I suspect these are the final days for Ethan rifles. It is clear that Steve Tambellini is finished evaluating and remaking an organization that hasn't changed much in decades. So far, the changes have been window dressing and deck chairs. If you look at the moves from a business viewpoint, he's changed the background culture without really addressing the face of the club.
Ethan Moreau's exit will change all that and usher in a new leadership group. A new captain will be named (Horcoff is the obvious candidate but Tom Gilbert has been mentioned several times as a leader of the younger crowd).
The Oilers no doubt shopped Moreau at the trade deadline (and couldn't have been asking for anything dear) without success; there is at least a chance they'll get a similar reaction this summer.
If there was a "trading Ethan Moreau" betting window, my money would be on "yes" and "depth draft pick or AHL calibre player." Moreau's value isn't zero, but it is also true that his salary/cap hit towers over what he'll bring to his new club. If they can't trade him, my guess is they buy him out. Steve Tambellini has gone this far, why stop now?
I hope they don't rush to name the new C. If it takes a couple of years for a player to clearly inherit that role, so be it - hand out an extra A or rotate.
ReplyDeleteBen: It'll be tempting imo, putting a new face on the franchise has a lot of appeal I'm sure for an organization devoted to appearances.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I've been meaning to mention: does anyone else get the feeling that one of the things in Seguin's favor (over Hall) is that he looks like a more capable captain down the road?
Or am I reading too much into things?
i hope Robert Nilsson is the first of the Oilers to be bought out. a waste of space as far as i'm concerned!!
ReplyDeletei noticed that with Seguin too Lowetide, moreso than Hall.
ReplyDeleteI think your reading into things Lowetide. Hall was the best player on the best team last couple years. He leads by example, more so than chit chat...lol
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous.....i should have put a smiley face :-) at the end of my last post because i haven't actually seen much of Seguin to know if he has better future as a captain than Hall. i honestly don't know.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be interesting to see Penner wearing the C, he seems like a guy with integrity and quick quips, but the prominence and management expectation probably would change the way he portrays things. Today's game requires the C to be worn by the team diplomat
ReplyDeleteIF the Oilers don't end up trading Penner, Al!
ReplyDeleteMy prediction is Moreau gets bought out after the draft (I don't think the buyout period ends until then).
ReplyDeleteThey'll probably still try to trade him first, and they likely see the draft as the best opportunity to do so. When nobody bites, they won't have any other choice but to buy him out. I don't believe keeping him around for his final year is an option they're willing to entertain.
*clap,clap*
ReplyDeleteDug is always so excited!
ReplyDelete"Horcoff is the obvious candidate"
ReplyDeleteCome on LT...Even I like the guy's attitude towards winning but to say he's the obvious candidate is taking it too far.
I wish Whitney had been here longer...sure like his attitude. He seems like a "Whatever it takes to drag all you guys along to a win" type guy. Aside from him Gilbert's too soft spoken and at the same time not a "lead by example" type it seems.
Up front, Hemsky as an 'A' rather than 'C' works perfectly. I'm kinda with Al in that I think Penner could thrive with it. He seems like the type where it would bring a smile to his face and put a spring into his step. Unfortunately we don't have much else right now and the eligible guys in or 3 years just aren't ready.
I've learned to put up with Horcoff being on the squad despite the fact that I hate the way he plays the game...please don't make me have to put up with him in the captain's chair...
It seems to me that Moreau and POS could become part of bigger deals at the draft. I hope that the Oil try to move up, either in a deal with Columbus for the # 4 and/or with Boston for Boston's second pick (15th overall?). We might have to take Ryder, but could include POS or Moreau. Each have only one year left, so they might be tradable in the context of a bigger package. In any event, they clearly are not happy here and will continue to bring negativity to the room. For that reason, if they aren't traded, they should be bought out. I think there is a market for Souray with a few teams, even if the return is not great. As for Nillson, if he can't be traded, he should be sent to Oklahoma. That might light a fire under him, at which point he could be traded later in the season, when his cap hit wouldn't be as onerous.
ReplyDeleteIt is time for a new leadership group to emerge. I would not name a captain at this point. I would have an extra "A" and see who steps up. My guess, at this point, would be Ryan Whitney, but it is to early to anoint him or anyone else.
I like the idea of not assigning a letter and let the leadership establish itself with Moreau, Staois and (likely) Souray gone.
ReplyDeleteBut I'd give Gagner an A.
Nothing changes with Horcoff as captain as he was one of the (not so) "Fab Four": Souray, Moreau, Horcoff, Staios.
ReplyDeleteIf there's a market for Moreau, I will be utterly astonished. Of course, all a market takes is one buyer, and there's still Sutter in Calgary, so one can hope.
Tom Gilbert as captain makes me throw up.
ReplyDeleteKeep Moreau until Hall takes over as soon as possible.
Penner is an Oiler for another 2 seasons, at most. I like the Gilbert idea.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the buyout thing goes, why bother? They need bodies this year and Chopper will show up most nights. Keep POS and Robert around as place fillers. Hopefully they catch some shooting % streaks and maybe they are worth something at the deadline.
I am of the opinion that MPS, Eberle and most other prospects should spend at least 20 in the A before coming up for development purposes. Someone needs to play here. Why buy out a guy and then bring in warm bodies?
A great publicity stunt - hand the captaincy to Hall the day he's drafted.
ReplyDeletePenner's the closest to an elite Canadian forward, what a hoot if he's the next captain - probably the best choice unless it's Hemsky.
ReplyDeleteMemo to the Oilers "management":
ReplyDeleteNo More Pluggers for team Captain.
There are two stories regarding Moreau's off ice impact on the team.
ReplyDeleteOne - Moreau is a jerk who mistreats the 'youth' of the team. As such he should be traded and Tambi tried to do so at the trade deadline. Many of us who buy into this story thought he might be demoted to the farm team.
Two - Moreau is part of the pre 2007 Oilers who had a 'one for all, all for one' and a 'do or die attitude' (blocking shots, etc.). Moreau was part of those involved in a dedicated, focused training regime. He was one of those who promotes the Oilers tradition of the team dining together and being a team off the ice as well as on the ice.
Most of us (all of us) have been arguing #1 for some time based upon rumours and the dickish comments Moreau made to the press. At the same time we held up Souray and Cogs as examples of guys we liked).
Since then, Souray has come out sour at management wanting him to play hurt. We have long heard Nilsson and Cogs discuss how the dressing room was not a 'fun' place and that everyone was too serious (Moreau might interpret this as being dedicated).
Tambellini has said that the Oilers' culture has suffered due to the free agent signings and that they wanted to return to the culture that made the Oilers competative in 06 and earlier (a fiesty agressive, hard working team).
The battle between Moreau's group and Souray's group may be between the team-oriented 'band of brothers' concept and a more businesslike approach where there is more team/life separation and where there is a more relaxed attitude because there is an assumption that everyone is a professional.
I wonder if Tambellini sees Moreau as being a link to that diciplined, hard working, dedicated Oiler approach that was here when Smyth, Weight, and others were on the team. We have heard that Pronger also brought a work ethic that disappeared again when he left (and the Pronger and Chad Moreau were like minded in their hard work approach).
I have no clue what the situation is. I have thought I understood the situation in the dressing room at times, only to be suprised by a comment or event that occurs. So, I admit to being clueless and all of this is just speculation based upon tidbits in the media.
However, coaches and management have regularly praised Moreau. They put him on the ice when none of us would. Tambellini has spoken highly of him on numerous occasions as has Quinn.
He finished the season strong, so I would not be surpised to see Moreau on the 3rd line.
LMHF
ReplyDeleteHorcoff seems the most obvious fit in all the categories that other teams seem to apply to their captains. The only way he doesn't fit is because he is the fan whipping boy - which will likely be enough to keep the C away from him.
Maybe someone else lands here as a signing, and they end up being the best choice. The right solution is probably to let the coach sort it out at the start of next season, but then again the coach may be waiting to see if he gets the axe, after due 'consideration' on the part of the GM, and thus have bigger things on his mind.
I disliked Moreaus play until the wake-up call post trade deadline.
ReplyDeleteHave any of you looked at the 62 players who were better ont he PK than Moreau and how many are UFA options.
Here they are with salary last year, position, and GA/60.
S. Begin 1m C 5.02
J. Madden 2.7M C 4.50
C. higgins 2.25M LW 4.70
K. Maltby .9M LW 3.96
R. Neidermeyer 1M C 4.94
J. Ortmeyer .55M RW 5.76
P. Marleau 6.3M C 5.00
Higgins and marleau are priced out and Madden is unlikely unless he is your 3rd line center.
Ortmeyer does not bring an improvement.
So the only better options than Ethan Are: Begin, Maltby, and Neidermeyer.
Do you think these guys won't get at least 1M each.
I would be cool with dumping Ethan if we could have a fourth line of
Maltby-Neidermeyer-Pisani w/ Storts filling on RW when needed.
Common sense says you do not make your pk worse you try to make it better.
If he is a cancer he goes to benefit the team. If not? How does dumping our best PK the last two benefit us?
Would a Moreau-Neidermeyer-Pisani fourth be teribble?
PS: Pisani was just behind Moreau. so the same goes for not resigning Pisani. he is the second best RW pk option available.
ReplyDeleteGood god don't let them make Strudwick captain. We'd never get rid of him.
ReplyDeleteLetting Moreau go is best for him as well. It is the same thing as when MacT was released. He is good hockey player (relatively) who is overpriced and unhappy in his current situation. Let him get a fresh start in a new organisation so he can finish his career without a bad taste in his mouth at the end. His time as an Oiler needs to be done.
ReplyDeleteEthans feelings and career swan song are about #147 on my list of importance.
ReplyDelete@Woodguy.....yes! i'm jumping up and down with excitement that our long awaited player changes are finally going to be made!! :-)
ReplyDeleteRibs - Why'd you have to go there? I'm going to have nightmares now...
ReplyDeleteWhat's #148?
ReplyDeleteThe Islanders are looking to get rid of Brendan Witt-I know Witt isn't going to be mistaken for an elite defenceman but a garbage in/garbage out type of deal might work...Moreau and something for Witt...or POS for Witt is almost a wash cap wise.
ReplyDeleteDug: At least he can take and make a pass. I think Moreau, JFJ, and other guys are much more of a waste of space than him. You don't get too much out of 2M$. It's not such a bad contract.
ReplyDeleteThe PK was terrible last year, something's gotta change about that, what i'm worried was that they never seemed to change players on the PK unit even if it sucked terrbily.
Sergei Kostitsyn anyone? He got a good size, great talent, and can play PK. Maybe a change of scenery will do him greater good.
ReplyDeletePOS for the Tattoed Manwould be A++ in my books.
ReplyDeleteWe lose Sully's gypsy curse and gain a guy that Quinn will love.
A Moreau-Witt deal isn't as attractive to me though.
@flamingpavelbure.......i guess if we HAD to keep 1 or 2 of Nilsson or Moreau or POS or JFJ then so be it, but if some or all of those players can be moved, i'd like to see it happen as long as we have good players to replace them. the fact that the Oilers haven't done anything yet, unlike the Habs and Big George, tells me they still don't know yet exactly who will stay and who will go.
ReplyDeleteEvery bad news story "on the road" and "off the ice" about the team had Moreau in the thick of things. These are just what the public knows about - the players know everything.
ReplyDeleteSome rookies have been learning the wrong things under Moreau's leadership; others have no respect for him.
The sooner Moreau is gone, the better - either with a buyout, trade or demotion to the AHL...
What's #148?
ReplyDeleteWondering why Darryl Katz can't afford a better haircut?
Dug, I like it!
ReplyDeleteYour enthusiasm is awesome!
3rd line offensive skills: check
ReplyDeleteZero physical play: check
Took every penny he could from organization: check
Can't stay healthy enough to win draws: check
Fans hate him as much as the previous captain: check
Yeah.. Shawn Horcoff is the obvious choice.
Ryan Whitney showed more leadership in 20 games than the previous leadership group showed all year. If Dion can be named captain in Toronto then I see no reason why Whitney shouldn't be named captain of the Oilers. Its pretty sad it only took Whitney 2 games to call this team out for what it is while the previous "leaders" was just happy to be making NHL money.
Ryan Whitney showed more leadership in 20 games than the previous leadership group showed all year. If Dion can be named captain in Toronto then I see no reason why Whitney shouldn't be named captain of the Oilers. Its pretty sad it only took Whitney 2 games to call this team out for what it is while the previous "leaders" was just happy to be making NHL money.
ReplyDeleteAs much as we butt heads on many issues, I think you are spot on here.
We should bring Stoll back.
ReplyDeleteMisfit - Yes, we should.
ReplyDeleteOthers - So, maybe I should get those "Whitney for 'C'" campaign signs and buttons ready after all? There seems to be more appetite for that than I thought there'd be.
I was prepared to hate the guy because it took Lubomir to get him, but he impressed the hell out of me and not just on the ice. His public commentary was excellent.
For a bunch of armchair psychologists ("MOREAU IS RUINING THE TEAM BY BEING MEAN TO ANDREW COGLIANO AND FORCING HIM TO SIT BY HIMSELF IN THE LOCKER ROOM!!!"), I'm fairly impressed that you think the best plan is to make the captain a guy who has been with the organization for thirty games and has already been shipped out of two other organizations.
ReplyDeleteI mean, clearly Horcoff is the guy in my mind (despite being terrible last year, he gutted it out, played 79 games injured, and logged the most TOI/GP on the team), but if people disagree that's fine, but I don't see Whitney as the solution. If Quinn/Tambellini decide Horcoff can't be the guy it should be a set of A's (and I definitely don't mind giving Whitney one of those) until Hall/Seguin/Gagner take the role.
Or: ZACK STORTINI. I originally wrote that as a joke, but I like it way better than Ryan Whitney.
Whitney's leadership (or at least his interviews) was pretty much the only thing that impressed me about him last year. I still don't understand why everyone was praising him so much for his play on the ice. I didn't understand it then, and I still don't get it. I mean, he and Gilbert had some pretty good results, but I couldn't believe how lost the guy looked in both the offensive and defensive zones.
ReplyDeleteI think Horcoff is still the best candidate for the captaincy, no matter how bady Traktor hates the idea. In fact, that's often a selling point.
Every organization's fans always likes to jump behind the shiny new thing. Whitney is not terribly shiny to my eyes, but new to us. For those who have watched his career deteriorate from Pitts-Ana, his not really new either.
ReplyDeleteIt is far too soon to thrust him into the role of captain. Not to mention that he will be out until at least January (and possibly the entire season) after having foot surgery in the offseason. Why don't we wait and see what remains of Whitney as a player after having his foot reconstructed before anointing him our captain.
Quain: Doesn't take too much time to realise who's and leader and who's not.
ReplyDeleteFans hate him as much as the previous captain: check
ReplyDeleteThe stupid ones do. I guess you think that there are enough of them to factor that in?
That's the first I've heard of Whitney's surgery possibly causing him to miss time next year (and the season, no less). Are you sure about that?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThe stupid ones do. I guess you think that there are enough of them to factor that in?
Not sure if you've been out West and seen a game at Rexall lately, but the boos when he name is announced for a goal or assist is loud.
Its embarrassing really.
I like 10 for Captain, but I really like what Whitney has brought.
Misfit, you must be seeing him bad, except for a few positioning errors and a couple of cross check penalties while already on the PK, his performance has been pretty good.
Misfit,
ReplyDeleteStauffer interviewed him a few weeks back and Whitney said this foot wasn't nearly as bad as the other foot and he will be healed in plenty of time to get in shape for the season and not miss any time.
That's what I thought too (regarding the foot).
ReplyDelete@Woodguy.......*hands in the air*.....i'm feeeeelin' the love! :)
ReplyDeleteWoodguy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for pointing me to Stauffer's interview with Whitney.
http://oilers.nhl.com/podcasts/audio.xml
Somehow I missed that one. My comments were based on how long it took Whitney to return from the offseason surgery on his left foot (returned in January that year). It does sound like the surgery on his right foot was less involved than his left. If he was already working out and walking on it on June 2, I expect he will be ready for the season opener.
I stand corrected, but still think the Oilers should wait and see what kind of on/off ice leadership he is capable of before making him our captain.
I throw my vote in for no captain until they can establish some type of identity as a team that can win hockey games.
ReplyDeleteWhen that happens there should be some good candidates. Right now, not so much.
I am with Dug.
ReplyDeleteI eagerly anticipate changes that will actually matter.
I will reserve comment on the captaincy in the hopes that there is a longer list of candidates to choose from on Sept. 15.
I stand corrected, but still think the Oilers should wait and see what kind of on/off ice leadership he is capable of before making him our captain.
ReplyDeleteWhich brings us back to the idea that a captain need not be named in July and should probably happen during or after training camp. By the coach.
BTW, isn't this really Sam Gagner's team going forward from here? He has nearly as many games as Gilbert (223 to 258) and continues to make progress in all areas of the game. Shouldn't he at least get consideration?
"The stupid ones do."
ReplyDeleteGive me my toy back!
I'm not sure why I'm really participating in this conversation given my belief that who is Captain impacts winning about as much as whether they cut their sandwiches diagonally or not for meals.
ReplyDeleteBut, with Gagner, I just don't see the value. He's likely to be outpaced as 'young stud' by Hall/Seguin, maybe MPS. He's not exactly a role model in the Horcoff mold (veteran, hard-worker, sacrifices, the likely last remaining tie to the Cup team) and he's not even as pivotal to the team, offensively, as Hemsky. Whatever point you can make in Gagner's favor, you can make better in someone else's favor.
Depending on what you value, I think these are your options:
Veteran/Work-Ethic - Horcoff
Face of Franchse - Wait a few years, then Hall/Seguin
Desperate to Make Him Stay - Hemsky
Maybe He'll Play Like This Forever if We Give Him the C - Penner
We're Not Going to Trade Him Like the Last Two Teams, PLUS HE FIGHTS!!!! - Whitney
You're Pat Quinn - Jacques
There's a rumor here in Chi-Town that the Oilers may be interested in Kris Versteeg.
ReplyDeleteCan't see how that fits with the Oilers at all unless they take POS or Nilsson back.
So... how desperate are the Hawks to cut their cap number?
Pretty desperate, especially if Mirtle has the goods and their cap number next season is cut $4MM... and the PA doesn't trigger the inflator. They could be looking at fitting a team in for $52MM when they're currently spending $57.5MM on 14 players. If you add $4.55MM to that (9 more roster spots, $.55MM each, so half their team would be AHL quality) they need to cut $10MM.
ReplyDeleteNo idea if the Blackhawks can afford it, but putting Huet and Campbell into the AHL is close to the only way to begin solving this problem without destroying the team, and even then Madden, Ladd, Hjalmarsson and Niemi are fairly worthwhile pieces that they'd probably like to resign.
I could see Chicago being interested in Riley Nash. Would make a nice Sharp replacement in a couple years.
ReplyDeleteVersteeg for Nash?
I would certainly be pulling for Gagner over Horcoff or Whitney as the best 'interim' choice. That said, if the Oil truly are serious about implementing the Chicago Model, I would think they'll eventually have to settle on their Toews-esque leader from the likes of Hall/Seguin, MPS or Eberle?
ReplyDeleteIs it just me or is the dressing room theater a little overrated? I would think the voices of dissent don't have much to say when the team is winning. Of course bitching and factions arise when the team is losing. Isn't that natural and almost desirable in a way? I much prefer a heated dressing room when the team is losing over complacency. Personally I don't care if they are friends off the ice. I just want to see them perform like professionals when they're on it.
Completely out of left field, could a team as desperate for leadership, experience and depth on the blue do worse than Chris Chelios?
ReplyDeleteGranted the old mare ain't what she used to be, but it's hard not to imagine the old warhorse making an invaluable contribution mentoring the young D and the youthful dressing room in general. Playing wise, would he honestly be any worse an option than Chorney or Strudwick?
Chelios: ...and this is how you drill someone in the back of the neck with a cross-check without getting caught by a referee, everyone get a good lo...Tom pay attention, this is important!
ReplyDeleteMight as well bring in Chelios's old coach while you're at it to school the young'n's in OKC.
Ryan Potulny.
ReplyDelete:-)
lol Chelios sucks.
ReplyDeleteStrudwick 2.0
@Deano....and the funny thing is, how many of us have had Pouliot out the door the last few years? and now he seems to have shown JUST enough to maybe make this team next year as a 4th liner? i would like to see what he could do on the powerplay....did he play any PP last year? anyone know? even though he can't really score a lot, he still has soft hands.
ReplyDeleteHaha.. sometimes I find myself laughing, admittedly, that this team we cheer for.. sucks..
ReplyDeleteDont get me wrong LT, keep pumping the good stuff into my veins, but man'o'man...
For the record: if they NEEDED a captain, horc,.. if not needed, I completely agree w bank shot.. well said...
"I throw my vote in for no captain until they can establish some type of identity as a team that can win hockey games. "
Yes, there is the infamous Brian Propp ambush on Chelly's resume.
ReplyDeleteThere is also 3 Norris Trophies, 2 Stanley Cups & as recently as 3 year's back he won the NHL's Mark Messier Leadership Award.
Most importantly, the guy is a workout fiend and a true pro. He literally LIVES to play hockey. The Oilers had more than a few passengers last year who would benefit from seeing that kind of enthusiasm towards coming to the rink.
Ryan Potulny. :-)
ReplyDeleteRyan Jones!
I kind of forgot that we have him for another year.
#1 Cleaning House
ReplyDelete#2 Naming new Captain
is better than
#1 Naming new Captain
#2 Cleaning House
Lets wait and see who is actually around when the dust settles...
He literally LIVES to play hockey.
ReplyDeleteProblem is that he's been living for Hockey for 67 years.
Gordie Howe had more fire than Chelly, sign him.
On Moreau, is it 100% he won't be in line-up next season, not so sure.
ReplyDeleteCaptain should Moreau be gone, DON'T assign it, let the captain emerge out of the group, he will show himself sooner or later.
Buyout of POS or Nilsson? POS, Nilsson can throw a check at least.
Chelios DID play in the NHL last year. It's not like I'm calling for the reincarnation of Doug Harvey.
ReplyDeleteCrazy Prediction - The Oilers will trade for Ryan Smyth to come back and be Captain in an attempt to fix the culture of the dressing room. A few $$ will go back the other way to balance the deal.
ReplyDeleteBulin for Captain!
ReplyDeleteAfter every save we can chant BOOOOOOOOOOO
going a season without a captain wouldn't be so horrible.
ReplyDeletecaptaincy should be something you earn, and on a 30th place team no one has earned it.
I think they should start the season without a captain and see who steps up.
ReplyDelete"going a season without a captain wouldn't be so horrible."
ReplyDeleteAs noted above
Going forever without a Captain wouldn't be so...be so...be ZZZZz-snort-wuhff-ZZZZZZZZ
Chopper will show up most nights
ReplyDeleteOn the scoresheet, too!
(Under, "two minutes for holding," but look, he's there!)
I have no clue what the situation is. I have thought I understood the situation in the dressing room at times, only to be suprised by a comment or event that occurs. So, I admit to being clueless and all of this is just speculation based upon tidbits in the media.
I think that's the wisest approach to these dressing-room strife rumours. I'm sure there's strife, but why, and who's right, and how it's affecting the team's actual results? Fool's errand, all of it.
The stupid ones do. I guess you think that there are enough of them to factor that in?
Number 8 bus, Tyler. Fucking everyone hates him outside this crowd.
as recently as 3 year's back he won the NHL's Mark Messier Leadership Award.
That's not a real award.
Also, the man's 48. He's the last NHLer old enough to have participated in a bench-emptier. His first Norris Trophy came before half this team was old enough to skate. Let him be.
For what it's worth, Steve Staios' Edmonton house is up for sale. Being that they're very close friends, it could be inferred that Staios sees no further reason to keep an Edmonton house because Moreau thinks he's on the way out as well.
ReplyDeleteThen again, Staios doesn't ordinarily live in Edmonton in the offseason anyway so arguably he'd have no reason to keep an Edmonton residence even if Moreau was staying.
If you're looking to change the culture then what better way then to turf a captain who has no idea about his own accountability.
ReplyDelete18's a weird guy who on the one hand would offer one of his homes to the kids and try to make them feel at home but who on the other hand will go out of his way to blame everyone but himself.
Plus we know there's a disconnect between the kids and the vets and if the vet skipper can't mend it then he's obviously part of the problem.
If they dump Moreau and don't award the C to anyone for a while, they should stitch it to Joey Moss's shirt for safe keeping.
ReplyDeleteNobody loves that room more than him.
LMHF#1: Well he IS the obvious candidate. Tough minutes C who was here for the good times (and contributed to the 2006 Stanley run, in case anyone forgot about that) and has done his best in every task presented him.
ReplyDeleteStrong resume.
LT: Yeah but aren't they looking for a change of culture? To me Horcoff looks more like an old guard guy.
ReplyDeleteBut whatever, no one here's in the dressing room, the only ones who can answer this question is the Oilers themselves.
Make them vote. Secret vote.
Smyth for Souray!!!
ReplyDeleteI'd even throw in a 2nd rounder to make it happen. Stitch the C to his chest and call it a day.
Smyth Horc Hemsky
Penner Gagner ....
MPS Seguin ....
stone .... Pisani
Still in the mix
Pouliot, Potulny, Storts, Brule
Jones
Dump
POS, Moreau, Nilson, Cogs
Grab a solid checking faceoff center and stir the drink as needed even two if you want to leave seguin in the minors for another year.
Chartleys
Hobble together a D and we're off.
Fix the D.
Jones and stone are interchangeable.
Whole lot of cheap
FPB: Yes, for sure. My point is that he would be a logical choice for next in line if the team was making the choice with traditional requirements.
ReplyDeleteHell they might name Jacques captain!
LT: Yes yes, I don't think there's a debate in that category. Tough I'd wait to see if he can come back to good shape, so we don't give to the C to a plumber... again. (No he's not a plumber now, but might become if he repeats)
ReplyDeleteHow's Hemsky's leadership?
Given that according to PJO and others Taylor Hall is touched by god and from him radiates the might of angels have we considered that not only should we draft him we should immediately make him captain?
ReplyDeleteYeah, if Seguin turns out to be better, they should become Exiles as the price =).
ReplyDeleteSmyth is a great guy and everything but he just makes way too much damned money.
ReplyDeletePlus, you know...He isn't "Elite".
"If they dump Moreau and don't award the C to anyone for a while, they should stitch it to Joey Moss's shirt for safe keeping."
ReplyDeletethat sounds pretty good, actually.
Moreau was a great foot soldier & bled oiler colors but his time is up.buy him out or get anything if you can.horcoff should be the next captain.he had an off year & played hurt.he's locked up for 5 years so he's here for awhile.he's worked his way up the depth chart through hard work.I think he's the last player left from the sather era.
ReplyDelete