OilFans.com :: Fan Forum: Oilers => All time organizational blunders

Guest

Login / Register

This day on March 9
Acquired: Laurie Boschman (1982) Frank Musil (1998) Igor Ulanov (2000) Tom Gilbert (2004) Sergei Samsonov (2006)
Departed: Doug Hicks (1982) Walt Poddubny (1982) Stan Weir (1982) Jeff Brubaker (1987) Scott Ferguson (1998) Christian Laflamme (2000) Tommy Salo (2004) Mike Morrison (2006) Marty Reasoner (2006) Yan Stastny (2006)

Happy Birthday To: theranfordflop, Iggy12, AleemD, 2.Die.4, Newfie, OilDrop11, oilergalfan78, jacob0, rolifaninvan

OILERS INFO OILFANS
Sunday, Mar 9, 2025 2:32 PM MT

F.A.Q.

Terms of Use F.A.Q.

F.A.Q.

Members

Search

Register

Login

Home

Oilers » All time organizational blunders

Switch to flat view

Switch to tree view

Create a new topic

Submit Reply

All time organizational blunders [message #841407]	Wed, 05 March 2025 12:14

Jay
Messages: 671
Registered: January 2007
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Interested in what people think are the all time worst organizational blunders by the Edmonton Oilers.

The list is ridiculously long and growing every day. Probably some recency bias but what prompted me to make this thread is that I think the signing and prioritization of Arvidson/Skinner over Broberg/Holloway might end up near the top in a few years when we look back. The Kane LTIR fiasco probably doesn't even make the top 25 but that's only because it's such a deep pool.

In any case I'm confident that no other team in the league can measure up in this area.

"Initiative comes to thems that wait"

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841408 is a reply to message #841407 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 12:20

Kr55
Messages: 11165
Registered: May 2002
Location: Edmonton

6 Cups

Jay wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:14

Interested in what people think are the all time worst organizational blunders by the Edmonton Oilers.

The list is ridiculously long and growing every day. Probably some recency bias but what prompted me to make this thread is that I think the signing and prioritization of Arvidson/Skinner over Broberg/Holloway might end up near the top in a few years when we look back. The Kane LTIR fiasco probably doesn't even make the top 25 but that's only because it's such a deep pool.

In any case I'm confident that no other team in the league can measure up in this area.

Making Kevin Lowe President of Hockey operations.

Basically everything we've experienced in the Katz Era started there. It gave us an endless string of OBC and Hockey Canada bros that all ended up being duds in management. Lowe insisted Bobby nicks was the man to replace him which kept this all going for almost 2 decades.

"We need to get better immediately. That starts today"
- Lowe, 2013

"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"
- MacT, 2015

5 x $5,000,000

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841410 is a reply to message #841408 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 12:37

Jay
Messages: 671
Registered: January 2007
Location: Edmonton

No Cups

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:20

Jay wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:14

Interested in what people think are the all time worst organizational blunders by the Edmonton Oilers.

The list is ridiculously long and growing every day. Probably some recency bias but what prompted me to make this thread is that I think the signing and prioritization of Arvidson/Skinner over Broberg/Holloway might end up near the top in a few years when we look back. The Kane LTIR fiasco probably doesn't even make the top 25 but that's only because it's such a deep pool.

In any case I'm confident that no other team in the league can measure up in this area.

Making Kevin Lowe President of Hockey operations.

That's exactly what I was thinking for number 1 as well. So far.

"Initiative comes to thems that wait"

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841413 is a reply to message #841410 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 13:16

CrusaderPi
Messages: 7882
Registered: December 2003
Location: AB Highway 100

6 Cups

Jay wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:37

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:20

Making Kevin Lowe President of Hockey operations.

That's exactly what I was thinking for number 1 as well. So far.

Same. The promotion after getting worse for 3 years following the 06 run was a sign of what's to come.

For number 2 I'd just go back to making Lowe the GM after one year of head coaching, a job he got after one year of assistant coaching.

Please do not feed the bears. Feeding the bears creates a dependent population unable to survive on their own. Bears.

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841414 is a reply to message #841413 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 13:28

Kr55
Messages: 11165
Registered: May 2002
Location: Edmonton

6 Cups

CrusaderPi wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:16

Jay wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:37

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:20

Making Kevin Lowe President of Hockey operations.

That's exactly what I was thinking for number 1 as well. So far.

Same. The promotion after getting worse for 3 years following the 06 run was a sign of what's to come.

For number 2 I'd just go back to making Lowe the GM after one year of head coaching, a job he got after one year of assistant coaching.

Hmmm, maybe the worst move ever can actually go right back to drafting Kevin Lowe just as the franchise started in the NHL? :)

Could Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, etc... not have won cups without the amazing Lowe? I bet they would have won just as many.

"We need to get better immediately. That starts today"
- Lowe, 2013

"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"
- MacT, 2015

5 x $5,000,000

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841415 is a reply to message #841414 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 13:31

CrusaderPi
Messages: 7882
Registered: December 2003
Location: AB Highway 100

6 Cups

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:28

CrusaderPi wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:16

Jay wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:37

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:20

Making Kevin Lowe President of Hockey operations.

That's exactly what I was thinking for number 1 as well. So far.

Same. The promotion after getting worse for 3 years following the 06 run was a sign of what's to come.

For number 2 I'd just go back to making Lowe the GM after one year of head coaching, a job he got after one year of assistant coaching.

Hmmm, maybe the worst move ever can actually go right back to drafting Kevin Lowe just as the franchise started in the NHL? :)

Could Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, etc... not have won cups without the amazing Lowe? I bet they would have won just as many.

Oh come now. Lowe was a really good player, some would say a hall of fame good player, in his first run as an Oiler and a really fun story in his second.

Please do not feed the bears. Feeding the bears creates a dependent population unable to survive on their own. Bears.

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841416 is a reply to message #841415 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 13:51

Kr55
Messages: 11165
Registered: May 2002
Location: Edmonton

6 Cups

CrusaderPi wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:31

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:28

CrusaderPi wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:16

Jay wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:37

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:20

Making Kevin Lowe President of Hockey operations.

That's exactly what I was thinking for number 1 as well. So far.

Same. The promotion after getting worse for 3 years following the 06 run was a sign of what's to come.

For number 2 I'd just go back to making Lowe the GM after one year of head coaching, a job he got after one year of assistant coaching.

Hmmm, maybe the worst move ever can actually go right back to drafting Kevin Lowe just as the franchise started in the NHL? :)

Could Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, etc... not have won cups without the amazing Lowe? I bet they would have won just as many.

Oh come now. Lowe was a really good player, some would say a hall of fame good player, in his first run as an Oiler and a really fun story in his second.

But the long term consequences! Were the first 15 years worth the consequences that happened within the nearly 30 after?

"We need to get better immediately. That starts today"
- Lowe, 2013

"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"
- MacT, 2015

5 x $5,000,000

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841419 is a reply to message #841416 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 14:07

CrusaderPi
Messages: 7882
Registered: December 2003
Location: AB Highway 100

6 Cups

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:51

CrusaderPi wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:31

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:28

CrusaderPi wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:16

Jay wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:37

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:20

Making Kevin Lowe President of Hockey operations.

That's exactly what I was thinking for number 1 as well. So far.

Same. The promotion after getting worse for 3 years following the 06 run was a sign of what's to come.

For number 2 I'd just go back to making Lowe the GM after one year of head coaching, a job he got after one year of assistant coaching.

Hmmm, maybe the worst move ever can actually go right back to drafting Kevin Lowe just as the franchise started in the NHL? :)

Could Gretzky, Messier, Kurri, Coffey, etc... not have won cups without the amazing Lowe? I bet they would have won just as many.

Oh come now. Lowe was a really good player, some would say a hall of fame good player, in his first run as an Oiler and a really fun story in his second.

But the long term consequences! Were the first 15 years worth the consequences that happened within the nearly 30 after?

Yes, but I was alive for the cups and remember at least 3 of them. 1 clearly. Anyone under 40 might have a different opinion.

Please do not feed the bears. Feeding the bears creates a dependent population unable to survive on their own. Bears.

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841411 is a reply to message #841408 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 12:38

smyth260
Messages: 1140
Registered: November 2007

1 Cup

That for sure.

I would say the next is what we haven’t done and very poor long term planning during Connor McDavid era.

McDavid is in his 10th year. Our biggest swing at a trade deadline has been Ekholm, a home run. After that the names are filled with small potatoes…Kulikov, D. Desharnais, Sam Carrick, Henrique, Brassard, Athanasiou…nobody too impactful. We should be taking massive swings almost every year in his prime. Not so. Vegas gets seemingly whoever they want no matter the situation. Hanafin, Hertl, Eichel, etc. They care about assembling the most talent every day and won’t hold onto players like Cody Ceci just because the room likes them. Top tier management.

After that, Chiarelli and Holland had terrible long term planning. Death by long lucrative deals for Kassian, Lucic, Koskinen, Campbell, 2 year contracts to every tweener under the sun (Gryba, Shore, Chiasson etc). We limited our own flexibility at every end.

All of that adds up to a team that has never won the division despite having the top 2 scorers year after year. The Art Ross basically lives in Edmonton. We might have won a cup if we had a team who could win their division and have home ice advantage past round 1.

If they don’t get a cup soon with 97, it will be the biggest organizational blunder.

Clean house or bust

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841412 is a reply to message #841411 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 13:00

Kr55
Messages: 11165
Registered: May 2002
Location: Edmonton

6 Cups

smyth260 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 12:38

That for sure.

I would say the next is what we haven’t done and very poor long term planning during Connor McDavid era.

McDavid is in his 10th year. Our biggest swing at a trade deadline has been Ekholm, a home run. After that the names are filled with small potatoes…Kulikov, D. Desharnais, Sam Carrick, Henrique, Brassard, Athanasiou…nobody too impactful. We should be taking massive swings almost every year in his prime. Not so. Vegas gets seemingly whoever they want no matter the situation. Hanafin, Hertl, Eichel, etc. They care about assembling the most talent every day and won’t hold onto players like Cody Ceci just because the room likes them. Top tier management.

After that, Chiarelli and Holland had terrible long term planning. Death by long lucrative deals for Kassian, Lucic, Koskinen, Campbell, 2 year contracts to every tweener under the sun (Gryba, Shore, Chiasson etc). We limited our own flexibility at every end.

All of that adds up to a team that has never won the division despite having the top 2 scorers year after year. The Art Ross basically lives in Edmonton. We might have won a cup if we had a team who could win their division and have home ice advantage past round 1.

If they don’t get a cup soon with 97, it will be the biggest organizational blunder.

We would be the only team to not win a cup after being gifted a generational player, no? Even Quebec/Colorado still won after trading Lindros, who was a borderline generational guy between Gretzky/Lemiuex and Crosby. Excusing Philly a bit because Lindros' families empty space between his skull and brain was definitely not generational, in a good way at least.

We've enjoyed a decade of top in the world play from McDavid. We also got one of the best playoff performances by a forward since the age of Gretzky and the first Conn Smythe for a non-goalie on a losing team in almost half a century. Somehow, no cup.

[Updated on: Wed, 05 March 2025 13:10]

"We need to get better immediately. That starts today"
- Lowe, 2013

"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"
- MacT, 2015

5 x $5,000,000

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841424 is a reply to message #841412 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 15:36

AndersonRules
Messages: 95
Registered: April 2008
Location: Shawnee, Oklahoma (OKC ar...

No Cups

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:00

We would be the only team to not win a cup after being gifted a generational player, no? Even Quebec/Colorado still won after trading Lindros, who was a borderline generational guy between Gretzky/Lemiuex and Crosby. Excusing Philly a bit because Lindros' families empty space between his skull and brain was definitely not generational, in a good way at least.

We've enjoyed a decade of top in the world play from McDavid. We also got one of the best playoff performances by a forward since the age of Gretzky and the first Conn Smythe for a non-goalie on a losing team in almost half a century. Somehow, no cup.

Well, there is that team in Toronto with a clear generational talent in Matthews which hasn't had a sniff of the 3rd round, let alone the Cup. Probably not too early to call that one ...

Not sure whether goalies count - but is Hellebuyck a generational talent in goal? Always at or near the Vezina?

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841425 is a reply to message #841424 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 15:38

Kr55
Messages: 11165
Registered: May 2002
Location: Edmonton

6 Cups

AndersonRules wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 15:36

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:00

We would be the only team to not win a cup after being gifted a generational player, no? Even Quebec/Colorado still won after trading Lindros, who was a borderline generational guy between Gretzky/Lemiuex and Crosby. Excusing Philly a bit because Lindros' families empty space between his skull and brain was definitely not generational, in a good way at least.

We've enjoyed a decade of top in the world play from McDavid. We also got one of the best playoff performances by a forward since the age of Gretzky and the first Conn Smythe for a non-goalie on a losing team in almost half a century. Somehow, no cup.

Well, there is that team in Toronto with a clear generational talent in Matthews which hasn't had a sniff of the 3rd round, let alone the Cup. Probably not too early to call that one ...

Not sure whether goalies count - but is Hellebuyck a generational talent in goal? Always at or near the Vezina?

If only Matthews was generational and hasn't always been the 2nd best player on his own team :)

Yeah, I guess goalies are pretty disrespected with the generational labels. Roy was one I guess? Hasek too, so maybe the post dynasty Oilers really do have destinies tied to the Sabres.

[Updated on: Wed, 05 March 2025 22:38]

"We need to get better immediately. That starts today"
- Lowe, 2013

"Next year I would forecast as another developmental year"
- MacT, 2015

5 x $5,000,000

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841435 is a reply to message #841425 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 20:51

welcometotheOC
Messages: 662
Registered: April 2010
Location: Also, sadly, Cowtown

No Cups

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 15:38

AndersonRules wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 15:36

Kr55 wrote on Wed, 05 March 2025 13:00

We would be the only team to not win a cup after being gifted a generational player, no? Even Quebec/Colorado still won after trading Lindros, who was a borderline generational guy between Gretzky/Lemiuex and Crosby. Excusing Philly a bit because Lindros' families empty space between his skull and brain was definitely not generational, in a good way at least.

We've enjoyed a decade of top in the world play from McDavid. We also got one of the best playoff performances by a forward since the age of Gretzky and the first Conn Smythe for a non-goalie on a losing team in almost half a century. Somehow, no cup.

Well, there is that team in Toronto with a clear generational talent in Matthews which hasn't had a sniff of the 3rd round, let alone the Cup. Probably not too early to call that one ...

Not sure whether goalies count - but is Hellebuyck a generational talent in goal? Always at or near the Vezina?

If only Matthews was generational and hasn't always been the 2nd best player on his own team :)

Yeah, I guess goalies are pretty disrespected with the generational labels. Roy was one I guess? Hasek too, so maybe the post dynasty Oilers really do have destinies tied to the Sabers.

Roy? NO His giant jerseys were certainly generational(ly big) !!

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841409 is a reply to message #841407 ]	Wed, 05 March 2025 12:34

Skookum Jim
Messages: 4647
Registered: March 2006
Location: Burnaby, BC

4 Cups

.. this thread is not beneficial to my current therapy sessions.. I won't be able to participate.. faint

faint

McDAVID! Oh YEAH Baby!! (Thank you Lord!)
Tic-Tac-Tao!
Keep on Rockin' in the Free World

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841452 is a reply to message #841407 ]	Thu, 06 March 2025 12:50

g2k
Messages: 2890
Registered: January 2003
Location: The Hood

2 Cups

Not extending my favorite Oiler - Igor Ulanov.

https://media.gettyimages.com/id/53083458/photo/edmonton-oilers-at-nashville-predators-february-15-2004-and-player-igor-ulanov.jpg?s=612x612&w=gi&k=20&c=_Z0iPjBjm_Zn7vtq6J5wBZ174vKF4cUXvgJ2fJfZQnc=

#firebob #screwitjustselltheteam #ownerisacreep

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841479 is a reply to message #841407 ]	Thu, 06 March 2025 21:10

HamBlaster
Messages: 1073
Registered: June 2007

1 Cup

This organization hasn't been properly managed since the Pronger season. Ever since then, the organization has set records for incompetence at the controls.

Jackson's latest turn at the Oilers blunder buffet is just the latest in an ongoing mess that continues unabated.

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841492 is a reply to message #841479 ]	Fri, 07 March 2025 00:57

nullterm
Messages: 1062
Registered: July 2007
Location: Port Moody, BC

1 Cup

Jack Campbell

Sending Jeff Petry out who went on to be a career top pair D-man we desperately needed while we held on to Justin Schultz who went for a 3rd rounder after fizzling out.

Eberle -> Strome -> Spooner

1st & 2nd Round Picks for Griffin Reinhart... pick became Barzal

A few hundred grand for Smytty

POS for Erik Cole (oy!)

I'm cutting myself off at the Pronger trade, which was mostly forced due to outside influences.

Arvidson, Skinner, Broberg, Holloway all sting but not will be mostly forgotten in time.

Illegitimi non carborundum.

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Re: All time organizational blunders [message #841585 is a reply to message #841492 ]	Sat, 08 March 2025 22:43

Mike
Messages: 1427
Registered: August 2005
Location: Moncton, New Brunswick

1 Cup

I would have to say the production we continuously get from Cap Space. The guy just seems to be a let down every year.

Report message to a moderator

Send a private message to this user

Previous Topic:	Pregame: Dallas @ Edmonton (Game #63)
Next Topic:	Oilers acquire Walman

Copyright © OilFans.com 1996-2022.
All content is property of OilFans.com and cannot be used without expressed, written consent from this site.
Questions, comments and suggestions can be directed to oilfans@OilFans.com
Privacy Statement

Hosted by LogicalHosting.ca