Was yesterday the real turning point?

[Cloned]

We've been deceived dozens of times over the last 10 years.

Was yesterday the first real true sign that the team is truly becoming a different entity?

Click to read more...

 

[Ninety7]

I'd like to give it more than a day

 

[Cloned]

I'd like to give it more than a day

Point is to answer now so that you can see whether you were right or wrong.

 

[McJadeddog]

1 game, especially at the end of yet another lost season, means nothing, or at least close to nothing.... the "turning point" in my mind will be a season (hopefully next season) where the oilers are in, or close to, a playoff position and play 3-4 games in a row against tough competition without looking like a 2nd class team

 

[Canovin]

Yes the culture is changing. Last night was the Oilers brand of hockey we all been waiting for

5 good games. 3 against cup contenders. 2 against Buffalo+Philly

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

who knows...waaaaaaaay too early

let's see how the final 16 games go before we declare a "turning point"

frankly, the LA game was a real beginning anyways, if you want to put a game on it

 

[HotToddy75]

Once Klef and Nuge are back we need to see how the healthy group does against western teams.

 

[McJadeddog]

Yes the culture is changing. Last night was the Oilers brand of hockey we all been waiting for

the games don't mean anything and the opposition was a middling team from the lesser eastern conference ... not exactly the LA kings

 

[Cloned]

Point isn't to be patient and wait - that would be the obvious thing to do.

Just want to see what the immediate reaction is and how many of us are right or wrong about it.

 

[Replacement*]

We've been deceived dozens of times over the last 10 years.

Was yesterday the first real true sign that the team is truly becoming a different entity?

In terms of physicality theres a needed amount of catalyst to start a chain chemical reaction imo.

This started years ago with the team getting Hendricks, a player that could play, but who was too isolated on a team that didn't have many strong tough players that could play. Bringing in guys like Gaz, Eager, Brown were always mistakes to me because those guys are just mostly chirping from the bench. They are barely on the ice. They are not playing to the right, or left, of players thus making them all taller.

This year Chia augmented with Gryba. Another solid, strong, taking care of business acquisition. We also had the young rookie Nurse noting so much what was wrong with this team that he immediately wanted to fill that tough role. Even had Reinhart trying to step up there.

But until recently we didn't have enough of that element represented in the toi.

Now we do. We're seeing toughness on every line, every shift, and with Gryba, Klef eventually back this club is even harder to play against and I think we end up getting more out of Pouliot as well.

Note how Yak played real physical last night as well and Hall and Eberle were chirping Flyers. Even McDavid has had that kind of "you're not touching me out there anymore" grin.

Who knows when the wins starts piling up but I finally know that the team is developing this foundation of players that is required in WC play.

Flyers consider themselves one of the tougher squads in the EC (phoney tough) and we blew that team to hell in their own rink. In a game they HAD to win. Not only that we beat them at any aspect. They were beat on the scoresheet and pummelled on the ice.

 

[oXo Cube]

The turning point was a year ago when Daly revealed the gold card live on TV.

Since then we have had setbacks along the way but overall we've been moving in the right direction.

 

[Draw Me a McElephant]

It was a positive sign, but after 10 years of crushing disappointment it will take a hell of a lot more for me to believe.

 

[oilwave]

No, Oilers have had better games/stretches than this over the past decade and sucked after. Adding some grinders/removing Schultz doesn't change this team from the worst in the league to a playoff team.

 

[Canovin]

the games don't mean anything and the opposition was a middling team from the lesser eastern conference ... not exactly the LA kings

That was a solid effort and they battled hard the last 5 games. Stood up for each others. 3 consecutive wins. Got rid of soft and lazy players. The culture is changing.

 

[Arpeggio]

We've seen these games before over the last decade. When the Oilers were destroying the Hawks during RNH's first year, we thought they had arrived.

I think it'll be a turning point if they win like 15 games down the stretch here. Otherwise, impossible to tell, it could just be a good couple games. They do look more like an NHL hockey team since bringing in the size though, so I'm excited to see who else Chiarelli brings in.

Edit: Seeing Draisaitl laying out guys the last few games gives me hope that adding functional size is actually going to make a difference.

 

[Cawz]

Who knows, but last nights team sure resembled the team we've been waiting to cheer for for many years. Its amazing how the whole team plays bigger when they have more size in the lineup.

Actually its not really amazing. Its obvious. And frustrating it taken so long.

 

[Cloned]

In terms of physicality theres a needed amount of catalyst to start a chain chemical reaction imo.

This started years ago with the team getting Hendricks, a player that could play, but who was too isolated on a team that didn't have many strong tough players that could play. Bringing in guys like Gaz, Eager, Brown were always mistakes to me because those guys are just mostly chirping from the bench. They are barely on the ice. They are not playing to the right, or left, of players thus making them all taller.

This year Chia augmented with Gryba. Another solid, strong, taking care of business acquisition. We also had the young rookie Nurse noting so much what was wrong with this team that he immediately wanted to fill that tough role. Even had Reinhart trying to step up there.

But until recently we didn't have enough of that element represented in the toi.

Now we do. We're seeing toughness on every line, every shift, and with Gryba, Klef eventually back this club is even harder to play against and I think we end up getting more out of Pouliot as well.

Note how Yak played real physical last night as well and Hall and Eberle were chirping Flyers. Even McDavid has had that kind of "you're not touching me out there anymore" grin.

Who knows when the wins starts piling up but I finally know that the team is developing this foundation of players that is required in WC play.

Flyers consider themselves one of the tougher squads in the EC (phoney tough) and we blew that team to hell in their own rink. In a game they HAD to win. Not only that we beat them at any aspect. They were beat on the scoresheet and pummelled on the ice.

I would agree generally.

Also to note that in the past instead of Pardy falling on Schenn it would have been Gudas falling on Hall or RNH. And we would have been pissed that it was "intentional" and the other board would be talking up how professional Gudas was for checking on Hall immediately after they hit the ice.

 

[Up the Irons]

too early, but if it turns out that they have turned a corner, we may look back to this game 5 game stretch/Trade deadline as 'the turning point'.

 

[Cawz]

Point is to answer now so that you can see whether you were right or wrong.

Then you shouldn't have given the I don't know option.

who knows...waaaaaaaay too early

let's see how the final 16 games go before we declare a "turning point"

frankly, the LA game was a real beginning anyways, if you want to put a game on it

Benching then trading Shultz seems to be the real beginning.

 

[Cloned]

Then you shouldn't have given the I don't know option.


Benching then trading Shultz seems to be the real beginning.

I also wanted to see how many people were too chicken to put out a real opinion.

 

[jeg]

Nope, We love to pour it on after the games no longer matter. We are starting to get the right pieces and thats navigating the style of play better.
Admittedly i liked seeing Hall and Eberle engaged in the rough stuff and chirping

 

[Spawn]

I voted I don't know. Probably should have voted no. I think the true turning point will be when we fill out the defense with 6 dmen playing where they should be. Need two more guys for that to happen.

 

[guymez]

Point is to answer now so that you can see whether you were right or wrong.

Thats a prediction.
You are asking if yesterday was a 'real' turning point. That requires more information IMO so I have to agree with Ninety7.

 

[Weitz]

I won't declare a turning point until they win games that matter.

Every year they show they can win when it doesn't matter anymore.

 

[Cloned]

I voted I don't know. Probably should have voted no. I think the true turning point will be when we fill out the defense with 6 dmen playing where they should be. Need two more guys for that to happen.

I guess it depends on your definition of turning point.

Mine personally is seeing that this team is finally not playing like a chicken **** on ice, afraid of their opponent's shadows and Jedi mind tricks. The point when this team's psychology feeds positively into their confidence on a consistent basis is the real turning point, IMO.