Shuffling Deck Chairs

You could’ve ended that sentence after Oilers.

That’s a bit of a curious statement. Could you explain further how “he doesn’t have to score goals to be a great contributing player.” How else would you be a great contributing player, besides assists or drawing penalties. I don’t think they are using him in a PK role here.

He will need to be respectable offensively, but it’s hard to say whether or not 15-15-30 is reasonable because so much depends on the kind of ice time that will be available to him. I expect him to have a hard time finding power play minutes, and there were just 141 forwards who scored at least thirty even strength points last year. Granted, there were a lot of players who came close but didn’t play 82 games (which make their per 82 total higher), but thirty is a tough number to hit if you’re not getting any minutes on the PP, especially if you draw tougher minutes at even strength.

I don’t totally disagree with you, as we are just disagreeing on the level of offence that is required. I think you are arguing the same point, yet through different methods of getting there.

If he puts up 20 points over an 82 game pace, with no PP time, maybe he can stick with team long term as a 4th liner. You also argue he needs to break even in scoring chances. Well yeah, why are you arguing with a point I have already made. I questioned how he could be a great contributor without scoring goals. Clearly he has to generate offence. If he can’t, Oilers can just take a cue from Phoenix, and find NHL calibre players to fill their lineup.

I just hate when people say player ’’ is useful because they run around and hit a lot, and cycle the puck once in while, and then get outchanced at evens, and for some reason are regarded as valuable players.

I think Hartikainen will do fine with the Oilers, or will at least receive an opportunity to do so. But lets just not sugar coat the situation. If he sticks around to play 35 games, and he only puts up 7 or 8 points, he probably won’t be here to start the 2013 season. I am a huge Paajarvi fan, and even though he has one of the best CORSI on the team, he was sent down to the minors. If you want to stick around, you not only have to generate chances, but generate points.

I like the idea in theory, but Tulupov & Chorney are completely opposite types of defenders. Tulupov is a heavy hitter, strong skater, but absolutely can’t be trusted to consistently handle the puck. Thus Chorney makes more sense.

A week wouldn’t be long enough for Nelson to fix what’s currently broken.

I think most of us are already resigned to the fact that Khabibulin’s position on the team will not be displaced barring a miracle trade.