Patience Is A Virtue

Yesterday, Edmonton Oilers GM Craig MacTavish held about a 13 minutes press conference that basically laid out the foundation for what we can expect in the next stretch leading up to the trade deadline on March 5th. What MacT said is basically what we have been talking about for weeks, but people were still up in arms yesterday, asking how Edmonton can just dump veterans for futures again.

Yes, the plan, for the sixth time in eight years, is going to be to dump veteran players on expiring contracts for what will likely be draft picks. Is it ideal? No, it isn’t. This was supposed to be the year that Edmonton added veteran pieces for a spot in the playoffs, but things have fallen apart very, very quickly in the Alberta capital.

Oilers fans are, and rightfully so, frustrated and want the roster improved immediately. Unfortunately, that isn’t how the business works this time of year. The Oilers, unless something unexpected happens, won’t be adding any pieces that will help them next year at this deadline. The pieces they add will, and again rightfully so, replenish what is now a barren draft pick arsenal.

See here is the thing, the Oilers have a ton of holes on their roster. Bloggers know it, fans know it, media knows it, and the team knows it. The Oilers aren’t sitting in their office saying “Gee, we got a great group of defenders here,” they know that it is an area of concern, as is the second line center spot and bottom six forwards. They get that.

The Oilers, I fully expect, will try and fill those holes, but the players that can fill those holes don’t hit the market until draft weekend in June. The reality is, a playoff team is not going to give you a real piece at this time of year. Come draft day, everyone will be open for business, and actual NHL players will be in play off of playoff rosters. Of course, free agency is just a few short days after the draft, opening the market even further.

There isn’t a team (unless we consider Shawn Matthias in Florida) that will trade you a big second line center or top pairing defender right now. Heck, you’ll be lucky to get a top-four guy right now that isn’t a rental player. Those are the players Edmonton needs, and those player will not be on the market until June. That’s how this has always worked my friends.

Look at the Oilers players on the trade block. Ales Hemsky, Nick Schultz, Ryan Smyth and Ryan Jones are all likely to be moved, with Corey Potter and Anton Belov having an outside chance of getting a plane ticket out of town. Those are not marquee names and will not command a large return. The only player I value as a top-six guy is Ales Hemsky, and his stock is way down.

The Oilers are currently lacking a second round (Perron trade) and third round (Scrivens trade) pick at this June’s draft. They’ve already regained their fourth rounder (San Jose’s thanks to Mike Brown) and are looking to regain the other lost picks. That isn’t the sexy thing, but it makes the most sense for this team at this point.

People are angry, and they should be. It’s been an awful eight years for Oilers fans everywhere, myself included. There hasn’t been a single playoff game and very little to root for. Bad decisions have been the common theme from management, but this is not one of those bad moves. This is asset management.

The Oilers have holes and need additions, but the best time for that is the summer. I know that, the Oilers know that, and deep down you all know that too. Don’t let the pain and frustration of another season cloud that judgement.

It’s addition by subtraction. Nick Schultz has no future with Edmonton, and will be moved for likely a 3rd/4th round pick. Taylor Fedun will likely get an NHL roster spot, and I’d argue Edmonton is actually better with the young puck-mover than Schultz the elder.

Ales Hemsky will likely be moved for a high pick or a combo of picks. That’s not an ideal trade, but if there is NO chance Hemsky re-signs, you might as well get something. Yes, for the record, I’m on the keep Hemsky train, but that likely doesn’t happen. Not only do you get picks, but you give a guy like Tyler Pitlick a chance to show he belongs on the roster for next season.

Is the spot Edmonton is in ideal? No, far from it, but the Oilers need to make the best with what they have right now. Moving rental UFA’s to replenish draft picks and the prospect group is the best they can do at this time. The summer will be the time for improving the NHL roster, and I trust Craig MacTavish with doing just that. There is a time for everything my friends.

Now, if something comes along that does help Edmonton and makes sense, then fine, pull the trigger. I just think that is highly unlikely. For the record, unless you get a great offer, I’d hold onto Sam Gagner until the summer as well, let him build his value back up.

The Edmonton Oilers will try and improve this hockey club, but unfortunately that likely does not happen until the summer. Don’t let frustration get the best of you my friends, the road laid yesterday by Craig MacTavish appears to be the right one. Time to restock the arsenal and move forward.