Lowe ready to move in order to grab one or two pieces Oilers need to contend
Oilers hockey operations boss Kevin Lowe was on Oilers Now with Oilers radio colour man Bob Stauffer on Thursday. A number of topics were covered including the “Wow” trade that Stauffer has been hinting about on his show, a deal that would presumably see the Oilers bring in what sounds like a veteran star in return for prospects and picks.
On the show, Stauffer, an Oilers employee and insider, suggested that no one for a second would contemplate trading any of the Big Four up front (Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov), but with so many young assets, perhaps there was a way to expedite the process (by way of a trade) of turning around the Oilers.
“You’re going into a game with lots of trump cards,” Lowe said. “That’s the only way you can make deals is if you have assets that are attractive to other teams. When you have assets then you can make deals.
“So, absolutely, we’re at some point, whenever that is, we’re probably not too far down the road, we’re going to have to make some touch choices and maybe move some players, or a player, draft picks, to get a piece or two that finishes off the formation of what you feel is a championship team. I mean, we need to get to the playoffs first (laughed) so you can’t put the cart ahead of the horse, but no question. I don’t talk to managers on a regular basis any more, that’s Steve Tambellini’s job, but I do know from my past experiences that we won’t have a tough job selling anybody on anybody that we have in the event we’re interested in a player on another team.”
The new CBA could make it easier to make trades, Lowe added.
Defence and goal are question marks
Stauffer asked what the biggest question mark about the team going into the season.
“There’s a number of them. Are we strong enough defence? Goaltending is a question mark, and I say that in all respect to Devan Dubnyk and Khabi (Nikolai Khabibulin). Khabi has been injured and he’s approaching 40. He’s given us stretches of strong goaltending but his health is one thing.”
Dubnyk is trending upward, Lowe said, “but he’s got to go out and prove it now if he’s going to take over the Number One job.”
Almost sounds like he's preparing the fanbase for a trade. I only know 1 goaltender for sale
Last edited by SunshineRays: 11-01-2012 at 10:23 PM.
On the show, Stauffer, an Oilers employee and insider, suggested that no one for a second would contemplate trading any of the Big Four up front (Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov), but with so many young assets, perhaps there was a way to expedite the process (by way of a trade) of turning around the Oilers.
If you ask me 1 of the big 4 would be prime candidate for a big trade. I'm not talking in a trade for Luongo, but for another key piece (2C or #1D). I believe the big 4 is really the big 5, with Schultz the 5th piece. They also need Klefblom. After that you are down to PRV and Gagner which won't bring in a big piece unless you throw in a few of 1sts.
The guys I think that are really untradable
1: RNH because he's a class 1C. you don't trade those
2: Schultz because he's their best D a potential #1. you don't trade those
3. Hall I think is pegged as a captain and face of the franchise
HM. Klefblom, he's definitely tradable but they would want to avoid it as he's their second best D prospect and they need him
That leaves Eberle and Yak. If a team offered a stud Dman or stud 1/2C for either of those I'd really think about it. 2 stud centres paired with equally good wingers- Hall-RNH-filler, filler-1/2C-Eberle/Yak is great balance.
PRV, Smid and a couple of 1sts for one. One of Yak/Eberle for the other. Fill the gaps with UFA or two and job done if Dubnyk doesn't suck.
It would have to be overpayment by the Oilers and Lu wouldn't want to play in Edmonton. Perhaps Schneids would if Katz bought him a plane
I can't believe he said that about Dubynk. Yikes, talk about presumptuous, the season hasn't even started yet and he gets 'this' vote of confidence?
I agree though. I don't see Oilers trading a big 4, and I don't see Gillis trading Lu to them without one of them. I can see Gillis using them to adjust market value.
Also interesting, the guy who confirmed Oilers were 'in' suggested Gillis asked for Eberle as a counter. (Oilers fans calm down, I can hear it now. He's NOT saying Eberle will be moved)
If you ask me 1 of the big 4 would be prime candidate for a big trade. I'm not talking in a trade for Luongo, but for another key piece (2C or #1D). I believe the big 4 is really the big 5, with Schultz the 5th piece. They also need Klefblom. After that you are down to PRV and Gagner which won't bring in a big piece unless you throw in a few of 1sts.
The guys I think that are really untradable
1: RNH because he's a class 1C. you don't trade those
2: Schultz because he's their best D a potential #1. you don't trade those
3. Hall I think is pegged as a captain and face of the franchise
HM. Klefblom, he's definitely tradable but they would want to avoid it as he's their second best D prospect and they need him
That leaves Eberle and Yak. If a team offered a stud Dman or stud 1/2C for either of those I'd really think about it. 2 stud centres paired with equally good wingers- Hall-RNH-filler, filler-1/2C-Eberle/Yak is great balance.
PRV, Smid and a couple of 1sts for one. One of Yak/Eberle for the other. Fill the gaps with UFA or two and job done if Dubnyk doesn't suck.
I would be interested in a Luongo, 2 for Gagner, Paajarvi, 1st round pick type trade.
Luongo gets that team into the playoffs, and with their young firepower they could do some damage.
__________________
I told ya so. I was right all along!
I can't believe he said that about Dubynk. Yikes, talk about presumptuous, the season hasn't even started yet and he gets 'this' vote of confidence?
I agree though. I don't see Oilers trading a big 4, and I don't see Gillis trading Lu to them without one of them. I can see Gillis using them to adjust market value.
Also interesting, the guy who confirmed Oilers were 'in' suggested Gillis asked for Eberle as a counter. (Oilers fans calm down, I can hear it now. He's NOT saying Eberle will be moved)
Tweeter1: The host who's a Oilers employee said they're working on a "Wow" trade but Eberle, Hall, RNH and Yakupov won't be moved.
Tweeter2: you really think Lu in EDM has legs? Short of Petry++ I can't imagine it makes any sense for VAN to help EDM compete.
@risingaction: when you ask for Eberle as a counter, that means you are interested in the response
Tweeter2: over-priced winger at the height of his value! Sign me up.
@risingaction: I agree, but not everyone thinks he's overpriced. All about what Edm says in return & how MG plays that to others
I would be interested in a Luongo, 2 for Gagner, Paajarvi, 1st round pick type trade.
Luongo gets that team into the playoffs, and with their young firepower they could do some damage.
I could live with that. I'd almost instantly convert Gagner to a winger though.
Could use two talented kids like those in our system, and it's probably better than what Toronto will offer us. A 1st round pick would just be pudding too—would love to have two first round picks this year.
Tweeter1: The host who's a Oilers employee said they're working on a "Wow" trade but Eberle, Hall, RNH and Yakupov won't be moved.
Tweeter2: you really think Lu in EDM has legs? Short of Petry++ I can't imagine it makes any sense for VAN to help EDM compete.
@risingaction: when you ask for Eberle as a counter, that means you are interested in the response
Tweeter2: over-priced winger at the height of his value! Sign me up.
@risingaction: I agree, but not everyone thinks he's overpriced. All about what Edm says in return & how MG plays that to others
Gillis has gonads that's for sure. Asking for Bjugstad, Gardiner and perhaps Eberle. I think he means business.
6 teams were calling before they even knew what the landscape looked like (high risk). I can hardly wait to see who else joins the mix once they actually know the landscape.
Gillis has gonads that's for sure. Asking for Bjugstad, Gardiner and perhaps Eberle. I think he means business.
6 teams were calling before they even knew what the landscape looked like (high risk). I can hardly wait to see who else joins the mix once they actually know the landscape.
Agreed. Something tells me that I'll be happier with the eventual Luongo trade than the fanbase of the team that he goes to. Of course, he'll make them happy once he starts winning games for them, but I think what we get back will be a lot better than the crap that's been discussed.
Tweeter1: The host who's a Oilers employee said they're working on a "Wow" trade but Eberle, Hall, RNH and Yakupov won't be moved.
Tweeter2: you really think Lu in EDM has legs? Short of Petry++ I can't imagine it makes any sense for VAN to help EDM compete.
@risingaction: when you ask for Eberle as a counter, that means you are interested in the response
Tweeter2: over-priced winger at the height of his value! Sign me up.
@risingaction: I agree, but not everyone thinks he's overpriced. All about what Edm says in return & how MG plays that to others
How "wow" could it be if they're not offering up any of their good players? Reminds me of Burke's rumoured "big push" for Luongo once the new cba is in place by offering less than at the draft.
I would be interested in a Luongo, 2 for Gagner, Paajarvi, 1st round pick type trade. Luongo gets that team into the playoffs, and with their young firepower they could do some damage.
palatable
Quote:
Originally Posted by shortshorts
I'd rather, Luongo for Gagner, Klefbom and a 1st. Not interested in Paajarvii, he is basically Mason Raymond.
However, I don't think I could stomach Luongo in Edmonton..
too much for my blood. gotta see this Klefbom kid and our 1st, hopefully won't, but could be a top 10 or even (ugh) top 5. Mind you, with Lu, our 1st would probably be in the teens somewhere.
Quote:
Originally Posted by y2kcanucks
I don't see them moving Klefbom. Hartikainen would be intriguing though...
any trade for RL has to see the Nucks taking a bad contract back, like Horcoff. Also, this is completely contingent on a new amnesty clause coming out of the pending new CBA.
Meh. the whole thing was a talk show host drumming up hype. until i see Tambo make a 'wow' trade i will hold off any hope.
How "wow" could it be if they're not offering up any of their good players? Reminds me of Burke's rumoured "big push" for Luongo once the new cba is in place by offering less than at the draft.
the 'wow' part is Lu to e-town. Lu will garner one or two of Hemsky, Horcoff, Paajari, Gagner, Petry, a top prospect and a 1st round pick. throw in a 2nd rounder and another prospect if you want. that's still a pretty substantial overpayment, IMO. 3, 4 or even 5 good assets for one very important piece. but, that's why you stockpile.
Luongo's age, contract and the fact that he is forcing Gillis to trade him means a first line forward or top pairing D under the age of 27 are not in the cards.
the 'wow' part is Lu to e-town. Lu will garner one or two of Hemsky, Horcoff, Paajari, Gagner, Petry, a top prospect and a 1st round pick. throw in a 2nd rounder and another prospect if you want.
Luongo's age, contract and the fact that he is forcing Gillis to trade him means a first line forward or top pairing D under the age of 27 are not in the cards.
If it's not wow'ing us, there's no reason to make a divisional rival stronger. We can go get equivalent talent from another team out east if that's your offer.
