You have no clue what the oilers need do you????

Its OK. Most fans of other teams don't.
- Iggysbff

So the oilers do nt need a great pmd man who can play solid d!!! ??? Ok

You make it seem like he has some secret knowledge on how to play with Sid, like it's some kind of mystic knowledge or skill-set... Are you kidding me?! Come on now...

Also, every player who was snubbed is actually a better, more well-rounded player than Kunitz. You're trying to tell me Giroux or St. Louis wouldn't be able to play with Sid? That only Kunitz can? Sorry man, that doesn't fly. Sid MAKES PLAYER AROUND HIM BETTER, not the other way around man. You're a Pens fan, you should know this?!
- Flyers_V88

Yes, Kunitz does benefit from playing with Sid. But Sid does also benefit from playing with Kunitz. Fact is, there were probably, career wise, better players then Kunitz to put on that Olympic team. But there are not many players playing better hockey then Kunitz RIGHT NOW. I think Yzerman not only considered the Crosby aspect, but also went with the hot hand. Kunitz has been on fire the last season and a half.

Where does this from??? Letang is a phenomenal defensive d man ... His problem is turnovers!!! ( btw the same issue doughty has)Yes weber or Chara would def be a better fit for the oilers ... Do u actually think one of those players is a possibility???
- Brianandr1

Unfortunately not, they won't be traded. Letang is good defensively, I didn't say he was bad. My point is that is not his TRUE role as a player, and that if you make him play that role, don't be surprised if other aspects of his game are compromised... He should be the offensive weapon on the team, not the shut-down or number 1 guy...

Actually, they would... Letang is not as good as you Pens' fans think, and he is not the type of defenseman Edmonton needs. Letang is an all-star, but needs to play for a good team to be effective. He is not a shut-down guy, and isn't a guy I'd want shadowing the best players from other teams...
- Flyers_V88

Pittsburgh doesn't have to add to that. Letang is exactly what Edmonton needs. There is a cost for puck moving defenseman in case you didn't realize. Check the Alex Goligoski deal.

So...
Let me sum up the blog...
The Oilers main problem is defence. The inherent solution is to send Eberle to Pittsburgh in exchange for Letang... a guy who is a defensive liability and more of an offensive defenseman.
Good idea!

"The core" of a team with 13 wins?
So they don't need to change things up by bringing in a top 10-15 d man in the league when d is the problem with the team ?
Wow ok
- Brianandr1

For a guy that understands chemistry and the specific fit of an individual player when you're talking about Kunitz and Crosby, you seem to show a misunderstanding of the situation here.

Letang is a great player, and would be a great player on the Oilers, but he's not a perfect fit. We only get one chance to trade assets we have a surplus of for assets we need. It's arguable that we'd be creating a hole in trading Eberle to fill another hole. But even if you reject that wholesale, after we trade Eberle, we don't really have the assets to make another big trade.

So it's necessary that the player we acquire is not only an upgrade on our D core - because let's face it, many players would be - but is an excellent fit given the precise needs of our team. And many would argue that Letang isn't that player.

You have no clue what the oilers need do you????

Its OK. Most fans of other teams don't.
- Iggysbff

LOL ... I think the whole NHL knows what Edmonton needs. The organization needs an enema. Really, you have few quality players; you need a coach; a GM and a bunch of dead weight.

You have no clue what the oilers need do you????

Its OK. Most fans of other teams don't.
- Iggysbff

To his credit, what he says makes sense. It shouldn't really matter if the guy we're trading for is the "perfect fit". This is a team that struggles wildly in every facet of defense (physicality, own zone coverage, transitioning the puck, etc). Letang helps in at least two of those facets and if I get him, Bennett, AND a 2nd (as was suggested earlier) for Eberle, I take it and run! We still have the 2014 first that can be moved for a better fit.

The only issue I have with acquiring Letang is his injury history.

So...
Let me sum up the blog...
The Oilers main problem is defence. The inherent solution is to send Eberle to Pittsburgh in exchange for Letang... a guy who is a defensive liability and more of an offensive defenseman.
Good idea!
- mlindsay

I don't think other fan bases understand Letang's ability. He is extremely solid defensively, specifically in his own zone. He plays with a physical edge, considering his size. His problem lies in his head, when he tries to do too much.

Honestly, i believe that trade would be more beneficial for you guys in the long run. Sure you can draft Ekblad, but he needs another 2-3-4 years to develop, along with the rest of EDM's rookie D-core.

The above trade would spell instant success, as opposed to waiting another 3 or 4 years.
- Whiskey-Tango

I disagree.

I don't agree that Tanev is suddenly a proven top pairing Dman. To indefinitely suggest that he'd be any more of a "top pairing D" than Petry would be wrong. Edler's great, but he's also struggled a fair deal since losing his partners (Ehrhoff and Salo).

Again, it's been said here that those two assets only move if we get a clear fit for them. Those are the teams two most valuable trade assets (none of Hall, Nurse, or RNH go anywhere). Making that trade then limits the team's ability to make any other big trades.
- MaximumBone

Tanev has been nothing short of amazing, but that's my POV.
In terms of assets, what to you expect....to fill the entire teams needs through two movable pieces?

Again, the above trade would, in my eyes make you guys more competitive now, allowing you guys to focus on depth moves.

So...
Let me sum up the blog...
The Oilers main problem is defence. The inherent solution is to send Eberle to Pittsburgh in exchange for Letang... a guy who is a defensive liability and more of an offensive defenseman.
Good idea!
- mlindsay

Well, we have been told for the last four years, Edmonton is loaded with D prospects. Yet, I see the same garbage thrown out there every year. Letang being blind folded easily is the best defenseman in Edmonton.

Pittsburgh doesn't have to add to that. Letang is exactly what Edmonton needs. There is a cost for puck moving defenseman in case you didn't realize. Check the Alex Goligoski deal.
- Oneonta Penguin

No he's not.....

Where does this from??? Letang is a phenomenal defensive d man ... His problem is turnovers!!! ( btw the same issue doughty has)Yes weber or Chara would def be a better fit for the oilers ... Do u actually think one of those players is a possibility???
- Brianandr1

So what you're saying is, asides from his high rate of turnovers, he's great defensively.

To his credit, what he says makes sense. It shouldn't really matter if the guy we're trading for is the "perfect fit". This is a team that struggles wildly in every facet of defense (physicality, own zone coverage, transitioning the puck, etc). Letang helps in at least two of those facets and if I get him, Bennett, AND a 2nd (as was suggested earlier) for Eberle, I take it and run! We still have the 2014 first that can be moved for a better fit.

The only issue I have with acquiring Letang is his injury history.
- MaximumBone

No offense, but it would be straight up, or even Edm adding something. I know fans don't want to hear that, but teams value pmd defensemen more then top 6 wingers.

Pittsburgh doesn't have to add to that. Letang is exactly what Edmonton needs. There is a cost for puck moving defenseman in case you didn't realize. Check the Alex Goligoski deal.
- Oneonta Penguin

Honestly, he isn't.

Let's retreat to our corners where you say "trust me, I've watched a lot of Letang" and I say "trust me, I've watched a lot of Oilers games" and then we argue about whether I've seen more Letang than you've seen Oilers games and it ends at a stalemate, but I really don't think he's EXACTLY what Edmonton needs.

He'd make the team better, but he isn't a perfect fit imo.

Yes, Kunitz does benefit from playing with Sid. But Sid does also benefit from playing with Kunitz. Fact is, there were probably, career wise, better players then Kunitz to put on that Olympic team. But there are not many players playing better hockey then Kunitz RIGHT NOW. I think Yzerman not only considered the Crosby aspect, but also went with the hot hand. Kunitz has been on fire the last season and a half.
- cap1681

I like Kunitz, and would take him on my team, so this has nothing to do with me being a Flyers fan, or not liking Kunitz. I just don't like the rhetoric that has been thrown around since the selection process began. As much as I'd like to believe you, I just don't regarding how Kunitz is benefiting Sid, or elevating him. I think that in all honesty, Crosby is so god damn good, that literally as long as you place a competent winger on his side(s), he will continue to dominate, and elevate that player into pseudo-allstar form.

As we've seen through Sid's career, Kunitz or not, the man puts up comparable to identical point-per--game paces every season. Even when Pascal Dupuis was his primary flank-man, he was still getting the job done, and I'd put Pascal a step down from Kunitz. It's Sid, it always will be Sid. Kunitz's selection to the camp and roster is rational, and isn't out of left field, but I think they could have gone better, that's all.

The question I always ask too, is that if Kunitz was and is this player most seem to think he is, why wasn't he getting this exposure and praise in Anaheim? Why wasn't he getting it before he played with Sid when he got to Pitts? It just seems it's literally come out about a season and a half ago.

I disagree.
- Iggysbff

How does having the same D-core next season and having Ekblad ( if you even draft him) playing in OKC make the team more competitive as opposed to incorporating two skilled D?

No he's not.....
- Iggysbff

Not at all. He isn't the guy. He'd be a nice piece to add, but not THE piece.

Well, we have been told for the last four years, Edmonton is loaded with D prospects. Yet, I see the same garbage thrown out there every year. Letang being blind folded easily is the best defenseman in Edmonton.
- Oneonta Penguin

How many years does it take for a D prospect to properly develop?

Marincin - 2010, did junior, AHL, brought up a bit for NHL time
Gernat - 2011, did junior, first year AHL
Musil - 2011, did junior, first year AHL
Klefbom - Sweden then AHL
Nurse - Back to Jr

I'd say we are treating them correctly

"LOLZ OILERZ RUSH THEIR PROSPECTS IN THE NHL"

Then when we take our time, we get this sort of comment. Solid.

How many years does it take for a D prospect to properly develop?

Marincin - 2010, did junior, AHL, brought up a bit for NHL time
Gernat - 2011, did junior, first year AHL
Musil - 2011, did junior, first year AHL
Klefbom - Sweden then AHL
Nurse - Back to Jr

I'd say we are treating them correctly

"LOLZ OILERZ RUSH THEIR PROSPECTS IN THE NHL"

Then when we take our time, we get this sort of comment. Solid.
- ystoil

Generally a long time.

To his credit, what he says makes sense. It shouldn't really matter if the guy we're trading for is the "perfect fit". This is a team that struggles wildly in every facet of defense (physicality, own zone coverage, transitioning the puck, etc). Letang helps in at least two of those facets and if I get him, Bennett, AND a 2nd (as was suggested earlier) for Eberle, I take it and run! We still have the 2014 first that can be moved for a better fit.

The only issue I have with acquiring Letang is his injury history.
- MaximumBone

I don't agree that we shouldn't be looking for a perfect fit.

This is a stacked deck question that goes like this: Assume that Letang is available, Eberle is available, and the Penguins want Eberle. Without any knowledge of who else is available or who else is interested in Letang, is that a good trade? Sure.

If you look at all the Dmen roughly close in trade value to Eberle, and hypothesize that those trades could be completed, would Letang be the best fit on the Oilers among those dmen. Not a chance.

In summary, perhaps Letang for Eberle is better than nothing, but who's saying the alternative is nothing?

One of the Penguins top 5 picks was a dumpster fire for the Oilers last year.
- cap1681

Well we never wasted a top 5 pick on him. That's on you guys. We traded Visnovsky for him when Visnovsky reportedly wanted out of Edmonton

Tanev has been nothing short of amazing, but that's my POV.
In terms of assets, what to you expect....to fill the entire teams needs through two movable pieces?

Again, the above trade would, in my eyes make you guys more competitive now, allowing you guys to focus on depth moves.
- Whiskey-Tango

I've watched a fair deal of Tanev myself (I'm surrounded by Nucks fans) and, while he has been very good this season, he's still only averaging 20 minutes per game and does so while being sheltered behind one of the league's strongest top-4s and in a system that helps make it's Dmen look better than they may be.

And yes, they could move both Eberle and a top-5 pick this season for some pretty damn quality assets for the back end. Don't get wrong, that deal does make some sense, but I just think the value is a tad off. Also, you're a divisional rival!

To his credit, what he says makes sense. It shouldn't really matter if the guy we're trading for is the "perfect fit". This is a team that struggles wildly in every facet of defense (physicality, own zone coverage, transitioning the puck, etc). Letang helps in at least two of those facets and if I get him, Bennett, AND a 2nd (as was suggested earlier) for Eberle, I take it and run! We still have the 2014 first that can be moved for a better fit.

The only issue I have with acquiring Letang is his injury history.
- MaximumBone

If you take that deal then we have other issues. Jultz or Petry would need to go as there would no longer be a spot for one of them. Then you have to find a top 6 RW to replace Eberle. Not to mention Letang is outside of Edmonton's " salary limit".

There are so many reasons its not a fit. And all the Pens fans pushing for it is a big clue as to the reason it is no good. I wouldn't do it. And gladly I don't think Mact would either.