The tickler eh...

god dammit Laugh's sister
- AdamFrench

I can confirm this. Refs like myself, and CaptEO delete the posts that violate the CoC. We also hand out the bans.
- jtommyt

I could show you about a dozen blogs that need deleting

I am hoping he slips. I think this kid might be the Jagr of this draft.
- MrSmitty

The more highlights I see of him the more I like him.

They could trade the pick, sure, but I'm hoping that instead they take the opportunity to trade up if they are sold on a player. I personally really like Barkov. A big center with skill who can win faceoffs? Those do not grow on trees and you cannot trade for them once they are established. It is exactly what Edmonton needs to complement their small skilled wingers.

I would rather Edmonton package their #7 pick with Sam Gagner to Nashville for the #4 pick if Barkov is still available than seeing them trade for Yandle. Would Nashville go for this? Their top center and forward from last year, Legwand, got 2 less goals and 13 less points than Gagner. Sam had 10 more points than Nashville's leading scorer, Shea Weber. He is a huge skill upgrade in their top two center spots and it would cost Nashville no roster players or prospects and still keep them in the top 10 of the draft. A top two center for a marginally worse draft spot when there is no huge talent gap between 4 and 7? Should be a no-brainer for the Preds.

With Gagner traded, the Oilers can try to give Sam's money to Bozak. Bozak takes the #2 center spot next year while Barkov learns the ropes and in the not too distant future the top nine look like (give or take a Hemsky):
Hall - RNH - Eberle
Paajarvii - Barkov - Yakupov
Hartikainen - Bozak - Hemsky
Essentially the trade is Gagner and #7 for Bozak and Barkov. A trade I would make all day. And if the Oilers can't snag a FA center? Well, they limp along with Horcoff in the #2 spot for a year or two. Not the end of the world. Kariya and Selanne prospered with the lesser talented Rucchin. Bertuzzi and Naslund prospered with Morrow. Throw any of Hall, Yakupov, and/or Eberle in with Horcoff and you'll still have a decent line (ignoring the sounds of protest from the Horcoff haters).

I'm sold on Barkov. I hope the Oilers organization is too and has the stones to do what's needed to get him.
- Centacre

yes it really is the end of the world. at least if we hope to make the playoffs by year 4, or god forbid year 5 of the effin rebuild.
why do people find it so hard to understand it's terrible for these kids to just continue losing year after year? hall and eberle have known nothing but complete failure for 3 years now. you wanna make it 4 or 5??

and it has nothing to do with hating horcoff. his contract is an abortion, but hes a decent 3rd line option. but certainly NOT a quality 2nd line center for anything more than spot duty.

imagine trading gagner + for barkov, the nuge out for the first month+ of the season, and we fail to sign any centerman of consequence .

2013 opening day roster
horcoff
lander
belanger
petrell
the worst center group in the league bar none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and in this case, be prepared to take a step BACK and possibly be out of the race by december again like we were during the first year or two of the rebuild.

also, we need a top dman FAR more than we need an upgrade at 2C. not to mention how long it'll take barkov to be nhl ready. the drafting part of the rebuild is over. we need help and to move forward now. while not needing to worry about our prospects moving up and filling holes asap.

They could trade the pick, sure, but I'm hoping that instead they take the opportunity to trade up if they are sold on a player. I personally really like Barkov. A big center with skill who can win faceoffs? Those do not grow on trees and you cannot trade for them once they are established. It is exactly what Edmonton needs to complement their small skilled wingers.

I would rather Edmonton package their #7 pick with Sam Gagner to Nashville for the #4 pick if Barkov is still available than seeing them trade for Yandle. Would Nashville go for this? Their top center and forward from last year, Legwand, got 2 less goals and 13 less points than Gagner. Sam had 10 more points than Nashville's leading scorer, Shea Weber. He is a huge skill upgrade in their top two center spots and it would cost Nashville no roster players or prospects and still keep them in the top 10 of the draft. A top two center for a marginally worse draft spot when there is no huge talent gap between 4 and 7? Should be a no-brainer for the Preds.

With Gagner traded, the Oilers can try to give Sam's money to Bozak. Bozak takes the #2 center spot next year while Barkov learns the ropes and in the not too distant future the top nine look like (give or take a Hemsky):
Hall - RNH - Eberle
Paajarvii - Barkov - Yakupov
Hartikainen - Bozak - Hemsky
Essentially the trade is Gagner and #7 for Bozak and Barkov. A trade I would make all day. And if the Oilers can't snag a FA center? Well, they limp along with Horcoff in the #2 spot for a year or two. Not the end of the world. Kariya and Selanne prospered with the lesser talented Rucchin. Bertuzzi and Naslund prospered with Morrow. Throw any of Hall, Yakupov, and/or Eberle in with Horcoff and you'll still have a decent line (ignoring the sounds of protest from the Horcoff haters).

I'm sold on Barkov. I hope the Oilers organization is too and has the stones to do what's needed to get him.
- Centacre

I agree with everything you said except that. There is a pretty big talent drop off there, that the whole point of you guys moving up. The top 4 (+Nitchushin now that he coming to NA) is the upper tier. Than monahan and lindholm are the start of a second tier. Make no mistake, big drop off in talent between barkov and monahan/lindholm.

i hope calgary does stick to monahan....or trades up for mackinon

Nurse wouldn't be that bad of a fit in edmonton

They could trade the pick, sure, but I'm hoping that instead they take the opportunity to trade up if they are sold on a player. I personally really like Barkov. A big center with skill who can win faceoffs? Those do not grow on trees and you cannot trade for them once they are established. It is exactly what Edmonton needs to complement their small skilled wingers.

I would rather Edmonton package their #7 pick with Sam Gagner to Nashville for the #4 pick if Barkov is still available than seeing them trade for Yandle. Would Nashville go for this? Their top center and forward from last year, Legwand, got 2 less goals and 13 less points than Gagner. Sam had 10 more points than Nashville's leading scorer, Shea Weber. He is a huge skill upgrade in their top two center spots and it would cost Nashville no roster players or prospects and still keep them in the top 10 of the draft. A top two center for a marginally worse draft spot when there is no huge talent gap between 4 and 7? Should be a no-brainer for the Preds.

With Gagner traded, the Oilers can try to give Sam's money to Bozak. Bozak takes the #2 center spot next year while Barkov learns the ropes and in the not too distant future the top nine look like (give or take a Hemsky):
Hall - RNH - Eberle
Paajarvii - Barkov - Yakupov
Hartikainen - Bozak - Hemsky
Essentially the trade is Gagner and #7 for Bozak and Barkov. A trade I would make all day. And if the Oilers can't snag a FA center? Well, they limp along with Horcoff in the #2 spot for a year or two. Not the end of the world. Kariya and Selanne prospered with the lesser talented Rucchin. Bertuzzi and Naslund prospered with Morrow. Throw any of Hall, Yakupov, and/or Eberle in with Horcoff and you'll still have a decent line (ignoring the sounds of protest from the Horcoff haters).

I'm sold on Barkov. I hope the Oilers organization is too and has the stones to do what's needed to get him.
- Centacre

I agree completely I would much rather do that trade I think there's more of a possibility of this happening then the phoenix trade also. Barkov is awesome and completely what the oil managment and critics say the oil need. Also signing bozak would solidify our center position.... future of nuge barkov bozak and lander at center looks pretty good to me

i hope calgary does stick to monahan....or trades up for mackinon

Nurse wouldn't be that bad of a fit in edmonton
- numbear

calgary will take a centermen. ud think they HAVE to.

if colorado takes jones, fla will not deal their opportunity to nab mackinnon.
and u couldnt really propose a deal with colorado either as there's no chance jones or mackinnon slip to 6

I agree with everything you said except that. There is a pretty big talent drop off there, that the whole point of you guys moving up. The top 4 (+Nitchushin now that he coming to NA) is the upper tier. Than monahan and lindholm are the start of a second tier. Make no mistake, big drop off in talent between barkov and monahan/lindholm.
- pbrsimps

When and how did Nitchushin get out of his contract? What did he say about it

When and how did Nitchushin get out of his contract? What did he say about it
- CrustyRooster

HC Dynamo agreed to terminate the contract on his behalf.

I could see the Oil moving up to the 5th pick - Carolina really wants to pick up a Dman, and at the 7th pick they would still be in a position to get Nurse, Ristolsinen.

Question is what would it take for them to swap positions?

The Oil do have pieces available - Gernat, Musil, Pitlick, Hemsky.....

If Carolina was able to walk away with Nurse and Gernat - then I have to think they are pleased and have significantly improved their depth at D.

What would it take?

Instead of drafting the player first (either if its Monahan or Lindholm), why don't we trade the pick in general. If we trade the pick in general we don't have to worry about if that player suits another team. It isn't a legit player at that point. It can be whoever they want it to be. I just think it'd be smarter to do that then draft a player and then try to trade him off.

HC Dynamo agreed to terminate the contract on his behalf.
- Viktory

I don't understand this.

I know it's true, but it makes so little sense.

I could see the Oil moving up to the 5th pick - Carolina really wants to pick up a Dman, and at the 7th pick they would still be in a position to get Nurse, Ristolsinen.

Question is what would it take for them to swap positions?

The Oil do have pieces available - Gernat, Musil, Pitlick, Hemsky.....

If Carolina was able to walk away with Nurse and Gernat - then I have to think they are pleased and have significantly improved their depth at D.

What would it take?
- mbell

There's talk they want Nishuchkin, so who knows.

I know this has nothing to do with the draft but watching san jose I wanna see the oilers try someone on forward from defence haha. We don't have anyone like burns or byfuglien I know but can it really hurt trying like Peckham up front. Big mean and hits like a freight train. It'd sure help the size issue

I could see the Oil moving up to the 5th pick - Carolina really wants to pick up a Dman, and at the 7th pick they would still be in a position to get Nurse, Ristolsinen.

Question is what would it take for them to swap positions?

The Oil do have pieces available - Gernat, Musil, Pitlick, Hemsky.....

If Carolina was able to walk away with Nurse and Gernat - then I have to think they are pleased and have significantly improved their depth at D.

What would it take?
- mbell

Well, personally, I think of they wanted a dman they could just draft one instead of trading picks with another team. I could see them drafting a dman as well. Mind you they still have Ryan Murphy and Keagan Lowe who may both be ready to go this season. I don't the oilers should look into this. It's a possibility though.

I can confirm this. Refs like myself, and CaptEO delete the posts that violate the CoC. We also hand out the bans.
- jtommyt

Never violate the CoC, people!

i hope calgary does stick to monahan....or trades up for mackinon

Nurse wouldn't be that bad of a fit in edmonton
- numbear

It'll take a hell of a lot to trade up to a top 3 pick this year.

I know this has nothing to do with the draft but watching san jose I wanna see the oilers try someone on forward from defence haha. We don't have anyone like burns or byfuglien I know but can it really hurt trying like Peckham up front. Big mean and hits like a freight train. It'd sure help the size issue
- BleedOil06

It's a scary thought. I think Schultz would be a better winger. Almost every game I've watched he pinches and goes on rushes. He's just really offensive. This is a touchy subject though. But I will agree that seeing Peckham on forward would be rather interesting. Wouldn't put him anywhere else other than the fourth line though.

I'm a flames fan and i agree with Cloutier's thoughts on Monahan and Lindholm. Sadly i think Feaster is an idiot and will pick Lindholm, leaving Monahan for you guys. Enjoy.

Must note i dont think Lindholm is a bad player, just not the kind of center you need for playoff games.

I'm a flames fan and i agree with Cloutier's thoughts on Monahan and Lindholm. Sadly i think Feaster is an idiot and will pick Lindholm, leaving Monahan for you guys. Enjoy.

Must note i dont think Lindholm is a bad player, just not the kind of center you need for playoff games.
- nigelwright275

What's that?

Why is the top Swedish player at the draft always the next Forsberg?

I'm a flames fan and i agree with Cloutier's thoughts on Monahan and Lindholm. Sadly i think Feaster is an idiot and will pick Lindholm, leaving Monahan for you guys. Enjoy.

Must note i dont think Lindholm is a bad player, just not the kind of center you need for playoff games.
- nigelwright275

I don't think you've ever seen Lindholm play

Why is the top Swedish player at the draft always the next Forsberg?
- XxHarounXx

Why is the top x always the next "insert player from the same country who was really good?"

There's like 17 Lidstroms running around apparently.

What does trading down do to fix that? Lazar is the same size as Lindholm but with a lower ceiling. Plus he's played a lot of wing with the Oil Kings. Gauthier's big but he projects as a 3rd liner. Horvat is a little bigger than Lindholm with a lower ceiling. All of them will have developmental timelines similar to Nurse and Ristolainen.
- Jack-artist

Allow me to explain before you hurt yourself trying to figure it out.

K, the Oilers draft list...let's say they have one group of clear top prospects...Jones, Barkov, Drouin and MacKinnon. Those guys will all go before the Oilers pick.

So then we go to the next level. There might be only two guys here...Monahan and Nichkiskin. Did I spell that right? I don't have the spelling in front of me but you know who I mean.

Maybe next is a group that includes Lindholm, Horvat, Lazar, Gauthier, Ristolainen and Nurse. The Oilers could have any one of these guys at #7, but what the team needs is a bigger and/or physical two-way center who has 2nd line potential. Perhaps Lindholm is the best player in this group, but he's perhaps not the player physically the Oilers need. Maybe a different team drafting between 8 - 14 will be a big fan of Lindholm, and will willing to give up an asset or an additional draft pick to get him. I'm not convinced the Oilers want to draft a defenseman for reasons I've explained in the blog.

So let's go to the board.

Buffalo at #8 might want Lindholm. New Jersey at 9, Dallas at 10, Phoenix at 12 and Columbus at 14 could all be digging Lindholm. Let's work with Phoenix, as they are perhaps the team on this list that needs the most help at center. Maybe the Coyotes pitch to the Oilers their 12th overall pick and a 2nd rounder for the right to draft Lindholm.

This works for the Oilers as they'd still likely get one of Horvat, Gauthier or Lazar at the 12th spot. Those three are likely be a better fit for the Oilers needs than Lindholm. Plus, now you've added an additional 2nd round pick from a draft class considered to be deep. Maybe the next step for the Oilers is to take two of their 2nd round picks to move up and sneak a second pick into the 1st round. This allows them to take a decent defensive prospect or the best goalie available.