Trade The Mall

10 years.

Yay. A new record in NHL futility.

I’m talking about the Edmonton Oilers missing the playoffs of course. While most of us didn’t expect the lowly Oil to be in a playoff spot at season’s end, I certainly didn’t think we’d be fighting for the best chance at winning the draft lottery once again. I get a lot of grief from fans of other teams, and also have noticed a lot of butt-hurt reactions from bloggers and MSM pundits on how the Oilers shouldn’t be allowed to win the lottery so many times in a row. To that I say, SUCK IT EVERYONE ELSE, WE GOT MCDAVID.

As far as the other Number 1 picks go, the Oilers haven’t been able to put a winning team on the ice with the 3 #1’s picked prior to McSaviour. This year may have been an anomaly due to the rash of injuries, and as Alex Thomas pointed out the team hasn’t iced their best team this year because of said injuries. Sure the team hasn’t been as healthy as we’d like, and sure that plays a part in the standings, but frankly I’m quite done with excuses.

I’m a tired Oilers fan, fact is, on average I attend at least 10 Oilers games a season, this year though I’ve been to 3. Twice to see the Sharks play because that’s the team that Mrs. Gordon cheers for, and once to watch the Oilers play the Jets on tickets I was given for free. I’ve consumed less games on the TeeVee lately as well, my viewing rarely lasting past the first period. It’s not that I don’t love this team still, I’m just sick and tired of losing and quite frankly I’m willing to see just about anything happen with this roster to see this team get back into the conversation of at least competitive.

So What Does Anything Mean?

From Elliote Friedman’s 30 Thoughts today;

5. Coach Todd McLellan’s exasperation with his forwards grows on a game-by-game basis. At this point, I assume the only untouchables up-front are Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

I couldn’t agree more, and I’d almost add to that sentiment that there are no untouchables on the defensive end either. WHAT EVER IT TAKES MR. CHIARELLI.

Let’s look at a few of the players and why they should be on the block.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Why I’d Keep Him

Nuge, when healthy this year has proven to be one of the slickest skaters around. He possesses a very quick release on his shot and defensively is probably the best of young guns not named McDavid. I like his vision on the ice and believe, like many others that coach McLellan is likely to try him on the wing next season like he did with Joe Pavelski in San Jose.

Why I’d Trade Him

He’d surely bring a decent return. The rumors of Nuge for Seth Jones in the fall weren’t that far off. Nuge actually has a better PPG then Johansen does, RyJo’s size was probably the tipping factor on Poile pulling the trigger on that trade. That being said,  there are a few teams that will be looking for center depth that may be willing to part with a young defenseman. I’d prefer to keep RNH as there is value there, and well, center depth.

Jordan Eberle

Why I’d Keep Him

The guy’s a sniper, and he’s got some chemistry with McDavid. Chemistry with McDavid is important to, we’ve all read and heard about how hard a guy like Sidney Crosby is to play with and seen the carousel of wingers the Penguins have gone through looking for the right fit. Ebs also has the ability to create offense on his own, and can be moved between the top two lines as needed.

Why I’d Trade Him

One thing I’ve really disliked about Ebs game this year is his ability to give up on the play. He’s been very inconsistent in his willingness to battle along the boards and in the corners, one game going all out, and others seemingly veering away from any puck that may be contested by the opposition. If he finds that consistency and can bring it every night he’ll be one of the top players in this league perennially.

Nail Yakupov

Why I’d Keep Him

There aren’t a lot of reasons to list here. I like his work ethic and his shot is fantastic, but something just has never clicked with this kid in Edmonton. He’s been great in the community, and I hear he’s a fantastic person to be around outside of the team. The team may look at keeping him as another player that has some chemistry with number 97, but only if they end up trading a few of the top offensive players. Although if he could consistently play like he did versus the Sharks last night he’d be a keeper.

Why I’d Trade Him

As mentioned above, things just aren’t working out here. There’s rumors that he asked for a trade and the Oilers said they’d oblige. The return is going to be insignificant unless included in some sort of package deal. I do however think that the young Russian is going to go on to great things, if not he still stands to make good money in the KHL. I hope it doesn’t come that though and wish him all the best wherever he ends up.

Taylor Hall

Why I’d Keep Him

He’s an elite winger, it’s that simple. I’m sure some of you will argue this, but fact is his career numbers prove it. The guy can drive the play, and when at the top of his game there aren’t a lot of teams in the league that can reign him in. Trading Hall would mean losing one of the top left wingers in the game.

Why I’d Trade Him

A few reasons. The first obviously being that he’ll bring the biggest and likely best return. If the Oilers can entertain thoughts of having a true elite defenseman then Hall is the guy going the other way. The other is something I heard the other day on the Jason Gregor show, it was a segment with TSN reporter Ryan Rishaug. They were talking about the Oilers poor play and how current management, or anyone for that matter hasn’t had a chance to watch their players in crunch time. Meaning what will these guys do when actually chasing down a playoff spot.

Hall was on fire for the first few months of the season, scoring at what looked to be a record pace. It was expected we’d see new career highs across the board in goals, assists and points. But with the Oilers chasing a playoff spot in December, Hall seemed to slow down. During the radio segment it was mentioned that when the team fell out of contention is when Hall’s production slipped. I have a hard time believing that reasoning, but if they’re talking about it so are others, and that makes it a thing.

I can’t imagine how terrible it would be to lose every year like the Oilers do and not want to give up once it was clear  they were out of it. It is also important to mention that the coach is on record as saying no one on his team has given up on anything. I think that’s more likely the case.

Trade The Mall

I could go on with this list, and I just might time permitting. But the names listed above are the most likely to be out the door if we’re to see big returns and big improvements for next season. Whether Chia trades one, two or all of them it’s definitely going to be one hell of an off season, and not matter what happens the only thing that will impress this writer is a 2016-2017 winning season.

Thanks for reading.