Buckle up folks, it’s show time. No more posturing, it’s time to roll. Tonight, the Oilers franchise will change as Connor McDavid will come aboard. The rumors are flying, and Chiarelli is ready to rock. This is an exciting time.
Here is what we do know, Edmonton will pick at number one, and will select F Connor McDavid of the Erie Otters. It’s an obvious pick, as McDavid is the best prospect to enter the draft since Sidney Crosby in 2005. This is a generational talent, folks.
After that, all bets are off. Edmonton is slated to pick 16th, but they could move the pick if the right defender were to become available on the market via trade. We also know Edmonton has telegraphed Yevgeni Svechnikov and Joel Eriksson Ek as potential picks in this slot.
We also know that there are TONS of rumors floating around, from Adam McQuaid to Craig Anderson and even Cam Talbot in between. Edmonton is looking for a starting goaltender, and from what we are hearing, it sounds like some help on the blue-line as well. Should be very interesting to see what happens.
The List:
Back in April, I wrote my list of things to do for Peter Chiarelli. As we hit the draft and free agent tampering period, I think it is time to revisit that list.
1.) Acquire a real, proven NHL starting goaltender. No more risks, get it right.
2.) Acquire a real top-pairing defensive option. This will be tough, but guys like Jay Bouwmeester or Brent Seabrook could shake free.
3.) Get a proven, veteran, NHL head coach. I’m talking McLellan, Babcock, etc.
4.) Acquire another real NHL defender, someone in the 3/4/5 mold.
5.) Add a top-nine forward via free agency, ideally a center, but a winger works too.
6.) Draft Connor McDavid.
Item number three was taken care of, as Edmonton identified and hired Todd McLellan. Item number six will be taken care of in mere hours as well, as Edmonton will draft McDavid against the odds.
Item one could be taken care of this weekend as well, at least in theory. The Oil might take a risk, but depending on the player this will be checked off by July 1st. As for the addition of two defenders, I’ve become a little leery. I’m thinking we only see one blue-liner added. All that said, Chiarelli likes to keep quiet until it’s time to make it official, so we’ll see. Leaks aren’t really a thing with Chia.
It’s show time folks. I’m thinking that, in addition to McDavid, we see two trades before the night ends. I have nothing to back that with, it’s just a hunch. These next seven days will be vital to the success Edmonton has next season.
The first test for new GM Peter Chiarelli is here, can he pass it? We wait.
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