The Rig Roundtable

We’ve got a new feature here at The Oilers Rig, and we’re calling it The Rig Roundtable. Instead of a traditional mailbag, where a bunch of writers answer a bunch of questions, we’re just going with one question. Because we have so many people who write very specific niche pieces on the site, we thought it would be good to get input on a pressing Oilers issue from some of those writers.

This week, the respondents are Sean Wingrave, Rex Libris, Roman Maximus and Bret Litke.

Without further ado, here’s this week’s question:

What should the Oilers do at the trade deadline?

Sean:

They should add a right handed shot for the powerplay, whether it is a forward or a defenceman. This would have the caveat that Chiarelli shouldn’t give up too much in the way of assets and just lower round picks. Iginla (or similar) for a 3rd or 4th rounder if possible. I would also look at adding a veteran as a backup for Talbot. I would be nervous is Talbot was injured and the team had to look to an unproven Brossoit for the stretch drive and playoffs. Again, only if the price is a lower round pick (or picks) or a tier 2 prospect.

Rex:

I’m going to preface this by saying I think there is a chance Chiarelli trades his 1st for a batch of lower picks this June, so acquiring extra picks may not be an especial priority.

That said, there aren’t many options when it comes to selling at the deadline because arguably the most valuable pending free agent is, despite my misgivings about his overall game, still a veteran NHL defenseman and in the playoffs those are like gold.

The needs are an extra defenseman, a third line center, a more solid backup goaltender and a right winger. The coming expansion draft is also a consideration in any roster moves made.

The assets are a few lower-rung players, prospects and picks.

One thing I’d like to emphasize though is that moves to improve the roster do not need to be linear (ie: trade picks for 3C). Think of when MacTavish (who made some pretty serious evaluation errors) moved Dubnyk for Hendricks then signed Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov, for all his flaws, was an improvement on Dubnyk at the time and Hendricks brought some stability to the bottom six. It wasn’t a linear move of moving a goalie for a goalie or even skater for skater. No picks were lost and the Oilers addressed some areas of need.

With that in mind, I think the Oilers will be buyers but not necessarily in a straight roll-the-shopping-cart-through-the-ailes kind of way. Chiarelli needs depth positions, not starting ones, and won’t be in a position to go big-game hunting the way some GMs will be tempted to do.

Last year it was Maroon for a late pick and a prospect who wasn’t going to develop in the system. I’d expect something closer to that than anything that will grab the headlines.

Roman:

Trade for 3RD Line Center: Brian Boyle

Trade for a soft minutes RH RW perhaps Vrbata.

Trade for Colin Miller from Boston

Trade Davidson for picks

Trade Russell for picks

Bret:

Obtain a top 6 right winger… and that’s really it. Here’s how I see it: if you acquire a top 6 right winger, you are really acquiring two positions at the same time. Let’s say the Oilers obtain Radim Vrbata, who shouldn’t be too costly to get. You can put him right beside McDavid on the right side (Vrbata is a shooter) and voila, there is Draisaitl, back to centre, giving the Oilers supreme strength up the middle, once again.

In this scenario, Caggiula slides over to the wing and could eventually be platooned with a called-up and confident Puljujarvi. Whoever is playing hot gets in, and with McDavid and Nuge taking the tough minutes, that could mean a great opportunity for the 3rd line to capitalize. Draisaitl can drive a line, and against weaker competition, he may just flourish even more.

Sure, the Oilers could try and go big game hunting for a Hanzal or Shattenkirk, but these will likely be very costly acquisitions and not really worth it with an expansion draft on the horizon. Additionally, I don’t really think the Oilers, even with one of those guys, are destined for a real run at the cup… yet. Save some pieces for next year, make the big moves then and the team should be much more poised for larger playoff success.

Your Turn

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The Rig Roundtable

Megan Fowler

Sean:

Rex:

Roman:

Bret:

Your Turn

Megan Fowler

Megan Fowler

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