HabsCast Hockey Blog

So how much of the Oilers current situation is Lowes fault?

He didn’t sign Ryan Smyth, in return he received Robert Nilsson (going back and forth between the NHL and AHL) Ryan O’Marra (Currently in the ECHL) and a first round draft pick in last years draft. I wouldn’t say he won or lost this trade but when they traded Smyth they traded their identity.

Dwayne Roloson is an average NHL starting goalie, and in the pipeline they don’t have a bonafied top prospect, they have a couple of “average” to “above average” prospects.

The Oilers have tied up their cap in Souray, Penner, and Hemsky. Pitkanen will probably see a nice raise this off season as well.

They gave Penner 21 million dollars and he’s on pace for 29 points. He’s not that bad, but he’s not a 20 million dollar player either, and with him constantly needing to be motivated it’s easy to see why he’s struggling on a new team.

They do not have a number 1 center. What’s Hemsky gonna do playing with second line and third line players talent wise? He won’t score like he’s capable of scoring.

They have a couple of their young guys playing well like Cogliano and Gagner but the other ones that come up like Schremp, Nilsson, and Jacques aren’t really doing anything.

Maybe one of his worst moves is giving MacTavish that extension after their first game, now he’s virtually unsackable. They could use a coach like Pat Burns but they are pretty much stuck with Mac T unless he quits.

I know they’ve been ravaged by injuries but still Penner and Souray are not the guys you should blow your Free Agents Wad on.

The Oilers according to NHL cap has the third highest payroll in the league! yet lacks a true star.

[Topic via HFBoards.com]

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