chaps80

Makes sense. And yes, horrible trade. I always wanted Eberle on the Wings. Once McDavids new contract kicks in things are gonna be tighter cap wise. Always rumours of Nuge being traded, but they never amount to anything. Either no one wants him at his cap hit, or the Oilers can’t get their asking price. Lots of Oilers fans want him to stay too. But somethings gotta give.

They did well last season with pretty well the same roster. The guys that stepped up last year have regressed. Talbot was probably the best goalie they had since Roloson. Lol Well they had Dubnyk, but he only decided to play to his potential when he got to Minnesota.

If the Oilers get another first overall, the draft system needs a serious overhaul. That would be what, 5 first overalls in 7 years? And I agree, Mrazek isn’t a prudent option for them right now. Neuvirth would be the guy I’d take off that list.

They shouldn’t be a long shot with their roster though. Underperforming on an epic scale. But no, no way Green (upcoming UFA, will want big money to stay, may not want to) and Mrazek (expensive second goalie option, only played ten games this season, needs to be resigned and has arbitration rights) gets the Wings that package.

They are looking at cheaper options than Mrazek as well though. Johnson Hutchinson Neuvirth Pickard Also in talks with Sabres. If Mrazek is traded, he’s traded. I’d just hate to see him go to Edmonton, because they will actually give him a solid chance to regain form. Talbot hasn’t been there very long, and isn’t having a good season. They don’t “owe”him anything. I’m sure McLelland wouldn’t have an issue running with Mrazek. Unlike Detroit, where he can’t seem to escape Howard’s shadow because of multiple factors. Be even worse if he ends up being the goalie that gets the Oilers a Cup within a couple years, although it would be funny seeing him stick it to Holland, if he’s still around. They aren’t that far off, just need a few pieces. And they have the assets to get them.

It was Friedman who reported it apparently.

Yes, I can see that. When Howard gets shaken, it never turns out good. It’s good that he can call himself out on it. Long as he doesn’t pull a Legace and say he wants to kill himself.

It’s also been mentioned by some in the media that Blash seems to be pretty biased when it comes to Howard, and it doesn’t look good the way he never puts a lick of blame on him for anything. Always jumping to his defence quickly after a bad game like a minor hockey dad would with his kid. ”Howard has worked hard to get his game back, gives us a chance every night, didn’t really have a chance on those goals, hung out to dry, I’m not worried about him, etc, etc.” Never any mention of how he needs to be better or anything.

I haven’t been keeping track of Sheahan lately, didn’t think he em was doing that well. Been doing it low key. But yes, good trade still. Sheahan wasn’t working out in Detroit, he gets a fresh start. AA was signed, got some picks. All good.

Could be more than that. But doping in the Olympics is a huge infringement on the policies. I remember when Ross Rebegliatti(sp?) won the gold in snowboarding for Canada, he was stripped of it because of trace amounts of THC in his system. He claimed he wasn’t a smoker, but was recently hanging out with friends who do, and got the THC second hand. It’s definitely possible with the trace amounts, but nonetheless, he lost the gold for it. His medal was reinstated though after a bit cause weed isn’t on the list of Olympic banned substances. But if an athlete can lose a medal over THC in his system, even temporarily, the Russians deserve the ban. I’m sure it was something much more hardcore they were using. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

Blashill hasn’t lost the team. He never had them in the first place.

Sheahan isn’t doing anything in Pittsburgh. Wilson wasn’t doing anything in Detroit either. Main reason for the trade was to open cap for AA. That was accomplished. They also upgraded a pick in that trade and got a 5th from Buffalo in this one. All good. There’s already enough scrubs hanging around this team. Plus Bert gets a callup.

Hahahahahaha Good job Russia. If there was an Olympic doping scandal, it would involve them. They’ve been obsessed with athletics, being the best at them, and doing anything they could to do so, illegal or otherwise, for a long time. Believe they are smarter and superior to every other country. Guess they aren’t so smart after all. They were so obsessed, especially with hockey, it got to a point where losing a game was the equivalent of losing a military battle to them. It bring shame. The players and coaches on their team in 1980 probably still haven’t gotten over that loss to the US. You just know Tretiak hates seeing that bronze medal blemish on his gold medal record. I believe he was asked recently enough what he thought about it, and he said he should never have been pulled, never would have allowed the types of goals Myshkin did, and had he finished the game, he would have made sure they won. Pretty humble guy that Vlad!

Haha hell no. He’d be scratched a lot anyways. But fights are cool to see when you actually have a guy who can fight. Especially one that, if injured,won’t affect the club.

Haha well Witkowski is the only player on the team that can actually fight and isn’t afraid to get in the rough areas. Abby brings grit and size, but can’t figjt worth s*** and isn’t as much into the rough stuff as he once was. Mantha doesn’t shy away from it either, but that shouldn’t be his job.

One bad season does not make or break a goalie. That’s just ridiculous to even think that. His career numbers were top notch before last season. He’s improved some this year, but can’t work on fixing his issues fully and getting rolling and get back to where he once was by only playing now and then. Too quick to give up on him. He had a bad season, big deal. Lots of goalies have them. People need to stop thinking one season has made the final decision and he won’t be resigned because of it. The talent he’s shown in some games this season like Washington and the Edmonton shutout shows that elite potential is still there. I’m betting if they have him a few games he’d get settled in and be just fine. He apparantly worked hard over the summer and the team was impressed with his improvement. Let him have at it.

Exactly. It’s been far from a rotation. Howard has started every game except for maybe ten? Don’t feel like looking up the numbers. But it’s clear Howard is trending downward lately and needs to pick it up. Very bad point in the season for him to do so. Let him hit the pine for a few games and think about it. Sometimes players just need a “wake up call”, right Holland?

Sorry, meant to say one bad season where he was actually named starter before heading into it. The year before he finished with a 2.33 GAA when Howard was the official starter. Most teams don’t give up so soon when they have a veteran goalie with a history of injuries and breakdowns who is getting older that they need to replace eventually and have a guy in waiting that they want (or wanted, who knows now with this team) to take over.

No what’s jinxing him is never getting two starts in a row, even if he wins or plays well. Hard to get rolling that way, I don’t care who you are. I bet Howard gets the start next game even though he had a .600 sv% today, cause he’s Howard. This franchise just can’t seem to realize Howard can be great, but he always falls apart at some point, year after year. Gotta stop putting faith in him as a starting goaltender and look at other options. And no, Mrazek’s one season as ‘sort of starter’ isn’t enough of a move in that direction.

Too soon to decide that. And Mrazek hasn’t had the benefit of hanging out in the AHL till the age he currently is either. He’s been in the NHL since he was 22 on a team trending downhill. Howard started his NHL career at 25, the first few with a great/good team. They’re career numbers aren’t even that far apart right now if we’re basing things strictly on that.

Been saying that for awhile. Jimmy’s on and off play lately should earn him a spot on the bench. Your paying Mrazek $4 million as a backup. Use him, give him a chance to play a few consecutive games and go from there. Never know, might get him heading towards where they want him to be, which is replacing Howard. Someone has to at some point.

Ya, cause Howard letting in 4 goals on 10 shots as your starter is what your really looking for. Oh, Mrazek now has 7 saves on 8 shots. Already can’t do worse this game than the inevitable return of the goalie known as Jittery Jimmy Howard has.

Howard looked worse in relief. Yep. Jimmy has only allowed 15 goals in not even three full games. 5 goals tonight on how many shots? He was bound to blow a gasket eventually. I was just waiting it out until Jimmy hit sieve mode again. People want Petr gone, but YAY JIMMY!! All Star candidate!! He’s a loser and always will be. Petr might suck, but Jimmy sucks just as much.

Our “starter” Howard should have stayed on the bench. Least Mrazek was stopping some pucks. Howard really sucks lately.

HOLY f***!!! 8-0? Is this reality? Mrazek 5 goals on 25 shots, Howard 3 on 6. f*** this team sucks at hockey.