I'm saying St Louis and Stamkos didn't play during the lockout and they lead the league in scoring. Didn't seem like a disadvantage to them.

You may not realize, but Gagner is 23, and is just getting linemates like MPS and Yak. You don't reach your full potential by 22 bub
- TheNugeIsHuge

I know that in regards to the TB guys I just thought it went well with the 50 point guy / on pace for 65 arguement

Don't get me wrong I think gagner is a good player but I just don't see his value in a trade as high as most oiler fans think

I'm looking at the cap space that some of these teams have and it's un(frank)ingbelievable...

1. Leafs: 11m
2. Coyotes: 23m
3. Sens: 12m
4. Isle: 17m
5. Preds: 17m
6. Stars: 24m
7. CBJ: 11m
8. Avs: 10m
9. Canes: 14m
10. Flames: 13m
11. Sabres: 13m

Man, these teams need to start spending some serious cash...
- Flyfreaky

I think you have to take into account that these teams have some of their own FA to sign. Those numbers will come down for most teams on this list.

Philly and Vancouver each about 3m over...Am I reading this right: Pens 9m over the cap?
- Flyfreaky

Exactly ... This is where u can get good value in a trade ... These teams HAVE to trade players so u can get more value in a trade as opposed to trading with a team well under the cap

I know that in regards to the TB guys I just thought it went well with the 50 point guy / on pace for 65 arguement

Don't get me wrong I think gagner is a good player but I just don't see his value in a trade as high as most oiler fans think
- Redmile247

Which is what? You've said that twice now and since all we said was Gagner + for Hanzal, straight up for Vermette or pick and a prospect like Penner, I'm not sure what you mean.

What do you think Gagner is worth?

I think you have to take into account that these teams have some of their own FA to sign. Those numbers will come down for most teams on this list.
- TandA4Flames

Yeah, I didn't go over it with a fine comb, just surprised at so much cap money some teams have...

Exactly ... This is where u can get good value in a trade ... These teams HAVE to trade players so u can get more value in a trade as opposed to trading with a team well under the cap
- Redmile247

I don't think the Flyers will get the raw end of any deal...They can buy out Briere and even Bryz if they'd like to free up some cap space...I also think they'll move some players for an upgrade on defense...The Canucks however are in a world of hurt...

Baertshi - great pick
Reinhart - solid for a third rounder, will be a steady NHLer
Granlund - good second rounder, high skill, scoring well in the SM Liiga - not an easy league by any means
Sieloff and Wotherspoon - Good second round picks, made Team USA and Team Canada

Jankowski - I will give this kid the benefit of the doubt in that he was the youngest in the draft class. You can basically look at him and say, how would he fair if he was in the 2013 draft class? Probably a late first rounder now in terms of the consensus ranking.

I think the issue with this choice is not that they took him, but when they took him. It seems like they could've got him in the second round with that 42nd pick they got (instead of Sieloff). I understand he was on other team's radars but I think I would prefer risk losing him in the second than taking him in the first. Would you have preferred making the same trade with Buffalo, grabbing Maata, Samuelsson, Skjei, Subban, etc and possibly grabbing Janko at 42? Even if he was gone, you still had a shot at Frk and Scissons.

That's my personal opinion of course. Management have their own philosophies. Hence why the Oilers made a stupid second round choice by taking Moroz.
- ystoil

It's still way to early to judge Janko and any of the other players the Flames could've taken. He was a high risk choice but do far, nobody else has cracked the NHL from what I recall. Outside of Laughton, no one has had a shot. He's shown improvement in his draft + 1 year and that is all that can be expected. Youngest player in draft and the expectation was to be a long term project. But he has the tools; skating, size but needs to fill out, good shot and slick hands.

I like Nich, I have always said he was top 3, long before the season started. However I am not sure of his value as a rookie. Two top 6 forwards and a first round would have to be two average top 6 and a late first round. I don't think Edmonton would trade any of their 4 star kids for him straight across. I think this is the same for many of the leagues elite talent. However the Oilers gap isn't that big since they only have to move from spot 7 where other teams have further to go I could see their offers being higher.

If tampa is going to buy out vinny as many assume they might be the team to deal with. Would 22 year old Gagner and the 7th pick be the start? Maybe add a current playing prospect or one of their numerous defensive prospects that are ready to compete for a NHL team. Maybe even a veteran Dman like Nick Schultz, who would be top 4 in Tampa. Maybe highly rated prospect and probably top 6 Paajarvi. He seems to have a lot of interest due to his size. I think Edmonton would not give up much more if it was him as he seems to improve every game.

Best chance is Edmonton but this might have to be a three way. Edmonton trading up to 5 and then to 3. Carolina could be good with a d prospect or Lind so they could trade down two with another pick or a decent prospect. Then Tampa would be looking at Drouin, Barkov or Nich at pick 5. Not bad to trade down. Edmonton could offer again a current roster player, a couple of decent prospects or a pick to move up.

I am thinking Edmonton trades Nick Shultz, this years 7th overall and next years 2, 3 or 4th round pick to Carolina for their pick 5. Then Edmonton trades The fifth overall pick, a second overall pick and prospect arcobello and Musil for tampa's third overall pick. Musil and Arc dominated the AHL. They would be great on the Oil but the Oil have two great young prospects that are 5'9. Acrobello is arguably the best. The Oil have 5 good dmen that could play this year as rookies. Klefbom, Marcinin, Fedun, Musil and Gernat. Fedun and Klefbom had injuries last year. Marcinin is likely a year away but could be traded and Gernat is the furthest away. Tampa gets a prospect that is ready to crack their d line up. A second pick in this years draft and at worst gets Barkov who CS ranked as the number 2 player at the end of April (according to TSN).

Edmonton will most likely have 1 first rounds or 2 seconds, a third round, next years first/second/third/fourth, Nick Schultz, Smid, Hemsky (maybe holding part of his contract), MPS, Hartkinen, 2 good forward prospects and 5 d rookies.

A jump to third fifth and third is possible. Price might not be worth it.
- bsteinley

And this helps you guys now, how? Do you have any interest in your team ever making the PO again? I can see how teams like FLA, NYI etc keep failing and drafting high. They get so caught up and excited about the new shiny toy they get to draft and forget that at one point they have to make a move forward. No offence to all Oiler fans, but a lot of you are stuck in this trap right now. Just my opinion.

I think it would be better if Clouts started writing blogs about how the Oil could improve immediately with FA, trades etc instead of finding scenarios to move up in the draft and get a top kid.

Which is what? You've said that twice now and since all we said was Gagner + for Hanzal, straight up for Vermette or pick and a prospect like Penner, I'm not sure what you mean.

What do you think Gagner is worth?
- Morris

I don't think most of the trades on this thread have been bad , but this topic has been talked about fir monthes now on every one of clouts 4 blogs a day and the packaging of him and the first or him hemsky and the first for legit top d men isn't very realistic

I consider his value at a decent prospect and a 2nd , maybe a first next year from a team drafting around 25-30 , I'd be surprised to see him go for any first this year, maybe a top 4 d man

I know that in regards to the TB guys I just thought it went well with the 50 point guy / on pace for 65 arguement

Don't get me wrong I think gagner is a good player but I just don't see his value in a trade as high as most oiler fans think
- Redmile247

I agree with you that oil fans overvalue there players just like every fan of all the other teams do as well. I also think ppl undervalue players if you don't watch the team all the time. But besides that I would think gagner straight up could get you a mid-late first rounder in this draft. Due to him having so much experience and being so young still and not even hitting his prime yet.

I don't wanna see him go though! Love him as a player and seems like a good person!

I'm looking at the cap space that some of these teams have and it's un(frank)ingbelievable...

1. Leafs: 11m
2. Coyotes: 23m
3. Sens: 12m
4. Isle: 17m
5. Preds: 17m
6. Stars: 24m
7. CBJ: 11m
8. Avs: 10m
9. Canes: 14m
10. Flames: 13m
11. Sabres: 13m

Man, these teams need to start spending some serious cash...
- Flyfreaky

If you check Cap Geek out, you'll find your numbers for next year, before signing any free agents, are a little off. The Flames for example have around $18.6 million in cap space, the Coyotes have around $24 million and the sabres have about $15.6 million

what has Price proven?

also you're just furthering my point, these guys are just bigger names than Dubey. That's why people'd take them. Non-oiler fans never watch Dubey play, they just know EDM had sh1tty goaltending for a number of year, so they assume Dubey is bad.

Ward had one above .920 season in 8. And he's considered elite and a candidate for Canada next year
- TheNugeIsHuge

So is Reimer a top ten goalie in the NHL? 8th in save percentage and a better gaa than Dubnyk

I don't think the Flyers will get the raw end of any deal...They can buy out Briere and even Bryz if they'd like to free up some cap space...I also think they'll move some players for an upgrade on defense...The Canucks however are in a world of hurt...
- Flyfreaky

Yeah I'd say briere is as good as gone , he knows it and understands why , I'm starting to wonder about these massive contracts being bought out ... That's a massive check to write but in the case of bryz it was the owner who wanted him so this could happen I guess

Van is in am awful situation, hearing that gillis is saying both and Ballard won't be bought out at all but I think he is just trying to see if there would be any market for these guys, I think gillis is going to have to get creative with some deals that van fans may not like

I don't think most of the trades on this thread have been bad , but this topic has been talked about fir monthes now on every one of clouts 4 blogs a day and the packaging of him and the first or him hemsky and the first for legit top d men isn't very realistic

I consider his value at a decent prospect and a 2nd , maybe a first next year from a team drafting around 25-30 , I'd be surprised to see him go for any first this year, maybe a top 4 d man
- Redmile247

I wouldn't call Cloutier "most fans". In fact I think you'll find about 90% of oilers fans would consider upgrading Gagner to be necessary for winning a cup. I wouldn't go that far, but there are players of his calibre being moved all the time.

Gagner +7th + Hemsky/prospect/3rd is not that far off from Voracek + 8th + 3rd for Carter or Sutter + 8th + Dumoulin for Staal so when people are talking about trading Gagner in a package for a top dman I think that's what they're getting at.

So is Reimer a top ten goalie in the NHL? 8th in save percentage and a better gaa than Dubnyk
- jribout

Could be if he stays consistent sane problen as dubey. Their both young and can let easy goals in. But ill say that reimer has one of the top ten hottest wives in the nhl haha

So is Reimer a top ten goalie in the NHL? 8th in save percentage and a better gaa than Dubnyk
- jribout

maybe in the go-ahead, he'll emerge as such. I think you'll agree though that Reimer's not a career backup, he's not a liability and the leafs aren't obliged to go acquire Miller or Luongo ASAP if they ever want to get anywhere. These are things that are said about the Oilers situation with Dubnyk routinely.

So is Reimer a top ten goalie in the NHL? 8th in save percentage and a better gaa than Dubnyk
- jribout

A) GAA doesn't mean sh1t. That's a team stat. Same with wins

B) I'm just saying Dubey is a #1 guy. Doesn't get enough credit. If Reimer repeats that SV% next year, I'd say so. But it seems he has one on/one off

I don't think the Flyers will get the raw end of any deal...They can buy out Briere and even Bryz if they'd like to free up some cap space...I also think they'll move some players for an upgrade on defense...The Canucks however are in a world of hurt...
- Flyfreaky

I mostly have to agree with this. For next season, PHI is already over the cap but they have 24 players signed. I'm sure they want to make moves to improve but they do have an extremely rich owner who doesn't seem to care much about spending on buyouts to improve or at least gain cap space in an attempt to improve.

So is Reimer a top ten goalie in the NHL? 8th in save percentage and a better gaa than Dubnyk
- jribout

There is no way you can consider Reimer or Dubnyk a legit #1 goalie - yet.

Both allow too many soft goals so in other words, inconsistent is the best way to describe them at this stage of their careers. Can they become better, yes because they have youth on their side but I just totally disagree with anyone who thinks they are legit #1's right now - stats or no stats aside.

And if you listen to MacT, he echos the same sentiments which is why the Oilers will be grabbing a goalie in the 2nd round for sure, if not late first should they acquire another pick in that round.

There is no way you can consider Reimer or Dubnyk a legit #1 goalie - yet.

Both allow too many soft goals so in other words, inconsistent is the best way to describe them at this stage of their careers. Can they become better, yes because they have youth on their side but I just totally disagree with anyone who thinks they are legit #1's right now - stats or no stats aside.

And if you listen to MacT, he echos the same sentiments which is why the Oilers will be grabbing a goalie in the 2nd round for sure, if not late first should they acquire another pick in that round.
- newmy

If oil pick up antti raana from the fin league the oil won't need to pick up a goalie in the draft

So is Reimer a top ten goalie in the NHL? 8th in save percentage and a better gaa than Dubnyk
- jribout

1 shortened season isn't enough of a sample to say either way IMO.

If oil pick up antti raana from the fin league the oil won't need to pick up a goalie in the draft
- BleedOil06

I disagree!! I think Eric Comrie is clearly on their radar!!

If oil pick up antti raana from the fin league the oil won't need to pick up a goalie in the draft
- BleedOil06

What the hell is he going to do?! Don't you know, CGY has the 2 best goalies not yet in the NHL on board.

maybe in the go-ahead, he'll emerge as such. I think you'll agree though that Reimer's not a career backup, he's not a liability and the leafs aren't obliged to go acquire Miller or Luongo ASAP if they ever want to get anywhere. These are things that are said about the Oilers situation with Dubnyk routinely.
- Morris

agreed

I disagree!! I think Eric Comrie is clearly on their radar!!
- newmy

Jarry.