I think laine's a left winger.
And even though they say him and pulujarvi are nhl ready, I'm pretty hesitant to pencil one of em in a top 6 role. or at least assuming theyll be big impact players straight away.

But yeah, that might just be the cynical oilers fan in me


You add laine and another decent middle 6 big winger; and the oilers immediately go from fairly small a few months ago to reasonably big as they are now, to downright huge

Leon, kassian, maroon, poo, Hendricks, nurse, Davidson, reinhart

Gryba?
Hamonic ?
Laine?
Brouwer?
- HB77

I wouldnt expect Laine to be an impact player right away but him and McDavid could be a good duo for years to come and I was looking up if it was RW or LW and some sites have him as a LW some have him as a RW and some have him as a LW/RW so im going to assume he can play the RW.....our GM is a fan of size so it really doesnt surprise me that he is trying to make this team bigger seeing as our division is the land of giants

I wouldnt expect Laine to be an impact player right away but him and McDavid could be a good duo for years to come and I was looking up if it was RW or LW and some sites have him as a LW some have him as a RW and some have him as a LW/RW so im going to assume he can play the RW.....our GM is a fan of size so it really doesnt surprise me that he is trying to make this team bigger seeing as our division is the land of giants
- RatedR80

I didn't realize he could potentially play both sides!

the more I think about it, if they don't deal the pick, I want laine. Even over matthews. For a bunch of reasons. (One of which is so I don't have to incessantly hear "another first overall!!" :yuck

They've been extremely successful before (nuge and poo)

And If you trade ebs, maybe one of maroon/poo can play right side with Connor ? ( poo's been successful with him too)

But even if not, pouliot on the 3rd line Not only makes for 2/3rds of a quality 3rd line, but makes us so much deeper.

It's so easy to forget how long we didn't have poo for (20-25 games?) because our defence was decimated with injuries and the obvious forward injuries to the bigger names. But pouliot was a big loss
- HB77

There were rumblings of Pouliot and Yakupov being traded for Vatanen before Pouliot got hurt, so I wouldn't say its entirely unlikely, but I digress.

So if the Oilers kept Nuge and traded Yakupov and Eberle, what would we be looking at for lines?

Maroon-McDavid-XXX
Hall-Draisaitl-XXX
Pouliot-Nuge-Kassian
Hendricks-Letestu-Korp

The first RW spot could potentially be filled by Laine or Puljujarvi if the Oilers draft 2-3. The second one could be filled by UFA. Theres a ton of veterans to be had like Okposo, Ladd, Vrbata, even Jagr if they really wanted to go for vets. If one of these 2 things doesn't happen they could also probably get back a RW in a deal involving Yakupov, like say for Nichushkin.

That fills out the forward spots but thats a pretty expensive 3rd line, thats over 10 million just for RNH and Pou. If Eberle got say Hamonic then they'd still need another top 4 dman on top of that. My point is that somethings got to give. I'll sacrifice some 3rd line depth if it means the back end can be fixed.

Which brings me back to trading Pouliot. I think him packaged with a high draft pick should probably net a top 4.

I didn't realize he could potentially play both sides!

the more I think about it, if they don't deal the pick, I want laine. Even over matthews. For a bunch of reasons. (One of which is so I don't have to incessantly hear "another first overall!!" :yuck
- HB77

Drafting Laine not only gives McDavid his winger for years to come but it eases the loss of Ebs if he gets traded and it gives PC another big body who will only get bigger in the years to come

There were rumblings of Pouliot and Yakupov being traded for Vatanen before Pouliot got hurt, so I wouldn't say its entirely unlikely, but I digress.

So if the Oilers kept Nuge and traded Yakupov and Eberle, what would we be looking at for lines?

Maroon-McDavid-XXX
Hall-Draisaitl-XXX
Pouliot-Nuge-Kassian
Hendricks-Letestu-Korp

The first RW spot could potentially be filled by Laine or Puljujarvi if the Oilers draft 2-3. The second one could be filled by UFA. Theres a ton of veterans to be had like Okposo, Ladd, Vrbata, even Jagr if they really wanted to go for vets. If one of these 2 things doesn't happen they could also probably get back a RW in a deal involving Yakupov, like say for Nichushkin.

That fills out the forward spots but thats a pretty expensive 3rd line, thats over 10 million just for RNH and Pou. If Eberle got say Hamonic then they'd still need another top 4 dman on top of that. My point is that somethings got to give. I'll sacrifice some 3rd line depth if it means the back end can be fixed.

Which brings me back to trading Pouliot. I think him packaged with a high draft pick should probably net a top 4.
- 6ringslowe

I heard those rumblings. Mostly conjecture, but regardless, I think we lose that deal for vatanen

Okposo, Ladd are too expensive I think. I assume we'll have to be reasonably frugal if we're adding more forwards.


Kinda sucks about yaks trade demand.
I'be been a big detractor of yaks for a long time, but his price point is ideal. And if we deal ebs, at least nail could still be there to fill one of those right side roles with kassian in the other. leaving only one major hole in the right side

As far as poo, I don't think he can reasonably be replaced by anybody in our organization. And as good as maroon has been for us, poo is still the more diverse player. I think we're a markedly worse team without him.

If it's me,

Ebs and the first to acquire two top 4 defenders.
attempt to keep yaks and sign a free agent winger
Or
If yaks goes, nuge and the first to acquire two top 4 defenders.
acquire a solid 3c and sign a free agent winger.
Or
If you're set on laine/pulujarvi,
deal yaks and next years first/2nd/prospect for a decent defender.
Nuge for top 4 defender











:

I heard those rumblings. Mostly conjecture, but regardless, I think we lose that deal for vatanen

Okposo, Ladd are too expensive I think. I assume we'll have to be reasonably frugal if we're adding more forwards.


Kinda sucks about yaks trade demand.
I'be been a big detractor of yaks for a long time, but his price point is ideal. And if we deal ebs, at least nail could still be there to full one of those right side roles with kassian in the other, leaving only one major hole in the right side

As far as poo, I don't think he can reasonably be replaced by anybody in our organization. And as good as maroon has been for us, poo is still the more diverse player. I think we're a markedly worse team without him.

If it's me,

Ebs and the first to acquire two top 4 defenders.
attempt to keep yaks and sign a free agent winger
Or
If yaks goes, nuge instead of ebs and the first to acquire two top 4 defenders.
acquire a solid 3c.
Or
If you're set on laine/pulujarvi,
deal yaks and next years first/2nd/prospect for a decent defender.
Nuge for top 4 defender













:
- HB77

Yeah... Good luck with that trade. No team is trading 2 top 4's in one trade for a winger and a first round draft pick. That's just not gonna happen. I'd be stoked if Eberle nets 1 top 4 defenseman. Here's my plan:

Eberle, Yakupov and a 3rd for Hamonic, Bailey and a 5th

Gives the Oilers Hamonic, a stay at home top 4 d-man, and Bailey, a RW somewhat similar to Yakupov without the scrutiny, not to mention the Oilers shave 1.3 million off the cap. Meanwhile Yakupov gets a change of scenery and Hamonic comes back to Western Canada, plus the Islanders get a replacement for Okposo.

It's a start but the defense will still need one more top 4 so then I'd propose this:

Pouliot and a 3rd for Sami Vatanen

With this move the Oilers get a puck moving top 4 d-man who can work the powerplay without giving up their centre depth. Given the surplus of 3rd round picks they have right now, this move wouldn't sting much, if at all. Anaheim gets a player to slot into their top 6 who has a history of playing well with finesse players. This move helps solve their scoring issues.

With these 2 moves the D is vastly improved while giving up only 1 of the 6 million dollar men. That means they only have a couple of holes they could plug through UFA or even through their own system if they really had to since there would only be 3rd and 4th line spots left to fill.

RNH isn't a defensive player



Oh

Yeah... Good luck with that trade. No team is trading 2 top 4's in one trade for a winger and a first round draft pick. That's just not gonna happen. I'd be stoked if Eberle nets 1 top 4 defenseman. Here's my plan:

Eberle, Yakupov and a 3rd for Hamonic, Bailey and a 5th

Gives the Oilers Hamonic, a stay at home top 4 d-man, and Bailey, a RW somewhat similar to Yakupov without the scrutiny, not to mention the Oilers shave 1.3 million off the cap. Meanwhile Yakupov gets a change of scenery and Hamonic comes back to Western Canada, plus the Islanders get a replacement for Okposo.

It's a start but the defense will still need one more top 4 so then I'd propose this:

Pouliot and a 3rd for Sami Vatanen

With this move the Oilers get a puck moving top 4 d-man who can work the powerplay without giving up their centre depth. Given the surplus of 3rd round picks they have right now, this move wouldn't sting much, if at all. Anaheim gets a player to slot into their top 6 who has a history of playing well with finesse players. This move helps solve their scoring issues.

With these 2 moves the D is vastly improved while giving up only 1 of the 6 million dollar men. That means they only have a couple of holes they could plug through UFA or even through their own system if they really had to since there would only be 3rd and 4th line spots left to fill.
- 6ringslowe

huh?

I said nothing of the sort of two top 4 defenders in one trade.
Two valuable assets- 2 different deals. I guess I just assumed this was obvious
(Eg; ebs + for hamonic - 1st for trouba +)



I think you're robbing Peter to pay Paul kinda. In 2 different deals

You're gutting the right side AND hurting the left side to make our defence better.
Of course our defence needs help, but we have a plethora of assets with value where can make some moves with out hurting the depth up front we've suffered so badly to acquire

I just think we need to be better at asset management instead of creating needs immediately after making deals.

Ebs and first

Nuge and first

Nuge and yaks +

I think any of those could potentially bring in two solid defenders. (In seperate deals) And we move one if the 6 mil guys/breaking up the core

End of the day, I think you're really downplaying what pouliot is for this team. Maroon has been really good alongside Connor and gives us a real beast up front, but he's limited. Pouliot is not only the better player, but now we're in a position to truly make use of him as a great depth player than can move up and down the lineup and be effective in any situation

huh?

I said nothing of the sort of two top 4 defenders in one trade.
Two valuable assets- 2 different deals. I guess I just assumed this was obvious



I think you're robbing Peter to pay Paul kinda. In 2 different deals

You're gutting the right side AND hurting the left side to make our defence better.
Of course our defence needs help, but we have a plethora of assets with value where can make some moves with out hurting the depth up front we've suffered to acquire too badly.

I just think we need to be better at asset management instead of creating needs immediately after making deals.

Ebs and first

Nuge and first

Nuge and yaks +

I think any of those could potentially bring in two solid defenders. And we move one if the 6 mil guys
- HB77

If you look at my first trade, you can see that Bailey is a RW to replace Yakupov with similar if not better production than him. That trade loses the Oilers 1 RW in Eberle BUT the team gets another top 4 d-man. I'm sure many fans can live with losing a RW if it means Edmonton gets a defenseman.

Also, if the Oilers end up drafting 2-3 overall, which is a plausible scenario but not for sure, then the team could slot either Laine or Puljujarvi into one of those RW slots. This offsets the loss of Eberle.

Finally, for the spot lost by Pouliot, there are several UFA options which could be brought over. It doesn't need to be one of the big fish free agents but someone who can fill the 3LW spot with potential to move up to the 2LW spot if/when injury hits.

Ya they left out MacT and Bucky, 2 heart and sole captains of the Oilers, not because the final four is on and we need to sign college UFA's, but because they've been so terrible in the front office. What a stupid (frank)in comment.

huh?

I said nothing of the sort of two top 4 defenders in one trade.
Two valuable assets- 2 different deals. I guess I just assumed this was obvious
(Eg; ebs + for hamonic - 1st for trouba +)



I think you're robbing Peter to pay Paul kinda. In 2 different deals

You're gutting the right side AND hurting the left side to make our defence better.
Of course our defence needs help, but we have a plethora of assets with value where can make some moves with out hurting the depth up front we've suffered so badly to acquire

I just think we need to be better at asset management instead of creating needs immediately after making deals.

Ebs and first

Nuge and first

Nuge and yaks +

I think any of those could potentially bring in two solid defenders. (In seperate deals) And we move one if the 6 mil guys/breaking up the core

End of the day, I think you're really downplaying what pouliot is for this team. Maroon has been really good alongside Connor and gives us a real beast up front, but he's limited. Pouliot is not only the better player, but now we're in a position to truly make use of him as a great depth player than can move up and down the lineup and be effective in any situation
- HB77

I actually agree with everything you just said....I feel Pouliot doesnt get the props he deserves and if he gets to be part of a healthy lineup starting from game 1 next year (fingers crossed) I think he goes out there and has a pretty good season...if PC goes out there and actually fixes our issues this summer (long shot but one can dream) we can actually play guys where they should be and not put them into situations they are not ready for

RNH isn't a defensive player



Oh
- robin_steele264

This is true, so you should trade him to the Devils right now for a minimal return.

This is true, so you should trade him to the Devils right now for a minimal return.
- smellmyfinger

I think Larson is pretty minimal return

Fair, although Daystuk was a far, far better player and only now at 37 or whatever he is, is starting to come to RNH level. Also Stephan and Nielsson are grittier and better defensively. Kyle Turris comes to mind as a comparison, but again, there's a player with defensive weakness that a mediocre team is using as a 1/2 C.

My main point is that I would let him go first and foremost to bring in D help. He's not going to be missed.
- jackzack87

So the same Datsyuk that you're praising so much, how much had he proved at the same age as RNH in the NHL? Don't really mention that now do you.

I think Larson is pretty minimal return
- RatedR80

Any chance I could talk you down to the rights to Tuomo Ruutu?

I actually agree with everything you just said....I feel Pouliot doesnt get the props he deserves and if he gets to be part of a healthy lineup starting from game 1 next year (fingers crossed) I think he goes out there and has a pretty good season...if PC goes out there and actually fixes our issues this summer (long shot but one can dream) we can actually play guys where they should be and not put them into situations they are not ready for
- RatedR80

For sure. I think alot of people actually don't see his true value cause he's not one of the sexy name players

But I believe McClellan certainly does. I've noticed him being sure to mention his impact and huge contribution on a few occasions when the media was fawning over Connor/ebs when that line was really clicking early after mcdavids return. (incidentally, pouliot was huge for Connors and yaks in the early going too)
He's big, a great skater, quality hands, can kill penalties etc

Also, as you sorta suggested, it's kinda like one of the issues we have on defence.
It's not that nurse isn't extremely talented, or sekera isnt an incredibly solid defencemen. It's thrusting them into spots that are over their heads.

And in that vein, we finally have some serious depth up front and can maybe put poo in a middle 6/3rd line spot where he can be extremely effective and right in his wheelhouse as opposed to forcing him into a primary scoring role. Instead of what we've done as an organization before deciding these guys are now expendable as soon as we acquire some comparable players...

All I can do is write about what I've been told by people close to the situation. You don't have to believe me but my record with reporting BS is good.
- Matt_Henderson

Just believe you eh? Sounds just like Cloutier. Put the KFC down!

Any chance I could talk you down to the rights to Tuomo Ruutu?
- smellmyfinger

Throw in a mystery box and perhaps we can swing a deal

Throw in a mystery box and perhaps we can swing a deal
- RatedR80

in all seriousness though it's amazing how people under value franchise centers. If RNH is traded it will be for a kings ransom.

For sure. I think alot of people actually don't see his true value cause he's not one of the sexy name players

But I believe McClellan certainly does. I've noticed him being sure to mention his impact and huge contribution on a few occasions when the media was fawning over Connor/ebs when that line was really clicking early after mcdavids return. (incidentally, pouliot was huge for Connors and yaks in the early going too)
He's big, a great skater, quality hands, can kill penalties etc

Also, as you sorta suggested, it's kinda like one of the issues we have on defence.
It's not that nurse isn't extremely talented, or sekera isnt an incredibly solid defencemen. It's thrusting them into spots that are over their heads.

And in that vein, we finally have some serious depth up front and can maybe put poo in a middle 6/3rd line spot where he can be extremely effective and right in his wheelhouse as opposed to forcing him into a primary scoring role. Instead of what we've done as an organization before deciding these guys are now expendable as soon as we acquire some comparable players...
- HB77

The ability alone to put guys where they should be makes this team better...imagine if we can have Nurse-Davidson as our 3rd pairing where they can play sheltered minutes while getting better? Or having Sekera on the 2nd pairing where he should be? Pouliot isnt a "sexy" player but you dont have to score 30 goals a year to be considered as a good forward...there are other factors in play as well as you pointed with PK minutes and stuff like that

in all seriousness though it's amazing how people under value franchise centers. If RNH is traded it will be for a kings ransom.
- smellmyfinger

Your thoughts on Bozak = Nuge? im just looking for other peoples thoughts...maybe I am looking through homer glasses but im really trying not to in this case

I think Larson is pretty minimal return
- RatedR80

Larsson for Eberle +2017 1st +Slepyshev

Your thoughts on Bozak = Nuge? im just looking for other peoples thoughts...maybe I am looking through homer glasses but im really trying not to in this case
- RatedR80

I think Bozak is a poor mans Travis Zajac. I like RNHs offensive upside as well as his two way game. I don't think RNH has reached his ceiling yet and put in the right situation and barring any more freak injuries he could become an 80 point player that plays a complete game. I don't see that from Bozak.

For sure. I think alot of people actually don't see his true value cause he's not one of the sexy name players

But I believe McClellan certainly does. I've noticed him being sure to mention his impact and huge contribution on a few occasions when the media was fawning over Connor/ebs when that line was really clicking early after mcdavids return. (incidentally, pouliot was huge for Connors and yaks in the early going too)
He's big, a great skater, quality hands, can kill penalties etc

Also, as you sorta suggested, it's kinda like one of the issues we have on defence.
It's not that nurse isn't extremely talented, or sekera isnt an incredibly solid defencemen. It's thrusting them into spots that are over their heads.

And in that vein, we finally have some serious depth up front and can maybe put poo in a middle 6/3rd line spot where he can be extremely effective and right in his wheelhouse as opposed to forcing him into a primary scoring role. Instead of what we've done as an organization before deciding these guys are now expendable as soon as we acquire some comparable players...
- HB77

I think Pouliot is a good player, which is why I think he has enough value to fetch a top 4 d-man. The Oilers need to give up value to get value. I'm not buying the notion that Yak+ will net a d-man and I don't think the first round pick will get one either. Teams don't trade roster defensemen for hopeful prospects. If the Oilers want top 4 defensemen, they're going to have to give up roster players.

Larsson for Eberle +2017 1st +Slepyshev
- Ihatebrianburke

I have a dream and that dream is one day we will have a D man that teams actually covet so we can be on the other side of these convos for a change