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Oilers Rumor: Deal to Acquire Barkov |
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I haven't posted one of these in a while, so here's a rumor to keep your Saturday interesting.
The Oilers are looking for a way to move up to the #3 or #4 position in the draft so they can select Aleksander Barkov. I believe he may go as high as 3rd overall, and as low as 5th, depending on what happens with Valeri Nichushkin. According to Nichushkin, both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators are interesting in him, and he could, theoretically, be picked as high as 3rd overall.
So here's the deal the Oilers are going to offer up, provided Barkov is still available and the right team is interested: The Oilers 1st round pick, 7th overall in 2013, and the Oilers 1st round pick in 2014...for the chance to draft Barkov.
Please keep in mind that this offer may decrease in value if Barkov slides down the draft order. However, the need to bring in a Top 6 center with size is so great that the Oilers are prepared to gamble next-season's pick to add someone who could become part of the core immediately.
While the Oilers like Monahan, and he might even be still available at the #7 spot, the goal is to acquire this draft's Galchenyuk. Sean Monahan does not posses the offensive upside Barkov does.
Should the Oilers buyout Shawn Horcoff as suggested in my last blog, and should they re-sign and keep Sam Gagner, also suggested in my last blog, Barkov would draw into the line-up immediately as the third line center. Depending on how it goes, Gagner could be move a couple years later to relocate Barkov in the Top 6. In the meantime, he'll see all sorts of extra ice on the PP and PK.
If you're Nashville in particular, scheduled to be drafting 4th overall, this could be an amazing deal, as they need to acquire several young players to restock the roster. At #7 they could still get at shot at either Monahan or Elias Lindholm, and they'd have the additional pick from the Oilers the next season.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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