Well you better be prepared... why not trade down?

If you can pick up a top 4 defenceman and keep a top 8 pick.... then do it.

I would like to see the Oilers trade spots with Anaheim!!!!
- jimmc7722

That's what I'm saying. If they're not taking Yakupov, they better trade down.

If I'm running the Oil, Eberle's the last guy I trade. A proven clutch player with one of the most accurate shots in the league. Plus he is extremely intelligent about the game. Almost like a modern day Joe Sakic on the wing. I say he will be the highest scoring player of the current Oilers generation.
- Routs

Don't think so. In a few years all the offense will go through NuHop. He will challenge for the league scoring title. I do think Eberle will lead the team in clutch goals and big plays.

I rank the D men in the draft like this:

1. Rielly
2. Reinhart
3. Murray
4. Trouba
5. Ceci
6. Maatta
7. Dumba
8. KoekKoek
9. Lindholm
10. Pouliot
- Maxbone

Boner for Rielly huh?

Don't think so. In a few years all the offense will go through NuHop. He will challenge for the league scoring title. I do think Eberle will lead the team in clutch goals and big plays.
- spatso

To be clear I meant goal scoring, not points. Always easier for a center to put up points.

Jordan is more suited to the Oil. NuHop is the #1C of the present and future.

The use of the media to soften the public for a potential deal is a well established practice by all teams. I think a deal with Pittsburgh is probably not in the cards. They are way down in the draft order. But they do have some good puck moving D in their prospect inventory.

Edmonton needs to get their D up to the same standard as their front line skaters.

I would do a deal with the Leafs for the #1 pick if they offered up Gardiner, Franson and the #5. With the #5 I would take Murray. So the Oil would come out of the draft with Gardiner, Franson and Murray. They would have a young D that would complement what they have put in place up front. I think there are other teams in the top 10 draft group that might an even better offer allowing for the Oil to come out of the draft with three good D prospects.
- spatso

Not sure he'd be available, but I'd be happy with Reinhart as well.

Murray/Gardiner or Reinhart/Gardiner would be pretty nice...

Not sure he'd be available, but I'd be happy with Reinhart as well.

Murray/Gardiner or Reinhart/Gardiner would be pretty nice...
- laughs2907

Murray will be gone in the top 4.

Hopefully @ # 4.

Murray will be gone in the top 4.

Hopefully @ # 4.
- jimmc7722

Yeah highly doubt he makes it past the Islanders.

Yeah highly doubt he makes it past the Islanders.
- laughs2907

I think you are going over board there. Murray, Forsberg, Glachenyuk, Grigorenko, plus a few others are all around the same level of prospect and could go in any order. The only pick you can say I highly doubt he makes it past 4 is Yakupov.

I think you are going over board there. Murray, Forsberg, Glachenyuk, Grigorenko, plus a few others are all around the same level of prospect and could go in any order. The only pick you can say I highly doubt he makes it past 4 is Yakupov.
- yea-ok-buddy

Islanders need D... I can't see them passing up on Murray if he's still there.

Murray. Gotta go with the consummate leader on this one.

Again, if it actually comes to trading down, we're really not going to get much. If it's Montreal, we might get their 51st and their 63rd or the right to swap picks next year. Not saying it's ideal, but getting anything more would be an unprecedented move. Litter ally the best trade down ever.

Islanders need D... I can't see them passing up on Murray if he's still there.
- laughs2907

Man its the Isle lol, they are a wild card, I'm going off the board and saying they pick that Finnish guy.

If I'm running the Oil, Eberle's the last guy I trade. A proven clutch player with one of the most accurate shots in the league. Plus he is extremely intelligent about the game. Almost like a modern day Joe Sakic on the wing. I say he will be the highest scoring player of the current Oilers generation.
- Routs

This... I feel that way as well especially with Nuge providing the gravy... We saw tidbits of those two this season on the PP!

man, that's gotta be 6500 words.

who has that kind of time anyways?

man, that's gotta be 6500 words.

who has that kind of time anyways?
- joel878

I tried, couldn't do it.

Schenn + 5th is not enough for the first overall, but Devante Smith Pelley and the 8th would be able to do it?
- DepecheModer

Racist

Murray. Gotta go with the consummate leader on this one.

Again, if it actually comes to trading down, we're really not going to get much. If it's Montreal, we might get their 51st and their 63rd or the right to swap picks next year. Not saying it's ideal, but getting anything more would be an unprecedented move. Litter ally the best trade down ever.
- Morris

Well if that is the case why dont we make Howson a call and see what he wants to do with the #2 spot... I do not believe any of this poop that we are trading down... If we do trade away a Yakupov for a dman like Murray who brings no flash or pizzaz fans for 2-3 years until he develops and thats an if---and there is no over payment (just a 2nd or 3rd round pick) Oil fans will serve Tambo and Lowe their balls on silver platters...

What if Eklund was finally right about something? What if Toronto is trading Gardiner and number 5 for number one and something else maybe belanger, omark or a second round next year.

That would solve everything. If they can convince teams to take who they have picked and still try to find a way to keep nail available at 5.

What if Eklund was finally right about something? What if Toronto is trading Gardiner and number 5 for number one and something else maybe belanger, omark or a second round next year.

That would solve everything. If they can convince teams to take who they have picked and still try to find a way to keep nail available at 5.
- bsteinley

Other teams likely are not influenced solely on Oilers Now or even heard of it... and I bets that Yaks is gone by the time they put Pick #3 on the clock...

Man its the Isle lol, they are a wild card, I'm going off the board and saying they pick that Finnish guy.
- yea-ok-buddy

Burke's job is on the line..... he needs to do something positive this offseason.


The Isles are going to get Murray, Gally, or Forsberg... probably in that order.

Unless they trade with the Oilers.

Which is not out of the question.

Richard, let me ask you a question.

Most of your blogs in favor of drafting Yakupov talk about the sheer stupidity in not drafting the BPA and that you think Yakupov is clearly the BPA of this draft. Yet you talk so openly about why Toronto wouldn't draft a d-man or the Isle's need a d-man and that Columbus won't draft a Russian -- completely ignoring your BPA argument.

If drafting the BPA is a mandate or should be for all teams, why do you think you know who each team would take with such conviction?

Isn't it fair to say that we really have no idea who each team will draft? And that we should be categorizing all Top 15 or so players by BPA and ignoring position all together?

Burke's job is on the line..... he needs to do something positive this offseason.


The Isles are going to get Murray, Gally, or Forsberg... probably in that order.

Unless they trade with the Oilers.

Which is not out of the question.
- jimmc7722

Very true but mad Mike is not at the helm anymore...

Burke's job is on the line..... he needs to do something positive this offseason.


The Isles are going to get Murray, Gally, or Forsberg... probably in that order.

Unless they trade with the Oilers.

Which is not out of the question.
- jimmc7722

Cmon that would be to normal for the isle to pick them, they are getting that Finnish guy or reinhart.

Very true but mad Mike is not at the helm anymore...
- saskoil21

Garth has to make some big moves if he wants to hit the cap floor.

He will make some Milbury type moves this offseason.

or... to follow up from my argument...

If other teams are allowed or expected by you to draft for need, why wouldn't the Oilers who obviously need a d-man like Ryan Murray?

I'm for Yakupov, but I understand the argument and won't be disappointed if Murray is chosen.

or... to follow up from my argument...

If other teams are allowed or expected by you to draft for need, why wouldn't the Oilers who obviously need a d-man like Ryan Murray?

I'm for Yakupov, but I understand the argument and won't be disappointed if Murray is chosen.
- oilersinsider

If that is what you are saying I would take the TO offer and run... If its Gardiner and the 5th pick (take Reinhart with that pick)... Reinhart will be the steal dman of this draft down the road... Book it...