There are other ways to improve our club besides making desperate trades and knee jerk reactions.
- Jeropotato

I agree with this

It was sarcasm....the humour is that Yak has been just as good as Galchenyuk (or at least very close) in the Longview and currently, yet Gally has 'sky's the limit' potential and Yak is a bust according to the national media. If you watch Yak play everyday you would know how lame the bias is.
- Jeropotato

Up until last season, I would agree with you. They were =.
Have you seen Galchenyuk play this season? He made a huge step! Huge! That's why people are saying Gal>Yak.
And yes, I saw Yak play this season.

It was sarcasm....the humour is that Yak has been just as good as Galchenyuk (or at least very close) in the Longview and currently, yet Gally has 'sky's the limit' potential and Yak is a bust according to the national media. If you watch Yak play everyday you would know how lame the bias is.
- Jeropotato

Yakupov is also a gym nut and a first-on, last-off guy at practice. He's got extraordinary character.

He's started the year as a positive possession player after being one of the most defensively maligned forwards in NHL history.

He's terribly underappreciated.

for who?

no. Just no.

You still keep praising offensive stats only.
- soad_live

Relax boys, I'm not slamming Galchenyuk, I think he's gonna be great, I'm just illustrating that the media is all up on his nuts all the while saying Yak is garbage when that simply isn't true.

Yeah but at 24 years old, you know what Eberle will give you. At 20, you don't even know Galchenyuk's ceiling. And from what i'v seen to date this year, i have no problem to state that Galchenyuk is already has good has Eberle. To cite Bobby MacK :

Sky is the limit as far as what Galchenyuk's might do

Plus, he is a big forward who can play wing and center.

I think you would have to add a lot to Eberle to get your hands on Galchenyuk. Like Habs would have to add to Plekanec to get Eberle.
- soad_live

good to know it only takes 7 games

Up until last season, I would agree with you. Have you seen Galchenyuk play this season? He made a huge step! Huge! That's why people are saying this.
And yes, I saw Yak play this season.
- fidopro

And your point is what? That Gally > Yak? Okay, sure. But the difference is not future superstar and Bust like many are eluding to.

Galchenyuk played on a third line with zero PP time.

Yakupov was -33 last year.
- Biggus Richardus

Holy (frank)- u didnt just go there???

So it's settled. Edmonton has all the stars in place. Their D corp will be stars in the next 2-3 years, and their goalie is pretty good.

Enough of these trade talks!

Galchenyuk played on a third line with zero PP time.

Yakupov was -33 last year.
- Biggus Richardus

Both Yakupov and Galchenyuk played on a third line and got 2+ minutes of PP time a game.

possession stats give an edge to Gally

Relax boys, I'm not slamming Galchenyuk, I think he's gonna be great, I'm just illustrating that the media is all up on his nuts all the while saying Yak is garbage when that simply isn't true.
- Jeropotato

Not garbage but not as good as Galchenyuk, far from it.

why do they need to rid of these guys? because a guy on the internet said so?

MTL wouldn't be doing EDM a favour by taking on Eberle. This is a made up rumour by Eklund. Jesus
- TheNugeIsHuge

I dont think anyone is saying you absolutely need to trade one of these players - they're saying that the kind of players you are looking for are generally coveted by their respective teams. They arent readily available and for the most part these teams arent intent on trading the player. So you may not get fair market value for Yak or Eberle IF oilers mgmt decides to trade them. The fans of other teams aren't the ones writing the articles and swirling trade rumours. If and its a big if Yak or Eb gets traded i'm not certain it will be for fair market value because the oilers are trading from a position of weakness. They are the ones losing and desperately trying to find a solution (not saying that letting them mature isnt a solution - just going with the media hype here).

As for the Galchenyuk debate i wouldnt trade him straight up for Eberle. Just like the Avs likely wouldnt trade Mack, the Lightning wouldnt trade Drouin...these are all players that have extremely high ceilings whereas I think we've got a fairly good idea of the type of player Eberle is (not saying he couldnt get much better just saying he is more of a known commodity then Galchenyuk). Personally, i think Galchenyuk will mature into a better player which is why i'd keep him - not saying its a guarantee or that he's better right this moment but thats just my opinion.

good to know it only takes 7 games
- sensarmy_11

Yeah but i watch him play, and i guarantee you it will be the same in december and march.

Not garbage but not as good as Galchenyuk, far from it.
- soad_live

Time will tell buddy.... I will wait til they play similar minutes before making a final conclusion...

I can't detect sarcasm through the screen, so frankly I can't help but think your an idiot
- Biggus Richardus

you're

And your point is what? That Gally > Yak? Okay, sure. But the difference is not future superstar and Bust like many are eluding to.
- Jeropotato

Of course not. I would take Yak anytime if he's available.

Yeah but i watch him play, and i guarantee you it will be the same in december and march.
- soad_live

Holy poop- a real hockey psychic!! Who is winning the cup this year???

So it's settled. Edmonton has all the stars in place. Their D corp will be stars in the next 2-3 years, and their goalie is pretty good.

Enough of these trade talks!
- l3ig_l2ecl

As far as young pieces in place on the organizational chart I would say they are close. Big challenge now is finding the right stop gap players to fill spots, mentor, and shelter as these guys develop.

I might be alone but I have no problem trading prospect depth, and future picks.

And for the record, I think the Oilers should continue to draft/release a goalie every year until we have someone there.

Eberle for Brad Marchand + Malcolm Subban


Marchand is exactly the type of player the Oilers need. I just watched the Oilers "play" earlier... what a boring game. I'd hate to see them live.
- RazzDazzle

It was no barn burner like teh TB - Calgary game for sure

Time will tell buddy.... I will wait til they play similar minutes before making a final conclusion...
- saskoil21

Funny you say that, because if Gally plays more minutes per game than Yak this year, he played the same last year, and less the year before...

Gally 12 - 14 - 16
Yak 14 - 14 - 13

Holy poop- a real hockey psychic!! Who is winning the cup this year???
- saskoil21

Edmonton coincidentally

Holy poop- a real hockey psychic!! Who is winning the cup this year???
- saskoil21

Edmonton

Funny you say that, because if Gally plays more minutes per game than Yak this year, he played the same last year, and less the year before...

Gally 12 - 14 - 16
Yak 14 - 14 - 13
- fidopro

Not sure if it were you that compared their plus/minus, but I can garauntee that Yak would have a better result had he been a Hab. That's a useless stat anyway, but I thought I bring it up.

Andrew Ferrence does blow, but between Petry, Marincin, Fayne and to a lesser degree Schultz we have plenty of 2nd pairing D. Top 2 D is what we need, not just another pretender.
- Jeropotato

Well, my point was that you couldn't ask for a 2C + a top 2 D for Eberle. And by top 4 D i mean Boychuk-esque a proven one not a fringe 2nd pairing like Fayne or Petry.

Not sure if it were you that compared their plus/minus, but I can garauntee that Yak would have a better result had he been a Hab. That's a useless stat anyway, but I thought I bring it up.
- Jeropotato

TOI