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Yandle + Draft Predictions

June 21, 2012, 11:08 PM ET [229 Comments]
Richard Cloutier
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
This is an update from my previous blog...

According to Daren Millard from Sportsnet, the Phoenix Coyotes are open to dealing star defenseman Keith Yandle. It's obvious the Oilers would be diggin' that. The problem is, the 'Yotes are likely looking for a #1 center, and there's no way the Oilers are dealing Nuge. They could offer the 1st overall pick, but it's hard to say what that would be worth compared to Yandle. As much as I love Yakupov, he hasn't proven anything at the NHL level yet, making Yandle a more valuable asset.

I see Pittsburgh as being the fit here. Jordan Staal obviously isn't going to re-sign with the Penguins. It would need to be Staal+, so I'm thinking the Pens will need to throw in another forward. The 'Yotes can make this deal because their defensive depth is ridiculous.

From reading the stuff on Twitter from various beat reporters around the league, I'll suggest the Top 5 of the draft tomorrow (provided everyone keeps their picks) will look like this:

1. Edmonton - Yakupov (Mark Spector of Sportsnet seems 99% certain)
2. Columbus - Ryan Murray
3. Montreal - Alex Galchenyuk
4. New York Islanders - Griffin Reinhart
5. Toronto - Filip Forsberg

I'll keep updating as rumors continue to pop up...
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