From a lot of you're posts from other threads it seems OEL has lost some of his game. For me replacing Bo to add OEL amounts to how much of an upgrade is he over Edler with whom he would replace. Based on the last 2 seasons the answer is no. Stepan is a massive downgrade in every conceivable way. Throw in the fact LE will either be a compliance buyout or retirement. Rumours of him retiring after his final bonus in July rather then play in Utica have been around for awhile. Personally I think he retires and is offered a job here or in Sweden with nucks to compensate for the 6 mill in lost salary, similar to what the Panthers did with Lou.
It's hard to say what's happening with OEL. He used to be a river-boat-gambler. A high-octane player. He used to be all over the ice, especially in the offensive-zone. All compass mobility, lateral blueline sprinting like whoa, and a disgusting shot. Laser guided. He used to stir shit up a bunch, and was sneaky dirty. Passion player. Made sense he became captain. I supported it.
Not sure if it was Tippett leaving, Tocchet coming in, the C getting sewn on his chest, or the big fat contract extension; something changed, though. He became waaaaaaay more conservative in his play. I'd say apart from the big blunder now and again that most guys with his minute-load have, he's pretty solid defensively. He's still mobile, and can still move the puck well. But he's slammed the breaks on the fun stuff.
I don't know if it's his coach or what. I really do think it is, though. Rick Tocchet is a terrible head coach. Very bad. His entire system is based on rushing the play and making panic moves. Move the puck quick. Quick, quick, quick. It's stupid and ineffective. As a result the team loses a ton of games. They are one of the worst teams in the NHL since Tocchet took over. Every game sucks. I can see that weighing on OEL. How can you have fire in an indifferent market with incompetent coaching? Made even worse by the fact that the wonder-boy GM doesn't have the balls to fire these terrible coaches.
The outlook is bleak in Arizona. The Coyotes are positioned to be really bad for a long time. OEL came up under Tippett and played most of his career for at least competitive Coyotes teams. I can see why he plays a game now that is more...muted. I think the freakish hockey skills are still there. He is still capable of his former dominant play. We're just seeing some bastardized version of the player now. Which really isn't a bad player, honestly. He's still good. He's just not nearly as special. Which hurts the heart.
Down with Tocchet. Down with Chayka. Free Oliver!!!!
