I bet if you did a poll with 2000 oilers fans over half wouldn't make the Yakupov for Crosby trade. They also would all agree that Crosby's the better player, just not for the Oilers.
- oilers2k14

although ill admit there are a ton of silly homer oiler fans, id take that wager.

but it's possible your right. either way, I was just saying you don't speak for me. no harm intended

In all seriousness, chemistry is a ridiculously temporary thing, while skill can't just disappear. Both are important, but if you say you wouldn't trade Yaks for Crosby solely because of 1 line's chemistry, you're just a tad insane.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Crosby plus his cap hit plus his concussion history I don't think is worth Yakupov...do I have a man crush on Yak? Maybe

I think you guys might deal the 7th pick for an established scorer.
- sabresfandan

I wouldn't be shocked to see them go after a Bobby Ryan.

BPA...? I don't understand all of the acronyms you Oiler fans use...
It already took me long enough to figure out what PRV stood for
- LetsGoBuffalo75

there is nothing wrong with drafting someone, i just don't want to see this prospect jumping into the big team anytime soon. stay in the ahl or another respective league to grow. quit rushing prospects.

otherwise, i am getting a feeling mac-t will trade the pick.

Crosby plus his cap hit plus his concussion history I don't think is worth Yakupov...do I have a man crush on Yak? Maybe
- oilers2k14

I'm willing to bet he'll make more than Crosby eventually. Crosby's cap hit is only 8.7 million for the rest of his career.

I wouldn't be shocked to see them go after a Bobby Ryan.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

I think Darcy is gonna go after Cammy from CGY, I think he'd be a good fit for our youth, contract is a bit high but I always liked Cammy.

I think you guys might deal the 7th pick for an established scorer.
- sabresfandan

im not sure what you mean.

although 5v5 scoring became an unforeseen problem last year, I think offensive scoring in our top 6 is fairly set.
even if we decided to move gags it wouldn't be because of lack of offence. quite the opposite. we'd just like a 2C with more size and better defensive awareness.

I think we'll be looking for;

1. a top 4 dman
2. tougher, grittier players in our bottom 6. two maybe even three of them depending.
3. a guy with size that can crash and create space for nuge and ebs on the left side of line 1

that's far from all we need. but those are my top 3

there is nothing wrong with drafting someone, i just don't want to see this prospect jumping into the big team anytime soon. stay in the ahl or another respective league to grow. quit rushing prospects.

otherwise, i am getting a feeling mac-t will trade the pick.
- deks1

I hate to say it, but Lindholm might be the right choice for you if that's the case. He's already said he's staying in the Swedish Elite League next season. As far as I'm concerned, as long as whoever picks at 7 leaves Lindholm for Buffalo, (if we don't move up) I will be happy.

Nope..Crosby's obviously the best player in the world but getting him would completely destroy what the Oilers are tryin to do in Edmonton. It would completely mess with team chemistry, Hall, Yak, and RNH are the future in Edmonton..you don't trade those guys for anybody. Chemistry is more important than talent.
- oilers2k14

You can't be serious right?

im not sure what you mean.

although 5v5 scoring became an unforeseen problem last year, I think offensive scoring in our top 6 is fairly set.
even if we decided to move gags it wouldn't be because of lack of offence. quite the opposite. we'd just like a 2C with more size and better defensive awareness.

I think we'll be looking for;

1. a top 4 dman
2. tougher, grittier players in our bottom 6. two maybe even three of them depending.
3. a guy with size that can crash and create space for nuge and ebs on the left side of line 1

that's far from all we need. but those are my top 3
- hugefemale dog77

MacT wants a Vanek type player I think not saying it will be Vanek but a player like him.

I think Darcy is gonna go after Cammy from CGY, I think he'd be a good fit for our youth, contract is a bit high but I always liked Cammy.
- sabresfandan

I wouldn't mind it as long as we don't give up much. I wouldn't like it, but a Miller for Cammy + trade could easily happen with Kipper retiring. Leland Irving/Joey McDonald as a tandem is just dismal.

I hate to say it, but Lindholm might be the right choice for you if that's the case. He's already said he's staying in the Swedish Elite League next season. As far as I'm concerned, as long as whoever picks at 7 leaves Lindholm for Buffalo, (if we don't move up) I will be happy.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

Again no thanks on Lindholm

If the rumored possible Winnipeg deal is real, I would trade Stafford all day to them for Burmistrov, who is an RFA and not getting a big deal, just for the cap space savings alone.
- kingcong39

Yep

there is nothing wrong with drafting someone, i just don't want to see this prospect jumping into the big team anytime soon. stay in the ahl or another respective league to grow. quit rushing prospects.

otherwise, i am getting a feeling mac-t will trade the pick.
- deks1

good post.

we're past the point now where we're in desperate need of immediate help from drafted star kids.
we finally have some depth and should be looking at which player looks to be the best long term instead of the which one can step in right away.

ill go as far as saying im totally ok with a general rule of;
another year in junior,
then a year in the A,
then spot duty in the show.
literally not a full time starter till 4th year.
all depending of course.

MacT wants a Vanek type player I think not saying it will be Vanek but a player like him.
- sabresfandan

where did you hear this? link?

vanek is fantastic, but imo another sniper/offensive guy is not what we need at all.

we need size, physical play, defensive awareness, grit, nastiness etc etc

and this is without even considering the salary of another star forward.

Again no thanks on Lindholm
- sabresfandan

Why??? Even if we stay put at 8? The guy was ranked at 5 for pretty much the whole year until guys like Nichushkin and Nurse came out of nowhere. He plays C AND RW, (which is huge because of our potential overload of centers) plays a solid 2-way game, and is putting up very solid point totals. What's not to like? I obviously wouldn't pick him if we went up to 5th, but there's no doubt he's the guy I want if we stay at 8.

I think Darcy is gonna go after Cammy from CGY, I think he'd be a good fit for our youth, contract is a bit high but I always liked Cammy.
- sabresfandan

Also, what do you think could be the "+" if a Cammy + for Miller trade happened? Maybe a Max Reinhart?

Why??? Even if we stay put at 8? The guy was ranked at 5 for pretty much the whole year until guys like Nichushkin and Nurse came out of nowhere. He plays C AND RW, (which is huge because of our potential overload of centers) plays a solid 2-way game, and is putting up very solid point totals. What's not to like? I obviously wouldn't pick him if we went up to 5th, but there's no doubt he's the guy I want if we stay at 8.
- LetsGoBuffalo75

assuming jones, mack, drouin and barkov are gone, who do you pick at 5 if you could?

good post.

we're past the point now where we're in desperate need of immediate help from drafted star kids.
we finally have some depth and should be looking at which player looks to be the best long term instead of the which one can step in right away.

ill go as far as saying im totally ok with a general rule of;
another year in junior,
then a year in the A,
then spot duty in the show.
literally not a full time starter till 4th year.
all depending of course.
- hugefemale dog77

Exactly. Look at how Marincin is progressing. Klefbom better be in the AHL for the full year next year, unless he dominates like Schultz (not offensively necessarily). He needs to make his mistakes in the AHL.

assuming jones, mack, drouin and barkov are gone, who do you pick at 5 if you could?
- hugefemale dog77

Lindholm, without hesitation

Also, what do you think could be the "+" if a Cammy + for Miller trade happened? Maybe a Max Reinhart?
- LetsGoBuffalo75

I think the sabres like Backlund from what I've heard.

where did you hear this? link?

vanek is fantastic, but imo another sniper/offensive guy is not what we need at all.

we need size, physical play, defensive awareness, grit, nastiness etc etc

and this is without even considering the salary of another star forward.
- hugefemale dog77

No link just saying IMO I think MacT has enough youth he wants to add a veteran presence.

Exactly. Look at how Marincin is progressing. Klefbom better be in the AHL for the full year next year, unless he dominates like Schultz (not offensively necessarily). He needs to make his mistakes in the AHL.
- ystoil

marincin is a great example.

smooth skater, good first passer and big. but not a great head for the game, nor that offensively gifted.

spent another year in junior then a full year in the A. he started to develop beautifully and was a different player from the start of this year.. became our best dman in OKC by a mile. looks like he could become a very quality two way guy.

and right on schedule, he's probably looking at spot duty next year.

u rush a dude like him into the show too quickly, he's probably ruined or at least set back a year or two.

who do you pick at 5 if you could?
- hugefemale dog77

One of Barkov, Nichushkin, or Drouin will be available at 5, so one of them. I'd love to say Drouin, but it's VERY unlikely he slips that far. I'd say Nichushkin, since he's likely going to be there unless Yzerman REALLY wants him at 3. I see top 10 going like this:

COL - Jones/MacKinnon
FLA - MacKinnon/Jones
TBL - Drouin/Nichushkin
NSH - Barkov/whoever is left from TBs pick
CAR - Barkov/Nichushkin/Drouin
CGY - Monahan
EDM - Nurse
BUF - Lindholm
NJD - Shinkaruk
DAL - Ristolainen/Zadorov

One of Barkov, Nichushkin, or Drouin will be available at 5, so one of them. I'd love to say Drouin, but it's VERY unlikely he slips that far. I'd say Nichushkin, since he's likely going to be there unless Yzerman REALLY wants him at 3. I see top 10 going like this:

COL - Jones/MacKinnon
FLA - MacKinnon/Jones
TBL - Drouin/Nichushkin
NSH - Barkov/whoever is left from TBs pick
CAR - Barkov/Nichushkin/Drouin
CGY - Monahan
EDM - Nurse
BUF - Lindholm
NJD - Shinkaruk
DAL - Ristolainen/Zadorov
- LetsGoBuffalo75

a longshot, but im hoping nichushkin falls to 7.
no chance barkov gets past Calgary, so im not even thinking about him.