Last time, we discussed which Centers will be here at the start of next season. If you missed it, you can check it out HERE. Now we move on to the Right wing position.
#68 Tyler Pitlick
Boris: STAY
“I think he’s shown enough to get a serious cup of coffee in the bottom six. I doubt the playoffs are an option, so him learning on the job wouldn’t be the worst option.”
Dave: STAY
“Stay, in the minors where he can get some playing time to continue his development. This guy needs to follow the Detroit Red Wings’ development template. I’m hoping MacT can sign a winger or two for the bottom six which would hopefully mean Pitlick would have to earn first call up.”
Jackie: BOTH
“Meh! I have seen him play well, I’ve seen him play not so well. I’m not sold on him, but there haven’t been many opportunities to see what he can do yet. I’d like to see him stick around and find out what he can do, but will he consistently in the line up? I doubt it. It all depends on what happens in the off season and what the line up looks like. It wouldn’t break my heart to see him packaged up and shipped out.”
Alex: STAY
“I was on the fence here, but I’ll say stay. Pitlick has a lot of good things about him and looks like he’ll be a good bottom six forward in the future. He battled through injury this year, but showed well when healthy. I’ll say he gets one more chance this year and I’d like to see him on line four.”
Shawn: GO
“Pitlick was a player I was very excited about, played good for a game and then got hurt. He then got another chance and got hurt. He brings so much of what the Oilers need, but his injury history is right up their with Hemsky. Time to try and swap him with another teams project and see what happens.”
So the final Vote on Pitlick is three STAYS, one GO and another indifferent vote. Not surprised on a fringe player.
#57 David Perron
Borris: GO
“As much as I like Perron, if MacT can find a larger option with similar offense and a two way game with an edge, he should make that move. I like Perron and agitators like him are needed but you have to give to get.”
Dave: STAY
“DP finished third in team scoring, can agitate, hits, plays okay defensively and brings a lot of energy to the second line. His underlying numbers are good to. Perron is the type of player a team needs to provide those intangibles to the top six.”
Jackie: STAY
“Perron has been a hugely welcomed addition to this team. he is one of the only shit disturbers that the Oilers have….AND he has skill! he’s feisty, he’s solid, he can score and he works his butt off.”
Alex: STAY
“Perron is just like Boyd Gordon, the Oilers need more and not less of this player. Perron is a good offensive player who plays with an edge and seems to be a leader in the room. Another perfect second line player who seems to fit really well in Edmonton.”
Shawn: STAY
“If anybody votes GO for Perron, they’re crazy. He has brought so many dimensions to a team sorely missing them. He pisses off the other team, every single shift. He can score goals. Perron is good in his own zone and he plays a sandpaper kind of game. The perfect example of what this team needs more of. A perfect example of “it’s not the size of the dog in a fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog”. He plays a big game and drives opponents banana’s.”
Wow, I thought this would be a sweep as well. But it ends up in a lopsided vote, non-the-less. Four STAYS to one GO.
#14 Jordan Eberle
Boris: STAY
“I think we’re at a point where the team can count on his for 65 points in an offensive role. Works well with others.”
Dave: UNDECIDED?
“Now don’t get me wrong. I really REALLY like Ebs, the fact of the matter is that if MacT can get an awesome return for him, I think he might be on his way to another team. I’m hoping we get to see #14 back with the Oilers, but if we don’t I won’t be terribly surprised.”
Jackie: STAY……NO……UNDECIDED
“It’s no secret that I adore Eberle…he’s got so much raw talent but seemed lost this season…as did many of the Oilers. I wonder if this is due to Eakins coming in. I believe he should stay and see how he fares with another season of Eakins. However, if he has to be part of a deal that will firm up some well, known solid defender…then so be it. BUT…the return has to be too insane not to turn down.”
Alex: STAY
“Eberle is a very good talent and part of the core going forward. Ebs gives the Oilers a solid 60-70 point guy and someone who is decent with his two way play. He isn’t a superstar, but he is a perfect complimentary player.”
Shawn: STAY
“Eberle is a player who’s name keeps coming up in rumors. That’s because every other team would love to have him. They say the team who gets the best player in a trade wins. So why would the Oilers want to automatically lose a “BOLD” trade? He will be a point per game player and those are hard to find in the new NHL.”
So Eberle get’s three STAYS, one UNDECIDED and one I don’t know. So maybe not unanimous, but no votes off the team, so that’s good.
#64 Nail Yakupov
Boris: STAY
“It’s too early to give up on him. And in doing so now, it wouldn’t bring a return worthy of his talent.”
Dave: STAY
“He had a tough year this last season. But it is way too early to give up on him. Not to mention the fact his value in a trade is at an all time low.”
Jackie: GO
“Yak is young and was rushed along in his progress with the team. The way he treated Eakins in hard to read. Nobody knows what the story is behind that, so we can just speculate at this point. He definitely has skill and the passion for the game, but I don’t see him as a long term Oilers. His trade value is practically zilch at the moment and that’s a problem. I would say that if there’s a decent trade to happen…make it.”
Alex: STAY
“This was a tough one, but I believe it is too early to simply give up on Yakupov. He’s got elite goal scorer written all over him and seems like a guy that offensively can do a ton of damage in the NHL. part of me feels like this could Edmonton’s best goal scorer in 20+ years. Now, if the right deal came along…I’m not dumping him and I suspect he’ll be back.”
Shawn: GO
“I am not giving up on Yak Attack. I just think he needs to be in a place he get’s playing time. In Edmonton he will never get top line minutes because he has the big three to try and bump. But they at least try in their own zone. He is destined to a second line role here, but doesn’t play that type of defensive game. Or any defensive game. Even though most believe he has no value, a first overall pick is worth a hell of a lot, no matter how he played in his first full season. I think he’ll be traded to bring in help now. I also think people will be surprised at the amount and quality of the return.”
So another close one. Even though, very slightly, Yakupov gets three STAY votes.
I was going to do one also on Steve Pinizzotto, but the general atmosphere of him was, who cares? So he has be excluded from this list. Plus in such a sample size, you can’t really decided on a fringe guy like that.
So far we’ve taken a look at the Centers and Right Wingers under contract for next year. Be sure to tune in for the Left Wingers next.
Thank you so much for reading. Don’t forget there will be a pole at the end of this to have your opinion heard. Please follow us all on twitter and have a great night!
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