RapierShot

Glen Sather and John Muckler set the bar very high in Oil Country (indeed for the whole NHL). Ever since their leadership, the skid has been downward and long-lasting (a whole host of reasons). Hopefully, the Holland era will stop the skid and begin to reverse things. I don't know that we'll ever repeat the giddy heights we once enjoyed, but I "feel" that in a year's time, we'll be talking about how much better the team has become and how promising the Oilers look down the road (serious playoff contenders....not like the Flames). Well within the McDavid and Leon windows.

Just for the record....1. Smith's bonuses are all tied to making / advancing in the playoffs. 1st bonus is for getting into the 1st round and it goes from there...according to the hockey writers. 2. Money from a franchise purchase (ala Seatlle) does not count in the hockey revenues in determining the cap. learned this when LV came in.

Thanks for the info, Schneemaa...you aren't a scout by chance?

Smith's puck handling can affect the incoming forecheck. Anything that can take some pressure off our Dmen would help. In OT, this could be like having a 2nd Dman back there.

I like the re-signing. We know that Chiasson has an up-side to his game but we're not required to pay at that level. Who knows, if there's some line jiggling this season that improves the 3C situation, it might raise the wingers' play as well.

The Smith signing left be wondering but there's a couple of factors in his favour....1. He knows the Pacific division very well and can come into games feeling confident. 2. Relationship with the coach...he and Tippett can communicate and understand each other. 3. He generally knows our team play and what to expect. He actually talks to his Dmen and helps them out (by comparison Talbot and Kosk were mimes). That doesn't guarantee more wins. It does make our end a bit more solid.

I agree, Deutch.....getting something useful as a result of the added cap space is the only way a buyout is acceptable in my book. Looking for Holland to trade up prior to Oct so that the space will be useful. Free agency price/term inflation is to be avoided whenever possible - and Holland seems to take that approach. Getting Granlund, Chiasson, and Smith at those prices is good business and a good place to stop....for now.

I'm fine with the buy-out (though I generally dislike that business). Sekera has given us minimal hockey the past 2 seasons and nothing we can count on in the future. While a trade would have been ideal, his situation is that teams would not be willing to give up a player or pick to get him.

Gotta agree CFA....we finally have our transition passer in Smith...might teach our defence a thing or two.

I'm liking what I've seen so far. The offence is showing no signs of struggling without Reilly - in fact, they are darn scary with Harris! The defence has really asserted itself (thinking the Lions game) and dominate. We have definitely improved the rush and the deep coverage...nice start.

My immediate reaction is "no way"....not another player looking for a pasture to retire. I'm jaded by these kinds of players - sent away by other teams, have no drive at this stage (especially if there have been recent health issues), and more interested in collecting a paycheck / "being involved in hockey". What's his incentive to maximize his performance here....a shot at the Cup? Get an all-star nod? This looks like a Ference / Brodziak / etc situation...there's no upside for the team. Besides, $2 million these days is nothing to sneeze at. A promising young winger or a decent backup goalie.

I agree, Happy...let the dice roll! If Knight is everything they say he is, it could shatter the old thinking about never drafting a goalie in the 1st round.

Arturo...what I'm saying is that I don't regard Kosk as a complete loss. He's definitely had his problems this past season (as you noted). That could either mean he continues to trend downward or there's a chance that he lifts his game. For the sake of the team (which is most important to me), I hope he can trend upwards because his contract doesn't give us many options. But it's interesting....he's had almost identical results (winning %) to three other goalies (noted above and can add Helleybuck) that reached the playoffs. And that's in a disappointing season. Kinda makes me want to see what happens IF he turns it around.

Well said, Fog. you could add they changed coaches in mid stream as well....all in all a great sports story!

Goaltending wise, we need a combo that can deliver about 50 wins to be a playoff team. IF Kosk can stretch and hit 35 wins (from his 25 this season), that leaves a doable number for a decent backup. Even with his bad season, Kosk was around 54% winning percentage (6 of his losses can in OT). In other words a bad season for him and he resembles Varlamov, Price and Dubnyk in winning %. Makes me think that reaching for a 35-win season should not be out of the question, as long as he comes ready to own the net. There should be some serviceable backups to ride shotgun.