With that said and done. Fucale would be a good pick if we traded down. Obviously if he slips to 37 I would go crazy if the Oilers passed on him. TSN has a video on him on their page right now. Also they talk about Nurse. He actually isn't a terrible pick if we go that way. He seems like the type of guy that is out there to win and he has a diverse skill set. He can play any role we need him to. Problem is, he doesn't excel in any one role in terms of offense or defense. Still an all around player would fit our d perfectly. Problem is that he would have more talent than Marcinin long term but might not get to play because he is never going to be a 5-6 guy. He will be a top 4 and Klefbom might take our last spot on that list this year.

I really think we should try to move up in a big way. I think the key to that is trading Hemsky as soon as we can to see what we get for him. We should also be trading for the rights to Horton. I think Whitney's rights will interest them and maybe they will take Habby's too as backups are going to be tough to find.
- bsteinley

Were you thinking in terms of next year? Drafting Nurse is a good idea,as long as we let him develope for a few years in Junior/AHL. An 18yo D on the Oilers next year is an awful idea. I dont even like the thought of Klef in the line up.

(frank) no....what about MPS instead of gags? and we will throw in a d prospect like Musil???
- saskoil21

I would actually rather move Gags then MPS at this point if a C was coming back in return. Money is part of it.

He's definitely made his share of blunders (all GM's do), but I think coaching was the single most important, or lack there of, that we couldn't make it past the first round the last two years.
- LeftCoaster

You don't think the roster had as much to do with it? The lack of secondary scoring was pretty obvious,plus Kesler,who is probably the Canucks most prototypical playoff performer has been pretty banged up for a few years.

Paajarvi and a second rounder
- Snagglepuss

Really? How is Nino an upgrade from MPS? I wouldnt do that deal straight up.Maybe if the Island floated a 2nd to Edm I would think about it.

I hope so... Gillis has really embarrassed and hindered the team with that poop and likely cost you a playoff round or 2 with the side show poop...
- saskoil21

They have to get rid of a goalie. They won't the budget to fill the holes they have on their forward bottom 3 lines. I still think Lou has trade value. Just very little.

Really? How is Nino an upgrade from MPS? I wouldnt do that deal straight up.Maybe if the Island floated a 2nd to Edm I would think about it.
- Jeropotato

We don't have a second this year.

Haha you wrote a whole blog about a goalie I'm sure you had never heard of until McKenzie mentioned the Oiler's were on his list.

We don't have a second this year.
- NYI44

I would rather the 2014 pick anyway.

Were you thinking in terms of next year? Drafting Nurse is a good idea,as long as we let him develope for a few years in Junior/AHL. An 18yo D on the Oilers next year is an awful idea. I dont even like the thought of Klef in the line up.
- Jeropotato

No not next year for Nurse. Maybe not even the year after. I am just saying when it comes time for him to play. Likely Klefbom and Marcinin will already be veterans to some extent on the team. He might be ready at 19 but I am not confident. If we have (with the assumption our prospects live up to they Hype): Shcultz, Petry, Klefbom, Smid, Nick and Marcinin. Nurse would be wasted. He would take nicks spot and maybe bump Smid down. However I think in two years even Smid might improve to a key player on our d line.

Why all the Calgary name-calling? With their 3 1st rounders and that prospect, they have every chance of leaving the Oilers in the dust. Edmonton just collects top picks like hockey cards and does nothing to build an actual team.
- allycat

You get one agree and one one disagree.

I agree that Calgary is shaping up to be a potentially spirited team to play against with a couple of solid talents, and that Cloutier's greatest fear is that the slapdash, rebuilding avoiding method of Jay Feaster will trump the Oilers' scorched earth approach.

I disagree that Calgary has indicated that they're any closer to success or built a team with any more likelihood for success than Edmonton. And I think spouting off in vague criticisms about the Oilers franchise puts you essentially on the same level as the Cloutier comments you're criticizing.

You don't think the roster had as much to do with it? The lack of secondary scoring was pretty obvious,plus Kesler,who is probably the Canucks most prototypical playoff performer has been pretty banged up for a few years.
- Jeropotato

Of course it did, but coaching was the most important I think.

^^^ Now this guy knows what he's talking about
- The-O-G

says the idiot about the donkey. that was a pretty stupid comment, just because we haven't won a cup after the 3rd year of a total teardown doesn't mean (frank) all, only to idiots and trolls who don't understand the NHL. which one are you?

Hell yeah... I would go 6.5 just to make sure he signs! or cant be matched... He is on the cusp of being a franchise dman... if not there already...
- saskoil21

With that said would you offer the same for RFA Rask? I suggested 6.5 yesterday for him and it wasn't popular. I would think you could build a team around a goalie like that.

Schenn brothers for Gagner, Hemsky, 7th overall pick +
- WendelMania

would you guys trade ur 1st and a prospect or player for fleury?

you have enough fire power on O just need grinders, your D is improving, but your goalies are horrible... you don't need another top 10 pick... do u?
- nh4442

Haha comon

No not next year for Nurse. Maybe not even the year after. I am just saying when it comes time for him to play. Likely Klefbom and Marcinin will already be veterans to some extent on the team. He might be ready at 19 but I am not confident. If we have (with the assumption our prospects live up to they Hype): Shcultz, Petry, Klefbom, Smid, Nick and Marcinin. Nurse would be wasted. He would take nicks spot and maybe bump Smid down. However I think in two years even Smid might improve to a key player on our d line.
- bsteinley

Yeah, but why is that a problem? What a luxury it would be 2-3 years down the road if we had such a glut of defenders that a quality player like Nurse would struggle to fit in the top 4. I know it's been a really long time since the Oil were in a position to do anything like trade a top 4 D for a player of need in another position,but ultimately,thats what we want isn't it? I have no problem drafting and developing depth.
Having said all that, there is a serious lack of Center depth in the organization and would rather go there, but not to fill a need next year,to fill a need in the future when the player is properly developed (that includes Barkov,Monahhan and Lindholm).

Don't act like Knight is a joke when if it was the other way around and he chose EDM he would immediately make the untouchable list.

Don't act like Knight is a joke when if it was the other way around and he chose EDM he would immediately make the untouchable list.
- broadstreet11

This

Yeah, but why is that a problem? What a luxury it would be 2-3 years down the road if we had such a glut of defenders that a quality player like Nurse would struggle to fit in the top 4. I know it's been a really long time since the Oil were in a position to do anything like trade a top 4 D for a player of need in another position,but ultimately,thats what we want isn't it? I have no problem drafting and developing depth.
Having said all that, there is a serious lack of Center depth in the organization and would rather go there, but not to fill a need next year,to fill a need in the future when the player is properly developed (that includes Barkov,Monahhan and Lindholm).
- Jeropotato

Well you did answer that. Nurse is good and I like him but he is not for us. We really need an offensive prospect more. I still hear the Oilers like Horvat. I don't know how much but people are suggesting that he would be pick 7 if the top 6 go as planned.

Don't act like Knight is a joke when if it was the other way around and he chose EDM he would immediately make the untouchable list.
- broadstreet11

We dont have an untouchable or untradable list- Clouts does...

With that said would you offer the same for RFA Rask? I suggested 6.5 yesterday for him and it wasn't popular. I would think you could build a team around a goalie like that.
- bsteinley

Rask is amazing, but for what it would cost in Salary,compensation picks,etc..I would rather fix the Defense first.

You get one agree and one one disagree.

I agree that Calgary is shaping up to be a potentially spirited team to play against with a couple of solid talents, and that Cloutier's greatest fear is that the slapdash, rebuilding avoiding method of Jay Feaster will trump the Oilers' scorched earth approach.

I disagree that Calgary has indicated that they're any closer to success or built a team with any more likelihood for success than Edmonton. And I think spouting off in vague criticisms about the Oilers franchise puts you essentially on the same level as the Cloutier comments you're criticizing.
- Morris

Yeah, I agree with this. I think we are about to be seeing some of the most exciting hockey we have seen in a while in Calgary.

Having said that, this rebuild is still in it's early stages and can't get ahead of ourselves. The draft this year should give us a good indication of just where we are.

Yeah, but why is that a problem? What a luxury it would be 2-3 years down the road if we had such a glut of defenders that a quality player like Nurse would struggle to fit in the top 4. I know it's been a really long time since the Oil were in a position to do anything like trade a top 4 D for a player of need in another position,but ultimately,thats what we want isn't it? I have no problem drafting and developing depth.
Having said all that, there is a serious lack of Center depth in the organization and would rather go there, but not to fill a need next year,to fill a need in the future when the player is properly developed (that includes Barkov,Monahhan and Lindholm).
- Jeropotato

I would rather trade up and draft Jones or take one of FLA other potent young dmen...

Rask is amazing, but for what it would cost in Salary,compensation picks,etc..I would rather fix the Defense first.
- Jeropotato

I agree... If we have better dmen- maybe Dubey is our man... that being said a goalie that can steal wins consistently makes up for poorer defense...

Well you did answer that. Nurse is good and I like him but he is not for us. We really need an offensive prospect more. I still hear the Oilers like Horvat. I don't know how much but people are suggesting that he would be pick 7 if the top 6 go as planned.
- bsteinley

Whomever they go with, I hope Mac T regonizes the need for experience and defensive play enough to fill the roster with Vets, and then the 18yo kids stay in Jumior. I hate the idea of a key role (top 6 forward,checking C) being filled by a player who doesnt even have AHL experience.