I too looked at adding Skinner in mine but in the end I just see him as an anchor.
Gusev is a small player not what this team needs. I looked at the possible uptick in scoring with him but again the players size doesn’t fit.


You have way to many kids on this roster and in the end you picked up Hamilton and immediately exited the playoffs. If this team makes the playoffs.

This roster gets a D minus from me…not that my opinion matters…lol

We aren't trading weegar, especially not for that

Skinners contract isnt a problem, but the Sabres arent paying to get rid of him, so this is fine.

You are correct, although that D Corps is championship calibre. Weegar is a substantial defender and Reilly is a very under-rated Dman, an excellent passer and is surprisingly physical.

Regardless, the Skinner contract kills everything, but the rookies are all 3rd and 4th year pros. Not a problem on the 4th line and 3rd pair.I agree that this line up is on the small side.

You might be surprised what "that" really is. I also expected to see this response, but you don't know, what you don't know.

The Oilers fan base will lose its minds if the team comes to camp with three rookies penciled in to the opening day roster. I can’t see 97 or 29 being happy with that scenario at all. No chance this happens. They must have 4 lines of NHL players period. The kids can push for a spot and maybe garner some NHL time later in the season. This is a make it or break it Offseason for Edmonton. The single most important off-season in franchise history.

The 3 rookies are compromised of the top AHL goal scorer, the player who was 3rd in Assists and their #3 Center (and youngest of the 3). All have NHL experience and all spent time practicing with the team during their time in the bubble last year.

I would rather see:

Benson-McLeod-Marody than
Shore-Kharia-Archibald.

But the coach might agree with you.

Sure and the AHL was a watered down mess. I’m good with JJ and or Shore not returning but you need proven NHLers in there to take those spots. Neither Benson or Marody are those pieces.

We accept and send word that there is no refunds.

I have a few counterpoints. I am a long-time Oilers fan and have been watching hockey, following the NHL draft and prospects and stats for a few decades. It's funny with this here CF team, it was not really a serious attempt, but I would like you to be aware of something, something I've read before that others believe to be fact, while it is actually completely false.

I watched 35 of the Condors 39 games, as well as all 6 of their playoff games. The Pacific Division was not watered down. The only NHL teams that handcuffed themselves with their AHL team this season were Edmonton, Vancouver (both teams were in the US) & Tampa and Florida who shared a team.

In the Pacific Division all the teams had their affiliates very close, some in the same city. A total of 65 players from the Division (not including Bakersfield & Tuscon, who BC did not play) played in the NHL (approximately 21%) of each opponents roster. That is not watered down competition.

When it comes to the 4th line players, here are some numbers for you, this is points per game last 3 yrs of amateur, last 3 of AHL, total NHL and points per 82 games.

1. Shore - 0.93 0.76 0.35 = 29
2. Archibald - 0.84 0.37 0.30 = 25
3. Khaira - 0.98 0.45 0.25 = 21

Here are the same for the AHLers, not including NHL.

1. Marody 1.00 0.92
2. Benson 1.54 0.91
3. McLeod 0.87 0.61

If you don't think any of these players can't do better than 29 points in 82 games, I am sorry, but you haven't been paying attention to the proper things...

I’ve been paying attention plenty

You don’t need the 4th line to score a ton..chip in here and there. Use these guys to kill penalties locking shots digging for pucks and keep the puck out of your net. Archibald and JJ are very good on the PK. They chip in once in awhile on the offense. Exactly the type of player what you want on your 4th line. I don’t see Benson in that mold, Mccleod hasn’t really shown any real battling effort so far. Maybe he has that in his game haven’t seen it yet needs to find it quickly or he won’t have a job on this team. Don’t know enough about Marody but if he doesn’t play big he won’t find a spot in Edm either. The team needs guys who play a big game.