Not Quite Done Yet

Welcome to the dog days of summer hockey fans. The draft and free agency have both passed by us, and news is very rare to come about. That being said, there will be Oilers news coming sometime soon, and GM Craig MacTavish essentially said as much today at a media availability following development camp.

MacT talked about how he was a little bit frustrated with how he hasn’t been able to get more done yet, saying that he’ll likely only get some of his summer to-do list done, and won’t be able to get it all done. Depending on what he does get done, it still might be enough to push Edmonton into the second season.

While saying that, MacTavish hinted at the possibility that another move could be coming soon, and that he hopes to make at least two more before he can “Be happy” with his current roster. That’s a good quote because it echos the sentiment of the entire fan base. While most feel the moves made so far are mostly positive, most agree it simply it isn’t enough.

For MacT to say he still feels things need to get done and that this team isn’t done being built yet is a very positive sign for Oilers fans everywhere. MacT, unlike Tambellini it seems, is very hungry to improve his roster and make a run at the post-season. After all, seven years is a long time.

MacT also hinted at where the work needs to get done, citing depth on the blue-line and toughness upfront. One can easily speculate he is still looking to acquire a top six power-forward, a defender that can handle legit NHL minutes and a third line energy winger. How much he gets done is still in question.

Overall, it was very encouraging to hear MacT talk on Tuesday, and the one take away from those comments is that he clearly isn’t done or happy with the current roster. More changes are coming, and one can assume more positive changes are coming to roster already better than it’s last edition.

Penner?: Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer was pumping the Dustin Penner tires up on Monday on his show. While he said he would be shocked if Penner ended up in Edmonton, he talked about how Penner fills a hole in Edmonton and that he is the best UFA option currently out there.

Tyler Dellow of MC79hockey was also on the show and made some great points, and I can’t help but agree with Stauffer and Dellow regarding Penner and Edmonton. Is he ideal? No, not at all, but signing Dustin Penner would make the Edmonton Oilers a better team.

Penner, as a complimentary player, is a very solid player. He wouldn’t have to play top line minutes, and he would be playing with someone he has had success with before in Sam Gagner. His possession numbers are very good and his team usually out-shoots the opposition when Penner is on the ice.

Penner’s scoring numbers have been down the last two seasons, but he has still played a pretty important role on two really good Kings teams.

Overall, I’m not against signing Dustin Penner, and I would actually consider it a steal at this point in free agency. That being said, I would be shocked if Penner signed in Edmonton, and be even more shocked if the Oilers were interested. I just think Craig MacTavish is looking elsewhere for help right now, and doesn’t want to travel down the Penner road again.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a few targets in the trade market for that 2nd line LW spot, and Thursday I’ll have a piece up on possible defensive targets via trade for the Oilers. Follow me on twitter @Alex_Thomas14