Drafting Ryan Murray instead of Yakupov wouldn't have solved their problem on the back end. He will be a solid 2 way Dman someday but I doubt he ever becomes this so-called "puck moving defenseman" the Oilers need.
- Axeman33

totally. What about Nurse? What about signing JShultz? Are those not investments in the backend?

I love how Letang a Norris nominee isn't a fit.

By the way, defensive zone coverage doesn't matter when the puck is out of the Oilers zone.
- Ben37

There's a fit, and then there's an excellent fit.

He wouldn't be bad for us, and he'd make us better, but there's no point in making a forward-for-dman trade if it's not for the right dman

yes, I also fully agree that the notion of Chris Kunitz being a dynasty player is laughable and embarrassing to the notion of a dynasty. The guy is a (frank)ing plug and is only good because of Crosby... Even he alluded to it.
- Flyers_V88

He was good with Getz and Perry in Anaheim too, as his other Cup ring will tell you.

I love how Letang a Norris nominee isn't a fit.

By the way, defensive zone coverage doesn't matter when the puck is out of the Oilers zone.
- Ben37

He has a supporting cast in Pitt that he would not have in Edmonton. Is he a guy to solidify and take control of a d corps? I just dont see it.

There's a fit, and then there's an excellent fit.

He wouldn't be bad for us, and he'd make us better, but there's no point in making a forward-for-dman trade if it's not for the right dman
- Morris

pretty much this. thanks MoMo.

He can make tape to tape passes and is one of the best skating defensemen in the league.
- Ben37

And is under rated on the defensive side. His main issue is when he tries to do TOO much. He can be quite a shut down guy when he is playing at his best

I used to love this trade until I read these posts. You go head and keep Eberle. I'm fine with Letang. I've heard Nisk mentioned a few times that's someone that is going to cost you more than you are willing to give up as well. The coaching staff loves him and he wouldn't be cheap. We would not want picks or prospects so who are the forwards you'd part with?

everyone could use Shea Weber....including the Flyers!!!! I would also take Letang in a heart beat as well.
- landros 2

Of course! And I would take Letang, but only if I knew we had our overall D situation stabilized. Letang isn't an answer to shore up a defense corps other than to inject pure offense and puck-moving.

and the Flyers could use '11 Pronger back.
- landros 2

wasn't he blind or deaf or otherwise handicapped?

There's a fit, and then there's an excellent fit.

He wouldn't be bad for us, and he'd make us better, but there's no point in making a forward-for-dman trade if it's not for the right dman
- Morris

The only way I could see it happening is if Jultz or Petry are moved first. And with them both being RFA you never know but I doubt it. Mact has mentioned trading for guys but wants younger guys that are still RFA. Not on a long term high price contract.

Who knows though?

I used to love this trade until I read these posts. You go head and keep Eberle. I'm fine with Letang. I've heard Nisk mentioned a few times that's someone that is going to cost you more than you are willing to give up as well. The coaching staff loves him and he wouldn't be cheap. We would not want picks or prospects so who are the forwards you'd part with?
- dbell646

Hemsky

The only way I could see it happening is if Jultz or Petry are moved first. And with them both being RFA you never know but I doubt it. Mact has mentioned trading for guys but wants younger guys that are still RFA. Not on a long term high price contract.

Who knows though?
- Iggysbff

What happened to Hartikainen? Yes, i know i probably butchered his name but i'm sure you know who i'm talking about.

He was good with Getz and Perry in Anaheim too, as his other Cup ring will tell you.
- ryman1566

Yes, you are correct, he was "good" when he was with those two, that's it though, good, not elite, not dynasty, not Team Canada material, just good. I'm sorry, but I just can't accept that Chris Kunitz is now considered an elite player or dysnasty material, like come on now. Even rational Pens fans can see this, that Crosby is the reason Kunitz is able to put up the numbers he's putting up now. He is a good player, no doubt at all, but not elite or dynasty material. It'd be like me saying Hartnell is an elite player because he put up 37 goals a couple of seasons ago...

What happened to Hartikainen? Yes, i know i probably butchered his name but i'm sure you know who i'm talking about.
- canadianpenfan

signed with KHL. Oilers still have his rights in the NHL

Hemsky
- Iggysbff

I'd rather have Nisk.

You'd kill to have Kunitz at this point.
- ryman1566

Maybe if Crosby came with him...

Maybe if Crosby came with him...
- whipper334

You'd kill to hear the god damn goal horn again. Who cares who scores it?

signed with KHL. Oilers still have his rights in the NHL
- gzatron

Thanks. I liked the way he played from the limited time I saw him.

Letang is like Hemsky if Hemsky was a Dman. He will show you flashes of Brilliance but is bad defensively and is made of glass.
- Oilfan19

This is patently false ... Letang is a good defender and is never physically overmatched ... Letang has had 2 issues 1) injuries 2) turnovers esp in the neutral zone (btw doughty has the same issue) one bad game during the Boston series last year does not make him the hemsky of anything
In addition beggers can't be choosers ... Last night reading the edm blog some one said letang was a top 10 NHL defender ... Even if that's wrong and he s top 15 who do u think your trading for above him?? Chara? Weber? Suter? Doughty? Keith? Those guys are not getting moved no matter what realistic offer u make... We can keep going here but the bottom line is edm could use letang
As far as the Kunitz stuff is concerned " the product of Crosby stuff is so outwardly preposterous, so ignores the facts that's it's not worth a response at this point

I just realized that Bryzgalov might be starting against the Penguins tonight. That could be interesting. He has historically been shabby versus Crosby and Malkin.

Yes, you are correct, he was "good" when he was with those two, that's it though, good, not elite, not dynasty, not Team Canada material, just good. I'm sorry, but I just can't accept that Chris Kunitz is now considered an elite player or dysnasty material, like come on now. Even rational Pens fans can see this, that Crosby is the reason Kunitz is able to put up the numbers he's putting up now. He is a good player, no doubt at all, but not elite or dynasty material. It'd be like me saying Hartnell is an elite player because he put up 37 goals a couple of seasons ago...
- Flyers_V88

Maybe not elite, but that is not the issue, and honestly over 50% of the reason he is on the team is because he knows how to play with Crosby. Yes Kunitz is not elite level, but his goal scoring and chemistry with Sid, and his ability to be physical will help Canada alot more than people are currently considering. You can't just build a team soley on Rocket Richard winners and MVP's....gotta have roles too. The Olympic tournament is no different

You'd kill to hear the god damn goal horn again. Who cares who scores it?
- canadianpenfan

Natural gas prices going down because the flames have not been going when goals get scored...

You'd kill to hear the god damn goal horn again. Who cares who scores it?
- canadianpenfan

You probably just jinxed the hell out of us tomorrow, you know that right??

Natural gas prices going down because the flames have not been going when goals get scored...
- Iggysbff

I just look at the $162 price on my ticket for tomorrow's game and shake my head. They should be $50 and include 10 beer the way the team is playing.

You probably just jinxed the hell out of us tomorrow, you know that right??
- ryman1566

I already said something similar in the last blog.

The Pens play down to these teams for some reason. Could have and probably should have lost to Calgary in Pittsburgh earlier this year.