I think they have to take D, otherwise they are going to continue to play like they have been. The will be explosive with their forwards but they won't be able to close out games and will fizzle out as the season goes on.
Yakupov goes first overall to Columbus. Then, if I were Edmonton, I'd trade the 2nd overall pick to Montreal for the 3rd overall pick. Let Montreal take Grigorenko (who they want and need) and then Edmonton can take either Murray or Dumba at #3.
I can't decide yet if I like Murray or Dumba more, but I'm leaning a bit towards Dumba right now.
This draft is deep in top end defensemen, if they have to trade down, they have to trade down. Although some may argue Mikhail Grigorenko should be selected with the 2nd overall pick, Edmonton's defense needs a major overhaul. Edmonton should selected Ryan Murray with the pick.
i'm not convinced habs will take grigs...why not galcheynuk?
1. Regional bias (he plays in Quebec)
2. Pat Roy (he will have some influence, I'm sure)
3. Galchenyuk has been hurt
4. Grigorenko is better
5. Montreal needs to create a buzz and Grigorenko's name has more star power
1. Regional bias (he plays in Quebec)
2. Pat Roy (he will have some influence, I'm sure) 3. Galchenyuk has been hurt
4. Grigorenko is better
5. Montreal needs to create a buzz and Grigorenko's name has more star power
Last news we had was that our head scout would draft bpa(Grigs), but if management wanted to have a discussion about trading down and taking a D, he would have that chat. And for those saying we need to take a D, we can always trade for one. Bpa is the only way to draft Imo.
They need a big time dman for the future but passing up Grigs or the Yak wont be easy....Mayby the trade down and grab on off the other dman while picking up some assets.....If Murry is gone they still could have Dumba Trouba Ceci Reinhart.. If they end up at # 2 they will be in good position no matter what they end up doing....
Pretty interesting situation. If they draft 1st, are they going to pass on Yakupov and get some defenceman who they really need? Passing on Yakupov might not be a bad thing since they already have a crap load of talent in offence. Maybe trade 1st pick for a 2nd-6th and get something good in the trade and draft a promising defender.
I think they take a dman, even second overall, based on some things from being at a lot of oil kings games and red deer games and seeing whose around on what nights.
I don't think there is a big gap between 2nd and 5th picks in terms of talent. Meaning I dont think it's a huge mistake to take Murray or dumba in second. Dumba having the highest potential, IMO. I've been around red deer a lot and this kid is a professional. Ultra impressive both on and off Ice which is very important to teams.
It's not really as big of an issue, because if Grigorenko is drafted, the Oilers will almost assuredly move Gagner for a d-man, and there are teams with a surplus of d-men that need help upfront that would likely be suitors for him -- Nashville and Phoenix come to mind right away.
If the Oilers draft Dumba/Murray, then they'll just keep Gagner, I think.
Truth is even if they draft Dumba/Murray it's not either one is going to make a huge difference on their blueline any time soon anyway. No 18-year-old steps into this league and dictates the play against NHL pros. So they might as well take a long term view on it anyway.
I think they have to take D, otherwise they are going to continue to play like they have been. The will be explosive with their forwards but they won't be able to close out games and will fizzle out as the season goes on.
Wait, how is taking a d-man going to improve the team next year?
It's not really as big of an issue, because if Grigorenko is drafted, the Oilers will almost assuredly move Gagner for a d-man, and there are teams with a surplus of d-men that need help upfront that would likely be suitors for him -- Nashville and Phoenix come to mind right away.
If the Oilers draft Dumba/Murray, then they'll just keep Gagner, I think.
Truth is even if they draft Dumba/Murray it's not either one is going to make a huge difference on their blueline any time soon anyway. No 18-year-old steps into this league and dictates the play against NHL pros. So they might as well take a long term view on it anyway.
I agree. Personally I hope we draft Grigs because Grigs + Gagner's return > Gagner + Murray/Dumba
@waffledave the drop off in value between Yak/Grig and everyone else is much higher than a 2nd rounder..
Last news we had was that our head scout would draft bpa(Grigs), but if management wanted to have a discussion about trading down and taking a D, he would have that chat. And for those saying we need to take a D, we can always trade for one. Bpa is the only way to draft Imo.
How does anyone in Edmonton's front office still have a job?
The competitive nature surrounding the franchise goes to show why you guys are year after year the **** of the league. Maybe start setting higher expectations fro yourself (starting from the front office) and you'll win a playoff spot in the next 5 years. Pretty pathetic...
The competitive nature surrounding the franchise goes to show why you guys are year after year the **** of the league. Maybe start setting higher expectations fro yourself (starting from the front office) and you'll win a playoff spot in the next 5 years. Pretty pathetic...
We'll be in the playoffs soon enough. But then you'll probably be complaining that we shouldn't be there because we stole all that talent from the draft in years prior.
