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Trades, Trades and More Trades? |
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The last 24 have been a blast. I think I've been on Twitter for 20 of the last 24 hours, waxing poetic with hockey fans. Thank God we have NHL hockey to talk about again!
A number of things have come up today that I feel motivated to comment on.
1. The "WOW" Move
OMG, I've been watching Bob Stauffer's Twitter feed all day, and I wouldn't be surprised if he's yanked all of the hair out of his head by now. Fans won't leave him alone on this one.
For those of you new to this topic, allow me to explain: Oilers Now Host Stauffer said on his show...was it back in October?...that the Oilers could make a "WOW" move coming out of the lockout. From how I understood it, the "WOW" move was contingent on a number of factors:
- The new CBA would need to contain an "Amnesty" buyout compliance clause that immediately came into effect, allowing the Oilers to dump Horcoff...I mean, free up significant cap space.
- The deal would occur if the NHL season began around Dec. 1st or sooner.
- And, the move would not include assets named Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, Justin Schultz or Oscar Klefbom. All more or less considered untouchables at this time.
As we know, the NHL season did not start on or before Dec. 1st, and the compliance buyout clause will only be available to teams at the end of the 2013 NHL season. Conditions aren't there for the "WOW" trade to occur.
It's also fair to mention at this point that teams are likely not in the mood to move significant assets with the 2013 season being so short. Why? Because teams generally don't like helping each other out in the middle of a playoff run. Keep in mind we're not talking about acquiring Eric Belanger-level players here. The Oilers don't need more of those. I'm not saying Corey Perry is on the Oilers radar, but let's use him as an example. How much would you need to overpay the Ducks at this moment to acquire Perry, who is set to become a UFA this summer? It would cost the Oilers one of the superkids, hence why it won't happen.
Oilers head dude Kevin Lowe pretty much said on Stauffer's show that the Oilers are at a point where they can afford to deal prospects and/or picks to bring in high-end talent...But there's players who are more available than others. Hall, Ebs or Nuge, no. Paajarvi or Lander? Maybe.
Anyway, it's a moot point. Unless a team calls up Steve Tambellini offering an amazing deal, there won't be a "WOW" trade going into this season. Leave Britney, I mean Stauffer, alone.
2. But There Will Be Trades to Start the Season, Right?
I think the Oilers could make a few, yes.
However, it all depends on what other teams are looking for, and if anyone has anything to offer up that may help the Oilers NEXT season.
Next season? What about this season?
The Oilers have enough signed players that they can put together a complete roster without moving anyone. Up front, the Oilers are perhaps too small, but they'll be fast and offensively gifted. On D, Justin Schultz, Jeff Petry and Ladislav Smid are absolutely part of the long-term future. Ryan Whitney, if he is healthy and his play recovers to previous levels, can also be part of the long term. And everyone who knows Nick Schultz loves him; Oilers can't have enough roster players like him. That's five pretty solid D men. And in goal, well, that's a bit unpredictable, but goalies are cheap and plentiful. The Oilers will have numerous options to upgrade in goal if required as the season continues.
If the Oilers have an immediate need, it's to acquire a left-pairing defenseman of quality. But there's no point bringing someone in for only half a season, unless the Oilers look to be a serious playoff threat come Trade Deadline time (rumor is, the trade deadline will be as late as April 5, giving the Oilers plenty of time to see what they have this season). Actually, the Oilers could pull a 2006, and load up with rental talent at the trade deadline if they look like a playoff team.
The Oilers would move Ben Eager and Eric Belanger now if they could. Neither fits into the long-range plans of the team, and both could be replaced by less expensive prospects/farm talent. As far as the D goes, Theo Peckham, Corey Potter and Colten Teubert are all poor 5/6 options. Taylor Fedun hasn't looked NHL-ready playing in OKC, either. Andy Sutton's career is likely over due to his knee injury and age. So if there's a deal to be made, it will involve Belanger, Eager, someone like Linus Omark (who is of no value to the Oilers), a mid-range prospect, or something like a 2nd round draft pick (Oilers have two for 2013)...Dealt for a 5/6 left-handed defenseman who doesn't suck.
3. Interesting Stuff From Today
- The Edmonton Journal website posted a hilarious article featuring an interview with Shawn Horcoff. Horcs doesn't seem to think he'll be bought-out this summer unless the Oil have a cap space issue. Guess again. Horcoff will be bought out the minute the Oilers are allowed to do it. Keep in mind for 2013/2014 and 2014/2015, Horcoff's cap hit will be $5.5mil per season, but actual total buyout amount would be closer to $4.7mil. The Oilers can find better ways to spend the money, honest.
- One Edmonton-area media guy mentioned on Twitter that the Oilers shouldn't have re-signed Lennart Petrell. Talk about not understanding hockey or the Oilers roster. Petrell is exactly the type of 4th line forward the Oilers need to be signing. Quality penalty killer, and hits everything in sight. I wish the Oilers had three Petrells on the 4th line.
- Tim Thomas isn't coming back for the last year of his contract with Boston. Number of people upset about it? Zero.
- I'm waiting for a flood of speculation on what the Leafs are sending the Canucks for Roberto Luongo. My guess is it will be one of those situations that fans from both sides walk away feeling completely disappointed.
- Teemu Hartikainen will play on the 3rd line in Edmonton, replacing the injured Ryan Jones. An eye injury? Brutal. Poor Jonesy. Word is, he'll be out for several weeks.
- Ladislav Smid has a knee injury, but he'll be fine to play. Ditto Nikolai Khabibulin. Everyone else should be healthy going into camp.
- Nail Yakupov just got back to his home in Russia in time for him to head out to North America. Teams want training camps to start on Wednesday; meaning, players have a couple of days to get here. Easier said than done if you live where Yakupov does. Sounds like Sam Gagner will have a hilarious time getting back in time as well.
- Lots of chatter today suggesting the Oilers shouldn't use the first year of Yakupov's contract up? Lame. This semi-season is an opportunity to get him use to pro hockey in North America. Think of the bigger picture, people. Yaks was playing great in the KHL, but he's had a rough time recently. A few bad comments to the media, followed by a complete overreaction from fans...The sooner he gets to Edmonton, the better. The other Oilers superkids will help him fit in and adjust. Plus, do you really want Yakupov spending more time than he has to playing in the KHL? Nyet.
- Someone asked me about Oscar Klefbom. He's absolutely not an option this season.
- The Flames will be without Roman Cervenka to start the season. Injured. Too bad. I wanted to see what he can do in North America. Should be a very interesting Calder Trophy race...Almost said that with a straight face. Justin Schultz is going to win it in a walk. Won't even be close.
- Hall, Eberle, and Schultz were yanked from the Oilers farm team, the Oklahoma City Barons roster a few hours before game time on Sunday. I haven't looked at the box score from the game, but I'm pretty sure the Barons had to dress a couple of cardboard cutouts of Wayne Gretzky in order to have a full roster. Aside from those three, it's likely Hartikainen, Paajarvi and Teubert will be in Edmonton for Oilers "training" camp (a week-long training camp with no pre-season games is too short to be considered an actual training camp, dontcha think?).
- It sounds like Chris Pronger will be attending Flyers training camp. I'm shocked...I thought his injury situation ended his career. Maybe not. Good news? Hey, I like Pronger's game. Hard to like the guy, but the NHL is a more entertaining and nastier place with Pronger playing. Welcome back, jackass. Stay healthy. (Ed Note: Pronger will be at Flyers camp, but he's not cleared to play yet).
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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