The expansion draft is over and the first trade of the off-season has been completed for the Edmonton Oilers. No one is surprised about the Jordan Eberle trade to New York for Ryan Strome, but many are disappointed with the return. I can’t say I blame those fans, but I think it’s worth learning more about Strome. I had an in-depth look at him earlier today here.
Now that Eberle is gone and another top-nine forward has been brought in, Peter Chiarelli will move onto phase two of his off-season. He’s still got a lot of things to take care of, including his defensive group, but tonight is likely to be all about the system. The Oilers really don’t have the pieces, at this point, to get into the trade market.
Edmonton will pick 22nd overall tonight, the first time they have done so since ironically taking Jordan Eberle at that spot in the 2008 NHL draft. I expect the Oilers to keep the pick and use it on a skilled forward, the type of player that is sorely lacking from the Edmonton system.
Who is Edmonton looking at in this spot? Chiarelli told the media that “we have a cluster of four players. We think we we’re gonna get one of them.” My purely speculative guess? That foursome includes Kailer Yamamoto, Eeli Tolvanen, Kristian Vesalainen and Issac Ratcliffe.
Tolvanen, the sharp-shooting forward from the USHL, would be my first choice out of this group, while Yamamoto is a close second. I think Edmonton badly needs a skilled winger for the system that can eventually jump into a top-six role and put the puck in the net for the club.
I fully expect Edmonton to make the pick at 22 overall and not trade it for a veteran player. If, for some reason the club does move the pick, I suspect it will be in a trade back scenario to make up for the lost second round pick that now belongs to Boston.
Draft Thoughts:
I think it’s possible that Edmonton will be leaving Chicago with a bevy of forward prospects added to the system. Edmonton has ample young defenders in the AHL and at the junior level, to the point where it is a serious strength for the club now. Outside of Jesse Puljujarvi and Tyler Benson, however, the forward ranks are pretty thin.
There is no other prospect forward in the Edmonton system that appears on track to be a top-six forward at the NHL level, and that is a bit concerning. Adding a group of players with skill should be imperative for the club this weekend, and I could see three forwards being selected in addition to the club’s first round selection. I believe there is a priority on skill for this team right now.
NHL Additions:
Eberle is out and Strome is in, there is where we currently stand on this off-season. I still think the Oilers need to acquire a second-pairing RHD, and will need to acquire a short-term replacement for Andrej Sekera on the left side of that same pairing. Bob Stauffer also hinted at adding a free agent winger, which fits in with our shopping list.
Speaking of which, let’s revisit the shopping list, which has been tinkered with a bit.
1.) Sign Connor McDavid: Wouldn’t be surprised if we hear about a massive deal on July 1st.
2.) Sign Leon Draisaitl: Likely coming soon, like in the next two weeks soon.
3.) Address second-pairing RHD: Sounds like Kris Russell will re-sign with the club. Certainly not close to my top choice for this spot.
4.) Add a 3rd line center or top six RW: Ryan Strome acquire for Jordan Eberle. Likely to fill this role, but rumblings of another winger (free agent?) are being heard.
5.) Figure out the Mark Fayne/Benoit Pouliot situations: Looking like Bakersfield again for Fayne and one final chance for Pouliot with the big club. He’s a great bounce back candidate.
6.) Short-term replacement for Andrej Sekera: Could this be the spot Russell occupies for the club?
7.) Add depth: Nothing here yet.
Tonight should be very interesting. Only item four has been taken care of thus far, and the Oilers may not even be done with that just yet. What is next for Peter Chiarelli and his group? We’ll find out a lot more in the next 36 hours.
As always, we’ll be updating the site with the latest moves and I’ll have the latest speculation and reaction on Twitter @Alex_Thomas14.
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