We are less than 24 hours from the month of June. For Oiler fans, that should be a big deal. After a year of watching this hockey team, Peter Chiarelli will have the opportunity to plug holes and finally put his stamp on this organization. Like I say every year, this is a massive summer for the Edmonton Oilers. Screwing up this off-season is simply not an option for this hockey club.
That said, one of the big things for Edmonton will be avoiding mistakes of the past. The Oilers have butchered the rebuild(s) due to their inability to augment their roster with veteran talent to help the young kids.
Speaking of which, there is a chance that one of the “core” kids will be moved this summer. While some want all three of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins gone, some lose sleep over the thought of it. I, personally, would prefer to move on from one of those players and address other needs.
There is more to it than just addressing other needs, however. There is a problem in Edmonton.
Eric Belanger Bashes Old Management and Core:
Former Oiler Eric Belanger mentioned on Twitter Monday night that Justin Schultz sure doesn’t miss the Edmonton Oilers. Of course, some Oiler fans took this personally and attacked the center on twitter. Belanger took time to respond to some people and actually gave some insight into what is wrong with this organization.
This tweet really caught my eyes:
@parrypannu89@jjwiens57@Lowetide I tried and all the other veterans to. But the kids did everything they want. I guess it worked out.
— Eric Belanger (@belly2020) May 31, 2016
Belanger is essentially saying that management during his tenure (Steve Tambellini, Kevin Lowe and briefly Craig MacTavish) just let this kids do what they want. This may have rotted the core and have led to the entitlement that has been seen from this group for a few years now.
We know that Craig MacTavish wasn’t overly thrilled with his “core” at times and I got the feeling that both Peter Chiarelli and Todd McLellan had grown frustrated with them during the season.
It’s also been indicated that there is a problem with entitlement in that locker room when it comes to the “core” group and there were some issues. Conflicts with veterans brought in to help guide the kids certainly sound like they occurred.
I’m a firm believer that Chiarelli will address this by moving one of them this off-season. Let’s just say the reputation of this team around the league is that of a laughing stock and there are multiple reasons for it.
Trading Out?:
From the moment the Oilers lost the NHL draft lottery, we have been hearing about the team possibly trading out of the number four spot and either moving down or out of the first round entirely. Moving down would allow Edmonton to pick a solid prospect while adding an asset, say another draft pick or an actual NHL player depending on how far back they go.
Moving out entirely, especially from a slot that is so valuable, could give Edmonton the opportunity to land a real difference maker at the NHL level.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman was on Calgary radio on Monday and mentioned how Matthew Tkachuk’s impressive Memorial Cup performance may increase the value of pick four:
“But Edmonton is, in a lot of ways, where the draft really begins because they made it very clear they’re willing to trade down. I think there are going to be a lot of people who are going to want to get into that spot to get their hands on Tkachuk. I think if anything, this tournament has kind of cemented the fact that he’s No. 4. And who knows, maybe in somebody’s eyes he’s even higher. God only knows.”
I can imagine Arizona (Keith Tkachuk played there), Toronto (Mitch Marner is his linemate), Colorado and Carolina having some interest here. It’s a pretty big deal that Tkachuk had a big tournament, because all eyes were on him and he was on a massive stage. That showing helped his draft stock, there is no doubt about that.
I think if Edmonton stays at four they will pick him. He fits what the Oilers need and could be a very solid long-term piece beside Connor McDavid. He’s also a Peter Chiarelli type of player, so the fit is there.
That said, if a team really likes Tkachuk, they might be willing to give up a little more after that showing. We all know the Oilers are open for business here….
Finnish Fall:
After Tkachuk’s solid Memorial Cup, is he making a case to move UP the rankings? Could the American forward surprise everyone and get selected third overall by Columbus at the entry draft in three and a half weeks? Personally, I doubt it, but David Staples raised the question recently.
Puljujarvi a great prospect, but starting to wonder just how much CBJ will covet power forward Tkachuk. You asking the same?
— David Staples (@dstaples) May 30, 2016
Columbus certainly could use a power-forward, but I can’t see them making this kind of pick at number three. Jesse Puljujarvi is clearly the better prospect and projects to be a better player at the NHL level. Puljujarvi also appears to be ready to make the NHL next fall, while the same cannot be said of Tkachuk.
For Edmonton, this would be an ideal situation. I think they would run to the podium and pick Puljujarvi if he was still on the board.
The Finnish forward has been the better prospect all year long. Although he was great at the Memorial Cup, Tkachuk’s performance simply should not push him up all the the way to number three. Beware of small sample sizes, friends.
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