2016 Oilers Off-season Thread: Fire up the "hopeful spin" machine...

[OK14]

We're in the off-season, that wonderful time of year where fans of the Oilers get to experience the glorious feeling known as "hope".

"Hope" for a better future.

"Hope" for a winning team.

"Hope" for playoffs.

And then, of course, the reality of the regular season sets in and the huge buildup of hope predictably dies, decomposing into a messy heap of bitterness, resentment, and knee-jerk reactions.

But hey, it's summer. Let's not dwell on that just yet. Instead, let's look at the first big move.

Today, the Oilers have attempted to build towards hope by signing highly touted college sniper Drake Caggiula (ka-JOO-lah) to an entry-level contract. He was highly coveted by several teams, especially Vancouver.

It'll be interesting to see if we can integrate a college star into our system without rushing and ruining him (*cough* Justin Schultz *cough*). But considering that we have REAL coaching and competent management this time around, I'm much more optimistic...

...kind of...

[budha]

Re: 2016 Oilers Off-season Thread: Fire up the "hopeful spin" machine...

I am not celebrating the new college signing, but I am also not going to put it down. Lets see how the kid develops. Call it the Schultz effect.

To early in the off season to see how things are going to go. They started to bring in more sand paper at the deadline, and they have about $14 Million left in cap space to use. With McDavid, the Oilers may not have to over pay as much as they have had to in the past. They will still have to over pay, just not as much. There are also going to be changes in the top 9 forwards with Yak gone for sure and then, my guess any way, at least one the guys not named McDavid. This should help to build up the back end more.

The Oilers will also have at least 1 spot on the blue line, if not 2 with Ference. So this should mean that not as many NHL salary guys down on the farm, which will help in the development of other players.

[BaronAmongYou]

Re: 2016 Oilers Off-season Thread: Fire up the "hopeful spin" machine...

hope
hōp
noun
1.
a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen

The only reason hope may exist is if MacTavish et al. are actually out of the hockey decision making loop. If that is not true, all is lost.

[Section N]

Re: 2016 Oilers Off-season Thread: Fire up the "hopeful spin" machine...

Hall
Omark
Paajarvi
Eberle

Oh wait.....

[BaronAmongYou]

Re: 2016 Oilers Off-season Thread: Fire up the "hopeful spin" machine...

Hall
Omark
Paajarvi
Eberle

Oh wait.....

That bubble was popped by Hymens: Hall, Yakupov, McDavid, Eberle, Nuge, Schultzs

[Beerfish]

Re: 2016 Oilers Off-season Thread: Fire up the "hopeful spin" machine...

I've said it before, Chiarelli has until about a week after free agency to make Major changes to this teams overall make up otherwise he will be just another in a long line if failed front office people on this team. If we once again shuffle around the 3/4 line and bottom 3 dmen as we have done every year under every gm then we will fail again. Will the team do better overall? Yes, for one reason McDavid.

[Hugoagogo]

Re: 2016 Oilers Off-season Thread: Fire up the "hopeful spin" machine...

As @Real_ESPNLeBrun just reported on Insider Trading, Lucic very open to signing in EDM if things don't work out in LA, and deal is right.

— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) June 3, 2016

[eskfan152]

Re: 2016 Oilers Off-season Thread: Fire up the "hopeful spin" machine...

Hmmm, so what's all your thoughts on Lucic saying he'd be very open to signing here? Could be a big piece of the puzzle if the price is right.

[glenvb]

Re: 2016 Oilers Off-season Thread: Fire up the "hopeful spin" machine...

Was he asked about the Oilers, or did he mention them specifically himself?

And, do we really need another LW? Kinda looking forward to significant D.

[Angelus]

Re: 2016 Oilers Off-season Thread: Fire up the "hopeful spin" machine...

Signing Lucic terrifies me because he's not coming here unless we are the highest bidder and I'm very worried about what that contract looks like. Chia put Boston into cap hell and if he does 7x7 with Lucic, he's going to repeat that feat here except without a cup to show for it.

That being said...if you could somehow sign him reasonably and then flip Pouliot for a real RHD (Vatanen?), it would be a creative way of adding to the D without sacrificing the forward group.

[OK14]

Re: 2016 Oilers Off-season Thread: Fire up the "hopeful spin" machine...

As @Real_ESPNLeBrun just reported on Insider Trading, Lucic very open to signing in EDM if things don't work out in LA, and deal is right.

— James Duthie (@tsnjamesduthie) June 3, 2016

Lucic? HERE?