Erik Karlsson Is What The Edmonton Oilers Players Want
In his, 32 Thoughts Podcast Elliot Friedman made the point that the Edmonton Oilers players would like a player that can skate it out, not just bang it off the glass and out.
"From what I understand, one of the things the Oilers players have made very clear is if they make a trade, they want to make sure it’s somebody who can get the puck out of the zone. Not just bang it off the glass, but move it. The Oilers feel they’re a better team when they have that kind of player back there."
If you ask me there aren’t very many defensemen that are better at getting the puck out of their end with control than Erik Karlsson. The fact that this is something that the players want to see puts a little bit of extra weight on the move.
Just like the old saying “happy wife, happy life”, for a GM if your players are happy your life is easier. Just look at the Arizona Coyotes, it seems that there are a few high-end players that are happy to play there, and they all seem to end up being traded away. Ken Holland wants to keep his skilled players, so making moves that make them happy should be high on his list of things to do.
No matter how this Erik Karlsson scenario plays out there is no doubt that if the Edmonton Oilers can bring him in he is going to make this team better. I am just not willing to way over pay for him, a slight overpay I am okay with though.