Fair enough. How would you feel about MPS heading to Toronto? Do you think Gagner is worth trading and if so what do you think he could bring back right now?
- optimus-reim

I don't know if TO is the right fit for Paajarvi. Don't the Leafs need a big center more than anything else? I'm not sure what the Oilers are going to do with him, to be honest. He's had a solid playoff in the AHL, and he looked good in his rookie season. I think they might give him another year and a different Head Coach to work with before they decide what to do with him. No reason to rush.

Gagner won't be dealt now because outside of Edmonton he's completely undervalued. It's like dealing Hemsky...Oilers fans believe Hemsky is worth at least what the team got for Penner. Outside of Edmonton though? Tough sell. People see Hemsky's 2011/2012 stats and his health issues and run screaming.

If Gagner was dealt, the Oilers could get a decent pick or a decent player, but the market for him is very small right now. Maybe a team that's really hurting at center (Winnipeg, for example) would give up the 9th overall pick for him or maybe Zach Bogosian, who has been a disappointment so far. Not sure the Oilers would win in either deal.

Howson would get shot if he passed on Yakupov at number 2.
- Starbuck

Lowe and Tambo should be shot if the OPilers don't pick Yakupov!! Pick Yak deal PRV and Omark, Gagner!!

I am in no way Saying Dubnyk is a starting goaltender for most teams but he is getting his shot next season in Edmonton and going over to the worlds is supposed to be more of a learning exp for him. We will see how this helps him next season.
- longbottom

That's fine. But he's no where near Luongos league.

The reason alot of bigger names who went over there after getting knocked out is because it's being run by the brain Trust of the 2014 olympic team and they want to showcase themselves like Getzlaff and Perry, Tavares Eberle .......etc. To say that it's not important to some then I suggest that if Lou wasn't invited or said no means a bit more than some suggest.
- longbottom

Luongo will be 3rd string in Russia. Canadian goaltending is in trouble, no clear cut guys right now.

Phaneuf and Schenn are over there, I wouldn't take too muck stock in who's there and whos not.

I don't know if TO is the right fit for Paajarvi. Don't the Leafs need a big center more than anything else? I'm not sure what the Oilers are going to do with him, to be honest. He's had a solid playoff in the AHL, and he looked good in his rookie season. I think they might give him another year and a different Head Coach to work with before they decide what to do with him. No reason to rush.

Gagner won't be dealt now because outside of Edmonton he's completely undervalued. It's like dealing Hemsky...Oilers fans believe Hemsky is worth at least what the team got for Penner. Outside of Edmonton though? Tough sell. People see Hemsky's 2011/2012 stats and his health issues and run screaming.

If Gagner was dealt, the Oilers could get a decent pick or a decent player, but the market for him is very small right now. Maybe a team that's really hurting at center (Winnipeg, for example) would give up the 9th overall pick for him or maybe Zach Bogosian, who has been a disappointment so far. Not sure the Oilers would win in either deal.
- Maxbone

I heard whispers of MPS going to Toronto in the beginning of the season. I think it was MPS + EDM 2013 1st for Schenn + TOR 2012 2nd. Nothing notable for sources but it still raised my eyebrow. Leafs do need some size in the top-six. I have a feeling the only way the Leafs are to deal with the #1C problem is by trading a chunk of the prospect cupboard. It's sad but it needs to happen. I still wouldn't mind MPS though and for Schenn? Decent return I'd say.

I see what you're saying about Gagner though. Until he makes a name for himself he won't bring much back. Does that mean that when he does put up say 60+ points you will trade him?

Luongo will be 3rd string in Russia. Canadian goaltending is in trouble, no clear cut guys right now.

Phaneuf and Schenn are over there, I wouldn't take too muck stock in who's there and whos not.
- Scooby_Doo

John Quick is making heads turn though.

John Quick is making heads turn though.
- optimus-reim

USA have lots of options.

Canada has Smith... Could be a one year wonder though.
Fleury and Ward forgot how to play net. Brodeur will be retired.

Clouts, no way Isles trade Strome + 4th pick......
Isles need D-fense just as much

No it's stupid they would never take murray one.
If they think Murray is the better player for them, than no its not stupid. It would only be stupid if they didn't play their cards right and try to get a second asset as well as their man. a columbus swap? at least they should try to get columbus 2nd rounder back (30 or 31 o0verall... not bad). montreal a swap.. at least their 2nd pick and a b level prospect. what would be interesting is if its the leafs... the 5th pik and one of their d-men? gunnerson or maybe add something small to get shenn back in the deal
- ChrisMS



Not possible at all!!!!
the islanders need defense as much as the Oilers, Murry WILL NOT SLIP TO FIVE!
+ to give up on nail Toronto would have to add more than Gunnarsson, Edmonton would want Gardiner

these were all with the understanding that edm thought their guy would fall to that place. if they thought murray would fall.... then maybe do a deal with toronto... but you wont get one of the leafs top 2 d-man in return... make it work somehow to get shenn...

How about Luongo + 26th overall for 1st overall + Eberle.
- Scooby_Doo

We are overpaying

Clouts, no way Isles trade Strome + 4th pick......
Isles need D-fense just as much
- Ur Not Me

I agree with you there. If the Islanders deal for Yakupov, it's for marketing reasons more than anything else. D is the real need in NYI.

Whatever Stu says goes. In Stu we trust!

I agree with you there. If the Islanders deal for Yakupov, it's for marketing reasons more than anything else. D is the real need in NYI.
- Maxbone

Understand the marketing reasons, but Isles need to win games an make the playoffs. Fans dont care about marketing Yakupov, it will only bring fans in the
beginning an stop from there. Islander fans will come back an fill the coliseum when a winning product is on the ice.

Whatever Stu says goes. In Stu we trust!
- Ihatebrianburke

USA have lots of options.

Canada has Smith... Could be a one year wonder though.
Fleury and Ward forgot how to play net. Brodeur will be retired.
- Scooby_Doo

Price will probably be the starter. If it was up to me, Fleury would be nowhere near the roster barring significant improvement over the next season and a half.

NYI aren't going to give up Strome and #4 for Yakupov.

You can try to balance it by adding a prospect like Maricin, but in the end you have NYI giving 2 very high value pieces for 1. Unless they are incredibly sold on Yakupov being way better than Strome and whoever is there at #4 is, I don't see this happening at all.

Yakupov isn't Tavares/Stamkos/etc. He's probably closer to a Patrick Kane. Not worth giving up 2 huge assets for. Enjoy your 3rd #1 overall pick, and you'll probably be looking at another lottery pick next year with your likely negligible improvements to D and goaltending.

It's too bad the NHL can't regulate awful teams like this. Tambellini is an embarrassment.

Richard Cloutier: Oilers Want Ryan Murray?
- Maxbone

Dream on!

Rich, love your blogs, but before I blow my brains out, bob stauffer clarified this on his show and replayed the interview several times to show Kevin lowe said "Ryan Murphy is A TOP PLAYER". Not the top player..

NYI aren't going to give up Strome and #4 for Yakupov.

You can try to balance it by adding a prospect like Maricin, but in the end you have NYI giving 2 very high value pieces for 1. Unless they are incredibly sold on Yakupov being way better than Strome and whoever is there at #4 is, I don't see this happening at all.

Yakupov isn't Tavares/Stamkos/etc. He's probably closer to a Patrick Kane. Not worth giving up 2 huge assets for. Enjoy your 3rd #1 overall pick, and you'll probably be looking at another lottery pick next year with your likely negligible improvements to D and goaltending.

It's too bad the NHL can't regulate awful teams like this. Tambellini is an embarrassment.
- broc

how do you know? he was labelled "generational talent"

FYI the goaltending a defense looked solid at the end of the year, If they happen to add Yak and a ufa dman or 2 they will improve...

Luongo will be 3rd string in Russia. Canadian goaltending is in trouble, no clear cut guys right now.

Phaneuf and Schenn are over there, I wouldn't take too muck stock in who's there and whos not.
- Scooby_Doo

It all depends as Yserman has said the players are being chosen to showcase themselves at this and the next worlds. Price was said to be a bit injured, Ward, Smith, Quick, Schnieder,Holtby and maybe Dubnyk will all be in the Mix with Louongo and Fleury. Next season and next worlds will go along way to telling the Goaltending for the OLY team. But to back out of a tourney w/o a good reason has now been told to the NHLPA will be unacceptable and that comes from Hockey Canada and Yserman.
Right now if your looking at the main sourses ir's Quick and Smith with Ward and Dubey having the Auditions as per say. A lot can change in a year but it's goes like that.

Yakupov is clearly the top prospect in the draft, oilers would be foolish not to take him..trading down for strome and 4th overall and drafting murray is also not a smart move..Yakupov is a much higher touted prospect than Strome, and Murray has top four written all over him, its good but you don't give up superstar potential for top 4 potential plus 2nd line center potential, theres other ways to get that top 4 defenceman..its not like murrau has played that great at the worlds, good but against echl level opponents so far which doesnt say much, not for a guy ranked number 2. He moves the puck nice and plays it safe..kinda like a Whitney, or Petry..not worth losing a super star in the making for..
And yes oilers do need help in that forward position..hemsky can no longer be relied upon..if he IS healthy he can move to the left side, as can Yakupov.

NYI aren't going to give up Strome and #4 for Yakupov.

You can try to balance it by adding a prospect like Maricin, but in the end you have NYI giving 2 very high value pieces for 1. Unless they are incredibly sold on Yakupov being way better than Strome and whoever is there at #4 is, I don't see this happening at all.

Yakupov isn't Tavares/Stamkos/etc. He's probably closer to a Patrick Kane. Not worth giving up 2 huge assets for. Enjoy your 3rd #1 overall pick, and you'll probably be looking at another lottery pick next year with your likely negligible improvements to D and goaltending.

It's too bad the NHL can't regulate awful teams like this. Tambellini is an embarrassment.
- broc

Yeah, I also can't see NYI giving up Strome and 4th for EDM 1st round. I would like to see EDM pick Yakupov, and trade other expendable assets for roster holes. The thing is going into this off season, maybe the EDM 1st round pick is the best value EDM can trade away vs other assets. Would NYI consider Strome is worth Nino and De Haan combined or less. If no Strome, I would consider Nino, De Haan, and 4th overall. EDM has other expendable assets to add to make the Strome deal work, just not sure whatelse NYI would want and also do they believe so much in Yakupov. Snow to me is a conservative GM like Tamby.

I can guarantee that if Yakupov and Galchenyuk are off the board at #3, habs will draft Murray.

We are overpaying
- pker2theend

Eberle is worth way more to the Oilers than Lou is worth to the Canucks, not to mention contracts...... Eberle entry level, Luongo way to long
Wait you were joking right? RIGHT?

No matter what happens, you guys still need a goalie. Im not saying to get Luongo (cause honestly its not worth it), but you guys will always be on the outside looking in without a backstop.

Heres what Ive been thinking...
If Luongo goes to Panthers, Oil should try to deal for Markstrom.
Other options are Lindback in Nashville, Greiss in SJ or Enroth in Buffalo.
Give Vokoun a try out.
Id stay away from Neuvirth and Bernier.