Follow me on Twitter, if you like jokes about the Olympic team and random insulting comments about Eric Belanger: @rdcloutier
Do you remember before the NHL Entry Draft in June...I spoke a number of times about the potential for the Oilers to move the 1st overall pick in a package to the Montreal Canadiens and their 3rd overall pick. Well, it didn't happen. The Oilers drafted Nail Yakupov, and the Habs drafted Yaks buddy from Junior hockey Alex Galchenyuk.
Since that time, Oilers management have spent their summer trying to find two - Top 4 defensemen. They found one...or at least a future one...when they acquired UFA Justin Schultz. Finding player #2 has proven to be more than a little difficult.
Word is leaking out from Montreal that PK Subban and the Habs are not having a happy time signing the defenseman to a new contract. I've also heard rumors over the last 24 hours that Subban wants out. Subban, if he were to become an Oiler, would play top pairing minutes from Game 1.
As you know, I've stated there are six "untouchables" on the Oilers: Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Nail Yakupov, Justin Schultz and Oscar Klefbom. If you keep these six players out of a possible Subban deal, you have Edmonton offering up Sam Gagner, Magnus Paajarvi and the Oilers 1st round pick in 2013 to acquire Subban. Would that be enough? Likely not if you're Montreal. Subban is an all-star. I'm thinking they'd want either a current or potential all-star back in return.
Yakupov + Galchenyuk would give the Canadiens an incredible 1st line for the next 15 seasons. But is Yakupov worth more than Subban? Less? It's hard to put a value on a player who has yet to play an NHL game.
Perhaps the real question is, could a deal like this actually occur? I'm not sure. The Oilers obviously are not going to move Hall, Eberle or Nuge, as they are already established here. If Justin Schultz wanted to play in Montreal, he would have signed there. And there's no way Oscar Klefbom is moved. Oilers like him too much. My belief is, the fan base would go crazy if Yakupov was moved, even if doing so would immediately improve the club. Keep in mind the log jam that exists in the Oilers Top 6 as it is. At some point, someone is going to need to go. I'd prefer it be Ales Hemsky over Sam Gagner or Nail Yakupov, but Yakupov would bring a massive return compared to the other two.
In case you're curious, no, the Oilers aren't going to offer sheet Subban. As much as the Oilers need D, they have no interest as an organization in contracts longer than around six years in length. Perhaps they'd be willing to part with 2 - 1st, a 2nd and a 3rd for Subban, but I'm thinking the Habs would match an offer if it was in that range.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»