Still think draft plays out like this...

Jones
MacKinnon
Nishushkin
Barkov
Drouin
Monahan

Oilers could take Nurse at 7, I think this would be a nice pick & don't pass the excuse onto me about the Oilers having too many defensemen in the pipeline - maybe so but no one compares to what Nurse can bring to the fore-front.

Or they could trade back IF a team say picking 15th wants to move up and part with the roster player the Oilers could use right now. What about Johannsen in Columbus(for example). Don't know if would happen but i'm using it as an example.
- newmy

If it plays out that way, wouldn't it make more sense for the oilers to take lindholm? Or would you rather draft a defender instead?

Championship teams are built through the middle, you need a center far more than you need Eberle, Hemsky and Yakupov on the RW.
- LeftCoaster

I think Hemsky is done as an Oiler. He has top end skill, but lacks consistency and the drive to win. When he is on his game he is amazing, but you only get that 25 or so games a year. If the 7th is going to be used to find a center, I think packaging it with Gagner, another pick and a prospect should get a more than suitable return. I just think Eberle and the 7th is a pretty steep price to pay to open up a new hole.
I also would prefer to use the pick/package to solidify the defense.

If it plays out that way, wouldn't it make more sense for the oilers to take lindholm? Or would you rather draft a defender instead?
- fecondo

Personally would rather package the pick for a quality 22-24 year old defenseman.

If lindholm is a better skater than gagner, I take him for a good long term solution.

Personally would rather package the pick for a quality 22-24 year old defenseman.

If lindholm is a better skater than gagner, I take him for a good long term solution.
- ystoil

I honestly haven't seen enough oiler games to be able to compare the two skating wise. If they do decide to trade their pick for a defenseman you probably wouldn't have to add much depending on who you're targeting

I've always been impressed with the oilers young offense. In my opinion, they need to start filling holes with older and more defensively responsible forwards.

I honestly haven't seen enough oiler games to be able to compare the two skating wise. If they do decide to trade their pick for a defenseman you probably wouldn't have to add much depending on who you're targeting
- fecondo

Gagners skating isn't good. IMO I think it's holding him back from being a good two way centre man. He's good offensively but his skating and speed needs to improve.

Bogosian may be a decent target.

I don't know, that seems a bit much for a guy thats never played in the nhl before. The seventh pick in this years draft certainly. But add one second from this year and one second from next year and i think thats a fair deal. THe oilers are likly to still need that first rounder next year. On the other hand i'd be ok with the offer you've suggested, it would mean MacT is willing to take some risks and thats a good thing.
- deadsector

But that's where the point is being missed - the Oilers don't necessarily need their first rounders this year or next IF they can package them for immediate help(either grit in their top 6 or another puck-moving defenseman). There is no more future, enough of the waiting game, now's the time to jump at these opportunities & I think that's what MacT is talking about.

Of course the deal has to make sense but if the right player is there(I'd take Simmonds for the 7th overall straight across) then you do it.

Championship teams are built through the middle, you need a center far more than you need Eberle, Hemsky and Yakupov on the RW.
- LeftCoaster

100% right

My armchair GM post of the day.

Pick up Mark Streit UFA
Pick up Viktor Stalberg UFA
Pick up Matt Cooke UFA
Package deal of 2013 1st round, Martin Gernat, Ryan Jones for Jonathon Bernier and Slava Voynov

Hall-Nuge-Eberle
Paajarvi-Gagner-Yakupov
Hartikainen-Horcoff-Stalberg
Brown-Smithson-Cooke

Streit- Voynov
Schultz-Smid
Petry-Fistric
Potter

Dubnyk
Bernier

While I'm at it I want a pony.
- freelancer

kings make this deal maybe if sutter is gm , but lucky for them he is the coach and not gm .
They will deal bernier at the draft and voynov isn't going anywhere ... He's probably the best young d man in the division

Gagners skating isn't good. IMO I think it's holding him back from being a good two way centre man. He's good offensively but his skating and speed needs to improve.

Bogosian may be a decent target.
- ystoil

If that's the case, then imo Lindholm is definitely an upgrade and could be a long term fit to your 2c position. But that depends on of the organization is willing to be patient for another year or two to let him fill put his frame, or if they go into a win now mentality.

I think bogo would be a good fit for the oilers. And having the 7th and 13th picks would have to intrigue Winnipeg quite a bit.

That top six will get you another 7th overall pick in the new Division next year.
- LeftCoaster

no kidding. Hall-RNH-Eberle-Yak. Brutal

You're at the same point the Canucks are, in that it's time to trade a valuable asset/core player to improve. Jordan Eberle and a 1st rounder would get you a top six center IMO. Much like the Canucks need to trade a combination of or at the very least one of, Edler, Kesler or Schneider.
- LeftCoaster

you're right. EDM should trade Eberle. A 23YO who had a 76 point season 1 year ago, +a 7th overall pick in the deepest draft in a decade..for..wait for it...a top 6 centre.

Not even a 1st line C, just someone who can play in a scoring role. Canucks fans once again with their everflowing hockey knowledge on full display

But that's where the point is being missed - the Oilers don't necessarily need their first rounders this year or next IF they can package them for immediate help(either grit in their top 6 or another puck-moving defenseman). There is no more future, enough of the waiting game, now's the time to jump at these opportunities & I think that's what MacT is talking about.

Of course the deal has to make sense but if the right player is there(I'd take Simmonds for the 7th overall straight across) then you do it.
- newmy

Would you do it for hartnell straight across? Either way I don't see the flyers doing that because that would require patience, and they're constantly in a win now mentality

kings make this deal maybe if sutter is gm , but lucky for them he is the coach and not gm .
They will deal bernier at the draft and voynov isn't going anywhere ... He's probably the best young d man in the division
- Redmile247

I agree that he's not going anywhere. But keep in mind Doughty and Voynov were drafted in the same year. Voynov isn't the best young D man in the division. Doughty >miles> voynov

Would you do it for hartnell straight across? Either way I don't see the flyers doing that because that would require patience, and they're constantly in a win now mentality
- fecondo

Hartnell is what we need but he's 32 and likely will be on the decline. Simmonds is preferable.

Oilers need to stick with what they have. Three consecutive first round picks.. and they still get a 7th pick. Brutal. You're going to have all of these elite talents and they're gonna end up with sheltered roles and rushed development. Darnell Nurse is exactly what they need. The last thing they need is another forward.

I agree that he's not going anywhere. But keep in mind Doughty and Voynov were drafted in the same year. Voynov isn't the best young D man in the division. Doughty >miles> voynov
- TheNugeIsHuge

Yeah lol sorry my bad , what was I thinking ... Sonetimes I forget how young doughty is still

Oilers need to stick with what they have. Three consecutive first round picks.. and they still get a 7th pick. Brutal. You're going to have all of these elite talents and they're gonna end up with sheltered roles and rushed development. Darnell Nurse is exactly what they need. The last thing they need is another forward.
- lkeh73

Nurse won't make any sort of immediate difference. Chances are we wouldn't even see him in Oilers silks for 2-3 years. What they really need is some proven talent on the back end.

Richard Cloutier: Oilers Rumor: Deal to Acquire Barkov
- Maxbone

why would any team drafing ahead of the oilers not draft a big nhl-ready center if he's available? it ain't happening. all the experts aren't dumb.
http://www.tsn.ca/draftcentre/feature/?id=93427

the only possible scenario is if they give nashville an offer they can't refuse.

here's one:

Edmonton sends it's 1st and eberle
Nashville sends it's 1st and legwand

or

Edmonton sends it's 1st and gagner
Nashville sends it's 1st and spaling

I don't do this deal if I'm Nashville unless I'm getting the better deal today.

Hartnell is what we need but he's 32 and likely will be on the decline. Simmonds is preferable.
- ystoil

Fair enough. I suspect that's the consensus around the league

If that's the case, then imo Lindholm is definitely an upgrade and could be a long term fit to your 2c position. But that depends on of the organization is willing to be patient for another year or two to let him fill put his frame, or if they go into a win now mentality.

I think bogo would be a good fit for the oilers. And having the 7th and 13th picks would have to intrigue Winnipeg quite a bit.
- fecondo

They have to adopt this mentality at this point.

Two firsts is more than I'd like to give up. Just because the oilers don't want to rebuild anymore doesn't mean we should trade away all of our firsts,

To move up I would rather trade the 7th a second round pick and a b level prospect

Before anyone says its underpayment, I think that this is fair, and can be improved upon, might as well start low and work up instead of going all in off the bat

Nurse won't make any sort of immediate difference. Chances are we wouldn't even see him in Oilers silks for 2-3 years. What they really need is some proven talent on the back end.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

Better off trading that 7th in a package for a proven defenceman then. They can't expect all these guys to produce right away at the highest level. Maybe try going after someone like Yandle?

Would you do it for hartnell straight across? Either way I don't see the flyers doing that because that would require patience, and they're constantly in a win now mentality
- fecondo

Hartnell & Simmonds can play on my team any day & if i'm the Flyers GM, no way am I parting with either player. Those are guys that win in the clutch, those are the type of players built for the playoffs & those are the type of players that also free up space for the more skilled players.

The Oilers could use these type players & I think MacT would offer up the 7th overall for Simmonds in a heart-beat. The guy does everything & that well worth the first rounder. People sometimes get enamored with first round picks but to add a proven player who can score, hit & fight - how is that a worse trade-off - it's not.

To me Simmonds is the better player so i'm not sure the Oilers would move the 7th for Hartnell straight across, I know I would but again it takes some guts but if you believe that's the type of player your team is missing, then go ahead and do it and don't worry about what the fans & media are going to say.

Again, players like that are so hard to find & that's why it's so difficult to get them in a trade.

Hartnell & Simmonds can play on my team any day & if i'm the Flyers GM, no way am I parting with either player. Those are guys that win in the clutch, those are the type of players built for the playoffs & those are the type of players that also free up space for the more skilled players.

The Oilers could use these type players & I think MacT would offer up the 7th overall for Simmonds in a heart-beat. The guy does everything & that well worth the first rounder. People sometimes get enamored with first round picks but to add a proven player who can score, hit & fight - how is that a worse trade-off - it's not.

To me Simmonds is the better player so i'm not sure the Oilers would move the 7th for Hartnell straight across, I know I would but again it takes some guts but if you believe that's the type of player your team is missing, then go ahead and do it and don't worry about what the fans & media are going to say.

Again, players like that are so hard to find & that's why it's so difficult to get them in a trade.
- newmy

Simmonds is signed long term at reasonable cap hit with NTC ... He stays in Philly most likely unless you over pay for him