Edmonton Oilers GM Craig MacTavish is looking at Barrie Colts D-man Aaron Ekblad with dreamy eyes right now. The Oilers need a difference maker on defense. Their D corps leaves a lot to be desired right now. Their young forwards are learning the fine art of playing the 200 foot game and defending their own fort. They made progress in 2013-14, however, there’s a lot of work left to be done.
Mac T would love to invest his third overall pick in Ekblad. Too bad the Florida Panthers will be selecting the young D stud with their first overall pick. Then again, Cats GM Dale Tallon may opt to trade the first overall pick if he gets a king’s ransom in exchange.
MacTavish said Wednesday that he is open to trading the third overall pick in next week’s entry draft in Philly, however, he wants to take possession of a veteran player in his mid-20s, and also a lower first round pick, in return.
"I'm hesitant to trade the #3 pick. We are prepared to move it for a player in their mid-20s at the oldest." MacTavish
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) June 18, 2014Buffalo Sabres GM Tim Murray has a 20-something year old D-man named Tyler Myers. Murray has been actively working the phones, speaking with his GM counterparts. Kicking tires Doing his diligence. Asking “what if…?
At 6'8 and 230 pounds, the 24 year old Myers may be exactly the type of D that MacT has been chasing the past few years.
Murray has said in recent days that he’s looking to acquire another first round draft choice in next week’s NHL Entry Draft. Perhaps Murray will entertain trading Myers and a 2015 first rounder to the Oilers in exchange for their third overall pick in the 2014 entry draft.
Murray owns the #2 overall pick. Imagine if he can get his hands on the #3 overall pick as well. Murray would then have the market cornered on young centers Sam Bennett and Leon Draisaitl. Adding Bennett and Draisaitl would be a coup d’etat for Murray who can strengthen this center ice position with two of the best young pivots to come along in the past five years. Bennett is the skilled, aggressive center who plays well in all three zones. Draisaitl is the tower of power would enjoys man-handling and battering enemy D-men as he is protecting pucks with his powerful body.
Myers is a key cog in the Buffalo D corps. His overall game suffered in the lockout shortened season when he limped home from Klagenfurt, Switzerland where he played with Oiler Sam Gagner during the NHL work stoppage. Myers couldn't find his Calder Trophy winning form from 2010-11. Ted Nolan took over the Sabres from Ron Rolston in November 2013 and Myers' overall game improved dramatically under his new head coach.
Moving Myers would create a big void on the Buffalo blue line, however, Murray can slide youngsters Nikita Zadorov and Rasmus Ristolainen into the post vacated by Myers. The Sabres also have Mike Weber, Christian Ehrhoff, Mark Pysyk, Chad Ruhwedel and Jake McCabe in their D corps.
"We are actively involved in the trade market and hope we can do something going into the draft." MacTavish #Oilers
— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) June 18, 2014MacT needs a difference making D.