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Exactly. The issue isn't McDavid and Draisaitl, its massively overpaying Jack Campbell and Darnell Nurse. Both of those contracts are albatrosses and prevent building out the roster.

I don’t think the issue is with having elite players like McDavid and Draisaitl. The issue is that neither team addressed their roster needs. Both teams have had a need for defence, goaltending and bottom 6. Both teams have hamstrung themselves with poor cap management in their own ways which just adds to the problem. Pittsburg managed their cap and roster very well when they built their team on Crosby, Malkin.

I take his real point to be that a top-heavy roster is problematic. And in fairness, this has been the problem of both the Leafs and the Oilers for most of the past decade. 🤷‍♂️ But if the Habs had the chance to add a McDavid and Dreiseitl, or the Toronto Big Four, all at 19 years old? HELL YEAH.

Inside 2024 NHL Draft star Cayden Lindstrom’s emergence — and the status of his health - The Athletic (nytimes.com) Will the big kid be available at 5? Nice write up by Wheeler. “He plays hard and he’s got some real meanness. He has good vision, he makes some high, high-end plays, and he does things quick. He’s a fast-twitch guy. Everything he does he does it quick,” Desjardins said.

Yeah it sucks to have elite players. Oilers should trade McDavid and Draisaitl. Painting having elite talent as a bad thing is one of the silliest things ever said on this site.

It's one thing to know who you have to shut down, it's another thing to do it effectively. LA and Vancouver knew who they had to shut down but neither were very successful. Having said that there is no question that Dallas is deep but the Oilers are deeper than many think. Dallas had 8 twenty goal scorers, the Oilers had 8 guys with 18 or more. Both teams have faced adversity in the playoffs. Dallas lost the first two at home to Vegas and came roaring back, the Oilers had their back against the wall against Vancouver. Where I give Dallas the edge is in goal. Oettinger is one of the better goalies in the league, Skinner has been inconsistent. Skinner had some great stretches this year but hasn't proven anything in the playoffs yet. I think the goalie battle is where the series will be won or lost.

Two teams have tried to shut that offence down and failed. Dallas certainly has more options in trying to shut it down but I don’t think they will be successful. Almost 70% picked Dallas to win in the poll so you certainly aren’t alone.

I definitely interpret that info incredibly differently than you. The Stars have 4 guys to check and shut down whereas the Oils have an entire team to check and shut down. I'd say it is the Oils that have their work cut out for them. There are at least 3 issues having elite players; 1) they cost too much which makes it hard to ice a complete team, and 2) it is simple to know who their go to guys are which makes it easier to be able to check them and shut them down. 3) injuries - if 1 of the Oils top 4 point guys becomes injured their team will instantly be way less effective. It should be an interesting series of skill either way.

Draisaitl is painting himself a Conn Smythe trophy

Playoff point leaders… 4 Oilers in the top 4 - Good luck Dallas

Yeah the risk is the cap space and what else you could use it on more than the picks.

I think a big part of that is that our members are much more familiar with the Oiler team and are aware of any warts they have have whereas Dallas is not as widely known. I am pretty sure the Oilers had the best record in the NHL in the 2nd half of the year. I think the Oilers started something like 2-11, they have come a long way.

I think it comes down to if Dallas can contain McDavid and/or Draisaitl. I don’t think even Dallas can prevent Edmonton PP goals though. Much will rest on Skinner’s performance too.

I sort of hope you're right. Mcdavid, Draisaitl worked for it. But Dallas is deep. Really deep.

Slafs Slokavia crushed by Sweden. 6-1. But at least Slaf got a nice assist.

The risk is the cap space, not the picks of course. What does this move prevent you from doing on other fronts?

Definitely a risk but I guess Tampa is going for it. They don't have a pick until the 4th round this year and the 3rd round the following year. They are emptying the cupboard to try and win it one more time. Do they have enough cap room to resign Stamkos? I guess it depends on what he is willing to sign for.

Well there you go, that’s why it’s cheap I guess. 6.75 isn’t crazy but it’s not cheap either. That second year is gonna sting. Smart move by Nashville

His contract at 6.75 million per year for 2 more seasons, and his age, turning 35 in June, make his acquisition a risk.

The #TBLightning have reacquired Ryan McDonagh (plus a fourth-round pick) from Nashville for a second- and seventh-round pick. Seems pretty cheap

Lots of Ranger hope but the cup winner is totally spread out 🤔 I think Edmonton is winning the cup. Nobody can stop that offence

Cole Caufield with 2 goals and 2 assists today.

They are more optimistic about the Oilers than our members are!

I voted for Edmonton to beat Dallas and win the cup. Nobody is stopping that offence and as you guys have said the Oilers are much better defensively too.

Sound Analysis as usual CC I do wonder what would have happened if DiGiseppie (sorry for bad spelling), had scored on his mini breakaway late in the third when it was 3-1. In any event the series was fun to watch