GDT: 2015 NHL Draft Lottery- 8PM, NBC

[MadDog2020]

I loved Tim Murray's comments: he is raw, somewhat unfiltered and doesn't mince words.

I do think the Sabres are thrilled to get Eichel, but hey who doesn't want to finish #1 was his argument which I like.

He is very upset with the process and said he would feel the same if the Sabres were the best team in the league. He voted against the lottery changes.

Was irritated that he had to drive to Toronto when he said he could just just been called with the result. I love the fact Murray probably ruffles Bettman's feathers, which is always a good thing.

I like Murray too. There's an edge to him. Plus he reminds me of this guy:

[devilsrule33]

Some must reads on the Oilers/Management and how McDavid is a trade-off for the idiots running the steam getting let off the hook.

 

Alan Hull: http://www.coppernblue.com/2015/4/15/8421673/dear-craig-mactavish-shut-up

 

In Monday's press conference, MacTavish made the following statements:

 

"Our growth is going to be internal growth and incremental growth"

"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"

 

Compare and contrast the tenor and language of Monday's comments from Oiler Management with those that were made when MacTavish was given the job, which, incidentally, was two years ago today. On that day, here is what Kevin Lowe and MacTavish had to say about their approach on how to address the development of the Oilers:

 

Kevin Lowe:

"Let me be clear," said Lowe, "we're not where they should be right now and that is unacceptable. And we need to get better immediately. That starts today."

Lowe Again:

"Because careers are short and opportunities for achievement don't come along very often, we feel strongly that it was important we make some changes right now."

MacTavish:

"I'm an impatient guy and I bring that impatience to this situation"

More MacT:

"We have to do some bold things and expose ourselves to some semblance of risk to move the team forward in a rapid fashion."

 

All of those quotes are from the same end-of-season press conference on almost the exact same date two years ago. At that point in time the team, the City, and the media had all reached a breaking point and it was obvious that they needed to do something.

In the two years that have followed, can we say that a single bold move has been made? Maybe David Perron if you feel that reaches your criteria. Other than that...the Oilers are still in the same purgatory they were in when Steve Tambellini...for my money THE WORST GM IN NHL HISTORY...was relieved of his duties.

Since MacTavish took over, the Oilers went from finishing 24th with 45 pts. in the lockout shortened season (over a 76 pt. pace normalized to an 82 gm. schedule) to finishing 28th with 67 points in 2013/14 in what was widely accepted as perhaps the most difficult and disappointing season in franchise history. Then, this year...they got worse again. Once again finishing 28th but with only 62 points, which ties the all-time franchise low.

 

Bruce Arthur: http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2015/04/19/so-edmonton-got-connor-mcdavid-that-doesnt-mean-we-should-root-for-him-to-fail-arthur.html

 

But that joy is not shared around the NHL. No, it is not. The Oilers already had three No. 1 picks in a row, and they kept winning lotteries and letting Oilers president Kevin Lowe say stuff like how they have two tiers of fans, and how half the league would trade rosters with them if they could, and “there’s one other guy in hockey today that is still working in the game that has won more Stanley Cups than me. So I think I know a little bit about winning, if there’s ever a concern.”

That was in 2013. They’ve finished 28th in the league twice since then. Their three No. 1 picks have been supported by just horrific drafting and development and decisions outside the first round, and Edmonton just went ahead and leveraged their 11.5% chance at the No. 1 pick into Connor McDavid.

Edited April 20, 2015 by devilsrule33

[Daniel]

 

Some must reads on the Oilers/Management and how McDavid is a trade-off for the idiots running the steam getting let off the hook.

 

Alan Hull: http://www.coppernblue.com/2015/4/15/8421673/dear-craig-mactavish-shut-up

 

In Monday's press conference, MacTavish made the following statements:

 

"Our growth is going to be internal growth and incremental growth"

"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"

 

Compare and contrast the tenor and language of Monday's comments from Oiler Management with those that were made when MacTavish was given the job, which, incidentally, was two years ago today. On that day, here is what Kevin Lowe and MacTavish had to say about their approach on how to address the development of the Oilers:

 

Kevin Lowe:

"Let me be clear," said Lowe, "we're not where they should be right now and that is unacceptable. And we need to get better immediately. That starts today."

Lowe Again:

"Because careers are short and opportunities for achievement don't come along very often, we feel strongly that it was important we make some changes right now."

MacTavish:

"I'm an impatient guy and I bring that impatience to this situation"

More MacT:

"We have to do some bold things and expose ourselves to some semblance of risk to move the team forward in a rapid fashion."

 

All of those quotes are from the same end-of-season press conference on almost the exact same date two years ago. At that point in time the team, the City, and the media had all reached a breaking point and it was obvious that they needed to do something.

In the two years that have followed, can we say that a single bold move has been made? Maybe David Perron if you feel that reaches your criteria. Other than that...the Oilers are still in the same purgatory they were in when Steve Tambellini...for my money THE WORST GM IN NHL HISTORY...was relieved of his duties.

Since MacTavish took over, the Oilers went from finishing 24th with 45 pts. in the lockout shortened season (over a 76 pt. pace normalized to an 82 gm. schedule) to finishing 28th with 67 points in 2013/14 in what was widely accepted as perhaps the most difficult and disappointing season in franchise history. Then, this year...they got worse again. Once again finishing 28th but with only 62 points, which ties the all-time franchise low.

 

Bruce Arthur: http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2015/04/19/so-edmonton-got-connor-mcdavid-that-doesnt-mean-we-should-root-for-him-to-fail-arthur.html

 

But that joy is not shared around the NHL. No, it is not. The Oilers already had three No. 1 picks in a row, and they kept winning lotteries and letting Oilers president Kevin Lowe say stuff like how they have two tiers of fans, and how half the league would trade rosters with them if they could, and “there’s one other guy in hockey today that is still working in the game that has won more Stanley Cups than me. So I think I know a little bit about winning, if there’s ever a concern.”

That was in 2013. They’ve finished 28th in the league twice since then. Their three No. 1 picks have been supported by just horrific drafting and development and decisions outside the first round, and Edmonton just went ahead and leveraged their 11.5% chance at the No. 1 pick into Connor McDavid.

 

 

I don't follow the Oilers that closely, but I still don't see exactly the specific things that Oilers management has done wrong.  They didn't have any inexcusable draft selections or Milbury level terrible trades.  A lot of people were saying that their free agent signings this past year were pretty shrewd, at least they were saying it at the time.  But at the very least, they have not saddled themselves with albatross type signings that a lot of other teams do.  From what you hear, their management understands that the team has serious goaltending issues that they've tried to do something about to the point of supposedly giving a much better offer for Schneider than what the Devils gave up.  Just seems like a lot of bad luck.

 

While we're on the subject, I would imagine that the Oilers would love to make a move where they end up with one of the top three defensemen in the draft, all three of whom are supposedly close to NHL ready (Hannifin, Provorov and Warenski).  The most they'd give up player-wise to move up to get one of them would be Eberle or Yakupov, and I don't care for the former, and the latter is just too risky.  The only other thing is if you take the pick they got from Pittsburgh and their first rounder next year.  But I just don't see them being bad next year. 

[Onddeck]

 

Some must reads on the Oilers/Management and how McDavid is a trade-off for the idiots running the steam getting let off the hook.

 

Alan Hull: http://www.coppernblue.com/2015/4/15/8421673/dear-craig-mactavish-shut-up

 

In Monday's press conference, MacTavish made the following statements:

 

"Our growth is going to be internal growth and incremental growth"

"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"

 

Compare and contrast the tenor and language of Monday's comments from Oiler Management with those that were made when MacTavish was given the job, which, incidentally, was two years ago today. On that day, here is what Kevin Lowe and MacTavish had to say about their approach on how to address the development of the Oilers:

 

Kevin Lowe:

"Let me be clear," said Lowe, "we're not where they should be right now and that is unacceptable. And we need to get better immediately. That starts today."

Lowe Again:

"Because careers are short and opportunities for achievement don't come along very often, we feel strongly that it was important we make some changes right now."

MacTavish:

"I'm an impatient guy and I bring that impatience to this situation"

More MacT:

"We have to do some bold things and expose ourselves to some semblance of risk to move the team forward in a rapid fashion."

 

All of those quotes are from the same end-of-season press conference on almost the exact same date two years ago. At that point in time the team, the City, and the media had all reached a breaking point and it was obvious that they needed to do something.

In the two years that have followed, can we say that a single bold move has been made? Maybe David Perron if you feel that reaches your criteria. Other than that...the Oilers are still in the same purgatory they were in when Steve Tambellini...for my money THE WORST GM IN NHL HISTORY...was relieved of his duties.

Since MacTavish took over, the Oilers went from finishing 24th with 45 pts. in the lockout shortened season (over a 76 pt. pace normalized to an 82 gm. schedule) to finishing 28th with 67 points in 2013/14 in what was widely accepted as perhaps the most difficult and disappointing season in franchise history. Then, this year...they got worse again. Once again finishing 28th but with only 62 points, which ties the all-time franchise low.

 

Bruce Arthur: http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2015/04/19/so-edmonton-got-connor-mcdavid-that-doesnt-mean-we-should-root-for-him-to-fail-arthur.html

 

But that joy is not shared around the NHL. No, it is not. The Oilers already had three No. 1 picks in a row, and they kept winning lotteries and letting Oilers president Kevin Lowe say stuff like how they have two tiers of fans, and how half the league would trade rosters with them if they could, and “there’s one other guy in hockey today that is still working in the game that has won more Stanley Cups than me. So I think I know a little bit about winning, if there’s ever a concern.”

That was in 2013. They’ve finished 28th in the league twice since then. Their three No. 1 picks have been supported by just horrific drafting and development and decisions outside the first round, and Edmonton just went ahead and leveraged their 11.5% chance at the No. 1 pick into Connor McDavid.

 

  :angry:    

 

infuriating. all of it.

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

Sure, the Oilers getting the #1 pick yet again (and a projected generational talent no less) is beyond annoying.  But just like when the Yankees outspend most teams, no rules being broken. 

 

McDavid's also saying all of the right things and doesn't seem to want to Lindros his way out of Edmonton, for whatever that's worth:

 

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2015/04/20/dont-expert-connor-mcdavid-to-pull-a-lindros-and-refuse-to-report-to-the-edmonton-oilers-tsns-mckenzie-has-reported/

 

Not by trying to gauge McDavid’s facial tics and expressions, but by his own words. In an interview with TSN’s Bob McKenzie before the draft, McDavid talked about how in the Ontario Hockey League draft he’d been drafted by what was then the worst team, the Erie Otters, yet he still chose to report.

 

Why? Because the kid was brought up right, he’s from a good family, and he got some good advice from his father.

 

As McDavid told McKenzie: “It’s always been important to me to not be ‘that guy.’ My Dad told me that when I was going into the OHL. There was all sorts of talk about me skipping out on Erie, going somewhere else, and it was my Dad who told me, ‘You don’t want to be that guy.’ I am grateful to him for that advice because it’s so true, he was so right. The last three years in Erie have been the best three years of my life. I’ve always said I would be happy and honoured to play for any team. I have always felt strongly about that.”

[eldon]

So, now that this whole thing is over, and it was supposedly audited.  Why can't we see how it was done?  If we had 7.5%, does that mean they had at least 200 ping pong balls?  So we got 15, I guess?  Or was there 400 or a 1000?  And was there just one ball drawn, right?  The winning ball.  Just curious how this really panned out.  The auditor must've watched all the balls get put in, counting the right # for each team. Did they weigh them to make sure all the logo's had the same weight in paint on them?  I'd guess heavier balls don't bounce as high. I'm sure it would be boring, but still.  We never did see the video of how the Knicks got Patrick Ewing all those years ago.

[EdgeControl]

So, now that this whole thing is over, and it was supposedly audited.  Why can't we see how it was done?  If we had 7.5%, does that mean they had at least 200 ping pong balls?  So we got 15, I guess?  Or was there 400 or a 1000?  And was there just one ball drawn, right?  The winning ball.  Just curious how this really panned out.  The auditor must've watched all the balls get put in, counting the right # for each team. Did they weigh them to make sure all the logo's had the same weight in paint on them?  I'd guess heavier balls don't bounce as high. I'm sure it would be boring, but still.  We never did see the video of how the Knicks got Patrick Ewing all those years ago.

yet the card thing stinks. its like the animated tennis ball on the line , I'm not buying it LOL

[MadDog2020]

Sure, the Oilers getting the #1 pick yet again (and a projected generational talent no less) is beyond annoying. But just like when the Yankees outspend most teams, no rules being broken.

McDavid's also saying all of the right things and doesn't seem to want to Lindros his way out of Edmonton, for whatever that's worth:

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2015/04/20/dont-expert-connor-mcdavid-to-pull-a-lindros-and-refuse-to-report-to-the-edmonton-oilers-tsns-mckenzie-has-reported/

Not by trying to gauge McDavid’s facial tics and expressions, but by his own words. In an interview with TSN’s Bob McKenzie before the draft, McDavid talked about how in the Ontario Hockey League draft he’d been drafted by what was then the worst team, the Erie Otters, yet he still chose to report.

Why? Because the kid was brought up right, he’s from a good family, and he got some good advice from his father.

As McDavid told McKenzie: “It’s always been important to me to not be ‘that guy.’ My Dad told me that when I was going into the OHL. There was all sorts of talk about me skipping out on Erie, going somewhere else, and it was my Dad who told me, ‘You don’t want to be that guy.’ I am grateful to him for that advice because it’s so true, he was so right. The last three years in Erie have been the best three years of my life. I’ve always said I would be happy and honoured to play for any team. I have always felt strongly about that.”

Good for him. Sounds like a pretty humble kid. Good job by his parents to raise him to not expect special treatment because of who he is.

So, now that this whole thing is over, and it was supposedly audited. Why can't we see how it was done? If we had 7.5%, does that mean they had at least 200 ping pong balls? So we got 15, I guess? Or was there 400 or a 1000? And was there just one ball drawn, right? The winning ball. Just curious how this really panned out. The auditor must've watched all the balls get put in, counting the right # for each team. Did they weigh them to make sure all the logo's had the same weight in paint on them? I'd guess heavier balls don't bounce as high. I'm sure it would be boring, but still. We never did see the video of how the Knicks got Patrick Ewing all those years ago.

The video of the lottery being conducted is on the NHL's website. The whole thing is out there for public consumption.

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=810726

Edited April 20, 2015 by MadDog2020

[devilsrule33]

I don't follow the Oilers that closely, but I still don't see exactly the specific things that Oilers management has done wrong.  They didn't have any inexcusable draft selections or Milbury level terrible trades.  A lot of people were saying that their free agent signings this past year were pretty shrewd, at least they were saying it at the time.  But at the very least, they have not saddled themselves with albatross type signings that a lot of other teams do.  From what you hear, their management understands that the team has serious goaltending issues that they've tried to do something about to the point of supposedly giving a much better offer for Schneider than what the Devils gave up.  Just seems like a lot of bad luck.

 

While we're on the subject, I would imagine that the Oilers would love to make a move where they end up with one of the top three defensemen in the draft, all three of whom are supposedly close to NHL ready (Hannifin, Provorov and Warenski).  The most they'd give up player-wise to move up to get one of them would be Eberle or Yakupov, and I don't care for the former, and the latter is just too risky.  The only other thing is if you take the pick they got from Pittsburgh and their first rounder next year.  But I just don't see them being bad next year. 

 

Craig MacTavish and Kevin Lowe held a press conference two years ago saying the buck stops here. Unlike Steve Tambellini, MacTavish was going to take action. He has done sh!t all. He claimed their goaltending situation was solved, and it was the worst in the league. He's left them with absolute no depth relying on young players to make the team...he went from saying the results were unacceptable and promising big changes to doing sh!t for two years, the team is worse, and already claiming next season is still going to be a rebuild.

 

From the same article:

 

In my opinion, it's pretty easy to see some of the mistakes the Oilers made last summer. The Nikitin signing, the ridiculous 1 yr. deal for their best Defenceman as he was headed into a UFA year, but I think without question most would agree the most egregious error was the ignorance of the lack of depth at the centre ice position and basically handing two of the four jobs to Marc Arcobello and Leon Draisaitl - both unproven NHLers - before camp even opened.

 

What a good GM does is plan for the worst case scenario, assume those guys won't be ready and that he still has to ice a playoff-calibre roster without them. Then, if they come to camp and steal someone's job, well that's a wonderful problem to have. Lowering the bar to help them clear it doesn't make things better for anybody, but it's become the Oiler way.

[Daniel]

Craig MacTavish and Kevin Lowe held a press conference two years ago saying the buck stops here. Unlike Steve Tambellini, MacTavish was going to take action. He has done sh!t all. He claimed their goaltending situation was solved, and it was the worst in the league. He's left them with absolute no depth relying on young players to make the team...he went from saying the results were unacceptable and promising big changes to doing sh!t for two years, the team is worse, and already claiming next season is still going to be a rebuild.

From the same article:

In my opinion, it's pretty easy to see some of the mistakes the Oilers made last summer. The Nikitin signing, the ridiculous 1 yr. deal for their best Defenceman as he was headed into a UFA year, but I think without question most would agree the most egregious error was the ignorance of the lack of depth at the centre ice position and basically handing two of the four jobs to Marc Arcobello and Leon Draisaitl - both unproven NHLers - before camp even opened.

What a good GM does is plan for the worst case scenario, assume those guys won't be ready and that he still has to ice a playoff-calibre roster without them. Then, if they come to camp and steal someone's job, well that's a wonderful problem to have. Lowering the bar to help them clear it doesn't make things better for anybody, but it's become the Oiler way.

Fair enough. As I said I don't follow the Oilers too closely.

In the end though, the Oilers are probably going to end up being one of the best teams in the league, especially if they can manage to snag a good defenseman in this draft. It might happen as soon as next year if McDavid is as good as advertised.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[roomtemp]

The problem is the Oilers are run by morons which in a city that can't attract a free agent to save their life its a bigger problem because you can barely miss on any move you make and they really miss on almost anything but those number one picks.

[MadDog2020]

The problem is the Oilers are run by morons which in a city that can't attract a free agent to save their life its a bigger problem because you can barely miss on any move you make and they really miss on almost anything but those number one picks.

They do have a new building coming soon... so between that and McDavid, if they start winning, they become a viable/attractive destination for players just like that.

[roomtemp]

They do have a new building coming soon... so between that and McDavid, if they start winning, they become a viable/attractive destination for players just like that.

Sure if global warming also makes it beach front property that can be attractive.

 

Also I don't think they'll become a consistent winner because they are run by the Three Stooges so even if he carries them on his back they'll be just a boarderline playoff team with maybe one win before he bolts as a UFA

Edited April 20, 2015 by roomtemp

[MadDog2020]

Sure if global warming also makes it beach front property that can be attractive.

Also I don't think they'll become a consistent winner because they are run by the Three Stooges so even if he carries them on his back they'll be just a boarderline playoff team with maybe one win before he bolts as a UFA

As far as the city goes, what makes Edmonton less attractive than say, Calgary? Calgary is only what, three hours down the road? Hell, if you play for a Canadian team, it's gonna be cold and it's gonna snow. Canada is cold and it snows there. But you're right about the management/ownership. Circus-level leadership there with that crew. Edited April 20, 2015 by MadDog2020

[SterioDesign]

As far as the city goes, what makes Edmonton less attractive than say, Calgary? Calgary is only what, three hours down the road? Hell, if you play for a Canadian team, it's gonna be cold and it's gonna snow. Canada is cold and it snows there. But you're right about the management/ownership. Circus-level leadership there with that crew.

Plus well over 50% of the nhl comes from canada so they grew up in that weather. If they would have grown up in florida and then goes to winnipeg, sure thats a clash but how many nhlers comes from those places really?

[fsu1852]

Anyone else hearing rumors that Eichel might be staying at BU?

[Derek21]

Was at Game 2. So I didn't catch this till afterwards. Of course LOTCB was all over it giving me the details. Plus Twitter. I feel like Buffalo should've won. Edmonton has had the 1st overall pick 3 times already. Now 4 in 6. They don't deserve it. They are so poorly run. MacT and Lowe are idiots. And if you saw McDavid's reaction, he didn't exactly look to be jumping for joy at the prospect of being an Oiler. I hope he pulls a Lindros or Eli and forces a trade. 

[RizzMB30]

Anyone else hearing rumors that Eichel might be staying at BU?

I always think you should air on the side of caution when it comes to college players.  Let them have their time in college to develop well.  Buffalo will have a great talent, even if he waits for another 2 or 3 years before making the jump.

[MadDog2020]

[MadDog2020]

Plus well over 50% of the nhl comes from canada so they grew up in that weather. If they would have grown up in florida and then goes to winnipeg, sure thats a clash but how many nhlers comes from those places really?

Exactly. That's why I don't understand people ragging on Edmonton like its fvcking Baghdad. I'm sure it isn't much different than most cities that are cold and snowy in the winter. Edited April 21, 2015 by MadDog2020

[NewarkDevil5]

Exactly. That's why I don't understand people ragging on Edmonton like its fvcking Baghdad. I'm sure it isn't much different than most cities that are cold and snowy in the winter.

 

Baghdad is actually quite warm and sunny (except when sandstorms block out the sun). According to Wikipedia, it's one of the hottest cities in the world, and I'm pretty sure they're not talking about the night life.

[MadDog2020]

Baghdad is actually quite warm and sunny (except when sandstorms block out the sun). According to Wikipedia, it's one of the hottest cities in the world, and I'm pretty sure they're not talking about the night life.

I meant in terms of it being an undesirable place to live. Don't know too many folks looking to relocate to Baghdad lol. Edited April 21, 2015 by MadDog2020

[NewarkDevil5]

I meant in terms of it being an undesirable place to live. Don't know too many folks looking to relocate to Baghdad lol.

 

Couldn't resist

[MadDog2020]

And sh!t like this is why everyone hates the fvcking Leafs and their stupid fans: http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/2015/04/21/nhl-should-have-rigged-lottery-to-gift-connor-mcdavid-to-toronto-maple-leafs-says-toronto-sportswriter/