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

Because it's not necessary for what we need. No one of Hall, Ebs or Nuge's calibre was traded to get a player like Staal, so why should we start with the assumption we're trading our top asset to get an impact player? More often than not, top players go for package deals rather than other top players.

Look at the Brent Burns trade. The Wild got Seto, Coyle and a 1st for Burns and a 2nd. Indicates to me that if the Oilers were prepared to trade Gagner, Klefbom and a first, they could get a player of Burns' calibre, give or take a bit.

As for the idea of trading one of our kids for multiple depth guys, I just don't see how that fills more holes than it creates. For years the oilers struggled with a having a trillion Stolls, Horcoffs and Moreaus, and no top end guys. Now that we've got them we're supposed to dish them out for more role players? I see lateral moves that help our specific needs, and package deals to bring in specific impact players being a more viable alternative.

I may be old fashioned but I still believe pronger was the best defenseman in the league for 10 years(besides Lindstrom). I'd take pronger in 2006 over Achilles in Ottawa and weber over in 'smashville'.

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.
- Al Hacker

Here we go. From the mouth of Bob McKenzie:

"The Oilers have come to the realization that their team lacks the right mix up front," explained McKenzie. "They have got too much of the same thing, all these high end, skill guys that maybe aren't that big."

I may be old fashioned but I still believe pronger was the best defenseman in the league for 10 years(besides Lindstrom). I'd take pronger in 2006 over Achilles in Ottawa and weber over in 'smashville'.
- JShack

Oh for sure. The amount of assists he rakes up (ya that's right) that don't show up on the score sheet is enough to equate Karlsson's points.

Here we go. From the mouth of Bob McKenzie:

"The Oilers have come to the realization that their team lacks the right mix up front," explained McKenzie. "They have got too much of the same thing, all these high end, skill guys that maybe aren't that big."
- Champ

Did you read what I wrote? So which one do they trade? Should they trade Yak before he even plays a whole season?

Here we go. From the mouth of Bob McKenzie:

"The Oilers have come to the realization that their team lacks the right mix up front," explained McKenzie. "They have got too much of the same thing, all these high end, skill guys that maybe aren't that big."
- Champ

Yes. Aaannnd...

trade one of ze vunderkidz now!!!!

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?
- JShack

What I mean is, and no disrespect to Petry, he's a guy that's going to be a competent puck mover. But I think we need a guy that's a credible threat to create offense from the D position more often. We talk about the offense in terms of being good, but could be better. Everyone's clamouring to add this or that power forward. Why not demand a little more out of our D core too?

Even if he reaches most of his potential, and Schultz reaches most of his potential (a longshot for both of them to get there by the way) we still need a couple of guys that on any given night can put the defense on their heels.

And though Petry is a strong, fast skater and we've seen flashes, his play is not at present good enough to consistently skate the puck up the ice or win battles in the D zone, or fire a cannon slap shot. Maybe I'm just not as confident as you are.

As for guys that MAY be available (I'm not an insider):

Campbell (would take some shuffling)
Bouwmeester
Streit
Staal
Yandle
Corvo
McBain
White

Guys that could help in the go-ahead
Franson
Rundblad
Leddy
Hamonic

Not all of those guys are top 4 right now, and each have varying costs, but each could help the team out offensively while still being honest defensively.

Oh for sure. The amount of assists he rakes up (ya that's right) that don't show up on the score sheet is enough to equate Karlsson's points.
- Salvo

I miss him in an oiler jersey.

Did you read what I wrote? So which one do they trade? Should they trade Yak before he even plays a whole season?
- Al Hacker

All of that and other GM's have to smell blood - the Oilers would get gored and eviscerated.

Some 32 year old sandpaper growl and a depth defensemen for Yakupov.

No thanks. Too reactionary.

Now, if we are talking Eberle + for a Corey Perry, that's different.

Here we go. From the mouth of Bob McKenzie:

"The Oilers have come to the realization that their team lacks the right mix up front," explained McKenzie. "They have got too much of the same thing, all these high end, skill guys that maybe aren't that big."
- Champ

Why does that necessitate trading one of the kids? That necessitates finding a couple of pieces that change the line chemistry up front. That could mean trading no one. Or it could mean trading Hemsky and/or Gagner. Or simply running three even lines and playing a guy like Yakupov on the third line with a re-vamped bottom 6.

That really doesn't suggest anything in particular that isn't already evident.

I miss him in an oiler jersey.
- JShack

Oh bloody hell - me too buddy.

All of that and other GM's have to smell blood - the Oilers would get gored and eviscerated.

Some 32 year old sandpaper growl and a depth defensemen for Yakupov.

No thanks. Too reactionary.

Now, if we are talking Eberle + for a Corey Perry, that's different.
- Salvo

They traded Jack Johnson after drafting him 3rd overall, but he hadn't played a game for their team and wouldn't for some while.

Once a guy has laced up for the pro club, trading him within about 5 years should be a warning bell to other teams, legitimate or not. And they'll underpay accordingly.

Oh bloody hell - me too buddy.
- Salvo

Last 7 years would have gone differently, that's for sure.

I may be old fashioned but I still believe pronger was the best defenseman in the league for 10 years(besides Lindstrom). I'd take pronger in 2006 over Achilles in Ottawa and weber over in 'smashville'.
- JShack

I agree that pronger is a 1st ballot HOF player, and prob 2nd best of his generation.

I will say this though.......2006 pronger was in his prime, karlsson is only 21......there is a very real chance he gets a lot better.

Last 7 years would have gone differently, that's for sure.
- Morris

I hate the way Pronger left Edmonton, but I still think he was the best D-man in the league for a long time. Oilers need a great big bully like him that can play 30 minutes a game.

I may be old fashioned but I still believe pronger was the best defenseman in the league for 10 years(besides Lindstrom). I'd take pronger in 2006 over Achilles in Ottawa and weber over in 'smashville'.
- JShack

Achillies in Ottawa! Well played sir. Well played.

Here we go. From the mouth of Bob McKenzie:

"The Oilers have come to the realization that their team lacks the right mix up front," explained McKenzie. "They have got too much of the same thing, all these high end, skill guys that maybe aren't that big."
- Champ

It is a tough call right now, cannot disagree in any way with what is said. Who do ya give up? Tough to let one of the 4 go before they have even played 3 full seasons in the league. Not sure you can get much for Yak yet and no way they trade EBs or Hall at all or RNH in less than his second season. Id have to give up hemmer, maybe gagner but then you have a hole and need to get someone back. Think it is time for guys like Hemmer, and Smyth to go so they can open up room for a big winger. I know robin steele will not like that but it is time......it is time.

What I mean is, and no disrespect to Petry, he's a guy that's going to be a competent puck mover. But I think we need a guy that's a credible threat to create offense from the D position more often. We talk about the offense in terms of being good, but could be better. Everyone's clamouring to add this or that power forward. Why not demand a little more out of our D core too?

Even if he reaches most of his potential, and Schultz reaches most of his potential (a longshot for both of them to get there by the way) we still need a couple of guys that on any given night can put the defense on their heels.

And though Petry is a strong, fast skater and we've seen flashes, his play is not at present good enough to consistently skate the puck up the ice or win battles in the D zone, or fire a cannon slap shot. Maybe I'm just not as confident as you are.

As for guys that MAY be available (I'm not an insider):

Campbell (would take some shuffling)
Bouwmeester
Streit
Staal
Yandle
Corvo
McBain
White

Guys that could help in the go-ahead
Franson
Rundblad
Leddy
Hamonic

Not all of those guys are top 4 right now, and each have varying costs, but each could help the team out offensively while still being honest defensively.
- Morris

I'm a proud owner of a petry jersey since 2011 so I'm pretty biased. He's been improving at very reasonable rate and I don't think our defense is THAT far off. Based on what you've seen of J.Schultz, what do you believe his ceiling player comparison is? I think if he turns into something amazing (Scott Niedermayer) if he flops (midget Joni pikannen)

I believe a package deal gets us a good top 4 guy but not before the trade deadline. so were going to be waiting for summer. So were likely going to finish in the bottom 6 this year, drafting a center.

So if we finish well out of the playoffs and gags scores 35-40 points, what term and dollar amount do we sign him for?

I hate the way Pronger left Edmonton, but I still think he was the best D-man in the league for a long time. Oilers need a great big bully like him that can play 30 minutes a game.
- Al Hacker

There's just no one like that anymore. Girardi can play 30 tough minutes a game, but he doesn't have the offensive touch. Campbell can bring 30 minutes of up-tempo puck possession, but he doesn't have Pronger's grit.

I too hate the way he left, but I'd love to see a guy like that anywhere in the league, working his magic.

That being said, we got Smid, the pick that became Eberle, the pick we used on Riley Nash who became Marincin, the 3rd which was used on the Penner offer sheet, and Lupul, which became nothing but saw Pitkanen and Cole come through Edmonton. We've gotten a fair bit of mileage out of it.

I'm a proud owner of a petry jersey since 2011 so I'm pretty biased. He's been improving at very reasonable rate and I don't think our defense is THAT far off. Based on what you've seen of J.Schultz, what do you believe his ceiling player comparison is? I think if he turns into something amazing (Scott Niedermayer) if he flops (midget Joni pikannen)

I believe a package deal gets us a good top 4 guy but not before the trade deadline. so were going to be waiting for summer. So were likely going to finish in the bottom 6 this year, drafting a center.

So if we finish well out of the playoffs and gags scores 35-40 points, what term and dollar amount do we sign him for?
- JShack

He has a long way to go before becoming Niedermayer. He makes the odd good play, but so do Marc-Andre Bergeron.

Last 7 years would have gone differently, that's for sure.
- Morris

hehe yeah, was just musing/ imagining how that could have gone...attracting other star quality.

Though, Lowe did overpay a bunch of those guys so I don't think there was much room to actually pay other free agents...not sure though.

He has a long way to go before becoming Niedermayer. He makes the odd good play, but so do Marc-Andre Bergeron.
- Lahey

MABerg might be my least favorite hockey player. Ugh, the thought of Schultz turning into a goalie decapitating NHL suitcase makes me a sad oiler fan

It is a tough call right now, cannot disagree in any way with what is said. Who do ya give up? Tough to let one of the 4 go before they have even played 3 full seasons in the league. Not sure you can get much for Yak yet and no way they trade EBs or Hall at all or RNH in less than his second season. Id have to give up hemmer, maybe gagner but then you have a hole and need to get someone back. Think it is time for guys like Hemmer, and Smyth to go so they can open up room for a big winger. I know robin steele will not like that but it is time......it is time.
- ruttager17

Good post.

These are first overall guys. I know Hall, Nuge and Yakupov are flash, but they're not idiots, nor are any of them likely to be one-dimensional. I'd rather see these guys stay and round out their game than assume they'll have to stay permanent, pure-offense top 6ers and replace them with goons.

I already feel like you could Hall out in most scenarios and not only would he try his best, but he'd also be darn good.

This notion of trading young guys out presupposes that lines are static, and that we can't work new guys into the existing framework.

Big Winger - Nuge - Ebs
Hall - Big 2/3 Centre - Yakupov
Hartikainen- Gagner - Pajaarvi

Doesn't disrupt our core and provides good balance. The only things that change there are Hemmer is out.

MABerg might be my least favorite hockey player. Ugh, the thought of Schultz turning into a goalie decapitating NHL suitcase makes me a sad oiler fan
- JShack

Nah don't worry about that (not that you really are), as much as he's been lost out there positionally he's done some spin plays along the boards to evade pressure that I never saw Marc Andre do.

Shultz will be a nice player.

I'm a proud owner of a petry jersey since 2011 so I'm pretty biased. He's been improving at very reasonable rate and I don't think our defense is THAT far off. Based on what you've seen of J.Schultz, what do you believe his ceiling player comparison is? I think if he turns into something amazing (Scott Niedermayer) if he flops (midget Joni pikannen)

I believe a package deal gets us a good top 4 guy but not before the trade deadline. so were going to be waiting for summer. So were likely going to finish in the bottom 6 this year, drafting a center.

So if we finish well out of the playoffs and gags scores 35-40 points, what term and dollar amount do we sign him for?
- JShack

Good ceiling and floor for Schultz, although I don't think he'll be as nasty as Niedermayer could be and the floor could realistically be lower than Pitkanen's.

I look at a guy like Schultz and see maybe Tomas Kaberle in his prime. Great vision, speed, passing, elusiveness, smarts, strong skater and good stick moves defensively. Will never particularly impress you as a physical presence. Good for 35+, and often 45+ points season after season.