Quote:
Originally Posted by Kris Chreider
So are the Oilers now in win-now mode or something? You're not going to be contenders this year, what's wrong with taking more prospects?
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The Oilers aren't necessarily in win-now mode. But they are past the acquire futures for current depth mode. A team can not perpetually trade away present for future. That is what leads to a never-ending rebuild. Factor in that outside of Sam Gagner there is not a player in the organization either now or in the future who looks like they can step into a 2nd line center spot.
It makes zero sense to trade Gagner for futures. It makes even less sense when those futures are a college d-man likely 4+ years away from making it to the NHL and even longer before he becomes a legit contributor.
Is the value there? Maybe, but it sort of is irrelevant.
Sam Gagner might not be what Oiler fans hoped he would turn out to be. But he is right now a 2nd line centerman in the NHL who can contribute on a night to night basis (1 assist and shootout winner last night). Oilers need to keep that piece unless they can find an actual upgrade. The Rangers obviously wouldn't be looking to trade an upgrade for Sam Gagner in return for Sam Gagner. So it is basically dead before it gets going.