The Kassassin Train Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 A few? Think their entire first line and Schultz. That said, this poll is "best prepared," and this young team isn't prepared for a grinding 48-game season IMO. Make no mistake - the NHL is multiple steps up from the A or the E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnews Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 If the poll was best prepared for the first week of the season, the Oil might make sense. And their young bodies may recover rapidly between games during a compressed schedule. When it comes to stamina and withstanding the NHL grind however... You've got to wonder about the demographic voting. Veteran teams that have played together for years don't need to develop chemistry. If the season were 20 games long, all bets are off, but 48 games would seem like enough to really reveal the cracks in teams with as many areas that still need improvement as the Oilers have... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grapefruits Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 So basically, a team without a goaltender or any defense is going to be "best prepared". Better hope they can score 7 goals a game. I did vote for the Canucks. Not just because they're my team but because I feel they have actually prepared. 1. They made good depth signings(Our D has 9 capable players) 2. With the Luongo trade we will address our second line issues. 3. We have much needed rest we haven't gotten the last 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canucks.brad Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 i voted for the oilers. canucks have NO second line. kesler is out, booth is injured, and the only guys "on the roster" we had playing were kassian, schneider, raymond (not sure if he ever played a game), tanev... (i may be missing some so I am admitting im probably missing a few guys that are on the roster. however i did not include schroeder et al). also edler, garrison, kassian are all coming back from injury? look at the oilers on the other hand, they had all their young superstars playing in the A and they were destroying it. its a shotgun start for a 48 game season, and right now the oilers are the best prepared Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoneypuckOverlord Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Can someone post a who the hell cares or a who the frack cares picture somewhere? As someone pointed out, a lot of the Oilers "core players" Have been playing since October. They are in mid season form. Who cares. Vancouver is a 2nd place at 21 %. The rest is below 9 %. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7thMan Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I voted for Edmonton, too. a) They're full of young talent that will only get better and veterans who can't play much worse. They added Justin Schultz (and now Mark Fistric) to help fill one of the gaping holes in their blueline. c) Their core young guys have been playing and practising together while a lot of other teams sat around, not playing a single competitive game. EDIT: Side note, why is b ) an emotion? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharnhayre Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 I dont disagree with that at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamJamIam Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 EDM was voted up because CDC is full of pessimists who voted EDM as well. False fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoshuaGuy Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 i voted for the oilers. canucks have NO second line. kesler is out, booth is injured, and the only guys "on the roster" we had playing were kassian, schneider, raymond (not sure if he ever played a game), tanev... (i may be missing some so I am admitting im probably missing a few guys that are on the roster. however i did not include schroeder et al). also edler, garrison, kassian are all coming back from injury? look at the oilers on the other hand, they had all their young superstars playing in the A and they were destroying it. its a shotgun start for a 48 game season, and right now the oilers are the best prepared Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdeath Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Most prepared =/= most likely to succeed. The Edmonton Oilers are the most prepared Canadian team. Will that matter in April? Not really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VancouverCanucksRock Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 So basically, a team without a goaltender or any defense is going to be "best prepared". Better hope they can score 7 goals a game. I did vote for the Canucks. Not just because they're my team but because I feel they have actually prepared. 1. They made good depth signings(Our D has 9 capable players) 2. With the Luongo trade we will address our second line issues. 3. We have much needed rest we haven't gotten the last 2 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oilers9977 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Why would the OP be mad about this? LOL The entire top 6 were playing hockey. Eberle, Hall, RNH, Yakupov, Gagner, and Hemsky. Smyth and Dubnyk played in the Spengler Cup. Smid played overseas. A few others as well. They are the most ready. It does not mean it will translate to wins automatically though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanucksSayEh Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 They are prepared in the sense that they are lubed up. They gonna get pounded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oilers9977 Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 They are prepared in the sense that they are lubed up. They gonna get pounded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FullMetalOilDrum Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Don't give the Oilers too much credit. They finished 29th last year. The AHL and euro leagues are not even close to NHL standards. They might squeak in at 8th but the Canucks will dominate the NW and possibly contend for the President's trophy especially if Kesler and Booth can return ASAP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsCanuck Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I won't be surprised if they have a decent season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkeeterHansen Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Yes, Edmonton WILL be best prepared for the 48 game season. Why? Simple. They are a very young team and so they won't tire out easily and can get off to a fast start easily. While the oldies will have to struggle to find their feet, and by then it would be halfway through the shortened season, a.k.a. Canucks slump at the beginning of a season. I feel Edmonton may actually surprise some teams and make the playoffs. Same goes for the Flames. Tough division we have now especially with what Minny has done to their team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UMB Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 I agree with your analysis on Edmonton. Good young players, key players have been playing since October, it only makes sense they'll start quick. I do think everyone is over rating Minnesota, though. Parise and Suter aren't enough to get that joke of a team into the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Money Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Yes, the Edmonton youngsters have been playing together, scoring lots of points... ...and yet, as an AHL team, they were barely above .500. If those guys can't even elevate their team to dominate the AHL, I don't see how the same group will turn their NHL team into an instant contender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brewdog Posted January 17, 2013 Share Posted January 17, 2013 I voted Edmonton too. Partly because I believe it, but it's also a good thing to have the 'Who's #1?' focus directed elsewhere. The Canucks could do well to fly under the radar this year. Let the other teams expend their energy against EDM and LA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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