I don't understand why people think that trading our 7th overall to Columbus for their 14th and 19th overall is a bad idea. You and I have discussed this before and it's probably one of the most logical trades concerning our draft pick. I'm 85% sure that Columbus would take that offer. Obviously we would have to include someone else in that deal such as Hemsky or whoever.
- mbxiphos1527

If we do a deal with Columbus I want Tyutin end of story. I would do 7th overall + Hemsky in a heartbeat

I don't understand why people think that trading our 7th overall to Columbus for their 14th and 19th overall is a bad idea. You and I have discussed this before and it's probably one of the most logical trades concerning our draft pick. I'm 85% sure that Columbus would take that offer. Obviously we would have to include someone else in that deal such as Hemsky or whoever.
- mbxiphos1527

It has everything to do with what the Oilers need and who will be available at #7.

One player in particular could slide into the Top 6: Elias Lindholm. He's a better player offensively than Monahan. The way everyone is freaking out over Nishushkin, it's pretty safe to say he'll go in the Top 6.

As much as people keep trying to force the Oilers to draft Darnell Nurse at #7, the Oilers philosophically don't see drafting defensemen using Top 10 picks as being a wise strategy. Go back through draft history and you'll see this is true.

The Oilers need to draft a big and/or physical center if Monahan, Nishushkin, MacKinnon and Barkov are gone. Bo Horvat is the best choice, but Curtis Lazar and Frederik Gauthier are viable options. It's likely two of the three will be around at the 14th overall pick.

As for the #19 pick, that's the perfect time to take a defenseman. The more I read about Mirco Mueller the more I think he's the perfect target at that point in the draft. Kicked serious ass at the Combine.

Very weird move by Chicago. Regardless I think the winner of the cup will be who ever comes out of the east. Also, I wouldn't mind signing Emery to back up Dubby next year.
- Ihatebrianburke

Weird move? Emery is gone and Crawford is inconsistent and not worth a pay rise once his contract is up ...Chicago does what great teams do ...continue to prepare for the future even when they are at the top of league.

Very weird move by Chicago. Regardless I think the winner of the cup will be who ever comes out of the east. Also, I wouldn't mind signing Emery to back up Dubby next year.
- Ihatebrianburke

i'd inquire about khudobin other than emery.

Weird move? Emery is gone and Crawford is inconsistent and not worth a pay rise once his contract is up ...Chicago does what great teams do ...continue to prepare for the future even when they are at the top of league.
- keatondixon

Ya way to go! Tell your goalies in the conference finals we have no confidence in you and we're bringing in somebody else regardless of how you do the rest of the playoffs. Sounds like a solid move to me.

MacT will stay with plan and select Bo Horvat.
- nellie04

No chance it's Lindholm?

Weird move? Emery is gone and Crawford is inconsistent and not worth a pay rise once his contract is up ...Chicago does what great teams do ...continue to prepare for the future even when they are at the top of league.
- keatondixon

Hey donkey!

No love for Elias Lindholm? Does anybody think that apart from the top 6 that Cloutier mentioned, any other player could step in next year? If Edmonton isn't looking for someone to make the team next year (and they probably shouldn't be) why not take a guy like Lindholm or Nurse and let them develop properly?

but even taking CBS's two picks isn't a bad idea either. Oilers could fill some needs as oppose to taking the BAP. I'd like to see Ryan Hartman, Zach Fucale or even Zadorov pull on the Oilers Uniform on draft day.
- kelholtz

Part of the reason I want to trade down is to get Zadorov. Probably the most unsung pick in this draft. And I want to make some sort of deal to get the 31st to 35th overall pick to grab either Fucale or Carrier. Being as they're still available by the time we draft. I'd choose Nurse over Lindholm. Reason being is that he hasn't proved anything when it comes to physical play, which is what we're lacking. Either Nurse or Monahan or trade down.

If we do a deal with Columbus I want Tyutin end of story. I would do 7th overall + Hemsky in a heartbeat
- Ihatebrianburke

Agreed 100%. I'd do the same thing.

very

Crawford and Emery are professionals. How do you think ANY player feels knowing the team is looking to upgrade, or looking for the future.

What was the comment about people east of Winnipeg about?
- Aetherial

hits

Ya way to go! Tell your goalies in the conference finals we have no confidence in you and we're bringing in somebody else regardless of how you do the rest of the playoffs. Sounds like a solid move to me.
- Ihatebrianburke

If Crawford is worried about that he shouldn't be in the league ...nobody is ever secure of a job in this league and every front office is looking to bring in the "next guy." A move like this doesn't wreck confidence ...if he wants to stay as the starter and get a new contract he will go win the Cup.

Hey donkey!
- whipper334

Hey ya (frank)in ankle biter...

u wont get the 14 and 19th for the 7th. do your homework.
u might get 14th and 44th, or by some total longshot the 29th.

Crawford was platooning this season with emery. no reason to think raanta's got no chance to play. crawford's also had a strong playoffs in the past and flowed it up with a rough season.

he gets a shot to play (as much as he would here for the most part anyway) with a contender. makes sense to me.

It has everything to do with what the Oilers need and who will be available at #7.

One player in particular could slide into the Top 6: Elias Lindholm. He's a better player offensively than Monahan. The way everyone is freaking out over Nishushkin, it's pretty safe to say he'll go in the Top 6.

As much as people keep trying to force the Oilers to draft Darnell Nurse at #7, the Oilers philosophically don't see drafting defensemen using Top 10 picks as being a wise strategy. Go back through draft history and you'll see this is true.

The Oilers need to draft a big and/or physical center if Monahan, Nishushkin, MacKinnon and Barkov are gone. Bo Horvat is the best choice, but Curtis Lazar and Frederik Gauthier are viable options. It's likely two of the three will be around at the 14th overall pick.

As for the #19 pick, that's the perfect time to take a defenseman. The more I read about Mirco Mueller the more I think he's the perfect target at that point in the draft. Kicked serious ass at the Combine.
- Maxbone

I'd personally rather Gauthier. I feel that Horvat is too small. And yes, with the 19th pick Mueller or even Sam Morin or maybe Ryan Pulock would be great additions as far as defense goes. I don't think Monahan will be gone when it's our turn to pick. And that should be out choice if we don't trade down.

Part of the reason I want to trade down is to get Zadorov. Probably the most unsung pick in this draft. And I want to make some sort of deal to get the 31st to 35th overall pick to grab either Fucale or Carrier. Being as they're still available by the time we draft. I'd choose Nurse over Lindholm. Reason being is that he hasn't proved anything when it comes to physical play, which is what we're lacking. Either Nurse or Monahan or trade down.
- mbxiphos1527

I think it is better to sign a physical player out of free agency rather than draft one in the 1st round. You never know if a player who's physical in junior will pan out in the pros. I know of a guy personally who was a beast in the WHL but only had a cup of coffee in the pros due to injuries. Lindholm's game isn't that of a physical player. I'm thinking he's more like Niklas Backstrom. Great playmaker and very cerebral. Mac-T has intimated that the Oilers will be more of a puck possession team in the future making the perceived notion of the bottom two lines being muckers and grinders a forgettable one.

Then again it has to be hard to pass up on a guy that is being compared to Chris Pronger.

very

Crawford and Emery are professionals. How do you think ANY player feels knowing the team is looking to upgrade, or looking for the future.

What was the comment about people east of Winnipeg about?
- Aetherial

Fukk. thank-you. What kind of message does it send?

How about, what has happened in sports coverage with this sort of coddled player entitlement wrapped in ego-fragility lookin for an angle--angle?

Even if there is a furrowed brow - GOOD. Be better, play better, get pissed off. USE IT.

Distraction?

Bob Cole: "Shot...Stop...SCORE!....I tell ya, you have to wonder if Crawford was thinking about the Raanta signing there..."

Agree with you on most counts, especially the Raanta situation and that the oil probably not making a big deal about acquiring any old backup goalie.

Then again, what do I know being that I live east of Winnipeg
- Morris

NOTHING

I agree. I think we get Horton or Clarkson in free agency this year and I don't think it will be that hard to land one of them either. Pretty much the pitch is going to be hey we have Hall-Gagner-Yakupov on a line. Wanna come be on our other 1st line with Nuge and Ebs. Seems like a pretty solid pitch. The money will work itself out but the chance to play on a line with that kind of talent is tough to pass up.
- Ihatebrianburke

Horton over anyone as far as I'm concerned. Who cares if we have to pay 5M? We have so much cap space this year it's disgusting. With just our 3 biggest contracts going out the door this summer (Hemsky, Horcoff and Whitney) we're saving 14.5M in space. So I'm not worried about signing a player and slightly overpaying him.

I think it is better to sign a physical player out of free agency rather than draft one in the 1st round. You never know if a player who's physical in junior will pan out in the pros. I know of a guy personally who was a beast in the WHL but only had a cup of coffee in the pros due to injuries. Lindholm's game isn't that of a physical player. I'm thinking he's more like Niklas Backstrom. Great playmaker and very cerebral. Mac-T has intimated that the Oilers will be more of a puck possession team in the future making the perceived notion of the bottom two lines being muckers and grinders a forgettable one.

Then again it has to be hard to pass up on a guy that is being compared to Chris Pronger.
- kelholtz

And that's exactly it. I believe strongly that our bottom 6 should have equal skill to our top 6. Why should we shoot to have 2 good lines and then 2 decent lines? Why not make them all good? Just common sense. Maybe drafting a dman is a good idea. Like I said, it's ether draft Nurse or Monahan, trade down to Columbus and include another player(s) with our 7th overall for their 14th and 19th.

he will back up crawford, emery contract is up at the end of the season, stanbo made it clear at beginning of the season crow is the man and has rode him out, there is no message or worries

I'm not sure there will be any significant UFA's to overpay.
- Maxbone

Horton, clowe, Clarkson, bickell, bozak, streit

Horton 5.5
Clarkson 5
clowe 4.5+
bozak 4
streit 4.5+
bickell 3.5+

I could see everyone of these contracts happening due to some desperate gm. and all will regret it later. (streit at that price wouldn't be too bad if short term)

Horton, clowe, clarkson bickell. bozak, streit

Horton 5.5
Clarkson 5
clowe 4.5+
bozak 4
streit 4.5+
bickell 3.5+

I could see everyone of these contracts happening with some desperate gm. and all will regret it later. (streit at that price wouldn't be too bad if short term)
- hugefemale dog77

They all aren't bad if it's short term.

No chance it's Lindholm?
- whipper334

whipper you ass licker, how goes it?

Horton, clowe, Clarkson, bickell, bozak, streit

Horton 5.5
Clarkson 5
clowe 4.5+
bozak 4
streit 4.5+
bickell 3.5+

I could see everyone of these contracts happening due to some desperate gm. and all will regret it later. (streit at that price wouldn't be too bad if short term)
- hugefemale dog77

I'll say it again: I don't think there are any significant UFA's available.

Ya way to go! Tell your goalies in the conference finals we have no confidence in you and we're bringing in somebody else regardless of how you do the rest of the playoffs. Sounds like a solid move to me.
- Ihatebrianburke

It's a business, and a daycare. Why shouldn't they sign him, he was a FA. So if they sign a forward, Toews and Kane should be worried?

Crawford has one more year to go, and Emery is a FA. Just hedging their bets against Crow, and Emery probably wants more reps.