit would be good for Slepy, come back up with a bit more mojo

 

[rboomercat90]

I don't know anything about Beck at all. Is he a prospect or someone considered to be a career AHLer? I don't ever recall hearing his name up until the last couple weeks or so.

 

[jeffff]

I don't know anything about Beck at all. Is he a prospect or someone considered to be a career AHLer? I don't ever recall hearing his name up until the last couple weeks or so.

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/prospects/taylor_beck/

 

[McDNicks17]

I don't know anything about Beck at all. Is he a prospect or someone considered to be a career AHLer? I don't ever recall hearing his name up until the last couple weeks or so.

He was a really good OHLer and one of Nashville's best prospects, but couldn't establish himself.

He's bounced around to a couple organizations(NSH->NYI->EDM), but is only 25. Could be a late bloomer, but is probably trending more towards career AHLer than an NHLer.

 

[nexttothemoon]

I personally think Beck will surprise... maybe it's not much more than a hunch but I've felt that way since he was signed... and at 25 you have to think it's pretty much make or break for a forward in terms of having an NHL career or just being a career minor league player.
Even more impetus for him to show well in his time with the team.

I personally think he makes the jump and becomes a solid bottom 6 player.

I could see a line of Beck-Lander-Pitlick being one of the best 4th lines in the NHL.

 

[oilinblood]

6'2" 215 RHS

leading league in points by fair margin.

Worth a look

 

[GMofOilers]

I don't understand the love affair for Sleppy. I hope he pans out for us in the long term but he's not really close at this stage.