Xmas Blues

by Yeti# on Dec 25, 2011 11:42 AM MST

It's that time of year again when everyone puts on a face of outer happiness while inside they're depressed about having to deal with the whole holiday season. The fact that the Oilers have transitioned from a young team over-achieving on every level to a young team drowning in sub-mediocrity suck doesn't help the collective spirits of the city. So, what do we do to release our pent up melancholy? We bitch. And boy, as the pages of the Oilosphere would attest, we are good at bitching. We might even be better at bitching than drinking. Well, it would be close and the two go together so well.

Lets cut to the chase. Across the myriad of gripes, complaints, accusations: what has been the single worst mistake of coaching/management since the season began? That's right, I'm asking what single decision is most responsible for keeping out faces pressed firmly down in the excrement of a slumping team? Please feel free to fully expand and explain your bitchin' below.

Poll

What has been the single most important mistake of coaching/management so far this season?

The decision to send Linus Omark to Oklahoma

36 votes

Hiring Cam 'tectonic plates move faster' Barker

48 votes

To much line shifting - just let them be Mr Renney!

14 votes

Failure to find the right lines in the first place!

10 votes

Too much responsibility on those kids

10 votes

Not giving the kids enough responsibility

9 votes

Keeping Theo Peckham in the lineup

15 votes

Mismanaging the MPS situation

58 votes

Other(s) - please do elaborate!

23 votes

223 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 17 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

I voted "other. Not getting another top 4 defender ON TOP of picking up Barker was the worst single decision.

by gcw_rocks on Dec 21, 2011 11:03 AM MST reply actions 2 recs

Ditto

The decision to not go and get a top 4 defenceman

Insert Witty Comment Here

by VanillaAcid on Dec 21, 2011 5:43 PM MST up reply actions

I’m asking what single decision is most responsible for keeping out faces pressed firmly down in the excrement of a slumping team?

You have such a way with words.

Loyal fan of the Edmonton Oilers. Don't you judge me.

by Ben Johnston on Dec 21, 2011 3:33 PM MST reply actions

I’ve got to say Barker was the worst. The team needed top 4 help and they went after a guy who had, at best, a 1-in-100 chance of filling that hole but he was drafted 3rd overall so Oiler logic dictates that he’s a top 4 guy. Brutal.

Everyone knows rock attained perfection in 1974. It's a scientific fact.
Writer for The Copper & Blue and a frequenter of the time waster that is Twitter.

by ryanbatty on Dec 22, 2011 10:43 AM MST reply actions

How good would Hannan look in this group right now?

In theory, there is little difference between practice and theory, but in practice there is!

Tactical contributor to the Copper & Blue and just as boring on the twitters... @dawgbone98

by dawgbone98 on Dec 23, 2011 8:00 AM MST up reply actions

Really good IMO.

by RiversQ on Dec 25, 2011 10:53 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Probably the #2 with Gilbert, though he would make a nice babysitter for Petry.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Dec 26, 2011 8:37 AM MST up reply actions

The most glaring mistake ....

by Fred Furlong on Dec 23, 2011 6:46 AM MST reply actions

was Belanger on the power play. Mensa staff must have come up with that one.

by Fred Furlong on Dec 23, 2011 6:47 AM MST up reply actions

Other… not building around the awesome young core that we have.

by Czechboy on Dec 25, 2011 2:10 PM MST reply actions

But but but…that would mean not tanking again this year!

Seriously though, not making the proper development of our core young guys by doing exactly what you suggest priority number 1 is inexcusable in my mind.

by David S on Dec 25, 2011 9:24 PM MST up reply actions

I voted other. The organizations mistaken believe that Hordichuck and Eager are somehow effective hockey players is what led to the demotion of Omark and Paajarvi.

by melancholyculkin on Dec 25, 2011 3:07 PM MST reply actions

Yes, that and their inability to score any goals.

(just kidding).

by Yeti# on Dec 25, 2011 5:41 PM MST up reply actions

The demotion would be fine if it were because of real forwards, rather than two goons.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Dec 26, 2011 8:43 AM MST up reply actions

I voted other also. Choosing Sutton and Barker instead of securing two legit dmen is the biggest gaffe IMO.

Unfortunately, I think they’ve also managed to screw up their forward depth, but that’s a combination of a lot of things. Hemsky not being 100% fit is out of their control, but signing a hockey player instead of 16 or 55 was entirely achievable.

by RiversQ on Dec 25, 2011 10:57 PM MST via mobile reply actions

I voted other also. Choosing Sutton and Barker instead of securing two legit dmen is the biggest gaffe IMO.

I agree with this. Once again, everyone except Tambellini, Lowe and the Edmonton media knew it too.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Dec 26, 2011 8:39 AM MST up reply actions

I vote “other”: ruining the relationship with Sheldon Souray and signing Kurtis Forster, Cam Barker, trading for Ryan Whitney and Andy Sutton to fill the void.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Dec 26, 2011 8:45 AM MST reply actions

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