Richard Cloutier: Oilers at the Draft...A Response

1st+ Gagner won't get the Oilers Yandle.

1st+ Gagner won't get the Oilers Yandle.
- WaterBoy

^This. End of story.

If the choice in the #7 spot is between Lindholm, Nurse or Ristolainen, the Oilers will either trade down or deal the pick outright. None of those three guys improves the team quickly enough or in a way that fixes something.

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.

1st+ Gagner won't get the Oilers Yandle.
- WaterBoy

oilers 1st for Markov?

The Avs would be out of their mind to not take Mackinnon. Please let Florida draft Johnson, I mean Jones...

Flmaes will pick monahan just because it will screw with the oil more then anything haha

Johnson was underwhelming but he's a solid top 4 option, not a complete flop.

oilers 1st for Markov?
- Habitants98

Subban will do.

It's weird seeing Bozak get any credit.

Johnson was underwhelming but he's a solid top 4 option, not a complete flop.
- Jack-artist

The guy gets hate because he was a first overall pick, but he's still a pretty good player. Just not a franchise cornerstone like you would expect a first overall to be.

The tickler eh...

god dammit Laugh's sister

I just read in ur previous blog u don't delete poop.... hogwash man I was first a few mins ago fake ass female dog.
- DrinkOil

I don't delete comments and have no control over that part of the site,

1st+ Gagner won't get the Oilers Yandle.
- WaterBoy

Couldn't agree more.

Oilers better stay away from Bozak...don't go overinflating that contract of his...Leafs have to sign him at a reasonable price...

1st+ Gagner won't get the Oilers Yandle.
- WaterBoy

I actually don't think its that far off...
Gagner, 1st, and a 3rd asset probably could...

I don't delete comments and have no control over that part of the site,
- Maxbone

it wasn't that offensive...? whateves

What's this about Nichuskin? I think that if he makes it to 7 thats a complete STEAL

Some scouts have said that they take him over drouin/Barkov. I don't know how credible they are but still he is a solid player

He is a solid 6'4 player. I would love him on the oilers he is a power forward we could use for sure! I'd rather have Barkov but it won't happen unless a deal to move down can be made

If EDM doesn't get Nichuskin or Monahan I would suggest making a deal with Philly. Move down to 11 and select Zadorov

Richard Cloutier: Oilers at the Draft...A Response
- Maxbone

Oilers will be drafting Horvat.Only question is from what position in draft.MacT needs to get a feel for other teams needs and where Horvat might be taken at.

I don't delete comments and have no control over that part of the site,
- Maxbone

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

Subban will do.
- Jack-artist

funny it was only 5 months ago that oilers fans were telling me they didnt want him no matter what

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.

What's this about Nichuskin? I think that if he makes it to 7 thats a complete STEAL

Some scouts have said that they take him over drouin/Barkov. I don't know how credible they are but still he is a solid player

He is a solid 6'4 player. I would love him on the oilers he is a power forward we could use for sure! I'd rather have Barkov but it won't happen unless a deal to move down can be made

If EDM doesn't get Nichuskin or Monahan I would suggest making a deal with Philly. Move down to 11 and select Zadorov
- CrustyRooster

I think now that nichushkin is coming to North America next year he will be a top 5 pick, just my opinion.

I think now that nichushkin is coming to North America next year he will be a top 5 pick, just my opinion.
- Topcheese_101

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

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

Gagner is an RFA so not a chance this gets done unless he re-ups or agrees to re-up with Nashville. After that last year, he will be looking for a fat contract and I don't think a GM outside of Edmonton would be willing to go as high as he will want.