There has been a lot of talk recently surrounding the Oilers selling off pieces as we approach the NHL’s trading deadline. Sadly, for the 9th year in a row, Edmonton will be watching the post-season from home, meaning it’s sell time on March 2nd for the Oilers.
The team has already sold David Perron for a first round pick and Rob Klinkhammer, and is rumored to have Jeff Petry, Viktor Fasth, Jordan Eberle and even Taylor Hall on the block to obtain some sort of return and build for the future. Two players not previously talked about were Matt Hendricks and Boyd Gordon, but their names are now out there.
On Monday morning in an interview with Sportsnet 960 in Calgary, Elliotte Friedman said teams were showing an interest in Hendricks, while many on twitter were saying on Monday that Ryan Rishaug of TSN was talking about the possibility of the Oilers trading Gordon.
Let’s look at why this is a terrible idea, shall we?
Boyd Gordon is Edmonton’s second best center, and has been the most consistently good player for Edmonton this year. He’s a guy that plays physical, handles extremely tough zone starts, and plays against some of the toughest competition. He’s also the best face-off guy on the team, and is one of the true veterans in Edmonton.
Good teams have depth down the middle, and there are very few fourth line centers better than Boyd Gordon, the guy truly is something else, and is Edmonton’s best defensive forward. He’s under contract for next season too, meaning Edmonton doesn’t have to worry about re-signing him.
As for Hendricks, he brings what Edmonton needs. He’s a solid veteran player who knows how to have success in the NHL. He’s a physical player that is tough to play against, and he’s willing to stand-up for his teammates when needed. On top of that, he handles insanely tough zone starts and tough competition while also playing a defensive role and playing on the PK.
Not to mention, Hendricks has contributed some offense this season and is one of those guys that provides the work ethic needed to win in the NHL. He’s a leader, and Edmonton needs more of those, not less of them.
Gordon and Hendricks aren’t sexy name players, but they make up two thirds of a fourth line that plays a huge role in Edmonton and could play a role in future success for this hockey club as early as next season.
Edmonton already has a ton of holes to fill on this roster, and trading these two guys would only open up two more holes. Sure, Edmonton would have a better chance at McDavid, but to me, it’s about setting the tone for next year, and that includes getting the roster in the best shape possible for a run at a post-season spot, no matter how unlikely that might be next season.
Trading Hendricks and Gordon not only makes Edmonton worse for this season, but also for next season. That isn’t, and shouldn’t, be the goal for this hockey club. These are good role players, veteran players that can help you win on the ice and help you set the culture in the locker-room.
The return won’t be great, there is just no point to making a move like this outside of tanking. Edmonton is better off hanging on to these guys and building towards 2015-16.
The good news from this? In the transcript of the Friedman interview, he mentions that Edmonton might not be willing to deal Hendricks. We can only hope.
Remember the saying, get good players, keep good players. This applies with Hendricks, with Gordon, and should apply with Jeff Petry too, but that’s another article for another night.
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