Cogliano vs. Brule debate: it flip flops back and forth, really. I think at this point maybe we can say that both players are probably low end top-six (maybe even top 9) players. Today we’ll say Cogliano is the better.. tomorrow we might say Brule. I am not so sure which one is really the better, but I’d say that either of them could be considered expendible (although I’ve always liked both). This is especially true since Cogliano is not a great center (will he ever be?) and Brule is a very inconsistent forward. We don’t want to swap the entire team out, but I just think there is room for improvement in the 3rd line center role.

- Very much agreed on your comments on Mac and Storts. Storts showed potential to be a Carcillo type. I don’t think he has either good enough hands to put up decent enough numbers or hard enough hands to compensate with fighting ability. That said, I still think of Jacques, Stortini and MacIntyre he might be our best option. We just all know that neither of these 3 players are what most would consider rare breeds. Cut them loose and try something else. As for JFJ being qualified.. I’m the only guy in all of Oilland that I know of that sticks up for him. I thought he played really well last year (*as an energy player*). This year his energy game has been nearly non-existent though, much like his counterparts.

As always, on the same page with free agency.

To do list for Tambi:

-Ditch Mac and Storts for guys like Carcillo and a Laperriere (sp?) type
-trade Brule at the deadline. Cogs has been the better despite my doubt earlier on
-Dump JFJ and Fraser. JFJ…why did we qualify this guy? Fraser has been a total dissapointment
-Trade VanDermeer for picks too. Struds will be hard to replace on our RockBand strategy……
-Khabbi needs to get dealt if anyone dares take him
-Foster, dump for picks at deadline
-Get Penner and Hemsky extended in off season

As far as the filling of holes, I, and lots of others including Racki, have been saying this for years; There are always, every single f’n year, guys who are good players, are cheap and know their roles. This is always the case on D and in forward spots as well as goaltending. No excuses next year for not being in competition for playoffs as far as I’m concerned. It’s doeable and it’s not rocket science.

As far as this season goes, I expected this shit show, which is kind of sad, but the one thing that is nice is that the kids are being brought it en masse and seem to be doing well. Also, I don’t recall a version of the Oilers where the team mentality has been so strong. Not for a very long time anyway. Likely since Guerin and Weight left.

Next year should be a good team given all the tools we have. Tambellini picking up what we all recognize as necessary will be the test that I measure the team by going into next year. If we pick off scraps and castoffs from other teams like Mac and Fraser/Foster…I’ll be having an issue. This summer is the time to step up and deliver in the UFA market, and I’m not talking about Brad Richards either. Just get guys who have proven they are good and can plug our holes and build the rookies up even more. Nothing more, nothing less.

The ratings I gave the team as a whole and coaching as a whole compared to management reflect what I’m saying… those two parties have no desire to tank (nor should they). That all rests on the heads of the big men upstairs.

The laissez faire policy of the management, however…;)