If The Shoe Fits…..

It’s mid-July and not much is happening in the hockey world right now. It’s that time of year where the wacky rumors spring up so we have something to talk about. One of those rumors popped up on twitter this past weekend after an interview on the “Oilers Now” radio show.

Host and Oilers insider Bob Stauffer had former Leafs assistant GM Bill Watters on, and he mentioned in an interview to Stauffer that he hears the Oilers have been interested in Phaneuf before, fueling speculation that has been around for weeks that Edmonton is looking for a top pairing defender.

Bob Stauffer said he would be surprised if Edmonton made a move for Dion, and he made sure to point out that he was not suggesting that Edmonton is interested in the current Leafs’ captain. That still got me thinking however, is Dion a good fit in Edmonton and what would it take to get him here?

So…..Does He fit?

A lot of people will tell you no, Dion Phaneuf doesn’t fit in Edmonton, and most Oilers fans will have you believe that Dion is essentially the devil and will ruin any kind of progress that the team has made in their rebuild. I laugh at this notion big time, because the fact of the matter is, Dion is a great fit for the Edmonton Oilers.

The Edmonton Oilers have not had a legit number one defender since 2006, which also happens to be the last time this club made the playoffs. The defender was Chris Pronger, who was the backbone of a team that was one game away from a Stanley Cup title. Since his trade, the Oilers have employed good defenders in Lubomir Visnovsky and Sheldon Souray, but never again a true number one. Dion is a true number one.

Phaneuf played around 25 minutes a night on the Leafs last season, playing in all situations on a playoff bound hockey club. His ability to not only play a high amount of minutes, but also play in all three situations makes him an extremely attractive option, and one that Edmonton currently does not have on the roster.

Dion had 28 points this past season, including nine goals. In 2011-12, Dion put up 44 points in 82 games and the year before he put up 30 in 66 games. That sample size shows us that Phaneuf is around a .5 PPG player recently, something again that Edmonton does not have on the roster. Sensing a trend?

If that isn’t enough to sway the Oilers faithful, chew on this stat. Dion played most of his minutes this season with defenders Korbinian Holzer and Mike Kostka. Neither are legit NHL top four defenders, yet they played that role and were helped greatly by Dion. Carrying around a proverbial anchor like that while posting good numbers really is telling of the big guy’s game. The fact that he was only a -4 should say a lot.

Dion has a lot of qualities that this Oilers team sorely lacks too. The Oilers don’t have that physically dominant defender, and haven’t since Pronger left the team in 2007 in a heartbreaking fashion. Phaneuf is one of the more frequent hitters on the blue-line, and would bring a swagger of toughness and physicality that the Oilers haven’t seen in years.

Phaneuf also isn’t a bad puck-moving option either, as he has the ability to put up points and make a decent first pass. He has a laser-beam for a shot, and can man the point on a power-play if need be, which would give the Oilers some welcomed options to accompany Jeff Petry and Justin Schultz.

The contract situation is an interesting one, and depending on how you look at it could be a good thing. Phaneuf is due $6.5 M this season, and while that is a lot of money he will become a UFA next summer, meaning that contract comes off the books after just one season. It won’t be ideal to pay Dion more than Hall and Eberle, but for one year the team can make it work.

Looking at Dion as a player, it’s tough to not love the possibility of adding him. He’s big, physical, can play in all situations and is a minute-munching defender. He’s a number one at the NHL level, and would GREATLY improve the Oilers blue-line. In my mind, he’s a perfect fit for this hockey club.

The Price is….

So what would the Leafs want for their top defender and captain? Well, it’s tough to say. The Leafs are in a weird cap spot after giving Tyler Bozak a raise and David Clarkson a big check on July 5th. The team still has to re-sign Nazem Kadri, who is coming off of a break-out season, and solid defenders Cody Franson and Carl Gunnarson.

The Leafs would no doubt need a defender going the other way, so I’ll offer up Ladislav Smid, who is a top four defender at less money. It’ll also cost the Oilers their 2014 first round draft pick, and I’m ready to give that up. I’ll also say it will cost a prospect, and I’m thinking a guy like Martin Marincin is what the Leafs will look towards.

So it looks like Ladislav Smid, a 2014 1st round pick and Martin Marincin for Dion Phaneuf (In a contract year). I’d do that deal too if I’m Edmonton, and work like heck to get him re-signed shortly after a trade.

Sure it stings to lose a prospect like Marincin, but with Darnell Nurse, Oscar Klefbom, Marty Gernat and Taylor Fedun all in the system, the Oilers would be fine. The idea is also that Dion is a long term solution to go with Schultz and Petry. It wouldn’t be mortgaging the future by any means.

Phaneuf-Petry

Ference-J. Schultz

N. Schultz-Belov

That unit looks pretty decent if you ask me. Maybe even playoff decent….

I’ll be back with a look and quick break down of the Oilers 2013-14 regular season schedule on Thursday night, as it is expected to come out on Thursday at some point. Sounds like the Oilers will open up October 1st at home against the Winnipeg Jets.

Until then, follow me on twitter @Alex_Thomas14!