Ya and what happens when he has to get paid? From a 3rd party standpoint, I can say that if I were the Oilers I would trade one of Nuge or Eberle for a stud dman (See Letang, Kris). I'd then trade one stud forward to add some really good depth. If you guys can get really good depth, keep 2 studs at forward, 2 studs on defense (Assuming J Shultz reaches stud status) and get a good goalie (See Bryzgalov, Ilya), then you guys are cup contenders in maybe 2 or 3 years.
- JAKEw1234

Ilya... Really?

Ya and what happens when he has to get paid? From a 3rd party standpoint, I can say that if I were the Oilers I would trade one of Nuge or Eberle for a stud dman (See Letang, Kris). I'd then trade one stud forward to add some really good depth. If you guys can get really good depth, keep 2 studs at forward, 2 studs on defense (Assuming J Shultz reaches stud status) and get a good goalie (See Bryzgalov, Ilya), then you guys are cup contenders in maybe 2 or 3 years.
- JAKEw1234

nuge is our number 1 center going forward and has huge potential. maybe the toughest position to acquire in hockey. a true star #1 anyways, and of course that's what we're hoping from him.

hall is the best of the lot imo, but I think the nuge might actually be the last one id move.

looking at a few other teams around the league that have a core of 4 or 5 highly paid guys, i personally don't agree that we'll have to move any of them. keep them together and continue trying to add pieces and build around them with support players moving in and out. some years maybe a bad mix, but still always in contention at least is what im hoping for.

while I don't think we'll be neccasarily looking to add a stud #1 guy, we will be looking to add another quality top 4 defender. And as u mentioned, salary/cap concerns is probably the biggest reason for this. along with the hopeful development of a couple assets already in the system graduating.

Ilya... Really?
- HouseArrest187

He's still a good goalie if he's not overpaid, and his agent said today he'd be interested in Edmonton. I don't see why you wouldn't be interested.

Are the Blue Jackets really gonna use all 3 picks? They should just package 2 of the the late picks to get into the top10.

He's still a good goalie if he's not overpaid, and his agent said today he'd be interested in Edmonton. I don't see why you wouldn't be interested.
- JAKEw1234

we'll be looking for backup or even a guy to push dubs abit. but the key is salary. we aint gonna spend tons of cash on one.
he's not at the top of my list, but i wouldn't be completely opposed to giving ilya a go if he was willing to sign cheap and short term.

nuge is our number 1 center going forward and has huge potential. maybe the toughest position to acquire in hockey. a true star #1 anyways.

hall is the best of the lot imo, but I think the nuge might actually be the last one id move.

looking at a few other teams around the league that have a core of 4 or 5 highly paid guys, i personally don't agree that we'll have to move any of them. keep them together and continue trying to add pieces and build around them with support players moving in and out. some years maybe a bad mix, but still always in contention at least is what im hoping for.

while I don't think we'll be neccasarily looking to add a stud #1 guy, we will be looking to add another quality top 4 defender. And as u said salary/cap concerns is probably the biggest reason for this, along with the hopeful development of a couple assets already in the system moving up
- hugefemale dog77

Ya but if you have 4 guys that deserve to be paid 7mil plus then at a minimum you have $28 mil going to 4 players. Thats 40% or more of your cap spent and you don't even have your top 6 filled out. Don't expect to have ANY depth if that's the route you wanna go.

Are the Blue Jackets really gonna use all 3 picks? They should just package 2 of the the late picks to get into the top10.
- 215mike

that's assuming a team wants to move out of the top 10 for only other draft picks.

Ya but if you have 4 guys that deserve to be paid 7mil plus then at a minimum you have $28 mil going to 4 players. Thats 40% or more of your cap spent and you don't even have your top 6 filled out. Don't expect to have ANY depth if that's the route you wanna go.
- JAKEw1234

4 players at 7 mil plus? what team has that?

look at Chicago.
kane 6.3
toews 6.3
sharp 5.9
hossa 5.3
seabrook 5.8
keith 5.3

this is much more realistic. and thats even assuming we ever get a core even close to as good as them!

if we ended having 5 true superstars then yeah maybe I guess. which wouldn't be the worst problem i could think of!!
but in that case we'd either have to move one or theyd have to take abit of a discount if they wanted to remain together.
it's all hypothetical anyways. hall is getting 6 starting this year for the next 7 years and ebs is getting 6 for the next 6.
even if the nuge has a great season next year, i cant see him getting more than them. yaks still has 2 more years till RFA etc. I don't think we have to worry about that anytime real soon.

but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it in 7 years maybe. no sense in dealing away your star young players beforehand for fear of having to pay them

I see. so you think nurse has a higher ceiling than klefbom?

fair enough. but I don't agree
- hugefemale dog77

yea. I do. I'm a big Klefbom fan, but hasn't proven that he can play the NA game yet.

Ya but if you have 4 guys that deserve to be paid 7mil plus then at a minimum you have $28 mil going to 4 players. Thats 40% or more of your cap spent and you don't even have your top 6 filled out. Don't expect to have ANY depth if that's the route you wanna go.
- JAKEw1234

No one's gonna get paid more than Hall's 6M. 4 guys at 6M.

yea. I do. I'm a big Klefbom fan, but hasn't proven that he can play the NA game yet.
- TheNugeIsHuge

agreed.

not sure this affects what his top end potential is though. kinda two different things.

He's still a good goalie if he's not overpaid, and his agent said today he'd be interested in Edmonton. I don't see why you wouldn't be interested.
- JAKEw1234

Isn't he a bit of a head case tho?

OILERS 7th OVERALL FOR JAGR!!!

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST FOLKS!


**More to come**

Actually, he's right about that. Nichushkin is too young for the AHL. It's NHL or KHL, or bust.
- Maxbone

International skaters can play in the AHL at any age. Girgensens/Tatar/Lindholm all at 18.

I see the dutiful Oiler brigade already crucified him on this

*slithers away*

International skaters can play in the AHL at any age. Girgensens/Tatar/Lindholm all at 18.

I see the dutiful Oiler brigade already crucified him on this

*slithers away*
- AdamFrench

Its cool, I am sure he is due for about 3 or 4 more reminders yet before he puts up another blog. Hockeybuzz... always happy to keep everyone else honest. Even if others have already made previous corrections. It makes us seem so SMRT!

Isn't he a bit of a head case tho?
- HouseArrest187

Alittle. I thought he was fun to have around. It's not like he's a locker room plague. His personality is harmless to a team. He was just, colorful. And that didn't mix so well with the hell-sent philly beat writers. They ruined Bryz just like they ruin everything

How do u have Josh Morrisey 30th overal ! He will be taken before that

How do u have Josh Morrisey 30th overal ! He will be taken before that
- XxFLY3RSFAN48xX

I have him going at 17 to the Senators

International skaters can play in the AHL at any age. Girgensens/Tatar/Lindholm all at 18.

I see the dutiful Oiler brigade already crucified him on this

*slithers away*
- AdamFrench

Here's the thing: Everyone who says the Oilers will draft defense are stupid.

The Oilers have a number of quality D prospects. At forward, however, there's no one worth considering. They must draft forwards, or else.
- Maxbone

To play devil's advocate: we have a lot of pretty good defense prospects and arguably only one homerun defensive prospect.

Tons of coglianos, one PRV and no Taylor Halls. If we can get the 2nd best dman in a deep draft, we don't at least consider it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1T7Gx3ooBk

Did some youtube scouting, only two of Nischuskin goals were not dekes LOL. His skating and power is enticing but will he be able to go thru NHL defenseman like that? I do like how he drives the net.

Sounds/looks like Paajarvi a bit in terms of speed and driving the net:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDsM2xpy_wk
- ystoil

Which one of you doofuses is "OilerSniper17" on youtube, who posted this comment:

This kid will be the OILERS 40-50 goal scorer and 90-100 point producer along with Sam Gagner. This kid is the next Peter Forsberg, IMO

Which one of you doofuses is "OilerSniper17" on youtube, who posted this comment:
- Morris

I'd still love to have the kid in Pittsburgh. He is talented. Not on the same level as other players they have but maybe somewhere else he could thrive with more opportunities.

Which one of you doofuses is "OilerSniper17" on youtube, who posted this comment:





- Morris

Lecavalier was bought out.

Lecavalier was bought out.
- heh49314

Be interesting to see where he goes. He loves TB, so does FLA make any sense?