He's talking, but (frank) I don't even know if that means much. Teams have such a variety of lists. Even within a team lists are quite different.
- Lahey

It’s nothing more than his guess. Which is worth about as much as the corn log I shat out this morning.

It’s nothing more than his guess. Which is worth about as much as the corn log I shat out this morning.
- Iggysbff

Corn on the cob, corn off he cob, creamed corn, vegetable medley, or deep fried corn?

Scouts are souring on Boqvist, sounds like he's more M.A. Bergeron than Erik Karlsson. Quinn Hughes on the other hand is supposed to be the real deal.
- GreenBastard

Someone would have to be moved, last thing the Oil needs is another LHD.

Someone would have to be moved, last thing the Oil needs is another LHD.
- Beergu

No. Last thing they need is a center.

Scouts are souring on Boqvist, sounds like he's more M.A. Bergeron than Erik Karlsson. Quinn Hughes on the other hand is supposed to be the real deal.
- GreenBastard

This always happens with a couple guys on account of recency bias. If he's still there at 10 and the Oil pass on him, I'll be disappointed. Guy has an excellent combination of skating, playmaking and a shooting arsenal he's willing to use without hesitation.

Stauffer is a (frank)ing moron. Always has been. Hughes and Bouchard get picked before Dobson. The only wild card is Boqvist who could be 3-11.
- RafiDRW

Disagree. Dobson has been a steady climber literally all year. He doesn't seem to disappoint and his performance at the Memorial Cup likely solidified his position ahead of Bouchard in my opinion. He's a better skater, better defender and a comparable offensive talent. I liken it to Pietrangelo (Dobson) vs Carlson (Bouchard).

If we are picking at 10 the anticipation should be to see something in 2-4 years. Just take the best (frank)ing player and deal with having too many of something then.

Disagree. Dobson has been a steady climber literally all year. He doesn't seem to disappoint and his performance at the Memorial Cup likely solidified his position ahead of Bouchard in my opinion. He's a better skater, better defender and a comparable offensive talent. I liken it to Pietrangelo (Dobson) vs Carlson (Bouchard).
- MaximumBone

Completely disagree with this assessment. I think Bouchard is more of the defined 200 ft player with better hockey iq and lateral movement. Dobson is a better skater and better deep in the zone but Bouchard has that blue line PPQB sense.

It must be getting close to the June draft, Oiler fans are getting excited.

Under the not sure what to think column, Dave Manson hired to Woodcroft's staff

Completely disagree with this assessment. I think Bouchard is more of the defined 200 ft player with better hockey iq and lateral movement. Dobson is a better skater and better deep in the zone but Bouchard has that blue line PPQB sense.
- RafiDRW

Fair enough. We value things differently and we see things differently. It'll come down to what teams think but I'm confident that Dobson will end up as the better player.

On another note, I could see either Bouchard or Boqvist dropping ala Cam Fowler and would thrilled with either at #10. I'd prefer to trade down, though.

Under the not sure what to think column, Dave Manson hired to Woodcroft's staff
- Lahey

Associate coach on the Raiders for around 15 years?

Associate coach on the Raiders for around 15 years?
- MaximumBone

I guess my question is "does he own part of the team"

It's an interesting hire. One that maybe came up when they were looking for NHL coaches. Maybe they are trying to sway Josh to come to edmonton

I guess my question is "does he own part of the team"

It's an interesting hire. One that maybe came up when they were looking for NHL coaches. Maybe they are trying to sway Josh to come to edmonton
- Lahey

I'd much sooner prefer Lindholm I'd give Klefbom and a 1st for that greasy-haired, baby-faced spit (frank).

I'd much sooner prefer Lindholm I'd give Klefbom and a 1st for that greasy-haired, baby-faced spit (frank).
- MaximumBone

I am very curious all around with this Laurel pickup.

Do we make a trade in the next year involving one of our d-men that we didn't expect to move?

Do we just not doing anything to our d this off-season and see what he can do? I mean outside of maybe a depth pickup or two.

I don't get the combine results to be honest.

Good to interview, but Stauffer wouldn't have a lot of that info.
- Lahey

He is an employee of the Oilers... I'm sure the feed him info

He is an employee of the Oilers... I'm sure the feed him info
- GreenBastard

He hasn't exactly been that great the past few years. Gets some tidbits, but also throws a lot of poop against the wall as well.

This always happens with a couple guys on account of recency bias. If he's still there at 10 and the Oil pass on him, I'll be disappointed. Guy has an excellent combination of skating, playmaking and a shooting arsenal he's willing to use without hesitation.
- MaximumBone

I'm confident with the Oilers taking a wild card with a guy like Yawney on board.

He hasn't exactly been that great the past few years. Gets some tidbits, but also throws a lot of poop against the wall as well.
- Lahey

a slightly better Eklund ?

I am very curious all around with this Laurel pickup.

Do we make a trade in the next year involving one of our d-men that we didn't expect to move?

Do we just not doing anything to our d this off-season and see what he can do? I mean outside of maybe a depth pickup or two.
- Lahey

I honestly don't think our D is the biggest problem facing the team right now. A number of teams found relative success with comparable D corps to ours this year (Toronto, Colorado, New Jersey and Philly) so making the playoffs with this group should be plenty possible. The more difficult part comes in the transition to contending. Yawney should help solidify the systems a bit and will work with our young D corps to improve their consistency and basic net protection abilities (as he has in Anaheim and Chicago).

As it stands, we have the framework for a very solid top-6 in place with the following:

Shutdown, shelter pairing: Nurse- Larsson
Softer comp, matchup pairing: Klefbom- ______
Middle comp, flexible pairing: ______- Benning

If Bear, Jones, Berglund or Samorukov can fill one of those roles and we see Bouchard or Boqvist drop to us, I think we'll have a D-corps that projects to be capable of winning a Cup. Ideally, I'd love to swap Klefbom and a 1st for an upgrade like OEL, Ellis or Lindholm but that's unlikely.

I honestly don't think our D is the biggest problem facing the team right now. A number of teams found relative success with comparable D corps to ours this year (Toronto, Colorado, New Jersey and Philly) so making the playoffs with this group should be plenty possible. The more difficult part comes in the transition to contending. Yawney should help solidify the systems a bit and will work with our young D corps to improve their consistency and basic net protection abilities (as he has in Anaheim and Chicago).

As it stands, we have the framework for a very solid top-6 in place with the following:

Shutdown, shelter pairing: Nurse- Larsson
Softer comp, matchup pairing: Klefbom- ______
Middle comp, flexible pairing: ______- Benning

If Bear, Jones, Berglund or Samorukov can fill one of those roles and we see Bouchard or Boqvist drop to us, I think we'll have a D-corps that projects to be capable of winning a Cup. Ideally, I'd love to swap Klefbom and a 1st for an upgrade like OEL, Ellis or Lindholm but that's unlikely.
- MaximumBone

I think if we added a decent two way winger and a decent scoring winger that would go a long way to getting the team back into the playoffs.

Corn on the cob, corn off he cob, creamed corn, vegetable medley, or deep fried corn?
- RafiDRW

I drink enough my corn is usually always of the "creamed" variety..

Fair enough. We value things differently and we see things differently. It'll come down to what teams think but I'm confident that Dobson will end up as the better player.

On another note, I could see either Bouchard or Boqvist dropping ala Cam Fowler and would thrilled with either at #10. I'd prefer to trade down, though.
- MaximumBone

Hughes is ours. Have either of the other. as long as we get that 10th for trading you Nyquist.

I drink enough my corn is usually always of the "creamed" variety..
- Flamin_Irishmin

I’m confused and worried by this statement.

I think if we added a decent two way winger and a decent scoring winger that would go a long way to getting the team back into the playoffs.
- GreenBastard

I think if our d is healthy we have a strong chance at getting back in.

That and special teams just killed everyone's confidence.