I want to propose something to my fellow Oilers fans. Does anyone actually want the Oilers to pick someone other then Murray? For those that want to pick Grigorenko, I simply ask why.

Murray is about a sure-fire NHL defender as you can come by. Those who don't think so will bring up current Oiler Cam Barker. That's not a valid argument. Barker was drafted high because of his (then) incredible offensive abilities. He was projected to be basically a Mike Green or Erik Karlsson. It was a risky pick, one that worked out at first, until teams figured out how to take Barker out of games, rendering him in-effective. Barker is now trying to make the necessary adjustments to his game in order to be more of a two-way defender, and thus far, the results haven't worked out as planned.

Is there a risk with any draft pick? Yes. Drafting is not a science, but some scouts have it pretty damn close. Murray is the most NHL ready dman in this draft, and could quite possibly be the best defender taken in a draft filled with defenders.

Now, in retrospect, could someone like Jake Trouba or Morgan Reilly end up being the better player? Sure.

But back to Grigorenko: Does anyone honestly think he's worth the pick when we have a guy like Nuge, who in all honestly could turn into a consistant, 85-90+ point centermen? Is Gagner really that bad of an option behind Nuge? Can't a suitable second liner be found with a later pick, or through FA or trade?

I am of the believer that top 4 dmen are the absolute hardest to come by, especially two way puck movers of Murrays quality. He cannot be passed in this draft IMO. He is who the Oilers need to take if they are picking at #2.

Hey Clouts,

I actually completely with you on your first point. That was a silly thing to ask of Renney, who answered the call with class anyways.

I want Smyth back. Someone said that Smyth's exit interview sounded like he was on the outs, but it didn't seem that way to me.

As I was saying all along, Murray is a good pick at that slot. I don't think it's an embarrassing thing to pick the position that's best for your organization if the targets are of approximately equal skill. And Murray and Grigs are APPROXIMATELY equal.
- Morris

It would be awesome if they just made up their minds on Smyth... Not sure I see where he exactly he belongs but whatever just sign him or dont sign him...

I want to propose something to my fellow Oilers fans. Does anyone actually want the Oilers to pick someone other then Murray? For those that want to pick Grigorenko, I simply ask why.

Murray is about a sure-fire NHL defender as you can come by. Those who don't think so will bring up current Oiler Cam Barker. That's not a valid argument. Barker was drafted high because of his (then) incredible offensive abilities. He was projected to be basically a Mike Green or Erik Karlsson. It was a risky pick, one that worked out at first, until teams figured out how to take Barker out of games, rendering him in-effective. Barker is now trying to make the necessary adjustments to his game in order to be more of a two-way defender, and thus far, the results haven't worked out as planned.

Is there a risk with any draft pick? Yes. Drafting is not a science, but some scouts have it pretty damn close. Murray is the most NHL ready dman in this draft, and could quite possibly be the best defender taken in a draft filled with defenders.

Now, in retrospect, could someone like Jake Trouba or Morgan Reilly end up being the better player? Sure.

But back to Grigorenko: Does anyone honestly think he's worth the pick when we have a guy like Nuge, who in all honestly could turn into a consistant, 85-90+ point centermen? Is Gagner really that bad of an option behind Nuge? Can't a suitable second liner be found with a later pick, or through FA or trade?

I am of the believer that top 4 dmen are the absolute hardest to come by, especially two way puck movers of Murrays quality. He cannot be passed in this draft IMO. He is who the Oilers need to take if they are picking at #2.
- mochoson

Whatever Stu decides is okay with me. I will say this though. Pittsburgh had Malkin then Crosby and then used their 2nd overall for Staal and then the following year they took Esposito first.

They had two of the best two centers in the world and continued to draft a centers. If Stu labels Ringo as a can't miss franchise center and Murray as a #2 man then you take Ringo. This whole taking a d-man because we need one is what can end up screwing us.

You take Murray if you deem him the best player available.

It would be awesome if they just made up their minds on Smyth... Not sure I see where he exactly he belongs but whatever just sign him or dont sign him...
- saskoil21

Is there a rush? Maybe Katz has told ST not to sign anyone until he makes evaluations of the team.

Nuge to the World's.

I want to propose something to my fellow Oilers fans. Does anyone actually want the Oilers to pick someone other then Murray? For those that want to pick Grigorenko, I simply ask why.

Murray is about a sure-fire NHL defender as you can come by. Those who don't think so will bring up current Oiler Cam Barker. That's not a valid argument. Barker was drafted high because of his (then) incredible offensive abilities. He was projected to be basically a Mike Green or Erik Karlsson. It was a risky pick, one that worked out at first, until teams figured out how to take Barker out of games, rendering him in-effective. Barker is now trying to make the necessary adjustments to his game in order to be more of a two-way defender, and thus far, the results haven't worked out as planned.

Is there a risk with any draft pick? Yes. Drafting is not a science, but some scouts have it pretty damn close. Murray is the most NHL ready dman in this draft, and could quite possibly be the best defender taken in a draft filled with defenders.

Now, in retrospect, could someone like Jake Trouba or Morgan Reilly end up being the better player? Sure.

But back to Grigorenko: Does anyone honestly think he's worth the pick when we have a guy like Nuge, who in all honestly could turn into a consistant, 85-90+ point centermen? Is Gagner really that bad of an option behind Nuge? Can't a suitable second liner be found with a later pick, or through FA or trade?

I am of the believer that top 4 dmen are the absolute hardest to come by, especially two way puck movers of Murrays quality. He cannot be passed in this draft IMO. He is who the Oilers need to take if they are picking at #2.
- mochoson

I would like Murray drafted by us... However alot have been raving about reilly- then there are alot of Reinhardt fans... Dmen are so damn hard to predict and we all know we do not develop kids like other teams... So its quite a fine line picking any dman to stand up after the draft in the show playing top 4 minutes as well all know will have to happen as our gm will not get a UFA of that calibre and this team is always injury plagued...

Is there a rush? Maybe Katz has told ST not to sign anyone until he makes evaluations of the team.
- Lahey

No there isnt... just media recycle the same poop all the time and personally i get annoyed by it that is all...

I would like Murray drafted by us... However alot have been raving about reilly- then there are alot of Reinhardt fans... Dmen are so damn hard to predict and we all know we do not develop kids like other teams... So its quite a fine line picking any dman to stand up after the draft in the show playing top 4 minutes as well all know will have to happen as our gm will not get a UFA of that calibre and this team is always injury plagued...
- saskoil21

I hope Ebs and RNH show well at the world's just so the Carle's and Wideman's see there is a bright future here.

Nuge to the World's.
- Lahey

Well that was a given... I expected him to annouce that with Eberle yesterday... but either way its good news for canada and the oil... Eberle, Nuge and Hall would have all 3 went I bet... too bad Hall cant go... nice to see Hemsky go as well.... although I would rather he stay at home and heal and workout so that he is ready to be healthy and dominate next year...

No there isnt... just media recycle the same poop all the time and personally i get annoyed by it that is all...
- saskoil21

Get use to it, they have (frank) all to talk about now. Only thing I want to see is Brownlee do his interview with Stu about the top 5 picks. Could go without Willis pointing out the reason we had injuries is because we have guys that get injured.

I hope Ebs and RNH show well at the world's just so the Carle's and Wideman's see there is a bright future here.
- Lahey

I bet they will... Eberle and RNH are money... always have been always will be as long as they are not injured they deliver...

Well that was a given... I expected him to annouce that with Eberle yesterday... but either way its good news for canada and the oil... Eberle, Nuge and Hall would have all 3 went I bet... too bad Hall cant go... nice to see Hemsky go as well.... although I would rather he stay at home and heal and workout so that he is ready to be healthy and dominate next year...
- saskoil21

There was talk that the Oilers might not have wanted him to go. Something about how he needs to spend some time relaxing and then building up strength. Not sure that two-three weeks of the world's is really the end of the world.

I think petrell made the finns too.

Get use to it, they have (frank) all to talk about now. Only thing I want to see is Brownlee do his interview with Stu about the top 5 picks. Could go without Willis pointing out the reason we had injuries is because we have guys that get injured.
- Lahey

LMFAO...

There was talk that the Oilers might not have wanted him to go. Something about how he needs to spend some time relaxing and then building up strength. Not sure that two-three weeks of the world's is really the end of the world.

I think petrell made the finns too.
- Lahey

I hope we resign Petrell... I thought he filled a role that we lacked on this team for years... and he did it quietly...

I bet they will... Eberle and RNH are money... always have been always will be as long as they are not injured they deliver...
- saskoil21

I'd like to see Perry play with them, but they probably keep him and Getzlaf together. Maybe Kane for size?

There was talk that the Oilers might not have wanted him to go. Something about how he needs to spend some time relaxing and then building up strength. Not sure that two-three weeks of the world's is really the end of the world.

I think petrell made the finns too.
- Lahey

I could see that... It would be awesome if Nuge gained 10-15 lbs this off season... It would make alot of people more confident/comfortable..

I hope we resign Petrell... I thought he filled a role that we lacked on this team for years... and he did it quietly...
- saskoil21

Yep. Guy knows his role and plays it well.

I'd like to see Perry play with them, but they probably keep him and Getzlaf together. Maybe Kane for size?
- Lahey

I like Evander... He was critisized some before this season but he sure put alot of people to bed now... He is sold... not to mention he kicked Cooke's ass

I was just having a coffee with Tambs at Tims and he told me to tell all my friends at Hockeybuzz, that they'll be drafting Murray.

I like Evander... He was critisized some before this season but he sure put alot of people to bed now... He is sold... not to mention he kicked Cooke's ass
- saskoil21

Oh I still think he's a yappy little (frank)er, but he plays a style that would compliment our top 6 quite well.

I was just having a coffee with Tambs at Tims and he told me to tell all my friends at Hockeybuzz, that they'll be drafting Murray.
- laughs2907

Did he mention anything about sleeping with your sister?

Oh I still think he's a yappy little (frank)er, but he plays a style that would compliment our top 6 quite well.
- Lahey

I think he would fit in just right with the top 6...

Did he mention anything about sleeping with your sister?
- Lahey

No, we're at the point we're that's a given.

Do you think if there is a chance we get Carle or Wideman we just draft 1 of the big russians? Or hell I guess if we win the lotto we are due to get Nail anyway so it could be a moot pt... but if we do not win do we take the center and send big money to 1 or 2 UFAs? I personally think you take someone proven- but if we draft I do like Murray, Grigs and Faksa as options.

Do you think if there is a chance we get Carle or Wideman we just draft 1 of the big russians? Or hell I guess if we win the lotto we are due to get Nail anyway so it could be a moot pt... but if we do not win do we take the center and send big money to 1 or 2 UFAs? I personally think you take someone proven- but if we draft I do like Murray, Grigs and Faksa as options.
- saskoil21

UFA is after draft, so we really won't know.

I think you just have to take best available. Who knows what can and will happen? Maybe Gagner, PRV and our 2nd are dealt for a d-man before the draft, and then all of a sudden you are short up front.