There is a solution, but it has passed MacT by: Buy out Ales Hemsky.

The only reason Hemsky shouldn't have been bought out is if MacT had a deal in the bag or him. That was obviously not the case or Hemsky would be long gone by now.

Free up Hemsky's 5M and go free agent shopping. There are still plenty of good options out there. What can you get for 5M? Well, the combined salaries of Mason Raymond, Brad Boyes, and Peter Mueller came in at 5M last year. Teams obviously aren't breaking down the doors of these players, so should we really expect them to see much, if any, of a raise? Imagine actually having forward depth, including someone (or multiple guys) who could play up in the line up in the event of an injury or slump. I'd be much more comfortable with this forward line up than the one we have now:

Hall/RNH/Eberle
Perron/Gagner/Yakupov
Raymond/Boyes/Mueller
Smyth/Gordon/Jones

It can still be done if a taker can be found for Hemsky that doesn't involve taking a lot of salary back. It's extremely doubtful though. If I were any other team I'd just look to sign Boyes for much, much less money...
- Centacre

Let's look at the people displaced in this lineup.

Joensuu, Lander, Hemsky, and presumably a downgrade in minutes for Jones and Gordon.

To borrow a baseball concept, I don't think Raymond-Boyes-Mueller actually delivers us that many "wins above replacement", meaning it's a more spread out expenditure of 5m dollars but I don't think it's a better one.

I think it's quite admirable that MacT spent to the cap this year. Especially since at least 10.75m is coming off the books in terms of Hemsky, Nick Schultz and Smyth's contracts. Wouldn't be surprised if that amounted to 7m in savings once we factor in their replacements.

And as someone else pointed out, improving the bottom 6 isn't hard because there's a dearth of talent. It's hard because we'd either need to commit on term or cap (or both) for these guys, and that puts our backs against the wall.

I love how the top 6 is always "untouchable"

They havent done anything to deserve this status
- conor_smythe

Yup, should all be traded for plugs immediately.

I love how the top 6 is always "untouchable"

They havent done anything to deserve this status
- conor_smythe

I don't think they're untouchable.

Is it a positive step to deal several of our best pieces?

I love how the top 6 is always "untouchable"

They havent done anything to deserve this status
- conor_smythe

lol at only 6

I'd buy out Liles to get Kulemin. Kuli + Liles for a 2nd and a 4th?

I hope Nonis lets Kuli walk and we can just nab him for free.
- Morris

If that happens I'm putting a price on Nonis' head. Man, I love kuli though, and if we get rid of Liles, then we dont need to get rid of kuli due to cap problems. Would rather give up some prospect to sweeten a dump liles deal. Not saying that deal isnt fair, just saying that by its nature, its a little counter productive.

and I know i'm biased, but i would want a 1st in return for kulimen straight up. Which probs doesnt make sense for oilers cause that pick would probably be top 15.

Yeah I think that would be a good fit for us too. He's more like a good 4th liner at this point (on a good team) but he would add that depth, effort and toughness we're looking for.
- Morris

Ya, your 100% right. I sometimes still think of him as part of that beast checking line the ducks had on route to their cup championship.

Yup, should all be traded for plugs immediately.
- Al Hacker

First, you dont trade for plugs. That defeats the purpose. You sign plugs.

Second, there are many legitimate 3rd line nhl players who would be welcome on any team and not be considered plugs. If you could get 2 of them plus a pick for 1 roster player, do it. Depth is a good thing.

Third. If the plugs can actually play defense then they would be an upgrade over any of your top 6.

Clouts says smid blocks shots because hes slow. I say he blocks shots because your untouchable forwards lack any kind of 2 way presence

First, you dont trade for plugs. That defeats the purpose. You sign plugs.

Second, there are many legitimate 3rd line nhl players who would be welcome on any team and not be considered plugs. If you could get 2 of them plus a pick for 1 roster player, do it. Depth is a good thing.

Third. If the plugs can actually play defense then they would be an upgrade over any of your top 6.

Clouts says smid blocks shots because hes slow. I say he blocks shots because your untouchable forwards lack any kind of 2 way presence
- conor_smythe

Sarcasm detector broken?


You don't trade 1st overall picks for depth. The team that gets the best player in a trade, wins the trade. There are very few players in the league that the Oilers should even consider trading any of RNH, Hall, Yak, Eberle, J Shultz for. Not even debatable. You can teach defence (FYI, RNH and Eberle are not bad defensively) but you cannot teach offence.

Your opinion of Smid is as bad as Clouts'.

Sigh. Man, you readers are painful sometimes. Sacred cows taste better than they look.
- Maxbone

No what you said was stupid.

If that happens I'm putting a price on Nonis' head. Man, I love kuli though, and if we get rid of Liles, then we dont need to get rid of kuli due to cap problems. Would rather give up some prospect to sweeten a dump liles deal. Not saying that deal isnt fair, just saying that by its nature, its a little counter productive.

and I know i'm biased, but i would want a 1st in return for kulimen straight up. Which probs doesnt make sense for oilers cause that pick would probably be top 15.
- pbrsimps

If Troy Brouwer can fetch a 1st, and Paul Gaustad can fetch a first, Kulemin could fetch a 1st I'd bet.

Sarcasm detector broken?


You don't trade 1st overall picks for depth. The team that gets the best player in a trade, wins the trade. There are very few players in the league that the Oilers should even consider trading any of RNH, Hall, Yak, Eberle, J Shultz for. Not even debatable. You can teach defence (FYI, RNH and Eberle are not bad defensively) but you cannot teach offence.

Your opinion of Smid is as bad as Clouts'.
- Al Hacker

The team that makes their TEAM better in the short and longterm wins the trade. I'm not advocating trading one of the top 6 but I think it may happen in order to take the next step. The hard part is figuring out if the team itself is ready for the next step.

The team that makes their TEAM better in the short and longterm wins the trade. I'm not advocating trading one of the top 6 but I think it may happen in order to take the next step. The hard part is figuring out if the team itself is ready for the next step.
- Marshalle

If there are two deals on the table:

Dealing Eberle + a 2nd asset to get a more valuable defenseman

OR

Dealing Eberle for a couple lesser pieces that improves our team depth.

I choose the first deal everytime. I think it's less about not being willing to trade anyone, and not wanting to trade someone just because they're "tradeable".

First, you dont trade for plugs. That defeats the purpose. You sign plugs.

Second, there are many legitimate 3rd line nhl players who would be welcome on any team and not be considered plugs. If you could get 2 of them plus a pick for 1 roster player, do it. Depth is a good thing.

Third. If the plugs can actually play defense then they would be an upgrade over any of your top 6.

Clouts says smid blocks shots because hes slow. I say he blocks shots because your untouchable forwards lack any kind of 2 way presence
- conor_smythe

They certainly don't have strong 2-way presences (save maybe Nuge), but they've all shown a willingness (especially Yak and Hall). Kreuger's system also featured a defensive scheme that positioned the wingers high in the zone to attempt to facilitate breakouts.

http://www.coppernblue.co...stemic-slumps-ralph-malph

This article explains Kreuger's failures in that regard.

They certainly don't have strong 2-way presences (save maybe Nuge), but they've all shown a willingness (especially Yak and Hall). Kreuger's system also featured a defensive scheme that positioned the wingers high in the zone to attempt to facilitate breakouts.

http://www.coppernblue.co...stemic-slumps-ralph-malph

This article explains Kreuger's failures in that regard.
- MaximumBone

ugh that last clip is BRUTAL.

The ironic part is that for all of that counter-rush focused system play, breaking out successfully was still a HUGE problem for us.

If Troy Brouwer can fetch a 1st, and Paul Gaustad can fetch a first, Kulemin could fetch a 1st I'd bet.
- Morris

Though troy brouwer is actually pretty decent. I think he would have been a nice addition for your guys instead of perron.

Just blow it all up now.
- MisterC

I know right. Deal Duchene and Mackinnon for a goalie and D

If there are two deals on the table:

Dealing Eberle + a 2nd asset to get a more valuable defenseman

OR

Dealing Eberle for a couple lesser pieces that improves our team depth.

I choose the first deal everytime. I think it's less about not being willing to trade anyone, and not wanting to trade someone just because they're "tradeable".
- Morris

I think EDM's a 1LHD and a cleaned up bottom 6 from being a playoff team. If Eberle+ gets EDM McDonagh or OEL I'd jump and scream for joy at that.

I don't get how people read Cloutier saying EDM has untouchables and are convinced EDM management thinks the same as Cloutier. If they did then last year EDM would've dealt Gagner+Nurse for Johansen.

First, you dont trade for plugs. That defeats the purpose. You sign plugs.

Second, there are many legitimate 3rd line nhl players who would be welcome on any team and not be considered plugs. If you could get 2 of them plus a pick for 1 roster player, do it. Depth is a good thing.

Third. If the plugs can actually play defense then they would be an upgrade over any of your top 6.

Clouts says smid blocks shots because hes slow. I say he blocks shots because your untouchable forwards lack any kind of 2 way presence
- conor_smythe

alright. So when EDM's top line is playing the other teams top lines and winning the possession battle, or when Nuge strips the puck from someone on a back check, I'll let you know. Watch an oiler game you dumb (frank)

I can guarantee this guy is over 45 because offence, shot differentials, possession are irrelevant if you're not a 2-way, gritty, hard nosed player

ourye na ebmarrsenesmt ot het lersoi fna sbea
- RichardClitz

Have you even played hockey? Do you have any concept of what is involved in playing defense? Do you realize many blocked shots come from playing the PK? Do you realize a lot of those block shots happen while maintaining the box, which doesn't require being a great skater, from the perimeter and points? What the heck does his supposed inability to skate have to do with him blocking shots?
- EastCoastOiler

Have you seen him?

Though troy brouwer is actually pretty decent. I think he would have been a nice addition for your guys instead of perron.
- pbrsimps

Yeah I'd like someone of that ilk. The hope is that MacT is wily enough to find the "next" one of those big PWF-lite guys to come along, so we can get him at a good price!