NHL DRAFT: Oilers Trades Outside Top 3
Jun 30, 2013; Newark, NJ, USA;
poses for a photo after being introduced as the number seven overall pick to the Edmonton Oilers during the 2013 NHL Draft at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
This week, Oil on Whyte has been taking a look at the trade possibilities at the draft among the fellow residents of the Top 3. Thousands of readers read and responded, so now we turn our attention to the rest of the top 10. Check out our seven trade selections below that highlight moves we think could be made this year in Philadelphia.
Mar 22, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward
(93) and Calgary Flames defensemen TJ Brodie (7) chase a lose puck during the third period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
4. CALGARY FLAMES
Let’s just say that it is highly unlikely that the Oilers trade down to the fourth position. Nothing would infuriate fans more than yet another trade with the Flames. Despite being our biggest rival, the Oilers have made two trades over the last few years with them (Steve Staios, Ladislav Smid).
CALGARY—Joe Colborne, 4th Overall
EDMONTON—Sam Gagner, 3rd Overall
WILL IT HAPPEN? Not a chance.
Mar 6, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; New York Islanders forward
(53) battles with Edmonton Oilers defensemen
(36) in front of goaltender
(30) during the third period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
5. NEW YORK ISLANDERS
The Islanders are a beleaguered organization with many management and ownership issues. It seemed like they were building a nice little core there with Matt Moulson, Michael Grabner and John Tavares. But, Moulson is gone. Luckily for them, Frans Nielsen, Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo had standout years. But, beyond the Top 6, there is much work to be done. One gets the feeling Garth Snow is likely to stand pat at the draft, especially after the disaster that was the Thomas Vanek trade.
TRADE SCENARIO
NEW YORK—5th Overall, Cal Clutterbuck, 2015 4th Round Pick
EDMONTON—3rd Overall, Sam Gagner, 2015 7th Round Pick
WILL IT HAPPEN? Probably not. New York would be a good home for Sam Gagner, who could support John Tavares and give a little pop to their middle two lines. Cal Clutterbuck is a guy who Edmonton could use. He has PO’d Taylor Hall on more than one occasion. But, his new contract still has three years on it. He could slot into the third line, but his departure would leave the Islanders without the grit they need almost as bad as Edmonton does.
Jan 27, 2014; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward
(22) and forward
(45) and forward
(14) dig for a loose puck in front of the net of Edmonton Oilers goaltender
(80) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Edmonton Oilers won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
6. Vancouver Canucks
It gives me much delight to see the Canucks drafting higher than the Oilers did last year. The BC based team is in a state of flux, with an aging roster, turnover in management and coaching and trade rumours galore surrounding guys like Ryan Kesler and Alex Edler. While a trade within the division is not a good possibility, the Oilers have cap space, and could eat salary on Gagner’s contract. (And yes, I realize that I include Gagner in every proposal, but just who else are they going to trade?)
TRADE SCENARIO
VANCOUVER—Ryan Kesler, Chris Tanev, 2015 3rd Round Pick
EDMONTON—3rd Overall, Sam Gagner, 2015 2nd Round Pick
WILL IT HAPPEN? No. Vancouver needs to hold on to their core until they can acquire some young, sizeable forwards. While the 3rd overall pick and Gagner would help, the mix in Vancouver would be wrong for Gagner. Edmonton would lose on almost every facet of this trade, despite getting Kesler and Tanev. Tanev is a question mark, and Kesler may have qualms about coming to a place like Edmonton.
Mar 16, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Edmonton Oilers forward
(4) and the Carolina Hurricanes defensemen
(27) go after the puck during the 3rd period at PNC Arena. The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
7. CAROLINA HURRICANES
At only $18 million in cap space–decent, but tighter than other teams in the top 5—Carolina is a team that is ready to make some moves. The Oilers stand to gain a very good player in the number three spot, so they would want a solid return from the ‘Canes.
CAROLINA—Jordan Staal, 7th Round Pick
EDMONTON—3rd Overall, Sam Gagner ($2.4 million in salary held back by Edmonton)
WILL IT HAPPEN? Edmonton will try. Even though the Hurricanes went to great lengths to acquire Staal and reunite him with his brother, bloodlines are not enough to keep them together. Staal regressed this year, and found difficulty finding chemistry with Alexander Semin, Jeff Skinner and the like. Edmonton desperately needs a franchise center to support Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and he would fit the bill. Carolina gets Gagner for only $2.4 million at three years, plus one of the top three picks. Edmonton adds $6 million in cap hit acquiring Staal, but with over $30 million in space under a rising cap, the move would be doable. The downside? That ten year contract he has. This is the type of bold move MacT would like to make, but they would need to see Bennett and Ekblad off the board first before they consider any crazy trades like this one.
Jake Gardiner (51) carries the puck against the Ottawa Senators during the second period at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports” width=”590″ height=”428″ class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-7481″ />
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs are a trade partner that makes sense. The question is, are their players a true upgrade to the ones we already have?
TORONTO– Jake Gardiner, 8th Overall Pick
EDMONTON—3rd Overall Pick, Jeff Petry, 2015 4th round pick
WILL IT HAPPEN? I hope not. If the Leafs were to pull the trigger on moving up, this is the most I see Dave Nonis offering. Jake Gardiner makes perfect sense, especially with his connection to Justin Schultz. But, they will want something immediate back, and Petry will be the asking price. Gardiner is debatable as an upgrade on Petry, and Edmonton loses two draft picks in the deal. Frankly, it’s not enough. Ekblad and Petry for Gardiner and 166 lb. Robbie Fabbri? I didn’t think so.
Apr 5, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Winnipeg Jets defenseman
(33) carries the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Winnipeg defeated Toronto 4-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
9. WINNIPEG JETS
Things could get interesting here. If there’s any team that could labelled as Tambellini-esque, its this one. Kevin Cheveldayoff has been sitting on his hands since the Jets returned to the NHL. Every year, the Jets have been mere points out of playoff contention. They need an improved goaltending situation, and a bit more scoring punch. What could transpire? Here comes a proposal that will be seen as crazy by most of you.
WINNIPEG—Ondrej Pavelec, Dustin Byfuglien, 9th Overall
EDMONTON—Viktor Fasth, Martin Marincin, 2015 1st round pick
WILL IT HAPPEN? Quite possibly, yes. Edmonton recieves an established NHL goalie who would be a very solid #2 to Ben Scrivens. Winnipeg gets a hungrier and better goalie, but Fasth is unproven. Risky. Byfuglien brings his size and scoring to Edmonton. In exchange, they get a D-man on the rise in Marincin. Edmonton still retains a top 10 pick–keep in mind that the International Scouting Service lists the tenth pick as Nick Ritchie. He’s a six foot, 229 pound forward who shoots left, and Edmonton needs that. The bold and crazy part for Edmonton is the release of next year’s first rounder. Why use it? Because if all goes according to plan, they should pick in the Top 15 next year, not the top 5. It’s a gamble and one that hs a better chance of panning out for Winnipeg than not.
May 16, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing
(10) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
10. ANAHEIM DUCKS
The Ducks have plenty of talent on their roster, but they only find themselves at the tenth position because of the Bobby Ryan trade with Ottawa. The Oilers will likely make an overture, but it would require a Cam Fowler or Hampus Lindholm in return, which is impossible for the Oilers to match.
TRADE SCENARIO
ANAHEIM—10th overall, Cam Fowler
EDMONTON—3rd Overall, Martin Marincin
WILL IT HAPPEN? No, these are two teams at very different spots with their rosters. Despite the history of trades between them, this is a trade with a ton of risk attached to it that won’t see the light of day.