Oh boy what to do. The JP deadline to sign and play in the NHL is right around the corner, the Oilers sit first in the Pacific and second in the west and look like they may be headed to thee playoffs for the second time since 2006. Knock on wood. However, this injury prone team is as banged up and for all the great nights there have been multiple nights where they looked like the Oilers of the dark ages losing games by scores of 6-2, 6-3. I doubt JP is gone by December 1st and with such a banged up team can they remain in the playoff race while they wait for players to come back? Who can they bring in to help while players are injured and then continue to help once guys are back? So many questions and so few answers but let me try and answer some.
First, I believe that the Oilers are in the position they are in thanks to the scoring abilities of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaital. Along with some pp goals by James Neal. Along with the best pp in the league and 2nd ranked pk this has allowed the Oilers to be successful despite some lackluster 5 on 5 play. So what will the Oilers do when the games get more intense and they can't freewheel their way with the powerplay and have games where they get outshot by 20+ and hope to have a chance? What happens if the magic runs out in between the pipes or Bear falls off a little. Well the short answer is we will find ourselves on the outside looking in. Don't get me wrong I am not trying to be a pessimist, but I think that the Oilers are similar to the team we thought at the begining of the season. An improved team with some talent but not enough depth yet. This is why I do not think the Oilers should chase after rentals but players with term.
Long-term success, not one and done. So, enough of the Hall trades, he isn't coming back and unless i can trade Larsson for him 1 for 1, I don't want him.
I've started to sour on Yamamoto, although I don't think management is ready to give up on him. I also don't think they will move JP until the tdl or the draft, for this trade I assumed just before or after the roster freeze. So who does that leave us to move for assets that can help us long-term since I seem so pessimistic. Not much, Benning, Jones, Samorunkov maybe. Unless the Oilers really start to sour on Yamamoto.
So to the trades. Detroit trade. I had a dream last night that the Oilers trade JP and Marody for Hicketts and Svechnikov. I'm not against it, just a slight variation. Ken gets one of his guys in Helm and then a defensive prospect he liked in Hicketts. Red Wings get a prospect who played at Michigan in Marody, and then Gagner to balance salary. Added Safin since Red Wings fans have told me Helm is WAY better then Gagner. I'll go slightly but agree to disagree. Which is why I have Detroit retain. Detroit frees up a couple mill to help them make a splash in free agency or in a trade with... (probably Tampa). With the acquistion of Hicketts the Oilers add to a position of strength in LHD and get a third line centre.
Minnesota trade. I've made alot of these now but here's what I think it could come down to. Oilers move JP, a second and Jones for Fiala and Donato. I think Benning gets dealt at the draft. Originally I had Benning in this deal but it was pointed out to me that Benning fits in better then Manning or Laggesson etc. Yamamoto can play some centre in the minors now with Marody moved which I think might be a good fit for him. See Tyler Johnson. Anyways, thanks for reading, looking forward to the feedback and i'll be making a follow up post so keep an eye out for it.
He'd sign, the only reason he hasn't with Edmonton is he doesn't want to play here anymore, he wants to play in the NHL and is willing to go wherever as long as it isn't Edmonton
oilnate a aimé ceci.
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