What exactly is the problem?

[moontoscott]

Well, another game and another injury and a bunch more missed chances. And of course another loss. 4-8 and starting to fade already.

It seems to have been this way for the last decade. A fast skating, exciting Oilers team that gets all kinds of chances but just can't bury it.

What is the problem? Is it just hands of stone and mediocre talent or is it coaching? Can you coach "hands?" Can you teach hockey instinct?

PP is the same story. Ineffective for years. We show Simpson the door and bring in someone else but nothing changes. In fact it seems to have gotten worse.

I'm not sure what to think. Is it coincidence that Mac-T is in year 8 behind the bench and the same problems occur over and over or is it just that we have had a very mediocre team for the last decade? I give up. Maybe someone has some insight as to what coaching can (can't) do for you.

[Sgt. Nuke]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

I dunno either.

[gizmo fan 2]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

Is Daum on the PP yet?

Other than that, I'm out of possible solutions.

[Deathsdoorstep]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

The team has a lousy coach for one thing. For another they are a very, very young team that is rebuilding. Finally, you're not going to win many games when 3 of your top 6 defenseman are out and you're getting less than .900 goaltending.

[Numberz]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

not enough shooting....eventually they started shooting late in the game, but generally this team is way too conservative. They don't attack.

[Deathsdoorstep]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

not enough shooting....eventually they started shooting late in the game, but generally this team is way too conservative. They don't attack.

Also, the coach has this weird system of sending in only 1 forechecker and having the rest of the guys float back towards the blueline. They don`t even bother to try to clog up the neutral zone. The opposition always has easy access to our zone.

[GREYx14]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

Every day the Oilers seem to get one step closer to being the team that imploded down the stretch last season. Once they reacquire Toby Peterson to play the point on the PP, the transformation will be complete.

[Deathsdoorstep]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

I dislike the coaching, but to be honest, my expectations are not really high. I see where Kevin Lowe is going with this. There`s a lot of young talent on the Oilers. Lots of it. YOUNG talent.

[Esks4ever]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

anyone think that they want to keep a similar style of offense they had back in the 80s when the Oilers where the best team in the NHL? I see similaries (sp) in the style of play - the difference is we dont have the same amount of talent as we did back then. Not to mention the game is completely different then how it was.. .go back and watch some of those 80s stanly cup games - completely different Defenses - and imo that style of Offense will not work in this day and age.

Before you all say i'm out to lunch , remember the Oilers seem to like the idea of the Old Boys club , with hiring old ex Oilers.. perhaps they wanna bring bach that type of offense to the game now - and its failing.



just my 2.06cents.

[Diesel]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

This team is way too easy to play against. No sandpaper whatsoever

[Hugoagogo]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

For most teams, offensive results originate from the number one centre. I've never been a fan of Horcoff, but I'm coming around. I do see the commitment in his play. But he is a number two centre at best. Getting a bona fide number one centre is not the only problem, but it fixes a big one...
Yes there is some potential in our young centres, but in time.

[Numberz]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

For most teams, offensive results originate from the number one centre. I've never been a fan of Horcoff, but I'm coming around. I do see the commitment in his play. But he is a number two centre at best. Getting a bona fide number one centre is not the only problem, but it fixes a big one...
Yes there is some potential in our young centres, but in time.

Ditto.....he's getting better in the offensive zone and he's starting to show me that he deserves to be the No.1 centre on this team.

[earl2]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

This team is way too easy to play against. No sandpaper whatsoever

100% correct.
Nobody is afraid of playing the Oilers.

The only guy who was physical last night was Penner.
This team has no grit. When was the last time you saw the Oilers generate any offence off of the forecheck?

Obviously getting Moreau, Pisani and Souray back would help. But it might not be enough.

[Nanookster]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

The team has a lousy coach for one thing. For another they are a very, very young team that is rebuilding. Finally, you're not going to win many games when 3 of your top 6 defenseman are out and you're getting less than .900 goaltending.

A lousy coach who altered the game plan two seasons ago and brought them to game 7 of the SCF. That run wasn't all Pronger.

A coach who hasn't been given much to work with.

A GM who hasn't been given much to spend.

Oiler fans are only happy when we are winning.

I'm afraid we won't ever have sucess with the Oilers until the fans lay off the team. We have run so many players out of town who have become a success elsewhere. They don't like being under the microscope in Edmonton. The only one who did like the limelight was Laraque, and we still ran him out of town.

Oiler fans are far far too critical. We are all experts and we make it hard for Oilers to play here. The Oiler site is already calling for Garon to take over as starter and to trade Rolie. That event was all too predictable. The trend is so Edmonton.

[Muley69]

Re: What exactly is the problem?

You are so night and day between the Oilers and the Esks; it's mind boggling.