Edmonton Oilers: Weekly Oil Drop Mailbag

Hello, Edmonton Oilers faithful! It’s been a while since we’ve done the Weekly Oil Drop, so here we are, bringing it back. In this mailbag, we posted on social media for you guys, the fans, to tweet us or Facebook us with questions you may have! So let’s start answering some questions from you guys regarding roster questions, injuries and of course, trade rumors.

Our first question was from Facebook user Thomas J Bruner, who asked the following:

With a healthy line-up, are the Oilers playoff bound, or not so much? And if not, what one addition, outside the organization, gets them in?

Great question, Thomas. The Oilers are tumbling a bit right now, and are two games out of playoff position. They are in a tight spot, and they must keep winning if they expect to have a chance. Let me mind you they currently sit without Connor McDavid, Nail Yakupov and Oscar Klefbom.

With these characters on the shelf, it’s hard for the team to have the scoring and defensive toughness they had going into the season. However, even with all these players back, there are still struggles.

McDavid and Yakupov’s return should truly help the team return to its offensive ability, but even with Klefbom’s return, there are still holes at defense. Justin Schultz currently leads in ice time. Brandon Davidson is struggling a bit, along with Darnell Nurse.

Here’s the thing. We need some help on the backend and reinforcements from outside the organization if we want a chance at getting to the playoffs. We surrender way too many goals and are spending the rest of the game trying to play catch-up or struggling defensively. Therefore, I think a move is in order to make us truly “playoff-bound.”

Who? A defenseman, a top-pairing one. Even if it’s worth the price of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Jordan Eberle. Without quality defenders, it’s going to be tough making the playoffs. Without quality defense, even if we miraculously pull it off and make it, we won’t last long. However, with a top-pairing defenseman, say Seth Jones or EVEN Oliver Ekman-Larsson, it’s possible to stay in the race.

Our next question was from Facebook user Cory T Maksymyszyn, who asked the following:

Do you think the Oilers are going to make a move before the trade deadline, or end up waiting if they don’t end up signing Mike Richards?

Thanks for your question, Cory! Here’s the thing. I think that the Oilers have something deep going on in the works, a trade that is completely underground and has been in the making for a while. With the Nashville Predators looking at Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and more forwards in exchange for their top-tier defensive corp, I think something will happen sooner rather than later.

Before the trade deadline? Yeah, but it could expand as far as the minute before the deadline ends. On the other hand, I don’t think that’s likely, considering right now is the critical time for Edmonton, and they need to start winning games now. The trade deadline will be too little, too late, since the Oilers will probably have a definitive answer to the question on whether or not they have a real shot at making the playoffs.

I think that Richards signing with the Oilers is going to be the result of one of our moves. If we do end up dealing away Nugent-Hopkins, or even Jordan Eberle, the move to sign Richards would be a reinforcement to our forward lines.

Think of it this way. The Oilers have Leon Draisaitl providing great production as a top-line center. Once McDavid returns from injury, the team will have its top six and two quality centers. Where will Nuge fit? It’s not fair to call him a third-line center, so why not trade him to a team where he can bloom, and get quality defense in return?

Of course, Nashville does not need to be our only trade partner. We could entice teams like Arizona. And with Pittsburgh inquiring about some of our defensive corps (hell knows why), I think that there is something complex that is going to happen sooner rather than later. And Richards is the result of whatever move is made.

Or I could just be crazy.

Last but not least, we have a question from The Original 97, aka @jodes97.

Will the Oilers actually be able to trade Schultz, Nikitin or Fayne at the deadline? I can’t see any team wanting any of them.

Good question. Yes. I believe they can actually pull it off. Teams have been keeping an eye on Nikitin. And that was the whole reason he was called up and played with the team for a short time; it was just to show him off to the teams looking at him.

I think that there are teams out there who can benefit from players like Nikitin, Schulz and Fayne. Of course, I think they can be dealt for very minimal parts, like AHL players or third-pairing players. Maybe a third-line forward. Or they would be put in a deal with another big name player from our organization.

Last but not least, we have a question from Facebook user Jeremy Brazier.

When Joey Moss retires, how do you think he will be honored by the organization?

Good question. I think that Joey Moss, though he works behind the scenes, is one of the most beloved members of the Oilers organization. When he does decide to retire, he will probably get the same respect that Glen Sather got.

They should have a night for him, and yes, I would go far to say that he could get a banner. He has been with the organization since the Wayne Gretzky era (that’s who found him). He already has a tribute video; why does he not deserve more?

Thank you for participating in our mailbag! Catch us on Twitter and on Facebook, where we constantly ask you guys for questions!