Comments on: GDT – Edmonton Oilers 4, Detroit Red Wings 1 – Dec 3, 2009 @ 5:00 PM – City TV – Game 28

By: Racki

Racki — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:20:09 +0000

Yah, as far as the defense are concerned, Lowe “fixed” that in bulk. Ran out anyone with any defensive sense. Staios was a bit of a hybrid early on, so I guess he lucked out, surviving the change. Really, I’d love it if they had 3 Visnovskys and 3 Smids. But since that’s not possible, I’d say Souray, Visnovsky, Grebeshkov, Smid, Chorney and a rock-solid D-man would get the job done. The ridiculous, usual fan expectations say Peckham is that guy, but if he’ll ever be that guy he’s a long ways off. He shouldn’t be expected to be that guy for a while either. Having a d-man that gives our younger guys some confidence would go a long ways. It’s done wonders for Smid. Same for Grebeshkov when he’s with Visnovsky – put him with Gilbert and it’s a nightmare.

By: Horpensky

Horpensky — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 18:40:42 +0000

I really don’t believe Hemsky makes or breaks the team either. Under MacT it really looked that way but Quinn’s game makes everyone contribute.

Funny how a few seasons ago we had too many defensive d-men that couldn’t make a breakout pass to save their lives, and now we have them flying out of our arses and growing on trees. However we don’t have enough ones that can keep the puck out of the net to save their lives.

Anyways we have a lot of excellent prospects coming up. With Eberle lighting up the WHL like a Christmas tree and Cornet looking like a huge steal, we got a pretty good future. Lets not rush these guys.

By: Racki

Racki — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:07:20 +0000

My frustrations with the team this year are directed towards management, much like many other fans. I think the players on most nights do give 100% (although we do have some players that still expect a free ride). But sometimes their 100% isn’t enough. That’s when you look at management to help fix the problem.

I do think there is a decent chance they can make the playoffs, but there’s maybe an even better chance that they won’t. I will say though that I’m not a believer that Hemsky makes or break this team. The thing about how Quinn coaches this team is no one player should make or break it. It’s a modular team. If Hemsky is out, well, as we seen, Brule steps in (and he’s currently doing a mighty fine job in his place) and someone else fills in for Brule. Obviously there is only so much that can be done if we lose several guys, but I’m not on the management-hate-wagon because Hemsky is out. It changes nothing in my eyes.

They’re losing games because they can’t keep the puck out of their net, not because they can’t score. That’s why I’ve been repeatedly banging the drum that they’ve needed better defensive d-men for a while now (so that I agree with you on, MrM!). Khabibulin being hurt doesn’t help either.

By: Mr.Majestyk

Mr.Majestyk — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:23:19 +0000

I’m an eternal optimist so I always think we can make the playoffs. That said, I look for positives and negatives in all our games, when we win and when we lose. The last few games, I’ve seen more positives than negatives. Sure, it really sucked losing to the Canucks, but JDD just didn’t have a stellar game, and our PK wasn’t working on that night and we got burned. On the flipside, in the last bunch of games we’ve had more jump. They look a lot more like the team we saw at the start of the season that got out of the gates quick(right down to the last second goals we allow). If as a group they can continue to move in this direction, I think we can correct the problems by making some deals and picking up a defensive defenceman.

Have some Koo-Aid! Cheers!

By: Racki

Racki — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 06:19:06 +0000

Horpensky: It’s amazing how optimistic we are after a good win (and pessimistic after a loss). This is how bipolar we are. One win and we think we can make the playoffs, and a loss and we think we should tank. But in the big picture, this team hasn’t proven anything yet.

Racki: Anyways, solid bounce back game by the boys, tonight. But I’m still not fooled. “Tank for T?yl?r” – modified version of Horpensky’s post from earlier.

As you can see by my post above, I'm still aboard the "tank train"... stay the course, I say... Really though, it is barely December and there is a lot of season left.. but I'd like them to tank just to do the rebuild right. Get a player to REALLY build around and trade some of the small assets we've got and cut some players loose...