It’s DRAFT DAY or, as Oiler Fans call it, “The Stanley Cup Finals… and the excitement is palpable. The Oilers are in a very good position to Draft 1 of the 4 elite prospects who are at the top of everybody’s list and really might be able to get the player they covet the most even after the first two teams make their selections.
Darren Dreger has already reported today that the Oilers are at about 99% to keep the pick at 3rd Overall and as I reported back in April I believe the Oilers top 4 in order were:
1) Ekblad 2) Draisaitl 3) Bennett 4) Reinhart
Now the only thing that really changed since then has been the attention that Reinhart received in the playoffs and Bennett’s less than impressive pull-up performance. Reinhart’s Jr scoring numbers are very impressive so I think he is probably up to 3 on the Oilers’ list now but the top two (Ekblad and Draisaitl) are very close to each other. In fact it’s so close that if given the opportunity to Draft either, the Oilers might opt for the C to fill organizational needs. Now that’s not a stone cold guarantee, just a thought that is out there that wont seem to go away.
The Edmonton Oilers are very comfortable where they Draft, by all accounts, and just wait to see how things play out. The verbal is that IF Florida keeps the pick they’re going with Ekblad and Buffalo will take either Reinhart or Bennett. If Florida TRADES the pick then it’s a whole other ball of wax. The possibilities are tantalizing to think about but there is a very real scenario where the 1st Overall pick gets moved and the new team drafting at the top takes Reinhart or Bennett. That’s when this thing starts to get really interesting.
The only scenario the Oilers will be (slightly) disappointed in would be if BOTH Ekblad and Draisaitl are gone before they select 3rd. That would rob the team of a potential 1D and the big C they haven’t really had in ages. It’s no reason to get upset though, they could still grab an extremely talented young player in that scenario and the sting of not being able to fill the void they had would be erased the second Reinhart could show off his hockey smarts or Bennett could lose his temper on a Calgary Flame while wearing Oiler silks.
It’s an exciting day. I’ll be updating this as often as I can as news breaks relating to the Oilers or their drafting situation.
UPDATE 12:15
Vancouver traded Kesler for Bonino, Sbisa, and a pack of gum...or a late 1st round pick, whatever.
I like the trade for Vancouver. I'm not nearly as convinced as the Eastern Media that Kesler is the same player he was in 2010-2011. Bonino outscored him while playing almost 5 minutes a night less. Seems like a clear win from my end, but that's because I don't worship at the altar of past performance.
UPDATE 1:40
Did the Canucks just trade their highest scoring Defenseman for a 2nd Round Pick???
Is there a gas-leak in the Vancouver war-room? Somebody send help!
UPDATE 2:32
Speculation that the Canucks and/or the Leafs are trying to nab the 1st Overall pick are reaching a fever pitch. I can see the Leafs doing it because I think making terrible decisions is a mandate of theirs. I don't see the Canucks doing it because I'm not sure what else they have to offer that could entice the Panthers to move.
If that pick gets traded the odds of the Oilers landing Ekblad probably double
UPDATE 2:40
CapGeek is reporting that their sources say the Cap will be set at 69 Million for next year. This is 2 Million less than what CapGeek had been estimating. Those were the numbers that were used when determining that the Bruins would be in Cap Jail. The cell just got smaller and the Bruins just got a cell-mate named Tiny. This is a huge opportunity for teams with Cap Space like Edmonton.
UPDATE 3:26
Sources are telling me that the Oilers hope that Leon Draisaitl will be available when they will make their pick. #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) June 27, 2014No kidding...
UPDATE 3:44
Apparently the Panthers are now very likely to hold onto the pick. Some reports out there are saying they are visibly disappointed...by picking 1st in the Draft.
I don't know how some franchises have survived this long, to be honest.
UPDATE 5:13
Kicking it off. Here we go. Bettman trolling the audience. Hilarious.
Philly's fans are legit the best Booers (?) in the league
DRAFT
Panthers select Ekblad. Oilers will be getting their Center. Ekblad very confident. Should be. He's a man child who has played kids hockey for years. What more is there to do in Jr for him?
Sabres take Reinhart with little else said. Its a damn fine pick. He's a smart player and the Sabres need scoring. They have nobody.
EDMONTON on the clock.
Draisaitl! The Oilers just got the big Center they've been missing since maybe Arnott.
What happens to Sam Gagner asks McGuire. What happens? Nothing HAS to happen. He can stay as a C and play soft minutes, he can switch to the wing. If they trade him then fine, but 3 Centers under 26 years old ISNT a bad thing.
The Flames didnt mess it up. Fine. Whatever. Updates from here on out will be sporadic as I continue to get drunk on being right about Draisaitl for months
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