Oilers won't move Hall or Eberle or RNH. They are established as the core moving forward. The only huge asset that they will move is this #1 pick which has monumental value right now.
I think there is at least one GM out there that will literally pay the moon for that pick. He could be the next Bure for crying out loud. No guarantees of course... but what if he does become that good? There will be a GM out there that will take a calculated risk that he WILL be that good.
I'm not sure how it will happen... maybe even a 3 way deal or even a 4 way deal ... but I'm betting the Oilers trade that pick because they won't be able to resist the tremendous offer they will get in return.
My guess is 2 of the following 3 will be received by the Oilers:
A) a top dman
B) a solid #2 centre
C) a very good goalie
The Oilers are going to go with quantity for quality (although they'll get solid players in return no doubt). I just have a gut feeling a team out there will want that "Franchise Player" that Yakupov may bring... and the Oilers will see that as expendable as they already have 3 franchise players... filling holes and adding depth is what they now want to focus on and this will give them the opportunity that they can't turn down.
This is of course a dangerous situation because there is a high chance of being burned if Yakupov turns into a multi-50 goal scorer but I'm also convinced the Oilers will take the "2 in the hand" mentality over the "1 in the bush". This management group isn't one to take risks and I have a strong feeling if a solid looking offer containing established NHL players is handed to them... they'll take it.
I also have a gut feeling Columbus ends up with the #1 pick again somehow... and TO will make some sort of huge move also which will twist up the top of the draft order as well.
Should be a very interesting draft as I can definitely see some big trades and jggling of the draft order this year... more than in years past.
Absolutely not.
Trading Yakupov would be the absolute worst thing they could do.
The thing I think some people aren't quite getting... I mean they know that Yakupov is above everyone in this draft (and not by a small amount)... but Yakupov has the potential to be an explosively good talent. That's the kind of player that not only gets butts in seats and sells tickets but it also gets fans excited. He has the potential to be a "franchise saver". There is certainly no one else in this draft with THAT type of ability even if others may be close in talent.
Think about that for a moment and think what teams may be in the market for that kind of marquee player.
Again, I personally wouldn't trade the pick but I have a feeling there will be a deal too good to pass up (not on the Lindros scale but a couple notches down from that).
It could be just irrational exuberance on my part to think that, but I just get that feeling that at least 1 management group from all the teams that missed the playoffs (plus from those teams that make early exits in the playoffs)... will roll the dice and make a huge offer.
Yakupov has injury concerns but we'll see how the Combine goes and all the interviews. If he comes through that with flying colours it's going to be interesting (and surprising) seeing what teams take a stab at trying to acquire him.
Just as an example:
Columbus trades Nash to TO for Gardiner and 5th overall pick.
Columbus trades Gardiner, Johansen and #5 pick (or Columbus keeps that pick and sends a 2nd rounder to the Oilers) to Edmonton for the #1 pick.
TO ends up with Nash... who gives them the power winger they REALLY want.
Columbus ends up with #1 and #2 (and possibly even the # 5 pick as well) ... getting them two (or 3) premier prospects... one being Yakupov who's a potential "franchise saver".
Oilers end up with Gardiner and Johansen, filling 2 holes... plus (possibly the #5 pick or an early 2nd rounder). They can't turn that deal down.
Now does that sequence make sense? Well maybe you throw in some extra bits and pieces to equalize but I think the core is there to make a scenario similar to that happen. In fact I'd bet something like that WILL happen this year as the stars are all aligned.
Oilers are very open to trading the pick to fill multiple holes, Toronto desperately wants to make a move to finally push them over the hump and Columbus HAS to do something to instil some hope for the future to save that franchise which is quickly spiralling down the tubes.
So Cbus trades Nash and Johansen for Yakupov?
I dont think youve thought this through.
They arent going to gut their team for a prospect. A Russian one at that.
If you are feeling particularly randy, we could bet on whether or not the Oilers trade Yakupov.
They arent going to gut their team for a prospect. A Russian one at that.
If you are feeling particularly randy, we could bet on whether or not the Oilers trade Yakupov.
Let me make it clear (if I haven't been for the last couple years )... I think Yakupov is a stud and I was blowing his trumpet forever now... since way back early in his rookie season in the OHL when I saw how he played. I instantly wanted him on the Oilers and knew he was the best prospect last year (better than RNH)... and quite easily the best this year as well.
Seeing Yakupov among Hall/Eberle/RNH and a fire hydrant or two on the power play units would be a thing of beauty.
BUT... my thoughts and opinions mean nothing compared to what Stu and Tambo actually do.
The vibe I get is that they are VERY open to fill holes in the roster to move to being a more competitive team (logical... makes sense... and about damn time most fans would say) BUT their ability to do that in the UFA market or through trades of "normal assets" (outside of moving players they obviously don't want to part with) has been proven to be, shall we say, "less than successful" these last few seasons.
They have a golden asset burning a hole in their pocket which CAN get them those assets that they'd likely not acquire any other way. That asset has no attachment (yet) to the franchise so it's the easiest to move for multiple pieces.
Do I think it's a guarantee they trade that #1 pick... well no I can't say for certain but I do think there is a VERY strong chance they do because there will be a team wanting that franchise asset worse than the Oilers want to hang onto it... the demand to get it will be higher than the need to keep it.
Yep... I'd take that bet... 1 month user slogan thingy because my avatar is tied up until the end of the world... (literally I think I get it back again at the end of January 2013.)
Gagner, Hemsky, Paajarvi to Montreal, for Mtl 1st and Gomez?
Oilers take Yakupov AND Galchenyuk.
You think the Oilers would trade Hemsky away after just signing him?
I don't see them doing that when the entire signing in my opinion was to appease his teammates. I doubt they trade him before it even kicks in. Tambo doesn't have Holmgren's balls.
Hemsky is also likely considered too fragile to have much trade value with that big contract attached to him.
Gagner is a perennial "on the verge of a breakout" smallish forward... I think the Habs have enough of those types of players which is one of the reasons why they are a lotto team as well. Paajarvi I don't think has a lot of value after he regressed so much this year.
Gomez is Horcoff but with an even worse contract... no way Oilers take on that crap.
I agree though that it makes sense to try and get Galchenyuk if they keep Yakupov.
Look back to last year and you'll see that I wanted the Oilers to draft Nikita Kucherov because I said then they'd have a very high chance of drafting high this year and getting Yakupov/Grigorenko/Galchenyuk and it would be good to have another very highly skilled Russian to go along with them. Instant chemistry.
Same reason I'm all for drafting Gusev this year as well (3rd rounder)... extreme talent and a chemistry reaction down the line.
Gagner, Hemsky, Paajarvi to Montreal, for Mtl 1st and Gomez?
Oilers take Yakupov AND Galchenyuk.
Are we ... banking on amnesty buy-outs for Horcoff and Gomez?
Have to acknowledge that a Yakopov Galchenyuk combo for the Oilers would be lethal. However would not the Oilers having attained the 3rd overall, select a bluechip DMAN over Galchenyuk?
Just for fun, Ttell you what, since we are just dreaming,
add our 2013 1st Tuebert LA3rd Oilers 2012 2nd for Murray (gives Montreal advantage of two 1sts in 2013) for a try at MacKinnon
Schultz #2 would be crazy not to sign as a UFA then.
Gusev would be a poor pick. He is too small and likely staying in the khl.
I agree, I'm not a huge fan of the KHL factor with elite level Russians but ones already playing overseas and can make more money staying and playing in front of their families scares me.
Have to acknowledge that a Yakopov Galchenyuk combo for the Oilers would be lethal. However would not the Oilers having attained the 3rd overall, select a bluechip DMAN over Galchenyuk?
.
I was thinking this as well. We probably have a better chance getting him in 4 years once montreal ruins him.
Let me make it clear (if I haven't been for the last couple years )... I think Yakupov is a stud and I was blowing his trumpet forever now... since way back early in his rookie season in the OHL when I saw how he played. I instantly wanted him on the Oilers and knew he was the best prospect last year (better than RNH)... and quite easily the best this year as well.
Seeing Yakupov among Hall/Eberle/RNH and a fire hydrant or two on the power play units would be a thing of beauty.
BUT... my thoughts and opinions mean nothing compared to what Stu and Tambo actually do.
The vibe I get is that they are VERY open to fill holes in the roster to move to being a more competitive team (logical... makes sense... and about damn time most fans would say) BUT their ability to do that in the UFA market or through trades of "normal assets" (outside of moving players they obviously don't want to part with) has been proven to be, shall we say, "less than successful" these last few seasons.
They have a golden asset burning a hole in their pocket which CAN get them those assets that they'd likely not acquire any other way. That asset has no attachment (yet) to the franchise so it's the easiest to move for multiple pieces.
Do I think it's a guarantee they trade that #1 pick... well no I can't say for certain but I do think there is a VERY strong chance they do because there will be a team wanting that franchise asset worse than the Oilers want to hang onto it... the demand to get it will be higher than the need to keep it.
Yep... I'd take that bet... 1 month user slogan thingy because my avatar is tied up until the end of the world... (literally I think I get it back again at the end of January 2013.)
part of me agrees with this, tambo sounds extremely open to trading right now, like 100% more open than he did last year...
part of me also knows he is super cautious and unless someone offers the moon he wont trade it and risk losing a potential superstar, and by the moon i mean the lindros deal...
I was thinking this as well. We probably have a better chance getting him in 4 years once montreal ruins him.
ha ha true
Though I really like Murray, there are so many other good Dmen as well in this draft as well like Koekkoek and Thrower, it sure would be incredible if Oilers did obtain another 1st.
Last edited by YAK141: 04-13-2012 at 10:17 AM.
Reason: corrct sp
Though I really like Murray, there are so many other good Dmen as well in this draft as well like Koekkoek and Thrower, it sure would be incredible if Oilers did obtain another 1st.
A stud dman will still be around we're the oilers are picking at 32. I also think their are a few steals with our 3rd round pick. Jake McCabe and Calle Andersson would look good in oiler jerseys.
I was wondering on a comparable for Tanner Pearson, could he be a shorter Ryan Smyth, he plays that style of game does he not?
I don't think it's far off but what really made Smyth special was his ability to create havoc for goaltenders. He's also very vocal. I don't think Pearson will ever have those intangibles but he obviously has better vision and a better shot. I couldn't really come up with a good comparison for Pearson. Maybe Nick Foligno?
A stud dman will still be around we're the oilers are picking at 32. I also think their are a few steals with our 3rd round pick. Jake McCabe and Calle Andersson would look good in oiler jerseys.
I didn't know zip about Calle Anderson ; so I googled him and came up with
"Projected to be drafted in 2012 NHL Draft: 3rd Round, 78th Overall Pick by Edmonton " DraftSite.com -
so Calle in the 3rd - There we have it. Sounds good to me.
His father didn't bring much in terms of offense though did he? Is it safe to say Henrik has more offensive jam than that?
His father Ulf was a defenceman so yes I would hope he brings more offense. Having said that, 40 points for a physical dman isn't shabby. He's just a big powerforward that stirs things up and can finish the play. Imagine like a pissed off Alexandre Burrows playing in your top 6. A guy who alone isn't a top line player but can compliment the guys you already have.
I didn't know zip about Calle Anderson ; so I googled him and came up with
"Projected to be drafted in 2012 NHL Draft: 3rd Round, 78th Overall Pick by Edmonton " DraftSite.com -
so Calle in the 3rd - There we have it. Sounds good to me.
He's going to shoot up the rankings after a good U-18's is my guess.
His father Ulf was a defenceman so yes I would hope he brings more offense. Having said that, 40 points for a physical dman isn't shabby. He's just a big powerforward that stirs things up and can finish the play. Imagine like a pissed off Alexandre Burrows playing in your top 6. A guy who alone isn't a top line player but can compliment the guys you already have.
Lol herp derp. My mistake. Edit: Anyways, he sounds great haha.
A stud dman will still be around we're the oilers are picking at 32. I also think their are a few steals with our 3rd round pick. Jake McCabe and Calle Andersson would look good in oiler jerseys.
I would be interested to hear your take on Calle Andersson. I like what I have read about him and had him in a recent mock with our 4th. Is that too late for him? Also the recent central scouting rankings have Henrik Samuelsson ranked at 75th amongst NA skaters, I have had him pegged as a late 1st or early 2nd rounder. Do you think he could last into the 3rd round or would you agree that if the Oilers want him they would have to take him with our 2nd rounder?
I would be interested to hear your take on Calle Andersson. I like what I have read about him and had him in a recent mock with our 4th. Is that too late for him? Also the recent central scouting rankings have Henrik Samuelsson ranked at 75th amongst NA skaters, I have had him pegged as a late 1st or early 2nd rounder. Do you think he could last into the 3rd round or would you agree that if the Oilers want him they would have to take him with our 2nd rounder?
I have a 41-60 group coming soon (aka whenever I have time this weekend) and Calle is definitely in it. At times he's looked better than Ludvig Bystrom so I doubt he makes it to the fourth but he might be around in the 3rd if scouts don't pick up on him.
As far as Samuelsson, I think he has a better chance going in the first than 75th. It seems us oil kings fans have seen him a lot more and he isn't quite getting the credit because he joined the whl so late in the season.
I have a 41-60 group coming soon (aka whenever I have time this weekend) and Calle is definitely in it. At times he's looked better than Ludvig Bystrom so I doubt he makes it to the fourth but he might be around in the 3rd if scouts don't pick up on him.
As far as Samuelsson, I think he has a better chance going in the first than 75th. It seems us oil kings fans have seen him a lot more and he isn't quite getting the credit because he joined the whl so late in the season.
Thanks. Great job btw. Looking forward to the next installment.
I feel if we pick up these 2 guys and possibly Cody Corbett then together with Yakupov it will have been a great draft for us.
)... I think Yakupov is a stud and I was blowing his trumpet forever now... since way back early in his rookie season in the OHL when I saw how he played. I instantly wanted him on the Oilers and knew he was the best prospect last year (better than RNH)... and quite easily the best this year as well.
