# 1, whoot, whoot I can't really see any of these guys signing in the NHL, hello RUSSIA!!!!!

#2, may be Weeks can be a 2 or 3, he had the chance last year when Broduer wet down with an injury,and lost it to Clemmenson...

A hockey related post that doesn't involve Heatley! You rock, Willis!

Legace actually had some nice numbers in the minors. He's by all accounts a headcase but given the chance, he may well give someone league average goaltending. Sutter'd be wise to offer him $500K.

#3 Off topic, has anyone heard Klye Chase on the team 1260 in the mornings...the guy is so monotone...and he sounds like he just woke up.... YO Chase wake the F**K up..you're doing a sports radio show,you need to be better, and no one cares where your hometown is, so stop talking about it.....

It's sad when most of these guys will have to sign 2-way contracts just to remotely have a chance of playing next year. Oh well, I guess the AHL will be a little more competitive now.

@ sittingatmydesk: Off topic: Really? I thought he was quite entertaining especially when they had Dutch on the phone.

Here's a question I am going to pose to you Jon, or any one else in the Oilers Nation. Do you think it's worth signing another goalie for a backup? The Wall doesn't usually play a full season?

@ AlbertaRanger: JDD has not proven that he cant be a backup. Until he proves otherwise, he is the #2 guy. Plus, if he fails and they dont want to call up Dubnyk then one of these guys (or more) will likely still be available mid season.

"last season he sank to a Raycroftian .869. He’s 42 years old and it seems pretty clear that he’s finished."

Ah Gerald Raycroftian. We fondly remember your inability to stop pucks during your time in the NHL.

@ AlbertaRanger:

I totally think the Oil should sign another goalie. Willis' post about the backups to the most often injured goalies in the NHL sold it for me.

The Bulin Wall crumbles onto the IR and this team is going to get liiiiiiit up.

Speaking of "signings" I was under the impression that any talk relating the Oil and free agents was moot because of our contract total?

I thought anything we do going forward pretty much had to be via trade?

Of course, that could be the glue and markers talking....

@ Tyler:

You'd rather have Legace than Fernandez?

Archaeologuy wrote:

JDD has not proven that he cant be a backup. Until he proves otherwise, he is the #2 guy. Plus, if he fails and they dont want to call up Dubnyk then one of these guys (or more) will likely still be available mid season.

I hate to say it, but I think that's a loser mentality. The Oilers shouldn't be giving guys jobs because 'they haven't proven that they can't handle it'; they shouldn't be giving jobs out until the player in question has proven that he can handle it.

Secondly, by midseason these guys will all need to clear waivers - and I very much doubt that all 29 other teams are going to be confident enough in their 'tenders to pass.

Dodd wrote:

Speaking of “signings” I was under the impression that any talk relating the Oil and free agents was moot because of our contract total? I thought anything we do going forward pretty much had to be via trade? Of course, that could be the glue and markers talking….

Depends who you talk to. The Oilers aren't at the 50-contract limit right now, and worse case scenario they could always buy out, say, Brian Pitton.

Besides, if this team has room for Reddox, they have room for a difference maker.

I'd like to sign a legit backup (maybe JDD can do the job but I'd hate to have the whole season pinned to that hope if/when Khabibulin gets hurt) but wouldn't that leave us with three goalies on the 23 man roster again? That wasn't exactly ideal last year.

Jonathan Willis wrote:

I hate to say it, but I think that’s a loser mentality. The Oilers shouldn’t be giving guys jobs because ‘they haven’t proven that they can’t handle it’; they shouldn’t be giving jobs out until the player in question has proven that he can handle it.

Amen.

Mr. Schremp, are you listening?

Jonathan, I am just curious:

given khabibulin's age and injury record (not to mention avg post-lock-out sv%!), along with deslaurier's less than stellar credentials, do you think the oilers should sign fernandez to be a #1A and compete with khabi, especially if we could get him for around $1M (a la Biron). It would seem even more important than a 3rd line centre to me, although i can't see why we couldn't do both (neither should be that expensive). with khabi *and* fernandez (or harding/halak, even weekes) I would feel so much better about our chances, and wouldn't be a bit surprised if fernandez beat out khabi for #1. it is interseting as well, just how much better khabi played when he had huet to compete with for ice-time.

everyone seems to be ragging on khabi's signing (rightfully so)--but no one seems to be desperately calling for a good back-up to play the 20-30 games as back-up. shouldn't this be the #1 priority right now?!

Dodd wrote:

Speaking of “signings” I was under the impression that any talk relating the Oil and free agents was moot because of our contract total?

There is a real facination lately with the contract total for the Oilers. Are they really at the Max of contracts? I didnt think they were. I thought they were close but not at the Max.

Is the argument that the Oilers have too many NHL roster spots filled, or that they have too many contracts? Because if they have too many NHL spots filled but have room for more contracts then its time to send guys down to the Minors. Other teams do it ALL the time. It wont make Edmonton less desirable (if that is possible) than New Jersey, Anaheim, or Pittsburgh who have been forced to do send NHL talent into the AHL.

Does anyone really think that Katz would drag his heels at the idea of making the Oilers a playoff team again? The lack of willingness to fill the holes on the club has more to do with Tambi's inability to act with any kind of urgency than the contract situation.

They all are done in the NHL are they not? Weekes and Macdonald are the only two I could see making it in the future, but Fernandez was talking retirement and now should retire.

Kolzig and Joseph? Really, retire already.

I guess maybe Scwarez as he is young has a chance too.

No steadie Eddie?

@ Jonathan Willis: From capgeek we are at what 47? And that is with 4 RFA's that aren't signed. I don't see us picking up 3 more players. Buyouts are probably not much of an option for us as we do have the room this year.

Jonathan Willis wrote:

I hate to say it, but I think that’s a loser mentality. The Oilers shouldn’t be giving guys jobs because ‘they haven’t proven that they can’t handle it’; they shouldn’t be giving jobs out until the player in question has proven that he can handle it.

I liked JDD when i got to see him play. I see no reason to jump into a 3 goalie system when there are more pressing roster spots that need to be upgraded.

@ Archaeologuy:

I won't press the point beyond saying that I see no reason for this team to hang on to JDD. If he'll clear waivers, great, if not than move him in a trade.

There isn't room in the system for both him and Dubnyk after this season anyway.

@ jeff:

47 including the 4 RFAs.

Jonathan Willis wrote:

@ Archaeologuy: I won’t press the point beyond saying that I see no reason for this team to hang on to JDD. If he’ll clear waivers, great, if not than move him in a trade. There isn’t room in the system for both him and Dubnyk after this season anyway.

Is there any reason to hold onto Dubnyk?

Neither have really done anything to say that they will be the future of this team.

@ Jonathan Willis: He makes very little money and hes better than Raycoft. He's the backup goalie. Save the contract space for an everyday player, although the goalie market as it is seems pretty safe for sending down guys like JDD during Camp.

Jonathan Willis wrote:

@ Archaeologuy: I won’t press the point beyond saying that I see no reason for this team to hang on to JDD. If he’ll clear waivers, great, if not than move him in a trade. There isn’t room in the system for both him and Dubnyk after this season anyway.

Willis, were you a proponent of losing one of Garon/Rollie last year?

Schqarz has signed with CH Mlada Boleslav in the Czech Extraliga, so he's not an option http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=9224

@ jeff:

If I were you I would go read analyisis of both JDD and DD, either here, Coppernblue, or Lowetide.

JDD most certainly has never shown the ability the team and management thinks he does. While DD on the other hand, may be inconsistent, but has his arrows in the right direction.

@ Alon: Can't really have an analysis on DD in my books. The guy has never played in the NHL, until he does I really can't consider him the future of this team.

It's hit and miss with goalie prospects and it's also hit in miss with guys that look good in the AHL.

@ Archaeologuy:

I liked JDD in the NYR game, but other than that I would say JDD's performances justified the fact that I always thought DD was the better goalie.

For me, I thought JDD just didn't show enough in his starts to impress me at all really. I thought he was totally sheltered by MacT in his starts.

CGY - in the midst of a losing streak, playing awful, we were hot. PIT - Pits came out a totally different team for JDD in the third, not that this could have been expected by MacT though. NJD - Injuries to all their key players, including Brodeur, Gionta, Rolston... NYR - This was the only game that impressed me. TML - This game was a surprise Toronto was much better than expected, and JDD got blown out. An easy start if you looked on paper though. DAL - Weak team all year, JDD definitly looked shakey. BUF - Disaster, the team was bad too. CAL - He won, but with fresh teammates against an injury riden 15 man Flamers team. CAL - Got rocked by the same team, on the second night of a back to back. He was awful, and it totally took away from any credit that might have been earned the night before.

Those all look like fairly soft starts (and a few relief outings), if you ask me

@ jeff:

I suppose that's fair, but when you gauge the potential of a player(s), and certainly ones with limited to no NHL experience you have to have some evidence.

We can go through a whole bunch of things that would seem to prove that, at the very least, DD is the better of the two goalies, and maybe even the future starter.

For instance:

DD tracks ahead of JDD, relative to their ages, in almost every stat, if not everyone. JDD slid hard in his draft year (I believe it was a full round) due to many questions regarding his ability, consistency, and heart. DD did not slide. DD had much better Major Junior stats than JDD, playing in a much better league, and being Cannon Fodder for shooters in the WHL.

We can go on about who projects to be the better goalie, but like you said goalies are hit and miss. However, taking into account JDD is on a fast track to getting derailed, and the fact that DD's boxcars are a big improvement on JDD's, I think it is a fair assesment to say DD will be a better goalie for the Oilers than JDD

Archaeologuy wrote:

JDD has not proven that he cant be a backup.

Just like Cogliano has not proven he can't play wing... Arch, you have a University trained mind: Why can you not see the flaw in this logic? For example, I have not yet proven that I can't be a backup either... You use the previous performance of an individual to predict future performance. JDD didn't have a good enough AHL career, or NHL debute to be given the backup role uncontested. I say sign Fernandez to a one year contract and let him fight for a job at camp... put the loser on waivers.

@ Alon: I didnt have a problem with him. However, in general im just less concerned with the backup G than anything else.

The question marks to me are #1 C, #3 C, #1 LW, Penalty Killers, Physical D-men, Whether the kids can make the next step, and somewhere after what style of hair Rob Schremp has in camp I list back-up goalie. That's just me.

Please tell me some of you commenters are not advocating a three goalie system. Were you watching last year? JDD has earned a shot at backup minutes. If he sucks, waive him and bring up DD.

If you can't tell, I think goaltending ranks low on the priority list right now for the Oil.

@ Archaeologuy:

I think you're absolutely right that the value of the backup goalie is almost a non-factor (in most cases).

However, if the backup plays only 50 games because of durability issues with Khabibulin, his value rises a lot. The other item is that Khabibulin is a goaltender who historically has struggled when not pushed by another option; JDD seems unlikely to push him.

Frankly, if Fernandez is available for 650K (an if) dump JDD and sign him, otherwise forget it.

Mostly, I was thinking that Kipper could use a legitimate backup - more even than Khabibulin.

And because it came up earlier, no the Oilers don't have too many bodies.

Chris wrote:

Just like Cogliano has not proven he can’t play wing…

You say he cant play on the wing without any evidence to prove that. All i said is that it's ridiculous to assume that the guy cant do something almost every other Centerman can do.

I say I didnt have enough of a problem with JDD to warrant wasting a contract on a guy who will spend 70% of the year onn the bench. Although i agree that he shouldnt be uncontested. Let DD fight it out with him and send the loser down to the A.

@ Jonathan Willis:

I think the issue runs deeper... It seems like every season there is this tendency by Oilers management to put unproven players in key positions and just hope it's okay... Having a young player take a big step forward should be seen as a pleasant surprise instead of something to be expected or banked on. Well run organizations don't build a depth chart around optimistic projections of what their assets might accomplish... I know that I come off sounding like Lowetide here: but the team with the most legit, seasoned NHL'ers usually wins. If Fernandez can be had for under a million: signing him is a no-brainer.

@ Jonathan Willis: I see that Bulin's past suggests that the back-up needs to play more, but that's only one drop in the bucket of the Oilers' woes. This summer is the summer where my never ending belief that "the Oilers will be better next year", has ended. Fixing the #2 G wont help enough.

ugh. A little sunshine on Oilerville is all i ask, but have not received.

Chris wrote:

Well run organizations don’t build a depth chart around optimistic projections of what their assets might accomplish

I know Chicago lost their "well run" title this summer, but they are a team that their young guys produced and they were banking on it.

@ Jonathan Willis: keep up the good work!

Archaeologuy wrote:

You say he cant play on the wing without any evidence to prove that

No. I have always said that I don't expect Cogliano to be as prolific on the wing. I have often given my reasons; I freely admit I could be wrong. That said, it's not wise to pencil Cogliano in on the wing and EXPECT him to produce at the same level. Saying someone has not proven he can't do something is a double negative; It's the same thing as saying someone is unproven. IMO, Oilers management and fans are often very guilty of placing high expectations on unproven players. Cogliano, as a winger, is unproven: he simply lacks any track record in that position.

Don't worry though: I'm sure the Oilers will remain true to form and put Cogs on the wing and let JDD be the backup... But I won't be among the surprised if Cogs has trouble adapting, and loses his confidence. Similarly, I wouldn't be shocked if JDD had trouble offering a prolonged series of quality starts in the face of a Khabibulin injury. I quess it's important for the new coach to have a fresh set of ready-made excuses when this team misses the playoffs again.

Hemmertime wrote:

I know Chicago lost their “well run” title this summer, but they are a team that their young guys produced and they were banking on it.

Even poorly run organizations can get lucky: and Chicago is a poorly run organization... If Tambellini fails to get qualifying offers to Gags and Cogs next summer I'll kick him in the crotch myself!

Chris wrote:

I quess it’s important for the new coach to have a fresh set of ready-made excuses when this team misses the playoffs again.

What can the coach say? He's being handed a worse team than the one that finished out of the playoffs last season. 20 goal scorer removed and not replaced, 2nd best faceoff man removed and not replaced. Steve Staios 1 year older and slower, only AHL talent to fill leftover spots.

What does that say regarding Tambi's analysis of MacT's coaching last season? Apparently he thinks that the Oilers can do nothing and lose players and still be better than a MacT coached team. Wow.

@ Archaeologuy:

I think we are on the same page. I hope with my heart that JDD can get it done. I also hope that Cogs can be as effective on the wing if he is moved there... But what I hope will happen, and THINK will happen are two very differnt things.

Cam wrote:

A hockey related post that doesn’t involve Heatley! You rock, Willis!

If we could only get you to stop beating the NHL goaltending horse. Seriously how many post have you had on goaltending since the Oilers signed the Bulin Wall?

Archaeologuy wrote:

ugh. A little sunshine on Oilerville is all i ask, but have not received.

We landed the biggest name UFA defenseman 2 years ago, came close to Hossa last year, got the biggest name UFA goalie this year and had our GM have an offer accepted for a prolific goal scorer.

There is some brightside. Plus, 2-3 years ago we didnt want to see a major shake-up since we had just made the cup final not to long ago. We were 5-6th before Visnovsky went down

@ Hemmertime: Thanks. I imagine Kevin Lowe giving a very similar speech to his mirror every morning.

Archaeologuy wrote:

Chris wrote: I quess it’s important for the new coach to have a fresh set of ready-made excuses when this team misses the playoffs again. What can the coach say? He’s being handed a worse team than the one that finished out of the playoffs last season. 20 goal scorer removed and not replaced, 2nd best faceoff man removed and not replaced. Steve Staios 1 year older and slower, only AHL talent to fill leftover spots. What does that say regarding Tambi’s analysis of MacT’s coaching last season? Apparently he thinks that the Oilers can do nothing and lose players and still be better than a MacT coached team. Wow.

Oh brother, theirs no way this team is worse on paper then last years.

Also, it says nothing about Tambs analysis, he attemted to turn over roughly 20% of the roster.

Ogden Brother wrote:

Also, it says nothing about Tambs analysis, he attemted to turn over roughly 20% of the roster.

I don't think Tambellini is ready to stand pat. He has to ACT like he's happy with the current roster... I'm quessing he isn't.