i think projections for most players in this draft are pretty much: 2nd pairing, average 2nd liner, good 3rd liner, etc)
- sensarmy_11

Exactly. I think the oilers stay at three and grab a centre. My preference is draisaitl. Ok with Bennett too.

i also can't imagine florida passing up ekblad.

beyond gudbrandson and kulikov (who might not be with the team next year), they're thin and pretty old on the back end.

they have tons of good young forwards, but very little on defense........i'd be SHOCKED if they didn't take Ekblad.

I think edmonton is gonna get one of the Sam's
- sensarmy_11

very little on young defense? Not so much...Matheson, McCoshen, Petrovic, Olsen, Weegar, Racine.

We may lack a top offensive dman but I don't think Ekblad fits that bill

very little on young defense? Not so much...Matheson, McCoshen, Petrovic, Olsen, Weegar, Racine.

We may lack a top offensive dman but I don't think Ekblad fits that bill
- jacke1ope

I think Ekblad fits that mold perfectly. He is a PPG D-man right now. Not many can say that.

very little on young defense? Not so much...Matheson, McCoshen, Petrovic, Olsen, Weegar, Racine.

We may lack a top offensive dman but I don't think Ekblad fits that bill
- jacke1ope

the only guy on that list i've heard of is Petrovic

how many of them project to be anything but bottom pairng d-men?

i'm not asking in a "bumhole" kind of way.....i seriously want to know if any of those guys project to be top end players.

i doubt any of them project anywhere near the ceiling of ekblad.

besides, my point was that you guys are way more set with young forwards then you are with young d-men

the only guy on that list i've heard of is Petrovic

how many of them project to be anything but bottom pairng d-men?

i'm not asking in a "bumhole" kind of way.....i seriously want to know if any of those guys project to be top end players.

i doubt any of them project anywhere near the ceiling of ekblad.

besides, my point was that you guys are way more set with young forwards then you are with young d-men
- sensarmy_11

Agreed they should take Ekblad and leave Reinhart for Buffalo.

I think Ekblad fits that mold perfectly. He is a PPG D-man right now. Not many can say that.
- ImThatGuy

i didn't even notice that part.

he's definitely an offensive threat. but more importantly, he's very good all around.

think ryan murray, but bigger.

maybe not as good right now, but similar type of well rounded game.

Agreed they should take Ekblad and leave Reinhart for Buffalo.
- ImThatGuy

curse you and bevy of talented young dmen

curse you and bevy of talented young dmen
- sensarmy_11

AS much as I disliked Darcy. Man did he stock us in the regard. Pysyk, McCabe, Myers, Risto, Zadorov. All under 25!

Also not trying to be a bumhole, but after this season and the pick now that sits with the ducks, the Bobby Ryan trade in review?

i didn't even notice that part.

he's definitely an offensive threat. but more importantly, he's very good all around.

think ryan murray, but bigger.

maybe not as good right now, but similar type of well rounded game.
- sensarmy_11

Ryan Murray is a safer player IMO. I felt ekblad had some risk to his game at te world juniors. He likes to activate, which is fine, but have to be careful to pick your spots appropriately. He was able to recover with junior players, nhl is different.

Ryan Murray is a safer player IMO. I felt ekblad had some risk to his game at te world juniors. He likes to activate, which is fine, but have to be careful to pick your spots appropriately. He was able to recover with junior players, nhl is different.
- ystoil

he'll also learn to pick his spots better too though, as he gains experience.

maybe i'm bias from watching karlsson, but i LOVE having a d-man who doesn't hesitate to join the rush.........it's even better when they're fast enough to get back and cover.

i also agree that murray is probably safer, but at the same time, probably doesn't have the same type of game breaking ability that ekblad does. not saying he's gonna be a karlsson or subban, but will likely be a bigger point producer then murray.

my comparison was that both of them seem to have very complete games. don't excel in any one area, but also aren't weak in any areas either.....no real holes in their games.

Dan Spiegel: Poetic Justice Getting The #1 Pick, Sort Of
- spiegs13

First pick and Florida's 2nd rounder to Edmonton for Yakupov and the 3rd pick.

First pick and Florida's 2nd rounder to Edmonton for Yakupov and the 3rd pick.
- BiggE

so basically a 1st and 3rd overall.....for a 1st overall and a 2nd rd pick?

I'm not sure the Oilers will be setting a new benchmark in the value of moving up.

It'll be something very minor like the last times Florida had the first overall pick.

Panthers could probably get Philip Larsen + 3rd overall for the 1st overall.

so basically a 1st and 3rd overall.....for a 1st overall and a 2nd rd pick?
- sensarmy_11

Yakupov is a bust after 100 or so nhl games.

Gally and huberdeau who had similar seasons are not.

I'm not sure the Oilers will be setting a new benchmark in the value of moving up.

It'll be something very minor like the last times Florida had the first overall pick.

Panthers could probably get Philip Larsen + 3rd overall for the 1st overall.
- Morris

That would be a fair deal. Do the oilers make it? Probably not. I think Mac t sits pretty at three and takes a centre

he'll also learn to pick his spots better too though, as he gains experience.

maybe i'm bias from watching karlsson, but i LOVE having a d-man who doesn't hesitate to join the rush.........it's even better when they're fast enough to get back and cover.

i also agree that murray is probably safer, but at the same time, probably doesn't have the same type of game breaking ability that ekblad does. not saying he's gonna be a karlsson or subban, but will likely be a bigger point producer then murray.

my comparison was that both of them seem to have very complete games. don't excel in any one area, but also aren't weak in any areas either.....no real holes in their games.
- sensarmy_11

Good post. Karlsson is so quick and so smart offensively as well as creative. I am kin of alarmed by the % of ekblads points on the power play though. So maybe he does transform into a two way guy with less even strength offense at the nex level.

Yakupov is a bust after 100 or so nhl games.

Gally and huberdeau who had similar seasons are not.
- ystoil

i know, it blows my mind that people call him a bust.....he's friggin what, 19, or just turned 20.

30 goals, 55pts in 110 games,.......considering most kids, even high picks, don't sniff the NHL until they're 21, 22......i'd say it's a little early to declare him a bust.

almost the EXACT same numbers as galchenyuk, who people rave about.

It what you say about the Panthers needing offence is true, then the Panthers have no leverage over the Oilers as they will pick a forward (Reinhart or Bennett) before they pick Ekblad.

Knowing this, and that Buffalo also needs a forward instantly shows that Ekblad will drop to at least third. Then the Oilers can choose.

And almost any GM statement now about how they aren't sure how a prospect will pan out, or that the have lots of options, or lots of holes is the typical posturing that they all do on this topic at this time of year so that they don't tip their hand.

As much as it pains me, the Oilers are sitting in a great position to truly make a choice as to what they want. It appears as though Reinhart and Bennett will go to Florida and Buffalo. Leaving the Oilers to decide if they want to address their defensive holes with Ekblad, or their lack of top 6 size in a 2nd line center like Draisaitl.

I would suggest that they pick Draisaitl and address the defenseman in trade to get somebody established and ready to contribute now.

Then Ekblad goes to the Flames.

It what you say about the Panthers needing offence is true, then the Panthers have no leverage over the Oilers as they will pick a forward (Reinhart or Bennett) before they pick Ekblad.

Knowing this, and that Buffalo also needs a forward instantly shows that Ekblad will drop to at least third. Then the Oilers can choose.

And almost any GM statement now about how they aren't sure how a prospect will pan out, or that the have lots of options, or lots of holes is the typical posturing that they all do on this topic at this time of year so that they don't tip their hand.

As much as it pains me, the Oilers are sitting in a great position to truly make a choice as to what they want. It appears as though Reinhart and Bennett will go to Florida and Buffalo. Leaving the Oilers to decide if they want to address their defensive holes with Ekblad, or their lack of top 6 size in a 2nd line center like Draisaitl.

I would suggest that they pick Draisaitl and address the defenseman in trade to get somebody established and ready to contribute now.

Then Ekblad goes to the Flames.
- dal_johnson

I think if the oilers come to their pick, and ekblad is still there..........bryan murray will be calling, and possibly talking trade involving spezza.

i hope he would anyways.

Here's what I think the Oilers preference is:

Draistal
Ekblad
Bennett
Reinhart

I bet you they pretty mechanically follow their prospect ranking. The only way they sway is if they're offered something HUGE in a trade.

Here's what I think the Oilers preference is:

Draistal
Ekblad
Bennett
Reinhart

I bet you they pretty mechanically follow their prospect ranking. The only way they sway is if they're offered something HUGE in a trade.
- Morris

spezza, methot, 2015 1st, and prospect (pick anyone but lazar....prince, puempel, pageau, etc)

for

eberle, and #3 pick...........but only if ekblad falls to that spot.

i know, it blows my mind that people call him a bust.....he's friggin what, 19, or just turned 20.

30 goals, 55pts in 110 games,.......considering most kids, even high picks, don't sniff the NHL until they're 21, 22......i'd say it's a little early to declare him a bust.

almost the EXACT same numbers as galchenyuk, who people rave about.
- sensarmy_11

But Yak is Russian. Thats all you need to know.

If he is from Canada or the US this is not even talked about.

But Yak is Russian. Thats all you need to know.

If he is from Canada or the US this is not even talked about.
- ImThatGuy

It's a double whammy of being Russian AND being drafted to a Canadian team. The bust factor is off the charts.

Ekblad
Bennet
Draistil
Reinhart
Dal Colle

In that order

Don't see the leverage there. Oilers can pick a defenceman next draft. Going to look up Mock 2015 draft ranking now.....
- Stuka126

Sooo....another lottery pick next year also?