agreed ... however i think its a mute point... i dont think shero is moving Letang or niskenen... maybe Bortuzzo or depres but im not sure edm and pitt are a match here
- Brianandr1

I don't know why Pittsburgh would give up Despres or Niskanen until at least the offseason. If healthy, they're a really solid bet to come out of the East.

They would need to get spanked in the playoffs with Letang making 5 bad giveaways before I see a trade happening.

So we've got one Eberle to trade and 30 dmen to choose from. Simply because he'd be our best dman, why is Letang specifically the best guy to acquire?

My point wasn't to stand pat, it was to make sure you get the right guy in a major trade. It may be Letang, it may not be.
- Morris

i dont think my issue with edmonton fans on here is any different than any other fan base. just it always seems for some reason these 2 teams are always linked up so i guess it shows more. not saying you specifically, but everyone always talks about acquiring a quality core asset without touching their own core.

so okay, the oilers shouldnt stand pat, and would like to acquire one of those top 30 dmen. but there is a laundry list of important players/prospects that cannot be moved to do it. the solution is to move an asset not to be considered part of this core, but somehow, usually through sheer quantity, it is supposed to yield a top 30 dman. not saying you specifically by any means, and like i said, every group does it. but its fairly frustrating.

I don't know why Pittsburgh would give up Despres or Niskanen until at least the offseason. If healthy, they're a really solid bet to come out of the East.

They would need to get spanked in the playoffs with Letang making 5 bad giveaways before I see a trade happening.
- Morris

haha oh so last year?

I don't know why Pittsburgh would give up Despres or Niskanen until at least the offseason. If healthy, they're a really solid bet to come out of the East.

They would need to get spanked in the playoffs with Letang making 5 bad giveaways before I see a trade happening.
- Morris

agreed on niskenen, with Depres if different, disco dan does not play him every night... he ll dress have 5-6 decent to solid games and for no apparent reason we wont see him for 3-4 games... they paired him with orpik the other night ... he was mediocre, orpik was terrible ... promise u depres wont see the ice tonight... problem is what is the return for him and does it help pittsburgh this season

i dont think my issue with edmonton fans on here is any different than any other fan base. just it always seems for some reason these 2 teams are always linked up so i guess it shows more. not saying you specifically, but everyone always talks about acquiring a quality core asset without touching their own core.

so okay, the oilers shouldnt stand pat, and would like to acquire one of those top 30 dmen. but there is a laundry list of important players/prospects that cannot be moved to do it. the solution is to move an asset not to be considered part of this core, but somehow, usually through sheer quantity, it is supposed to yield a top 30 dman. not saying you specifically by any means, and like i said, every group does it. but its fairly frustrating.
- stayinthefnnet

Agreed. And I'm not trying to say I'm looking for a "big pile of junk" trade.

It's just that whether it's Eberle for the kind of Dman he'd fetch, or our 1st + Klefbom for the kind of Dman that would fetch, or Gagner + Hemsky for the kind of dman that would fetch, the Oilers don't really have room to screw up a deal like that. And maybe I'm picky, but I'd consider a move that makes us marginally better but doesn't truly solve many problems for us to be a bit of a waste, especially the higher value you're shipping out.

And really, it's a tough question: Would the Oilers be better off with two solid top 4 guys, or one true top pairing guy? Or would they be better off with a really excellent creative puck moving dman or a less good solid two-way guy who fits our needs better?

It's a daunting decision, and I'm glad I'm not the GM.

agreed on niskenen, with Depres if different, disco dan does not play him every night... he ll dress have 5-6 decent to solid games and for no apparent reason we wont see him for 3-4 games... they paired him with orpik the other night ... he was mediocre, orpik was terrible ... promise u depres wont see the ice tonight... problem is what is the return for him and does it help pittsburgh this season
- Brianandr1

There was talk earlier in the season of depres for etim... i dont see that happening ... esp once bennett comes back, they ll slot him on crosby's rw... pens need third line wingers

haha oh so last year?
- stayinthefnnet

Last year may be an aberration given the sheer amount of changes you guys made to your roster/locker room. And goaltending was in my opinion abnormally spotty.

That's another reason I'd expect Shero to be gun shy: he went name-brand last year and it didn't really work out.

There was talk earlier in the season of depres for etim... i dont see that happening ... esp once bennett comes back, they ll slot him on crosby's rw... pens need third line wingers
- Brianandr1

Some pens fans were mentioning McGinn on Colorado, that guy always has his motor going.

Also, even though both teams are playoff bound I see defense as a need in Anaheim, and I really like some of their bottom 6ers (Winnik, Palmieri).

Lastly Nashville would love a guy like Bennett and has any number of great defensive forwards.

Some pens fans were mentioning McGinn on Colorado, that guy always has his motor going.

Also, even though both teams are playoff bound I see defense as a need in Anaheim, and I really like some of their bottom 6ers (Winnik, Palmieri).

Lastly Nashville would love a guy like Bennett and has any number of great defensive forwards.
- Morris

i dont see bennett moving, but i could see them moving a lower d prospect like bortuzzo (who s also gotten a raw deal with disco) or later draft picks ... perhaps colorado would move mcginn for bortuzzo and a pick

i dont see bennett moving, but i could see them moving a lower d prospect like bortuzzo (who s also gotten a raw deal with disco) or later draft picks ... perhaps colorado would move mcginn for bortuzzo and a pick
- Brianandr1

I dunno much about Bortuzzo but I am quite high on McGinn.

Agreed. And I'm not trying to say I'm looking for a "big pile of junk" trade.

It's just that whether it's Eberle for the kind of Dman he'd fetch, or our 1st + Klefbom for the kind of Dman that would fetch, or Gagner + Hemsky for the kind of dman that would fetch, the Oilers don't really have room to screw up a deal like that. And maybe I'm picky, but I'd consider a move that makes us marginally better but doesn't truly solve many problems for us to be a bit of a waste, especially the higher value you're shipping out.

And really, it's a tough question: Would the Oilers be better off with two solid top 4 guys, or one true top pairing guy? Or would they be better off with a really excellent creative puck moving dman or a less good solid two-way guy who fits our needs better?

It's a daunting decision, and I'm glad I'm not the GM.
- Morris

its definitely tough for sure. you gotta give to get, and if you give and swing and miss, you take steps back. but still though, you know the exact thing im talking about. taking a cautious approach may/may not be the right decision, but at least you can follow the logical progression behind it. what drives me crazy are those who want and clamor for a move for a quality guy, but then are just NO NO NO with anything. well, we cant move a pick because we may be bad and itll be a high pick. the super kids absolutely, positively, cannot be moved. yeah but klefbom is a quality prospect so we need him too. gagner? yeah but if we move him we wont have a second line center. it just sucks, because realistically we are literally nothing but fans here just spitballing hypotheticals to pass the time, and it sucks all of the fun out of it when its like that.

Some pens fans were mentioning McGinn on Colorado, that guy always has his motor going.

Also, even though both teams are playoff bound I see defense as a need in Anaheim, and I really like some of their bottom 6ers (Winnik, Palmieri).

Lastly Nashville would love a guy like Bennett and has any number of great defensive forwards.
- Morris

id rather move a defensive prospect as opposed to bennett. it would be awesome to develop an in house top 6 winger for a change

I dunno much about Bortuzzo but I am quite high on McGinn.
- Morris

Very physical d man, solid on d, not much offense, upside would be a 4 -6 d man... he s played well when disco plays him... esp early in the season with maata. he ll look good for 6-7 games then we wont see him for 10.. disco dan!!!!

Some pens fans were mentioning McGinn on Colorado, that guy always has his motor going.

Also, even though both teams are playoff bound I see defense as a need in Anaheim, and I really like some of their bottom 6ers (Winnik, Palmieri).

Lastly Nashville would love a guy like Bennett and has any number of great defensive forwards.
- Morris

Bennett isn't going anywhere either. He's the only young F on an entry level contract. He also has a lot of potential to be a top 6.

Nisk or Orpik will not be on the team next year. They wont trade Orpik, maybe Nisk. Bylsma has been interesting with Despress. He gets benched a lot and doesn't seem to be a favorite. I think Despress, Nisk, Bortuzzo, Letang, or AHL D player are the Pens to move.

Bennett isn't going anywhere either. He's the only young F on an entry level contract. He also has a lot of potential to be a top 6.

Nisk or Orpik will not be on the team next year. They wont trade Orpik, maybe Nisk. Bylsma has been interesting with Despress. He gets benched a lot and doesn't seem to be a favorite. I think Despress, Nisk, Bortuzzo, Letang, or AHL D player are the Pens to move.
- sammy87

Depres has great upside potential... could slot in somewhere as a top 4 d man ... best thing that could happen for the kid is to get him away from disco... plus pitt seems to be higher on Doumilin at this point

id rather move a defensive prospect as opposed to bennett. it would be awesome to develop an in house top 6 winger for a change
- stayinthefnnet

I agree it's a large price but I can't imagine Nashville would be interested in D prospects, barring a major trade on their end.

Depres has great upside potential... could slot in somewhere as a top 4 d man ... best thing that could happen for the kid is to get him away from disco... plus pitt seems to be higher on Doumilin at this point
- Brianandr1

Its as if Despress is sheltered for a reason.

its definitely tough for sure. you gotta give to get, and if you give and swing and miss, you take steps back. but still though, you know the exact thing im talking about. taking a cautious approach may/may not be the right decision, but at least you can follow the logical progression behind it. what drives me crazy are those who want and clamor for a move for a quality guy, but then are just NO NO NO with anything. well, we cant move a pick because we may be bad and itll be a high pick. the super kids absolutely, positively, cannot be moved. yeah but klefbom is a quality prospect so we need him too. gagner? yeah but if we move him we wont have a second line center. it just sucks, because realistically we are literally nothing but fans here just spitballing hypotheticals to pass the time, and it sucks all of the fun out of it when its like that.
- stayinthefnnet

Best deal I could think of would be trading down.

Edmonton deals 1st + another asset or so for a later first and a solid dman.

Who knows who's trading a dman though.

This trade is a pipe dream because the oilers aren't going to part with eberle yet and Shero won't sign Letang one minute them trade him the next , it's not his style. So all this talk about the 'trade' is pointless.

Best deal I could think of would be trading down.

Edmonton deals 1st + another asset or so for a later first and a solid dman.

Who knows who's trading a dman though.
- Morris

and thats totally fine. weve been at this long enough today haha i have no problem when someone says no for a potential trade, or throws out any hypos of their own, so long as they are value sensible and logical. there are plenty of deals out there that would be equal in value that i would still say no to. a deal involving bennett would likely be one for me for example.

Hallfan in style only, not in content. You're making a lot of sense.

The only thing I'd disagree with is Gagner for minimal return. If he's open to a trade now, he will be once his NTC kicks in. I'm in no hurry to trade him even if he doesn't fit in anymore. He's bouncing back in play so I'd wait it up to get more value later.

It's hard to show patience as you suggested, but one good middle ground would be acquiring dmen with only a year or two left on their contract, or signing big, short contracts. That way, it bides time for our prospect D to come along, and without counting our chickens before they hatch, we could be ready to slot younger guys in when the acquired players demand too much/retire/ move on.
- Morris

Yes when I say adding 2 Defensemen, it would be ideal to have 1 at bout 1-2 yrs years, and the other for a somewhat longer term,providing the salary can still be viable with a slip in production as age becomes a factor,as well as the maturation of the group pushing him down the depth chart. Erhoff seems to be a name bandied about so I will use him and say, Brad Stuart as possible targets (please don't get hung up on how we actually acquire them or if they would play here-it's just an example).

2014
Petry Erhoff
Stuart Schultz
Marincin Ferrence

2015
Schultz Erhoff
Petry Marincin
Ferrence Klefbom

2016
Schultz Klefbom
Petry Marincin
Erhoff Nurse

Forget the right side/Left side thing, that isn't the point, the point is to instantly improve and then gradually bring up our prospects with a realistic trajectory.

I really don't see their being as much KHL risk as portrayed. I see more of a trade demand risk than a KHL risk, as Yakupov has expressed (to his failing with the Russian media) no interest in either playing in the KHL or being seen as a "typical Russian".

And I find it hard to believe there wouldn't be a large number of GMs who would give a 1st for Yakupov, based on potential alone.
- Morris

]
I think all would, if they had a pick from #4 to 30. Just as I think that the majority would have taken him over Murray in his draft year.
Here's the thing...why do people put more stock into a top 5 pick then Yak?

Actually, why do people put more stock in Yak on draft day then Yak 1.5 years later? Is he bust? No. Because people have some fascination with the unknown, and have some hope that this 18 year old kid is gonna set their world on fire. If someone said, this kid is the top prospect,and will be a perennial 40 goal scorer in this league, but he will battle inconsistency and struggle for the remainder of his teenage years before finding his game and producing consistently in his early 20's...is that a bust? Not worth a lottery pick?

Its as if Despres is sheltered for a reason.
- sammy87

He's sheltered because Bylsma is an idiot. He had the best possession numbers on our team (a team that includes Crosby and Malkin mind you) after his call up until Bylsma started benching him for Engelland for god knows why. He's still got good numbers for the 2nd straight year in spite of being misused and is in our top 2 best D most nights. He very rarely gets significant PP or PK time in spite of being great at both. He's been mismanaged horribly by Bylsma and co.

I think all would, if they had a pick from #4 to 30. Just as I think that the majority would have taken him over Murray in his draft year.
Here's the thing...why do people put more stock into a top 5 pick then Yak?

Actually, why do people put more stock in Yak on draft day then Yak 1.5 years later? Is he bust? No. Because people have some fascination with the unknown, and have some hope that this 18 year old kid is gonna set their world on fire. If someone said, this kid is the top prospect,and will be a perennial 40 goal scorer in this league, but he will battle inconsistency and struggle for the remainder of his teenage years before finding his game and producing consistently in his early 20's...is that a bust? Not worth a lottery pick?
- Jeropotato

I think part of that has to do with the changing landscape of the game. Players who can be impact forwards by age 21 like Yzerman were the exception in his day, but now they're the rule.

Not every player's development is like that though, and treating players as such really hurts their confidence. I think Yakupov will be just fine, and the haters who call him a bust at this juncture are just being that - hateful. If they think he fails in his potential so quickly, I'm not likely to trust anything they have to say about the next prospect down the line.

I think Yakupov will become a perfect pain to play against. He's flashy and antagonistic, and has perhaps the best pure shot on our team. Ideally he's a 40-goal guy, but ironically given his comments he actually has the makings of a really pesky forechecker with a strong lower body, good speed and good hand eye.

I think part of that has to do with the changing landscape of the game. Players who can be impact forwards by age 21 like Yzerman were the exception in his day, but now they're the rule.

Not every player's development is like that though, and treating players as such really hurts their confidence. I think Yakupov will be just fine, and the haters who call him a bust at this juncture are just being that - hateful. If they think he fails in his potential so quickly, I'm not likely to trust anything they have to say about the next prospect down the line.

I think Yakupov will become a perfect pain to play against. He's flashy and antagonistic, and has perhaps the best pure shot on our team. Ideally he's a 40-goal guy, but ironically given his comments he actually has the makings of a really pesky forechecker with a strong lower body, good speed and good hand eye.
- Morris

Yep. Their might be a better long term impact player picked from 3-30 at this years draft.Maybe even two, but I would say the odds are highly unlikely, and they would have to be considered a diamond in the rough. Trading Yak for another 1st round pick would be folly,in my estimation, and a definite step back.