Quick little blog before I drift off to bed. I'm in meetings all day Tuesday, so this is my blog for the next 24. Enjoy!
1. Ranger Danger
There's this guy called Paul Ranger who played defense for the Marlies last season and put up some interesting numbers. Apparently, he's a free agent or something, and apparently, he and new Oilers Head Coach Dallas Eakins liked each other. Rumor has him being signed by the Oilers. People need to relax: This is a 6/7 defenseman, and we got lots of those. At best he'd be an upgraded Corey Potter.
2. Power Potterplay
Isn't it Tom Renney's fault Corey Potter ended up in Edmonton? Should we have moved him to the Wings by now?
3. The Offering
Don't be surprised if the Oilers give up a late draft pick or two in an effort to make a Dallas-like signing of a player about to go UFA. Tyler Bozak is an obvious one, as he's not going to re-sign with the Leafs. Bozak would be candy on the Oilers third line, and after MacT finishes clearing out the roster stink he'll have plenty of cap room to work with.
4. Weber? Ummm...No
I got bored and went to CapGeek. I must be reading this wrong, because what I'm seeing makes absolutely no sense. So the Preds owe Shea Weber over the next six seasons $68mil in signing bonus and $80mil in contract? $148mil over the next six years? That's ridiculous. The entire franchise isn't worth that much. They wouldn't be able to deal him even if they wanted to. Sick jerks who signed him to that deal. No wonder there was a lockout.
5. Trade for a Defenseman?
I get suggestions all the time that the Oilers should deal this off-season for a top pairing defenseman. Really? Is that even possible?
Who would be available? Maybe Marc Staal. At least the Oilers wouldn't need to give up a kidney to get him. I hear Keith Yandle's name, but that would be something like Sam Gagner plus the Oilers 7th overall (1st round) pick this summer. Yuck. And then there's options like Jack Johnson. Sorry, I know that's a swear word for many of you.
6. Would You Deal a Super Kid?
There's deals to be made out there if you're Craig MacTavish. The question is, are you willing to pay the price? If I'm the GM, Hall, Eberle, Nuge, Yakupov, JSchultz and Klefbom are untouchables. But that's just me. What would you be willing to deal away?
7. Goalie!
I see a few options here. Luongo to the Oilers after a buyout is not impossible. Jonas Hiller from Anaheim is possible, but they'll want a decent asset back for him. Maybe one of the goalies from Washington? Hey, look at what Columbus pulled off last season with Bobrovsky. Any way you slice it, the Oilers need to add a goalie this season, regardless if he's a starter-level or back-up.
8. Too Much Hartikainen
Many people are acting happy and fine that Teemu Hartikainen has bolted from the Oilers and has signed in the KHL. I see it as a warning sign. The Oilers as an organization are terrible with their prospects. Many don't turn out the way they should, and some bolt in frustration. Hartikainen left most likely because he couldn't see how he fit into the team's future. That sort of cloudiness occurred because the Oilers couldn't make up their mind with him last season. Blame the prospects all you want...look at the Oilers record with prospects over the last seven seasons and ask yourself if it's a coincidence, or if maybe, perhaps, the team needs to start thinking about the way they treat prospects.
9. Draft Daze
Lots of talk about Sean Monahan dropping and perhaps being available at #7. Good.
People are sending notes to me suggesting the Oilers try to move up in the draft. Easier said than done. In years when there isn't clarity after the first couple of picks, maybe. This year? There's too many good prospects. Teams are all going to be offering to move up. There could be several major deals at the draft.
10. What Next MacT?
His next moves will be to find a goalie...and to sign Paul Maurice as Associate Head Coach. Exciting days ahead, Oilers fans
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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