Turning the corner
Posted 3:20 AM ET | Comments 3
There came a point in the season for me, about 20-30 games ago, where Dallas Eakins stopped sounding like a defeated rookie coach, mired in his own self pity, to a man who had found his words, and looked like he was meant to be there.
Not 10 or so games before the end of the season, Taylor Hall and Eakins had their version of a lovers spat on national TV, and the entire Oilers nation was sure as ever that one of them was going to be gone. Hint: It wasn't Hall. Obviously that hasn't happened yet. Hall's not going anywhere, and neither is Eakins (yet). And it will be for the better of the future of the team that these men continue to form those bonds that can only be achieved with time in. One season together isn't enough to build a winner, and I firmly believe that one of the biggest contributors to success in anything, is being able to trust your co workers like they were family. We would have seen more success under Kruger this year, just because of that factor. What's done is done, and at this point, the Oilers are down a year team building wise. All that's left to do now, is turn the corner. Anything else will be catastrophic failure.
I suspect we'll see a mutated version of 13-14's roster next year, much the same, but totally different. In a good way. Here's my take..
Nuge-Hall-Eberle
Gagner-Perron-Yak
Arco-Gazdic-Lander
Gordon-Big UFA winger-Hendricks
Joensuu out, Pinizzoto back in OKC for development.
Klefbom-Ference
Petry-Marinicin
Schultz-UFA stay at home D
Scrivens
Fasth
I said early in the year, that I'd like to see Arco and Gags be able to coexist in the lineup, as long as Arco is able to put an edge to his game, he can handle third line minutes. As much as I want that to happen, MacT can use Gags as bait in one of his offseason bold moves, to bring a big winger or two in for the bottom 6.
I wonder if Gordon will be asked to take on a 4th line role next season. I wouldn't be surprised, especially if Arco sticks around.
Not 10 or so games before the end of the season, Taylor Hall and Eakins had their version of a lovers spat on national TV, and the entire Oilers nation was sure as ever that one of them was going to be gone. Hint: It wasn't Hall. Obviously that hasn't happened yet. Hall's not going anywhere, and neither is Eakins (yet). And it will be for the better of the future of the team that these men continue to form those bonds that can only be achieved with time in. One season together isn't enough to build a winner, and I firmly believe that one of the biggest contributors to success in anything, is being able to trust your co workers like they were family. We would have seen more success under Kruger this year, just because of that factor. What's done is done, and at this point, the Oilers are down a year team building wise. All that's left to do now, is turn the corner. Anything else will be catastrophic failure.
I suspect we'll see a mutated version of 13-14's roster next year, much the same, but totally different. In a good way. Here's my take..
Nuge-Hall-Eberle
Gagner-Perron-Yak
Arco-Gazdic-Lander
Gordon-Big UFA winger-Hendricks
Joensuu out, Pinizzoto back in OKC for development.
Klefbom-Ference
Petry-Marinicin
Schultz-UFA stay at home D
Scrivens
Fasth
I said early in the year, that I'd like to see Arco and Gags be able to coexist in the lineup, as long as Arco is able to put an edge to his game, he can handle third line minutes. As much as I want that to happen, MacT can use Gags as bait in one of his offseason bold moves, to bring a big winger or two in for the bottom 6.
I wonder if Gordon will be asked to take on a 4th line role next season. I wouldn't be surprised, especially if Arco sticks around.
If Gazdic is on our 3rd line and Klefbom and Marincin are 2 of our top 4 defenseman the only thing we will be looking forward to next year is MacT on stage saying, "with the first overall pick, Edmonton selects"
And then we pick Connor McDavid and live happily ever after!
Also, we all knew Jones was gone after this season, right?