Over the next two days, I’m going to post two short pieces touching on the 16th overall pick. We know the Oilers will use the top pick in the draft, and we know they will use it to select stud F Connor McDavid. What happens after that is anyone’s guess.
There is going to be exceptional value available to Edmonton at number 16, no doubt. The pick, which was acquired from Pittsburgh for David Perron, has turned out to be far higher than expected. Instead of being 25-30, it’s in the top 20, an unexpected treat. The players there will have the ability to be impact guys down the road.
Tomorrow, we’ll look at those players, but I don’t think Edmonton should make the pick. I’m going to give you the case for trading the 16th overall pick.
Value, It’s There:
The 16th overall pick always has value, but it will have more than usual this June. This draft is being billed as the deepest since 2003, which produced franchise talents late in the first round and into the second round. Teams remember that, and would do anything to get their hands on a value pick like that.
On top of that, the value of draft picks sky-rockets when it becomes draft day. Craig MacTavish said it best, teams throw picks around like candy at the deadline, but when you get on the floor, GM’s treat them like gold. In a deep year, Edmonton could fetch a lot for that pick.
Teams Need To Trade:
Teams thought the salary cap would be higher than the projected $71.5 million that it will be this summer. That means teams will need to shed salary this off-season. That also means that some valuable players will shake-loose this year.
Would Chicago move D Brent Seabrook due to it’s cap issues? They might. What about the Boston Bruins? Could they move D Dougie Hamilton’s negotiation rights due to cap issues? Would the Rangers move one of their many impact, veteran defenders?
Teams will have to find a way to shed salary, and assets like draft picks and prospects will be the price. Edmonton could use the 16th overall pick as a focal point in talks with any team in the NHL.
I’ve suggested it before, the 16th overall pick with Marincin and another asset for a defender, someone like Brent Seabrook ideally.
Oh, and Bob Stauffer mentioned that the 16th overall pick and a prospect could get you a defender. Keep that in mind as we chug towards draft night.
Showing A Sign:
Trading the 16th overall pick for immediate help, especially on the blue-line, suggests a new message in Edmonton. It turns the table from rebuild to win-now mode. For the players and fans, that would be an exciting change of pace after the last nine seasons.
It would also show free agents around the NHL that Edmonton is serious about winning, and it could help them get some of their target players.
Smaller things here, but still important stuff.
Improvement:
Making the playoffs might be too much to ask of the Oilers next year, but being in the race isn’t. Adding immediate help would improve the Oilers roster and would increase the possibility of competing late into the season. That’s important, because this team badly needs to show signs of life and take a step forward.
Adding a guy like Seabrook, Hamilton or even Keith Yandle, Dan Girardi or Marc Staal helps bring credibility and stability to a poor blue-line. Adding any of those guys also makes Edmonton a much better hockey team.
Closing Argument:
The Edmonton Oilers have six picks in the first three rounds of the entry draft. That’s a surplus, and it gives the team the option of moving a pick or two for some immediate help. With Connor McDavid being the top-pick, Edmonton can move the 16th overall pick without any real worry.
The value of this selection will be higher than most years, and teams will be looking to off-load some talent that wouldn’t normally be on the market. Combine all of that, and the Oilers have the chance to expedite this rebuilding process.
If I was Peter Chiarelli, I’d be actively looking to move this pick for some immediate help. I suspect this is his goal too.
I’ll leave you with this, in 2010, Chiarelli had a similar situation in Boston, holding the 2nd overall pick and a mid-first rounder. He kept number two (Seguin), but moved that mid-first rounder for Nathan Horton.
Tomorrow, I’ll be back with the case for keeping the pick.
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