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Oilers Draft 7th...What Does it Mean? |
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Let me get out a crystal ball and predict how the 2013 NHL Draft will go down, now that we've had the lottery and know who won.
1. Colorado Avalanche - This is a feel-good situation for them, as they required a top pairing defenseman. They'll take Seth Jones and won't think twice about it. Huge D-man, amazing offensively, can hit to hurt...Beast.
2. Florida Panthers - Considering how good Jonathan Huberdeau is, and the goal being to make him a center someday, he'll need a top wing-man. Stamkos has St. Louis, Bert has Ernie, Donald Draper has anyone he wants. The Panthers will take Jonathan Drouin.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning - I don't think the Lightning care much which way this goes. If Drouin gets drafted, they'll take Nathan MacKinnon; if MacKinnon goes 2nd, they'll take Drouin. I going with MacKinnon here, because the Panthers just took Drouin.
4. Nashville Predators - It seems pretty obvious the Predators need offense. A forward who can impose his will on the opposition. Does Barkov count as a "Russian Factor" player? You never know which way the Preds could go if he did. But seriously, Sasha Barkov is the best player available at this point, so drafting him makes complete and total sense.
5. Carolina Hurricanes - Finally, a team desperate to add a defenseman and not a forward. But which one? I'm going with Bob McKenzie on this one, and will suggest the next defenseman to get drafted after Seth Jones will be Rasmus Ristolainen. People seem to be all over the map when it comes to where to stick this guy in the draft order. He's everything the 'Canes need: A fair sized, puck-moving defenseman who can skate.
6. Calgary Flames - They MUST take Sean Monahan here. The need to add a big, scary Top 6 center is as bad in Calgary as it is in Edmonton. Plus, the Flames will know the Oilers will be gunning for Monahan, and the pick will screw them up. The Battle of Alberta...Now at the entry draft.
7. Edmonton Oilers - You ready for it? Huge Russian winger Valeri Nichushkin.
Yes, it's a big left winger. If you heard Oilers GM Craig MacTavish speaking today, he suggested Sam Gagner is leadership material and that he'd like to keep him around. Still the Oilers need to get bigger in the Top 6.
So you're top line is Hall - Nugent-Hopkins - Eberle
2nd line? Nichushkin - Gagner - Yakupov
3rd? Paajarvi - Horcoff - Jones
Judging from MacT's interview today, Ryan Jones will be back, and he'll fit into the 3rd line. Paajarvi is continuing to develop, and the Oilers are in no rush to replace Shawn Horcoff.
Today's Oilers banter was fairly enlightening. You get the feeling Ales Hemsky is gone to the highest bidder, and Ryan Whitney wants no part of the future in Edmonton. Ryan Smyth, it was said, will continue to have a roster spot next season.
The Oilers have all sorts of love for Nick Schultz, but he's perhaps a 5/6 defenseman...making the big hole for the Oilers to try and fill this summer is the top pairing left side guy. Considering the lacking UFA class available, it's Streit or bust on this subject.
Unless...
Oscar Klefbom can step into the lineup and pull a Justin Schultz. Those expecting the Oilers to be an immediate playoff threat next season might need to hold on to their shorts. It appears to me MacT has plenty of tinkering to do, and he doesn't have great assets to move to make it happen. Sam Gagner would be about the best player he'd move, and as I said, he was singing Sammy's praises today.
As far as Nichushkin goes, he'd give the Oilers a big power forward in the Top 9...which might not be the same thing as having a big moose at center. That player...the moose...could come via free agency, trade, or the draft a year from now.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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