If Drouin drops, I think there might be a lot of trade offers going to the team in third.
- bsteinley

Wow! Something I agree with you on.

none of those guys you mentioned will get you a 1st round pick. hemsky, gagner and smid will get a 2nd each and a prospect but definitely not a 1st. no chance.
- therealagent

you're dumb

I like how Monahan is projected to go 6th and'll likely be a 2nd line C putting up 50 points a year, yet people don't think Gagner'd fetch a first, and he's exactly that. You're all dumb.

Dude! Who the fck wouldn't want MacKinnon?
- whipper334

Mackinnon is cool but he doesn't fit our needs. A small forward with average points on a great team. Monahan is huge and has good points on a worse team. Edmonton needs bigger. IMO we would be better off not taking a guy like Mackinnon. Drouin, Seth, Barkov... all make sense for us but another guy the same size as gagner and RNH just doesn't fit our need. Especially when he is a chemistry guy with Drouin. If he was getting those points on his own like Barkov and Monahan that would be different.

Don't get me wrong, he is a great player. However I don't see the Oilers trading up for him.

You guys need Nurse a hell of a lot more than you need Monahan. Either way they're both very good players.
- whipper334

Problem with Nurse is that he is 2-3 years from being in the NHL. We in THEORY have prospects further along. We need a guy that will impact the team in two years at the most. A big center would take over just when Horcoff is leaving.

If your Edmonton, you don't want third. There has to be other teams that see Mackinnon as a guy that started strong and didn't finish well. He is small, talented yes but so is Petan ranked in the high 20s. I think the Oilers, if they were in a rebuild might move down for picks. It might take more than just that. Prospects might need to be involved but we can't be the only team that doesn't want Mackinnon.
- bsteinley

If you're picking 3, and MacKinnon is still available, he's the clear choice. I really can't see anyone passing him up at #3.

I like how Monahan is projected to go 6th and'll likely be a 2nd line C putting up 50 points a year, yet people don't think Gagner'd fetch a first, and he's exactly that. You're all dumb.
- TheNugeIsHuge

People are clearly idiots.

People are clearly idiots.
- laughs2907

Yes

If you're picking 3, and MacKinnon is still available, he's the clear choice. I really can't see anyone passing him up at #3.
- laughs2907

Its a good thing we are not then. I think we can all agree that the first three with be Jones, Drouin and Mackinnon with a remote chance of the order changing. Plus an even more remote chance of Barkov bumping one. After that, all bets are off. I can see many players move into the top 10 that aren't ranked there (depending on the ranking since they vary in a few players by a huge degree). I can see Fucalle moving to the top 10 or being picked in the second round. Nurse might go 5th or out of the top 10. I can see Domi, mantha or Zadarov making moves up. As well, I see Petan as a wild card.

I like how Monahan is projected to go 6th and'll likely be a 2nd line C putting up 50 points a year, yet people don't think Gagner'd fetch a first, and he's exactly that. You're all dumb.
- TheNugeIsHuge

Don't look at me, I have been his advocate since before the season started and you guys know that.

Mackinnon is cool but he doesn't fit our needs. A small forward with average points on a great team. Monahan is huge and has good points on a worse team. Edmonton needs bigger. IMO we would be better off not taking a guy like Mackinnon. Drouin, Seth, Barkov... all make sense for us but another guy the same size as gagner and RNH just doesn't fit our need. Especially when he is a chemistry guy with Drouin. If he was getting those points on his own like Barkov and Monahan that would be different.

Don't get me wrong, he is a great player. However I don't see the Oilers trading up for him.
- bsteinley

Trade down and pick Gauthier(6'4 220). Couturier 2.0. Help battle huge guys like Backes, Thronton, Kopitar come playoff time.

If the Oilers don't have a hard-on for a player at #7, would the Jackets entertain this? The Oilers' 7th overall for 2 of the Jackets 3 (projected 15th, 18th, 24th) first round picks?

every option sounds sexy but we won't know till Draft Day and who's available for the Oil to take at 7th then we all can start speculating

If the Oilers don't have a hard-on for a player at #7, would the Jackets entertain this? The Oilers' 7th overall for 2 of the Jackets 3 (projected 15th, 18th, 24th) first round picks?
- laughs2907

Maybe but we would probably have to throw in a second round. Might get away with Anahiems. Or they might like one of our prospects that we probably won't be using. Something more would need to sweeten it, i would think.

every option sounds sexy but we won't know till Draft Day and who's available for the Oil to take at 7th then we all can start speculating
- AlEx_OiL

True and the order can chance tonight if carolina wins, and then again on Monday if someone behind us wins the lottery. Or if we do, which is my personal vote. Wow would we have trolls on here then.

Forget jones, I forgot that.

As for Hemsky, you actually have him put in as a hole in our roster. We need a top line LW. Hartnell is my pick but we would never get him. Stewart would be ideal. Horton could fit in. However XXXX has to someday be a player that can keep up with Nuge and Ebs.
- bsteinley

Hemsky is almost always at RW isn't he?

Even if he stays, I don't see him as anything other than a human hole in our roster. He's a body, but he doesn't fill any needs. Replace him. Get rid of him, and be sure that any 20 point NHLer who can be consistently physical is a better option anywhere in the roster than Hemsky.

In a heartbeat.

St.louis wouldn't.
- sanfordnson

I bet they would. They get a killer prospect for a guy they cant afford to sign.

It doesn't matter much, but buying him out still keeps money on the cap. Unless you wanted to compliance him, but I don't think its necessary. Just because he's surplus doesnt mean he's a liability.
- Jack-artist

Yes he is a liability. Get rid of him for what ever pick someone will give you or compliance buyout.

DISCLAIMER: The following statement is purely opinion on my behalf and I will not be providing any numbers or real proof to back it up.

Hemsky to me is a microcosm of the things that plague this Oilers team. Small size, no grit, easily hurt, mildly interested defensively, helpless in his own zone. Just because he's not a liability doesn't mean he's an asset. and yes, I was talking compliance buyout. They have two. I think using one on him would be a start. I do not want to see Hesmky on this team next year.
- sanfordnson

Mackinnon is cool but he doesn't fit our needs. A small forward with average points on a great team. Monahan is huge and has good points on a worse team. Edmonton needs bigger. IMO we would be better off not taking a guy like Mackinnon. Drouin, Seth, Barkov... all make sense for us but another guy the same size as gagner and RNH just doesn't fit our need. Especially when he is a chemistry guy with Drouin. If he was getting those points on his own like Barkov and Monahan that would be different.

Don't get me wrong, he is a great player. However I don't see the Oilers trading up for him.
- bsteinley

MacKinnon isn't big but I can assure you his size is very accurately listed while Drouin's is not.

MacKinnon is bigger, faster, stronger and a more physical presence. He has annihilated players with crushing body checks. Excellent forechecker. Plays top unit PP and PK. Is the heart and soul of the team and is as timely - if not more - a scorer than Drouin.

I agree, we don't need such a player, we need a decidedly huge player. But it's been greatly exaggerated the degree to which he's "another small forward". He's a cross between Taylor Hall and Jonathan Toews in his playing style. The idea that he's another Ales Hemsky or something is not too accurate.

What team in this league would surrender a 1st round pick for the likes of Smid and Hemsky?

Please tell me which because no team would. They are not worth it...ESPECIALLY HEMSKY
- LeafsNation91

Will you get off it already. We all (except Clouts)know that Hemsky is not bringing back a 1st rounder. Smid would be close. Some teams would but I actually see him as part of a player trade not for a pick.

Mackinnon is cool but he doesn't fit our needs. A small forward with average points on a great team. Monahan is huge and has good points on a worse team. Edmonton needs bigger. IMO we would be better off not taking a guy like Mackinnon. Drouin, Seth, Barkov... all make sense for us but another guy the same size as gagner and RNH just doesn't fit our need. Especially when he is a chemistry guy with Drouin. If he was getting those points on his own like Barkov and Monahan that would be different.

Don't get me wrong, he is a great player. However I don't see the Oilers trading up for him.
- bsteinley

MacKinnon is head and shoulders above Monahan. Not one scout in the league would say take Monahan over MacKinnon. Moot point anyways because he'll be long gone before we pick.

You sure. You still have Feaster. I see you guys taking Nurse.
- bsteinley

Doubt it. Feaster may be dumb but he knows if there is a Center there that is their pick. Barkov or Monahan will go to Calgary.

If it ends the way it is today it could be interesting.

If the Oilers don't have a hard-on for a player at #7, would the Jackets entertain this? The Oilers' 7th overall for 2 of the Jackets 3 (projected 15th, 18th, 24th) first round picks?
- laughs2907

I'd do that.

Doubt it. Feaster may be dumb but he knows if there is a Center there that is their pick. Barkov or Monahan will go to Calgary.

If it ends the way it is today it could be interesting.
- Iggysbff

Feaster may be dumb... So how do you rate Lowe?