So what's the hockey that you actually wanted to talk about? That the Oilers can't make any move unless it involves one of Hall, Nuge, Yak or Eberle?

State your point so we can hash out exactly what you're trying to say.
- Morris

that's his point, apparently any trade involving the Oilers can only involve top notch talent

that's his point, apparently any trade involving the Oilers can only involve top notch talent
- SpoiledByOil

Don't forget that outside of said players the rest is all garbage. We should be trading players like Yakupov or Eberle for multiple lesser assets.

Don't forget that outside of said players the rest is all garbage. We should be trading players like Yakupov or Eberle for multiple lesser assets.
- Reveen

that works for me.....send them to ottawa, we have lots of lesser assets.

Don't forget that outside of said players the rest is all garbage. We should be trading players like Yakupov or Eberle for multiple lesser assets.
- Reveen

But not Hall. We couldn't trade that guy if we tried, he's half the player that Eberle is.

But not Hall. We couldn't trade that guy if we tried, he's half the player that Eberle is.
- Morris

A team like Florida might give a conditional 4th for a guy like Hall and take a chance on him. Eberle would easily fetch a second. I wish Yakupov was worth anything, we'll probably have to keep him.

A team like Florida might give a conditional 4th for a guy like Hall and take a chance on him. Eberle would easily fetch a second. I wish Yakupov was worth anything, we'll probably have to keep him.
- yaktalksback

o'brien....straight up

that's his point, apparently any trade involving the Oilers can only involve top notch talent
- SpoiledByOil

No that wasn't my point. My point to Richie was, what is the purpose of trading a depth player for another depth player? There isn't exactly a ton of depth on this team, so what exactly does that get you? He seems to be on this trip where he believes an exchange of average to good talent players is going to accomplish something.

Why not take a player like Yak and shop him around? Maybe you get a couple of top 6 younger veteran players back and possibly a pick or a decent prospect.

That's my whole point, by the time these young guys come together and get it all figured out, the Oilers won't be able to afford all of them and they'll have to move one or some of them. Why not fast track the process to get into cup contention sooner than later. This team needs more veteran presence on the ice which became obvious the other night when Horcoff made his return.

But not Hall. We couldn't trade that guy if we tried, he's half the player that Eberle is.
- Morris

So what is the point of having all these incredibly valuable players if the team still can't seem to win after almost 6 years of rebuilding via high draft picks? Please explain it to me because yeah it's great to have 3 first overalls and a couple of high firsts on your starting roster so that you can brag and so that other fans and teams can covet them, but when it's all said and done, where has it gotten the Edmonton organization? I think Oiler fans are hanging on to hard to that dream of being the next Edmonton dynasty.

Change is a good thing sometimes.

No that wasn't my point. My point to Richie was, what is the purpose of trading a depth player for another depth player? There isn't exactly a ton of depth on this team, so what exactly does that get you? He seems to be on this trip where he believes an exchange of average to good talent players is going to accomplish something.

Why not take a player like Yak and shop him around? Maybe you get a couple of top 6 younger veteran players back and possibly a pick or a decent prospect.

That's my whole point, by the time these young guys come together and get it all figured out, the Oilers won't be able to afford all of them and they'll have to move one or some of them. Why not fast track the process to get into cup contention sooner than later. This team needs more veteran presence on the ice which became obvious the other night when Horcoff made his return.
- MnGump

they don't need to trade one of those guys.......what they need, IMO, is a management team who isn't completely clueless.

the oilers have solid assets, other than their "untouchables"........guys like hemsky, gagner, PRV, smid, even whitney could all generate solid returns...they just need a GM and scouting staff, smart enough to take advantage of those assets.

i'll use ottawa as an example, cuz that's what i know.

murray was able to keep his entire core together, trade away his "depth guys", and bring in a great return. without trading any key players, he basically turned the team around in a year. he made smart trades, made sure players were given a chance to develop properly and were put in situations where they can succeed, and he made smart signings to add to the team.

if edmonton had even a semi-competent gm, he could take the moveable assets on this oiler team, and turn this thing around fairly quickly.

So what is the point of having all these incredibly valuable players if the team still can't seem to win after almost 6 years of rebuilding via high draft picks? Please explain it to me because yeah it's great to have 3 first overalls and a couple of high firsts on your starting roster so that you can brag and so that other fans and teams can covet them, but when it's all said and done, where has it gotten the Edmonton organization? I think Oiler fans are hanging on to hard to that dream of being the next Edmonton dynasty.

Change is a good thing sometimes.
- MnGump

it's true, but the change needed in edmonton is not the change you're suggesting.

minnesota has been a mediocre to average team for years......why didn't they trade guys like granlund to get a couple of assets back?

simple, because you don't trade young potential superstars for lesser talent....it's stupid

No that wasn't my point. My point to Richie was, what is the purpose of trading a depth player for another depth player? There isn't exactly a ton of depth on this team, so what exactly does that get you? He seems to be on this trip where he believes an exchange of average to good talent players is going to accomplish something.

Why not take a player like Yak and shop him around? Maybe you get a couple of top 6 younger veteran players back and possibly a pick or a decent prospect.

That's my whole point, by the time these young guys come together and get it all figured out, the Oilers won't be able to afford all of them and they'll have to move one or some of them. Why not fast track the process to get into cup contention sooner than later. This team needs more veteran presence on the ice which became obvious the other night when Horcoff made his return.
- MnGump

You gotta figure that if you take some of that scoring depth where we don't necessarily need it in the go ahead - Hemsky - for example, and turn him into an equivalent calibre dman, we're instantly ahead of where we are now. Our scoring won't suffer in the long run, and our defense - which is bad - gets way better. Win-Win depth move.

Another such move would be moving a smaller skill player - Gagner perhaps - for another player who is less skilled but better in other areas (I'm not playing matchmaker, but Hanzal in phoenix is an example of such a player). Again, moving players of equivalent talent, but getting instantly better off than we are now.

As far as the "you won't be able to afford them point", I disagree. We've got lots of cap coming off the books in the next few years, and very few commitments in terms of players we "need" to re-sign to be competitive.

Plus, the last CBA tried to institute a standard of a slow-rising cap. Then it shot up 30 million dollars in less than 7 seasons. I don't really trust any fiscal forecasting that suggests a paltry cap is definitely going to happen.

So what is the point of having all these incredibly valuable players if the team still can't seem to win after almost 6 years of rebuilding via high draft picks? Please explain it to me because yeah it's great to have 3 first overalls and a couple of high firsts on your starting roster so that you can brag and so that other fans and teams can covet them, but when it's all said and done, where has it gotten the Edmonton organization? I think Oiler fans are hanging on to hard to that dream of being the next Edmonton dynasty.

Change is a good thing sometimes.
- MnGump

Start with my above post.

Then take the blinders off that make you suggest most Oiler fans absolutely don't want management to stand pat. It's not the case, and there should be ample evidence in this thread that it's not the case.

However, there's a difference between trading non-essential players, being open to trading all picks and prospects, and being prepared to make key signings and what you're suggesting, which is selling off top prospects less than three years (and in some cases, less than a year) after we've drafted them.

they don't need to trade one of those guys.......what they need, IMO, is a management team who isn't completely clueless.

the oilers have solid assets, other than their "untouchables"........guys like hemsky, gagner, PRV, smid, even whitney could all generate solid returns...they just need a GM and scouting staff, smart enough to take advantage of those assets.

i'll use ottawa as an example, cuz that's what i know.

murray was able to keep his entire core together, trade away his "depth guys", and bring in a great return. without trading any key players, he basically turned the team around in a year. he made smart trades, made sure players were given a chance to develop properly and were put in situations where they can succeed, and he made smart signings to add to the team.

if edmonton had even a semi-competent gm, he could take the moveable assets on this oiler team, and turn this thing around fairly quickly.
- sensarmy_11

i propose...tamby for murray trade?

On the crazy open market, I feel like Clowe could get 5 mil. O'Reilly's deal set a precedent for players of that ilk.

Clowe-Nuge-Eberle
Hall-Gagner-Yakupov

looks pretty sweet.
Or even put Ryan Jones on the 2nd line for more power and run Pajaarvi-Horcs-Yakupov as the 3rd line.
- Morris

Those would be two pretty sick lines...Clowe will really help the kids...give them a little more room, as teams won't be banging them as much if they have to watch for Clowe...

Do you see us needing to upgrade our depth defensemen? I don't.

We need top pairing or top 4 guys. Legit top 4 guys. Not slight upgrades, but defensemen that would be 20 minute players for any roster in the league.

And it's tough to judge Ryan Whitney's busted ankle against JM Liles' addled brain. It's a matter for doctors to decide who's better equipped to be playing in the NHL
- Morris

I guess I can agree to that...at this point, best thing is for Oilers to poop the bed again and draft a d-man top5...then you would have JShutlz, Petry, Klef, and top5 pick as your top4 d-men...

No that wasn't my point. My point to Richie was, what is the purpose of trading a depth player for another depth player? There isn't exactly a ton of depth on this team, so what exactly does that get you? He seems to be on this trip where he believes an exchange of average to good talent players is going to accomplish something.

Why not take a player like Yak and shop him around? Maybe you get a couple of top 6 younger veteran players back and possibly a pick or a decent prospect.

That's my whole point, by the time these young guys come together and get it all figured out, the Oilers won't be able to afford all of them and they'll have to move one or some of them. Why not fast track the process to get into cup contention sooner than later. This team needs more veteran presence on the ice which became obvious the other night when Horcoff made his return.
- MnGump

1st bold: Perhaps they've tried and don't like the return as of yet.

2nd bold: Stop with the absolutes. You don't know that. In fact, I've heard quite the opposite from people who cover the every day. Now, if Gagner puts up 45 points this year he could ask for something close to five then we have some issue - definitely with both him & Hemsky.

Trust me dude, say they make a reactionary deal for vet presence or "size" or whatever and the player they deal is amazing in only two years you and everybody else sipping on a Havana Hindsight 20/20 will be derp-chirping "I can't believe they didn't give it more time...I mean, they chose the draft and development grass roots method and they trade Yakupov after like 34 games? I should have a Magic the Gathering card paying homage to myself that would beat Cloutier's attack points and dragon farts"

Frankly, I'm not even sure the value of half these kids is as high as we'd need to get a great deal in place.

Hemsky ++ can bring something
Gagner ++ can bring something (I don't want to do this one)
Our first overall ++ can bring something

I see the deputy scored a goal the other night. Hope you oilers fans appreciate what he brings to the games... I already miss him in Toronto. The guy is an absolute beauty, total workhorse, and from what I hear, a solid personality in the dressing room!

I see the deputy scored a goal the other night. Hope you oilers fans appreciate what he brings to the games... I already miss him in Toronto. The guy is an absolute beauty, total workhorse, and from what I hear, a solid personality in the dressing room!
- Fatty-Patty

McLovin him Fatty-Patty. For realz.

In tough again tonight against a COL team returning to form and health.
I know he'll help in setting a tone early on.

i propose...tamby for murray trade?
- deks1

Those would be two pretty sick lines...Clowe will really help the kids...give them a little more room, as teams won't be banging them as much if they have to watch for Clowe...
- BoBBeR56

Knowing the Oilers though, they'd overpay him and once again neglect the Defense. I don't know the team gets much better no matter who we add until we add an ultra-competent puck mover

I see the deputy scored a goal the other night. Hope you oilers fans appreciate what he brings to the games... I already miss him in Toronto. The guy is an absolute beauty, total workhorse, and from what I hear, a solid personality in the dressing room!
- Fatty-Patty

He's been great AND he's got a (frank)ing sick beard

I can honestly say I am no longer envious of the Oilers and their collection of youth/high picks. I would take any of them in a heartbeat on the Leafs, dont get me wrong, but a plethora of youth with inept and clueless coaching/management isn't worth my jealousy. Boston, LA, Hawks, Pens....now im getting that sinful green feeling.
- systemtool

You are a leafs fan, you should probably be jealous/envious of every other team in the league that has made the playoffs at least once in the 8 years or who has won the cup at least once since oh i dunno the last 40 years. Denial can cause psychological issues.

it's true, but the change needed in edmonton is not the change you're suggesting.

minnesota has been a mediocre to average team for years......why didn't they trade guys like granlund to get a couple of assets back?

simple, because you don't trade young potential superstars for lesser talent....it's stupid
- sensarmy_11

No, I get that, but Granlund was the first bonafide "star" potential player that has come through Minnesota since Marion Gaborik. So the point is, obviously Minnesota is going to hang on to him at least until they know what they have. Especially now that they have some "star" caliber players in Coyle, Zucker and potentially Larsson.
Although not quite the potential as the majority of the Oiler cast of young talent, I think the Wild at some point would entertain trading one to gain a deeper more talented team.

Obviously they don't want to just give away the top talent or prospects. But having such a wealth of young underdeveloped talent, why not trade one of those pieces for many? Which I guess would come into the conversation you're talking about, competent management.

No, I get that, but Granlund was the first bonafide "star" potential player that has come through Minnesota since Marion Gaborik. So the point is, obviously Minnesota is going to hang on to him at least until they know what they have. Especially now that they have some "star" caliber players in Coyle, Zucker and potentially Larsson.
Although not quite the potential as the majority of the Oiler cast of young talent, I think the Wild at some point would entertain trading one to gain a deeper more talented team.

Obviously they don't want to just give away the top talent or prospects. But having such a wealth of young underdeveloped talent, why not trade one of those pieces for many? Which I guess would come into the conversation you're talking about, competent management.
- MnGump

If the Oilers were to trade one or more of the 1st overalls or Eberle or Shultz, do you think they would compete for the cup this year? Next year? If the answer is no (which is the answer), then why not hang on to them and see which players makes the Oilers better? Maybe next year they will see a whole and a player (that the team is willing to trade) then they trade the player the Oilers feel is moste expendable. Fans guess what the GMs are doing, but really know SFA about what is really going on. Fans guess what the value is of a player/pick, when really the have no clue.

He's been great AND he's got a (frank)ing sick beard
- MaximumBone

I absolutely love him. He throws fists better than any fighter the oil have had in years and he can skate and bang. I also love his ability to realize when to fight and when to keep the gloves on. He knows his role.

Morris: when you say you want a competent top 4 puck mover, what exactly are you talking about. To me, petry is going to be GOOOOOD and I believe he's been our best dman this year. He lacks toughness, though and wish he had a mean streak. Smid is alright and I think he should stay since he compliments petry well (blocking shots and sticking up for teammates) while playing that 4th man role.

JSchultz is uber talented and we all know it. He's still very inexperienced and could use a role model. It might be a stretch but I see karlason in him. His size, the way he defends coupled with how he moves the puck is uncanny.
Klefbom has the potential to be that top pairing guy we're missing, but he's 3-4 years away from being a bruising impact guy in NA. (If we even develop him properly).
Now, with all that being said, I agree that our defense is our biggest hole. What guy fits our team, in your opinion? Is there a defenseman available that could be had that would also make us competitive next year?