Matt Henderson: Who Is In Edmonton's Forward Core?

mcdavid leon ebs.... and either hall or first round pick

mcdavid leon ebs.... and either hall or first round pick
- derm10

I think the odds of the kid taken 4th being as good as Hall have to be very low. Edmonton would have to get a King's ransom, I believe, in order to move Hall.

it's not that i discount depth at center... but what will it take to sign leon and mcdavid in 2 seasons?

I think the odds of the kid taken 4th being as good as Hall have to be very low. Edmonton would have to get a King's ransom, I believe, in order to move Hall.
- Matt_Henderson

or a top paring d-man?( for hall)

what about a trade with the islanders involving multiple pieces..... maybe moving nuge plus... while acquiring hamonic and a more cap friendly center for 3rd line minutes

or a top paring d-man?( for hall)

what about a trade with the islanders involving multiple pieces..... maybe moving nuge plus... while acquiring hamonic and a more cap friendly center for 3rd line minutes
- derm10

That's possible for sure. I've spoken to a few people who seem to think it's Eberle going to NYI, but if the deal got bigger anything can happen. I have my doubts about a Hall deal where Chia gets quantity. I think Edmonton loses that deal.

Whichever path improves our D more. I see little drop-off offensively between the two options so naturally my preference is whichever player garners the better Dman. Both routes have their positives and drawbacks so I think it comes down to team building preference.

With moving Nuge, a more pressing concern of acquiring a 3C arises, but I think there are at least a couple solid options available from cap strapped teams in Shaw and Berglund (maybe both). Something like:

Hall- Draisaitl- Brouwer
Maroon- McDavid- Eberle
Pouliot- Shaw- (Someone)

With moving Eberle, the team could sign veterans like Stempniak or Parenteau in the short term and acquire younger guys like Seth Griffith or Ryan Strome to replace him. Going this way, I think I prefer running three lines like the Sharks have been. Something more like:

Hall- Draisaitl- Brouwer
Maroon- McDavid- Griffith*
Pouliot- Nuge- Stempniak

The costs for each individual addition would also have to factor into the decision.

That's possible for sure. I've spoken to a few people who seem to think it's Eberle going to NYI, but if the deal got bigger anything can happen. I have my doubts about a Hall deal where Chia gets quantity. I think Edmonton loses that deal.
- Matt_Henderson

as good as hall is... and i'm not taking anything away from him on that..... i see the oilers as mcdavids team..... i agree i would not trade hall for quantity.... but i would move hall for a top dman....... and as far as edmonton losing a deal.... thats what it will take to get the ball rolling.... chia needs to show he is serious about change..... as much as it hurt losing a trade... losing games hurts more

Whichever path improves our D more. I see little drop-off offensively between the two options so naturally my preference is whichever player garners the better Dman. Both routes have their positives and drawbacks so I think it comes down to team building preference.

With moving Nuge, a more pressing concern of acquiring a 3C arises, but I think there are at least a couple solid options available from cap strapped teams in Shaw and Berglund (maybe both). Something like:

Hall- Draisaitl- Brouwer
Maroon- McDavid- Eberle
Pouliot- Shaw- (Someone)

With moving Eberle, the team could sign veterans like Stempniak or Parenteau in the short term and acquire younger guys like Seth Griffith or Ryan Strome to replace him. Going this way, I think I prefer running three lines like the Sharks have been. Something more like:

Hall- Draisaitl- Brouwer
Maroon- McDavid- Griffith*
Pouliot- Nuge- Stempniak

The costs for each individual addition would also have to factor into the decision.
- MaximumBone

u hit the nail on the head....

as good as hall is... and i'm not taking anything away from him on that..... i see the oilers as mcdavids team..... i agree i would not trade hall for quantity.... but i would move hall for a top dman....... and as far as edmonton losing a deal.... thats what it will take to get the ball rolling.... chia needs to show he is serious about change..... as much as it hurt losing a trade... losing games hurts more
- derm10

Re read that a few times....if this team "loses" on trades how does that make us a winner? It would only just make us worse then we ever were and we really cant afford anymore losing seasons.....that being said anyone should be available for the right price minus McDavid of course

That's possible for sure. I've spoken to a few people who seem to think it's Eberle going to NYI, but if the deal got bigger anything can happen. I have my doubts about a Hall deal where Chia gets quantity. I think Edmonton loses that deal.
- Matt_Henderson

Why would the Islanders do a deal for another forward? Winnipeg and Minnesota have great blue line depth. Don't understand the idea of an Oiler trade fit in this situation.

Re read that a few times....if this team "loses" on trades how does that make us a winner? It would only just make us worse then we ever were and we really cant afford anymore losing seasons.....that being said anyone should be available for the right price minus McDavid of course
- RatedR80

I don't disagree with what he said. It comes down to how you quantify "losing" a trade. Some might deem that Hamonic, Nelson, and a good pick/prospect for Hall deal that we talked about a few weeks back, but it's entirely possible and I'd suggest even likely that it would improve the team. Losing a trade value-wise could still improve the team if it balances the roster better.

Not saying that NEEDS to happen, but I think there's some validity to the concept.

Why would the Islanders do a deal for another forward? Winnipeg and Minnesota have great blue line depth. Don't understand the idea of an Oiler trade fit in this situation.
- spatso

Because they will probably lose Okposo and Ebs would be a good guy to fill that void....gotta remember teams needs will change going into the offseason depending on who stays and who goes

Re read that a few times....if this team "loses" on trades how does that make us a winner? It would only just make us worse then we ever were and we really cant afford anymore losing seasons.....that being said anyone should be available for the right price minus McDavid of course
- RatedR80

obviously u have never heard the saying sometimes u have to take a step backwards to move forward....... edmonton has been afraid of trading the wrong player and "losing a trade" for far too long.

Why would the Islanders do a deal for another forward? Winnipeg and Minnesota have great blue line depth. Don't understand the idea of an Oiler trade fit in this situation.
- spatso

They're liking letting Okposo walk and they might lose Nielsen to FA. Doesn't help that Ryan Strome hasn't developed as expected so far, either. Islanders fans all say the team needs to find a running mate for Tavares.

Because they will probably lose Okposo and Ebs would be a good guy to fill that void....gotta remember teams needs will change going into the offseason depending on who stays and who goes
- RatedR80

playoff results often change a teams plans

I don't disagree with what he said. It comes down to how you quantify "losing" a trade. Some might deem that Hamonic, Nelson, and a good pick/prospect for Hall deal that we talked about a few weeks back, but it's entirely possible and I'd suggest even likely that it would improve the team. Losing a trade value-wise could still improve the team if it balances the roster better.

Not saying that NEEDS to happen, but I think there's some validity to the concept.
- MaximumBone

If a package deal can be worked out then of course....that one fills a need and adds some depth which never hurts...all im saying is we cant afford to get robbed at this point....talk about a huge backwards step but just my opinion

If a package deal can be worked out then of course....that one fills a need and adds some depth which never hurts...all im saying is we cant afford to get robbed at this point....talk about a huge backwards step but just my opinion
- RatedR80

That's fair, but I don't think that's what he was suggesting either. He's taken a fairly reasonable tone so far so I see no reason to assume the worst intent on his part.

I don't disagree with what he said. It comes down to how you quantify "losing" a trade. Some might deem that Hamonic, Nelson, and a good pick/prospect for Hall deal that we talked about a few weeks back, but it's entirely possible and I'd suggest even likely that it would improve the team. Losing a trade value-wise could still improve the team if it balances the roster better.

Not saying that NEEDS to happen, but I think there's some validity to the concept.
- MaximumBone

i just dont see any team more desperate for change then the oilers.... teams don't hand out get out of jail free cards.... and hey if chia can doing without taking a step backwards all the power to him.

obviously u have never heard the saying sometimes u have to take a step backwards to move forward....... edmonton has been afraid of trading the wrong player and "losing a trade" for far too long.
- derm10

A step backwards? you realize thats all the Oilers manage to do year in and out right is step backwards....im not afraid of trading anyone as long as it makes the team better....even the trade Max was talking about I one I dont see as a "losing" trade

When did Rinne get SOOOO bad at staying with wrap-around attempts. He's been well behind on all 3 I've seen.

playoff results often change a teams plans
- derm10

So does free agency and trade requests

Why would the Islanders do a deal for another forward? Winnipeg and Minnesota have great blue line depth. Don't understand the idea of an Oiler trade fit in this situation.
- spatso

Yes. Minnesota does have that depth, but Hamonic didn't request a trade to western USA. Winnipeg is most likely his top request. They aren't giving up a lot for a guy requesting a trade to them. That's a pipe dream.

Unless Okposo gets signed I see a need for a winger on the Island next year. Plus, I think it's the most they get for Hamonic, who I think is great btw.

i just dont see any team more desperate for change then the oilers.... teams don't hand out get out of jail free cards.... and hey if chia can doing without taking a step backwards all the power to him.
- derm10

Desperation can certainly be factored in, but at the end of the day, if you're an opposition GM, are you really going to lose out on acquiring a guy like Hall or Eberle (assuming they're a need for your team as well) by playing super hardball just because the other team is 'desperate'? That wouldn't make any sense if your goal is to also improve your team.

That's fair, but I don't think that's what he was suggesting either. He's taken a fairly reasonable tone so far so I see no reason to assume the worst intent on his part.
- MaximumBone

yes... i am not saying go out and give away players.... i just mean.... go out and make a trade happen..... for lack of a better example the kessel deal.... ( i know contract was a factor) but that idea..... just get the ball moving.