HardCoreBlue

We need Myers back in a big way. I don't like to single out a player too much but from what I've seen, Paul Postma is not a bonifide NHL defenseman. I see other teams taking advantage of that on purpose in their preparation against the Jets. Our defensive play isn't helping our Goaltenders, however Helle does a lot of good things but sometimes controlling his rebounds can be an adventure. And I have to agree with a few others here, stop with the constant juggling of lines. Let it settle, chemistry can take some time. And stay out of the box. It throws off the flow of our game (i.e., keeps our scorers off the ice) and our PK really really sucks. Not good combinations for success. We clean these areas up (take less penalties, solidify our defensive corps, stay as healthy as possible, improve our PK, stay with certain line combinations) we get back in the playoff hunt. Easy smeezy.

Really? Not cool.

There is many things assistant coaches can do to get players prepared. They can go over individual player assignments, they can remind players of opposition players tendencies, weaknesses. They can remind the players where the soft spots are with other teams systems, they can help players with the mental part of the game (if that coach has that ability), they can sometimes be a broker between player and head coach if there's any tension that is affecting their game etc etc. A great coaching staff has a variety of different skill sets that can make a good team great. My experience is if you have a Head Coach that needs all the control, it's doomed for failure sooner than later.

I'm assuming Huddy takes care of special team schemes?

I'm going to the game. I'm guaranteeing a win. Oilers might as well mail it in. I love the world I live in.

Living around the Oilers for sometime where I've seen players come and go, Stafford sometimes reminds me of a Dustin Penner type player. Loads of skill but has the Meh type attitude. We'll see if being on the fourth line motivates him to be better or 'meh whatever suckers'.

Exactly, not only that we allow their D to move in from the point. Our PK plays a passive box scheme by collapsing in on the shooting lanes. Give them nothing to shoot at, in theory. Personally I hate it, I always have. Put Tanev/Little on the PK and let him run around like a waterbugs disrupting any set up by the opposition. Then when their tired, put Ehlers/Laine on.

Regardless of what a lot of posters think about Stafford, no way do you make him a healthy scratch especially if you are trying to unload him (which I'm not even convinced the Jets are!)

Hope you're right.

As a smaller market team, spending tight up to the cap is a huge uncertain. Purely from a capitalist point of view, I can hear 'can't do it'.

That last save Helle made with 2.9 seconds left was gold.

Knowing you are doing it for effect, he's not very bad in his own zone. Yes that part of the game is not as good as his physical and offensive talents but he can hold his own on our side of the ice. He has a better driver than putter for sure but can still par that hole to use a golf analogy. Purely on outward observation of late, his biggest challenge seems to be all up stairs.

No he's an elite D man. The way you describe him here I'm surprised he's not a sixth line defenseman lucky to be playing in the NHL. He's off his game but when he's on he's dominant.

OMG I can't believe I'm actually defending the Riders but I don't think this is true. But they do suck a** though, don't get me wrong.

Reluctantly, I have to agree with you about Buff. What's going on with him, looks like he's just going through the motions, mentally not there. We need him back.

I think a guy like Tanev is flying under the radar right now. From what I've seen, I'm liking his game. I'm hoping he takes a similar trajectory as Scheifele did but with a bit lower expectations.

I really need the Jets to win tonight so I can walk into my Edmonton office tomorrow doing my happy Friday dance waving my Jet flag every where I go.I especially like doing it in formal business attire with very serious people. It shoots up my popularity sky high. For those who haven't experienced being in enemy land the day after when your team wins, it's a great feeling. It's the little things in life that drive the show. :-)

Like Calgaraarians don't . . .

Or, something like 'Look I'm not in the position to make a comment about the link between the two but I will say we are constantly trying to improve the safety of the game for our players, that is priority one'.

Most, if not all teams, go through a funk, i.e., losing streak during a season. This is one of those times. Obviously we need to break out of the funk sooner than later. I am not ready to give up on this team just yet. Look at the Oilers, lost five in a row (I wish it was more) and now they are back to winning consecutive games (which I want it to stop).

To a degree, I'll accept that. It's a good line. I think when we say 'shows improvement', that can be a very debatable and complex type conversation. Every team expects to show improvement, every team, imo, should set the expectation that they will make the playoffs though some teams will adjust their expectations to desire when winning it all comes up. Let's use the Jets for example, Every year we should 'expect' that the roster compiled should make the playoffs. That is our expectation, not desire, but expectation. That is the culture we are setting here. Yes, it may be a hefty challenge for some teams, but that is the standard we are setting for this team every year. And if we don't we make the playoffs, what necessary changes/developmental approaches to their plan are needed to do that. With that standard set, attracting talented players who are uber competitive can help on top of showing them dollar signs. I would not want a GM or Coach heading my club to ever walk into a year not expecting to make the playoffs. The only way he gets to say that if his owner has totally handcuffed him or he's taking over a team in complete disarray or he's a first year team that will take some time to mold into his vision. Just my perspective.

I dislike this line very much because it means nothing. All 30 teams are developing in some way or the other. Yes some have more realistic expectations to win it all (re: spend to the cap) but all aspire to make the playoffs full stop.

Yup your probably right from a financial point of view. I just think having the Quebec rivalry back in the league would be a great thing for NHL fans experience. I can hardly wait for Golden Knights versus the Blue Jackets rivalry.

I'm just more amazed they got in before Quebec.

Personally I would protect him. I've come to better appreciate what he brings to this team. He'd be one of those guys you'd wish you'd have back if he left.