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...
- saskoil21

There is logic there. If BPA dictates and not need... I would guess the draft order would look more like

1) Yakupov
2) Murray
3) Grigorenko
4) Rielly
5) Reinhart or Galchenyuk

If this is the case, the Oilers don't need a RW (at least not terribly) and Toronto is well off on the blue. A trade makes sense.. even if Reinhart goes first Rielly is still there.

Trade for need, not draft for need. Even if you have to trade draft picks to do it.

There is logic there. If BPA dictates and not need... I would guess the draft order would look more like

1) Yakupov
2) Murray
3) Grigorenko
4) O'Reilly
5) Reinhart or Galchenyuk

If this is the case, the Oilers don't need a RW (at least not terribly) and Toronto is well off on the blue. A trade makes sense.. even if Reinhart goes first O'Reilly is still there.

Trade for need, not draft for need. Even if you have to trade draft picks to do it.
- oilersinsider

I agree... Then hope Schultz signs in July... Then we are well on our way with the defense... Plus Burke needs to win this year and make noise doing it to save his ass from getting the boot... That is if we are considering Murray or trading... My first ballot goes to just drafting Yakupov and trading one of the stars down the road if needed...

Its funny how everyone had Grigorenko at #2 before his poor playoff performance, while being sick with mono. I actually think there was a point in time where Grigs was ranked #1.

...and now we know why the Oilers suck !

now it all makes sense !

Oilers management is crazy ~!


Ron Wilson needs a job !

Its funny how everyone had Grigorenko at #2 before his poor playoff performance, while being sick with mono. I actually think there was a point in time where Grigs was ranked #1.
- HabsRUs

I think that was while Yakupov was hurt.

There is logic there. If BPA dictates and not need... I would guess the draft order would look more like

1) Yakupov
2) Murray
3) Grigorenko
4) O'Rielly
5) Reinhart or Galchenyuk

If this is the case, the Oilers don't need a RW (at least not terribly) and Toronto is well off on the blue. A trade makes sense.. even if Reinhart goes first O'Reilly is still there.

Trade for need, not draft for need. Even if you have to trade draft picks to do it.
- oilersinsider

So what do Oiler fans think of Gardiner + Reinhart for #1 overall? Would you do it?

- Oil Tycoon

Noticed that... I just finished watching Boondock Saints... kinda had my head around the "O'". Already tried to go back and edit my mistake.. .lol

So what do Oiler fans think of Gardiner + Reinhart for #1 overall? Would you do it?
- laughs2907

its close, but 2 young d for a number 1 overall doesn't happen often.....id like it more if Schultz odds were increased because reinhart would likely take at least 2-3 years

So what do Oiler fans think of Gardiner + Reinhart for #1 overall? Would you do it?
- laughs2907

I personally never want to see Jake Gardiner's name ever again after the poop show thread from last night, but meh, maybe.

As an aside, I didn't mind that suggestion a few pages back of trading down with Carolina, but instead of Murphy, I'd ask for Justin Faulk. I feel he's a little better than Gardiner, and two years younger, plus he's a right handed shot that we really need in the top four. Carolina would be stupid to move him, but you have to pay a price to move up from 1 to 8.

How about Yakupov for the Isles 4th overall pick, Strome and De Haan? Or I have a better idea what about for Henrique and Larsson?
- zach parise9

Did you come up with those ideas while fellating Sam Woo?

So what do Oiler fans think of Gardiner + Reinhart for #1 overall? Would you do it?
- laughs2907

Yes

Pizza.

Discuss
- mochoson

Big Sausage Pizza. (Pilgor's fave)

Discuss.

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?
- oilersinsider

Thanks for the message. I enjoy ones like this.

I have a problem comparing a team like Edmonton to a team like Toronto. Why? Because in TO, the team is, in actuality, only three or four players away from being pretty good. In my estimation, the Oilers are 8 to 10 players away from being good. Half a roster.

The Oilers can get away with drafting the best player available because they need a bit of everything. If the BPA was a goalie, they could make an argument to take him. If it was a center, or D man, or...you get my point. The fact is, the Oilers have three guys who can shake 'n' bake: Nuge, Hall and Eberle. After that, the forwards are a clown show. There are guys like Paajarvi, Hartikainen and others who could turn into something, but saying the Oilers can't find room for a star like Yakupov is ridiculous.

With TO, the situation is different. They have six, if not seven, solid NHL defensemen. There is absolutely no reason to add more D now, when the team clearly has holes at center and in goal. With TO only being a few players away from being good, drafting specific positions makes sense.

The Oilers and Jackets should be drafting the BPA. The Habs have decent D prospects; their need is size, especially at center. The Islanders have great forwards and no D. The Leafs have D but need forwards. For the Top 10 picks or so in the draft, a team that has a specific need can fill it with the talent available. The further you get into the draft, the more the BPA concept becomes important.

You're right about best player available lists being different that a list suggesting how the draft will go. If I had to rank the prospects by BPA, my Top 15 would look something like this:

1. Yakupov
2. Rielly
3. Galchenyuk
4. Reinhart
5. Murray
6. Ceci
7. Maatta
8. Forsberg
9. Faksa
10. Trouba
11. Subban
12. Grigorenko (tremendous skill, but attitude is questionable)
13. Teravainen (too small for the NHL...will get clobbered)
14. Dumba (tremendous skill, but he's too small for the way he plays)
15. Pouliot

Big Sausage Pizza. (Pilgor's fave)

Discuss.
- Jack-artist

www.bigsausagepizza.com/

Thanks for the message. I enjoy ones like this.

I have a problem comparing a team like Edmonton to a team like Toronto. Why? Because in TO, the team is, in actuality, only three or four players away from being pretty good. In my estimation, the Oilers are 8 to 10 players away from being good. Half a roster.

The Oilers can get away with drafting the best player available because they need a bit of everything. If the BPA was a goalie, they could make an argument to take him. If it was a center, or D man, or...you get my point. The fact is, the Oilers have three guys who can shake 'n' bake: Nuge, Hall and Eberle. After that, the forwards are a clown show. There are guys like Paajarvi, Hartikainen and others who could turn into something, but saying the Oilers can't find room for a star like Yakupov is ridiculous.

With TO, the situation is different. They have six, if not seven, solid NHL defensemen. There is absolutely no reason to add more D now, when the team clearly has holes at center and in goal. With TO only being a few players away from being good, drafting specific positions makes sense.

The Oilers and Jackets should be drafting the BPA. The Habs have decent D prospects; their need is size, especially at center. The Islanders have great forwards and no D. The Leafs have D but need forwards. For the Top 10 picks or so in the draft, a team that has a specific need can fill it with the talent available. The further you get into the draft, the more the BPA concept becomes important.

You're right about best player available lists being different that a list suggesting how the draft will go. If I had to rank the prospects by BPA, my Top 15 would look something like this:

1. Yakupov
2. Rielly
3. Galchenyuk
4. Reinhart
5. Murray
6. Ceci
7. Maatta
8. Forsberg
9. Faksa
10. Trouba
11. Subban
12. Grigorenko (tremendous skill, but attitude is questionable)
13. Teravainen (too small for the NHL...will get clobbered)
14. Dumba (tremendous skill, but he's too small for the way he plays)
15. Pouliot
- Maxbone

Sam Gagner and Ales Hemsky say "What you talkin bout Cloutier!!"

Its funny how everyone had Grigorenko at #2 before his poor playoff performance, while being sick with mono. I actually think there was a point in time where Grigs was ranked #1.
- HabsRUs

He'll be a good fit for the habs this kid has major skillz and would compliment your snipers perfectly.

Thanks for the message. I enjoy ones like this.

I have a problem comparing a team like Edmonton to a team like Toronto. Why? Because in TO, the team is, in actuality, only three or four players away from being pretty good. In my estimation, the Oilers are 8 to 10 players away from being good. Half a roster.

The Oilers can get away with drafting the best player available because they need a bit of everything. If the BPA was a goalie, they could make an argument to take him. If it was a center, or D man, or...you get my point. The fact is, the Oilers have three guys who can shake 'n' bake: Nuge, Hall and Eberle. After that, the forwards are a clown show. There are guys like Paajarvi, Hartikainen and others who could turn into something, but saying the Oilers can't find room for a star like Yakupov is ridiculous.

With TO, the situation is different. They have six, if not seven, solid NHL defensemen. There is absolutely no reason to add more D now, when the team clearly has holes at center and in goal. With TO only being a few players away from being good, drafting specific positions makes sense.

The Oilers and Jackets should be drafting the BPA. The Habs have decent D prospects; their need is size, especially at center. The Islanders have great forwards and no D. The Leafs have D but need forwards. For the Top 10 picks or so in the draft, a team that has a specific need can fill it with the talent available. The further you get into the draft, the more the BPA concept becomes important.

You're right about best player available lists being different that a list suggesting how the draft will go. If I had to rank the prospects by BPA, my Top 15 would look something like this:

1. Yakupov
2. Rielly
3. Galchenyuk
4. Reinhart
5. Murray
6. Ceci
7. Maatta
8. Forsberg
9. Faksa
10. Trouba
11. Subban
12. Grigorenko (tremendous skill, but attitude is questionable)
13. Teravainen (too small for the NHL...will get clobbered)14. Dumba (tremendous skill, but he's too small for the way he plays)
15. Pouliot
- Maxbone

Actually Clouts, I heard two actual NHL scouts talking about Tervainen this morning on the radio, you're dead wrong about him. Here's a run down of what they said.

1) Most offensivley skilled player in the draft
2) Elite Vision
3) Elusive (never gets hit)
4) Makes older vet players better
5) Excellent skater
6) Great hands
7) Just needs add a little upper body strength
8) Going to be the steal of the draft

Actually Clouts, I heard two actual NHL scouts talking about Tervainen this morning on the radio, you're dead wrong about him. Here's a run down of what they said.

1) Most offensivley skilled player in the draft
2) Elite Vision
3) Elusive (never gets hit)
4) Makes older vet players better
5) Excellent skater
6) Great hands
7) Just needs add a little upper body strength
8) Going to be the steal of the draft
- Starbuck

Sounds like you are describing Nazem Kadri, and look how that turned out.

Sounds like you are describing Nazem Kadri, and look how that turned out.
- Maxbone

I never heard anybody say that about Kadri. There's a reason Tervainen has been rising up the draft board.

Those same two scouts also stated that Yakupov is not the clear cut best player in the draft.

Sounds like you are describing Nazem Kadri, and look how that turned out.
- Maxbone

Give the kid a full season to play in the nhl before you bash him.

I never heard anybody say that about Kadri. There's a reason Tervainen has been rising up the draft board.

Those same two scouts also stated that Yakupov is not the clear cut best player in the draft.
- Starbuck

That in itself should tell you the quality of those two scouts.

Give the kid a full season to play in the nhl before you bash him.
- LEAFSfan28191

I've seen Kadri play a number of times. Looks like a slightly better version of Rob Schremp to me.

Thanks for the message. I enjoy ones like this.

I have a problem comparing a team like Edmonton to a team like Toronto. Why? Because in TO, the team is, in actuality, only three or four players away from being pretty good. In my estimation, the Oilers are 8 to 10 players away from being good. Half a roster.

The Oilers can get away with drafting the best player available because they need a bit of everything. If the BPA was a goalie, they could make an argument to take him. If it was a center, or D man, or...you get my point. The fact is, the Oilers have three guys who can shake 'n' bake: Nuge, Hall and Eberle. After that, the forwards are a clown show. There are guys like Paajarvi, Hartikainen and others who could turn into something, but saying the Oilers can't find room for a star like Yakupov is ridiculous.

With TO, the situation is different. They have six, if not seven, solid NHL defensemen. There is absolutely no reason to add more D now, when the team clearly has holes at center and in goal. With TO only being a few players away from being good, drafting specific positions makes sense.

The Oilers and Jackets should be drafting the BPA. The Habs have decent D prospects; their need is size, especially at center. The Islanders have great forwards and no D. The Leafs have D but need forwards. For the Top 10 picks or so in the draft, a team that has a specific need can fill it with the talent available. The further you get into the draft, the more the BPA concept becomes important.

You're right about best player available lists being different that a list suggesting how the draft will go. If I had to rank the prospects by BPA, my Top 15 would look something like this:

1. Yakupov
2. Rielly
3. Galchenyuk
4. Reinhart
5. Murray
6. Ceci
7. Maatta
8. Forsberg
9. Faksa
10. Trouba
11. Subban
12. Grigorenko (tremendous skill, but attitude is questionable)
13. Teravainen (too small for the NHL...will get clobbered)
14. Dumba (tremendous skill, but he's too small for the way he plays)
15. Pouliot
- Maxbone

Ok, fair enough, but here's where I disagree. Toronto is not only a few players away from being good. Yes, they have built a solid blue line. Phaneuf, Liles, Schenn, Gardiner, I see as a strong top four. Komisarek, Gunnarson and Franson I see still as perhaps good but unreliable or unproven (much like Petry for the Oil).

Outside of Kessel, Lupul (who had a career year by the way) and Grabovski, their forward core is questionable at best. Connolly is vastly over rated, MacArthur I like, but meh...

I say this, because repeatedly they've shown to be drafting close to the lottery over and over. Strong start, can't finish. And goal tending?... well would we be talking about Luongo if they thought their goal tending was good?

And before Toronto fans get all up in arms... I'm suggesting this about any team who repeatedly finish near the lottery including Edmonton.

Any team drafting #15 or down can draft any position and need it.

I also tend to believe that you draft BPA and trade for need. So should Toronto be able to land Murray at #5, why not trade with Edmonton one of your blue for a forward like Gagner or MPS after the draft has happened? That to me makes more sense.

So I'm suggesting we're all up in arms about Yakupov not going #1? Maybe the Oilers feel he's no longer #1? I don't pretend to know why, but that could be the case.

That in itself should tell you the quality of those two scouts.
- Maxbone

They said teams are concerned that Yakupov isn't 100% healthy and aren't convinced that he ever will be.