You know there are much better deals out there involving those two LA pieces than the one you have suggested. I mean Grossman just got 2 picks, but you think JJ will go for Gagner?
- whosyodaddy

Well, yeah.

Grossman is an UFA and one-dimensional player. Got two decent picks.

Johnson is also one dimensional and is signed long term. Thats worth a player of Gagners caliber. I'd do that even swap if I thought the Oilers needed Johnson, which they dont.

But here's the problem.

Carter? The Jackets will want at least Bernier + Voynov.

Nash? Bernier, Voynov, Clifford and a 1st round pick. At least.
- Maxbone

What's your point, you are getting Carter or Nash and not Gagner

Mike Richards? Im a Philly fan. I clearly know that.

Where did Mike Richards come from in the convo?
- mochoson

Because Cloutier is suggesting the Kings should move Richards to the wing so Gagner can play 2nd line center.

I think what amazes me most about the Oilers is with 3 future league MVP's and great players like Gagner and Hemsky kicking around (not to mention the other guys) you still can't climb out of the division cellar.
- whosyodaddy

And they preached Dubnyk was the best thing since sliced bread.

Thoughts about Clouts' proposed trade while reading people's posts so far.
1)There is a large disconnect between what EDM and what anyone else figures Gagne and Hemsky are worth. I believe that if either of them are moved it is most likely that both sides' fans will feel they were ripped off.
2)Dean Lombardi sorta has his nuts in a vice. If he doesn't do something (ANYTHING) to improve what many (at the start of the season) pegged be a Cup contending team... they will miss the playoffs, and he and his coaching staff should deservedly lose their jobs for getting such awful results from such an excellent roster. Any deal he makes he must overpay for, and he must overpay to make a deal, and he must make a deal to keep his job. Even worse, other GMs know this. I'm sorry, but I just checked my magic 8 ball - it says Dean Lombardi gets pushed into a corner where no matter who he trades for he overpays drastically! It may be that the Kings as a franchise will be better off if he makes a comparitively minor overpayment for Hemsky than to blows his load on Nash (you're welcome for that mental picture)
Perhaps D.L. is best hired as the GM for a tanking team (hint, hint, Calgary. Did I say Calgary? I meant Columbus, I swear! Remove him once he has stocked the larders with prospects but before you are serious about a Cup run. Any thoughts?

? Please explain
- 66chevelle

Johnson isn't really a dman. He's god awful at defense. He just pretends to be one.

Hopefully the Canucks don't have a let-down tonight after last nights game. Gonna blog on the game?

I think what amazes me most about the Oilers is with 3 future league MVP's and great players like Gagner and Hemsky kicking around (not to mention the other guys) you still can't climb out of the division cellar.
- whosyodaddy

Sedins were league MVPs right? Just look at their stats when they were Hall/Eberle/Hopkin's/Gagner's age.

Because Cloutier is suggesting the Kings should move Richards to the wing so Gagner can play 2nd line center.
- whosyodaddy

Richards has played wing effectively.

Richards is a pretty good passer, but is a better finisher then Gagner. Definitely a better goal scorer.

Gagner is probably equal to Richards in terms of passing ability. Id keep Gagner in the middle to.

Saying Fowler > Murray is like saying Gagner > Yakupov.
- laughs2907

Fowler is probably better right now. He has more development under his belt and is tested against NHL pros. He might be better in the future too.

Now, saying Murray >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Fowler is exaggerating a (frank)load.

edit: Nvm, that was Pietro you said was better by a longshot. Even still.

And they preached Dubnyk was the best thing since sliced bread.
- poisondhearts37

Do you realize how old our core is?

I think what amazes me most about the Oilers is with 3 future league MVP's and great players like Gagner and Hemsky kicking around (not to mention the other guys) you still can't climb out of the division cellar.
- whosyodaddy

Future league MVP's? Come on....This is a league filled with Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin (off year still perennial mvp candidate) and Stamkos among others. They aren't at that level.

No, you don't expect more from a second line center. That's second line offensive numbers. 40-60 points. There are first liners who flirt around 60 points each year. Gagner came into the league at a very young age and has consistantly produced offense. Period. He's still ridiculously young and can only get better.

If you actually WATCHED the Oilers and compared Gagner from when he was drafted till now, you'd see he IS better.

Its contradictory because your saying Gagner isn't living up to his potential as a scoring center and then talking about the potential of Bernier. Potential is only worth so much. He's been average in the NHL thus far. Has shown no indication he's ready to be a 50+ game starter.
- mochoson

Except for the fact that Gagner had his best season as a rookie. His point totals since have never exceeded his point totals from his rookie season. I also never mentioned the word potential when talking about Gagner, becasue I believe he has reached his ceiling.

Johnson isn't really a dman. He's god awful at defense. He just pretends to be one.
- mochoson

He just turned 25, he's going to be fine.

Richard Cloutier: Should the Oilers Deal Gagner to the Kings?
- Maxbone

Save Percentage...Bernier's is lower than Dubnyk's

He just turned 25, he's going to be fine.
- whosyodaddy

Good for him. Hope the Canucks acquire him.

Fowler is probably better right now. He has more development under his belt and is tested against NHL pros. He might be better in the future too.

Now, saying Murray >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Fowler is exaggerating a (frank)load.
- Jack-artist

I think Murray has far too much upside to pass him up for a guy like Fowler. Granted Fowler has upside, and he's good... I just think Murray has way more upside. I'd be insanely pissed if Tambo traded our pick for Fowler.

Richards has played wing effectively.

Richards is a pretty good passer, but is a better finisher then Gagner. Definitely a better goal scorer.

Gagner is probably equal to Richards in terms of passing ability. Id keep Gagner in the middle to.
- mochoson

I'd love to coach against you. Zetteburgh, Kesler, Marleau, are in all likelyhood the 2nd line C that Gagner has to match against in the playoffs.

But here's the problem.

Carter? The Jackets will want at least Bernier + Voynov.

Nash? Bernier, Voynov, Clifford and a 1st round pick. At least.
- Maxbone

Vs. trading for an UFA with 4 goals this year, and a guy who scores all of his points in over a 1 week period and does really nothing the rest of the year.


Hmm, tough call, tough call,,

okay its not, I am guessing CMB would take Johnson and Bernier and maybe a prospect like Hickey for Carter..

Good for him. Hope the Canucks acquire him.
- mochoson

So do I.

SP...Bernier's is lower than Dubnyk's
- OilCountryEast

And Dubnyk has played what. 17 more games and allows 3 or more a game? Bern cant prove much playing behind quick who has a 1.87 gaa and a .930+ save. Playing time for him is gonna be hard to get. Esp with a coach who will give his starter 70games

Alright lets hop back onto the rumourtrain from fantasy land and come back to reality ...this isn't going to happen and just please stop writing Richard your wasting the time of Oiler fans
- broadstreet11

As one of those Oilers fans, I came to this site knowing that the only thing left to get excited about for us this year is the trade deadline, the lottery and the draft. Well, and the development of our youngsters, but we didn't play yesterday so what's he gonna say that he didn't say a million times already?
I also know that the trade deadline will be boring for me. I figure Hemsky goes and maybe some depth prospect or pick and we bring back a pick and a prospect (could be much worse I agree, but could be much better as well. Teams have been known to overpay at trade deadlines before).
I came to this site specifically for an Oilers-centric fix, which was graciously provided to me at no charge. Not the author's fault that we very likely have nothing realistic and exciting to talk about until... what, next year? I don't feel my time was wasted and while I think this trade is about as likely as me hawking my testicals for bus fare, I have been entertained by the idea and by reading people's reactions to it.
RUMOUR SITE, people! Geez!

I'd love to coach against you. Zetteburgh, Kesler, Marleau, are in all likelyhood the 2nd line C that Gagner has to match against in the playoffs.
- whosyodaddy

Marleau isnt playing Center anymore..Thats all Pavelski and Couture.l

Future league MVP's? Come on....This is a league filled with Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin (off year still perennial mvp candidate) and Stamkos among others. They aren't at that level.
- zach parise9

Crosby is toast... Ovechkin doesn't care anymore... Malkin has had his share of injuries... The future belongs to guys like Stamkos, Hall, Tavares, Hopkins, Eberle, Yakupov etc etc.

Except for the fact that Gagner had his best season as a rookie. His point totals since have never exceeded his point totals from his rookie season. I also never mentioned the word potential when talking about Gagner, becasue I believe he has reached his ceiling.
- Mystery

I can read stats on NHL.com too. Your talking about a 7-8 point discrepancy every year.

The fact that Gagner has remained this consistent and had to be one of the teams primary offensive weapons on statistically the worst team in the league over the past four years is amazing.

He doesn't even turn 23 until August. To say he's reached his ceiling is just retarded, sorry.

If you watched the guy actually play, you'd have quit while you were ahead.