Honestly, I just don't see Edmonton pulling the trigger on any significant move; they just don't have the balls to do anything. Their management will talk big, do nothing & they'll continue to suck.

They truly do remind me of the Pirates during the 1990's and 2000's. Their inability to make any progress has just been staggering. How can you suck that much for that long, draft that high, & still be that bad? Like the Pirates for abour 20 seasons, it just doesn't seem possible. Even if the end up with McDavid, they will STILL have no D and no G, likely leading to another lottery pick.

Honestly, I can sympathize how it must be harder to attract free agents to Edmonton due to the weather & city. But Edmonton's issues do not stem from a lack of quality free agents; they are monstly self-inflicted wounds via incompetence.
- s0rcerer1984

This is a very good post and the comparison is there. Edmonton, like the Pirates during the time frame you said, were horribly put together teams. The GM of the Bucs didn't have the stones to make the moves ... expecting all the top notch prospects to click together. Same deal in Edmonton. Their drafting strategy sucks there. They pick the top talent instead of what they truly need. Now, they are stuck with a bunch of top end forwards that can't gel together to save their lives; ignored defense for a while and have sh*tty goaltending.

Every GM knows that Edmonton won't attract a quality FA in the offseason. It's been that way since Pronger. The only way to better the organization is to trade one of the big names - Eberle, Hall or Nuge. You don't change a team's fortunes by trading Perron alone. Again, its not rocket science. They have too many of the same players. Until someone has the stones to recognize this, that organization will continue to be a mess. If I had to render a guess, Mac doesn't have the stones to make a bold move. His bold move was removing a coach that shouldn't have been hired in the first place.

Hall isn't worth what the Penguins would need to ship out to get him, and what the Penguins could ship out to get him isn't what the Oilers need.
- hardnosed

I think its highly unlikely Hall gets traded. That said, for arguments sake, the Oilers absolutely need Maatta and Sutter. Two leadership/character guys. Maatta could become a true number 1 D-man. Obviously he hasn't proven/reached his ceiling yet, but thats why we are paying the premium. There's a decent chance that Maatta ends up the best player in that trade...

It's essentially Maatta for Hall. Yikes!

Sutter - Checking Centre that doesn't put up points. I'd give you Purcell for him

Harrington - He was good in Junior right?

The 1st means nothing really.
- nanook82

Wait what?

Right, all three have value well increased. Dumo is legit, Pouliot appears to be, and Sutter is a good third line center (people need to stop with the best 3rd line center crap I'd still take Coots out of philly). That is what happens when you trade for top talent.

Sit this battle out GMJR. We don't have what it takes to land hall.
- usethe1-2-2

The ironic thing about this post is those are the 3 players we got for Staal..... and a lot of the fan base was irate about having to make that deal....

Worked out pretty well IMO....

Having the scouting staff and foresight to make those deals are what keeps a team competitive.... Boston whiffed on the Seguin deal and rumors out of Boston are Chiareli is on the hot seat.

Why the frank would they want to trade him anyway?
- usethe1-2-2

unless its an over payment, we wont. Your blogger gets it, hence his proposed overpayment.

LMAO and that is why the Oilers are destined for continued futility..... sometimes you don't hold the cards and have to make a deal just to shake things up.

You're getting a proven 3/4 20 year old Dman in Maatta

A solid Defensive Center, which after giving up 3+ goals a game, looks like you need some forwards who want to play D and not just TRY and score.

Scott Harrington and Brian Dumoulin would be everyday starters in Edmonton... just because they can't crack a stacked Penguins line up doesn't mean they aren't NHL ready.

But hey... what do we pens fans know about continued stability and success.
- Yonk1216

We don't want a 3/4 Dman for Hall.

Sutter would probably be a nice addition (not in a Hall trade).

And I doubt Harr/Dumo would be everyday starters. We have Nurse/Klef/Marincin waiting and should be everyday starters as it is. Management just doesn't want to rush the Dman for some reason.

And if we're making a deal just "to shake things up" you don't start with your best player. Ugh!!!

Wait what?
- nbartley9

Ooops was I wrong?

Didn't our two trick pony get shut out a few times in the playoffs the past few years?

I said sill because that's basically the talent that will be bottom 6 minus downie. Goc has 40 gp 4 p with us don't kid yourself, spaling is not that good, not that bad. Just kind of exists

Also you are assuming that both martin and hoff stay or one or the other, also a lot of biased assumptions there
- znagle

We can't assume anything on Martin and Hoff. I think the most likely scenario is that one of them are re-signed.

Our two trick pony last year? You mean an injured Crosby playing with Stempniak/Gibbons? Neal instead of Hornqvist.... Its apples and oranges...

No Sill would not be the talent in the bottom 6. Downie/Goc/Spaling/Bennett (if healthy)/Klink/Adams/Megna/Rust/Farnham/Sundqvist potentially by playoff time/Comeau if he gets bumped down. Sure, there's a lot of "ifs" there, but the point is we wouldnt be deperate enough to "need" to use Sill in any capacity. And to label Sill as the talent in the bottom 6 is inaccurate.

Taylor (frank)ing Hall give your heads a shake. He won't be traded and you know why? Because he is an elite proven talent in the NHL. If he is available and this package went out the door you guys can all eat poop because I love it. I've seen more concern over losing Sutter then Maatta WTF?

I dont think he gets moved period and i dont think florida would want to trade Ekblad Huberdeau and a pick or whatever it would take to get him. Ekblad Barkov maybe? Or Huberdeau Barkov Gudbranson...who knows the combinations are endless but either way it'd cost a fortune.
- DirtyDozen

I think Huberdeau would have to be asked for. Swapping out the LW, Hall would be an upgrade for the panthers.

But I thought going After Gudbranson and Bjugstad as the main components would be a good start of a trade package

We don't want a 3/4 Dman for Hall.

Sutter would probably be a nice addition (not in a Hall trade).

And I doubt Harr/Dumo would be everyday starters. We have Nurse/Klef/Marincin waiting and should be everyday starters as it is. Management just doesn't want to rush the Dman for some reason.

And if we're making a deal just "to shake things up" you don't start with your best player. Ugh!!!
- nanook82

I thought he was your best player but someone on here suggested RNH

This is what HB has turned into. All cause of freaking Dreger

So hurry with all your proposals of unproven talent/prospects. It's what the Oilers need apparently
- nanook82

I'm not even being a d*ck by saying this..no sarcasm meant by it...

Shouldn't the Oilers explore all opportunities to improve the team? Why label anyone untouchable? If they consider him untouchable, then your team is in worse shape than anyone imagined.

Hall is indeed a dynamic player. I'm all for Pens trying to acquire him. Hell, I was the one on these boards that started the Hall discussion while everyone else was talking about Yakupov, Eberle, and whatever else...so I agree with RW's blog as I pretty much wrote the same stuff a few weeks ago.

I maintain Sid would blow this league up if he was paired with Hall and Horny. 150 pts.

Pens fans are so in love with Maatta and Pouliot. I'll move anyone, any time, for the right players coming back.

Only thing I disagree with RW's article is why Edm would want Sutter in a trade? He's a UFA to be. Likely wouldn't resign there.

I just don't think the Pens have the assets to pull this off.

If I'm Edm and Pens offer Sutter, Maatta, Doumolin, and #1..that doesn't make me move Hall. I think they could get more back. We're missing a dynamic FW to send their way.

Oil fans troling this post, how about these moves.

Yakapov and Petry to St.Louis for Berlund and Ian Cole

Eberle to Flordia for Gudbranson and Kopecky.

I think its a good start, gets you a legit young 2C and young top 4 D, a D man who will improve your top 6 and is RFA vs UFA (Petry), Kopecky is UFA but fills the top 6 void for the remander of the season, possible re0sign if hes a good fit.

We can't assume anything on Martin and Hoff. I think the most likely scenario is that one of them are re-signed.

Our two trick pony last year? You mean an injured Crosby playing with Stempniak/Gibbons? Neal instead of Hornqvist.... Its apples and oranges...

No Sill would not be the talent in the bottom 6. Downie/Goc/Spaling/Bennett (if healthy)/Klink/Adams/Megna/Rust/Farnham/Sundqvist potentially by playoff time/Comeau if he gets bumped down. Sure, there's a lot of "ifs" there, but the point is we wouldnt be deperate enough to "need" to use Sill in any capacity. And to label Sill as the talent in the bottom 6 is inaccurate.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yes there are a lot of ifs, but wouldn't you feel safer getting tlusty or boedker and another top 9? Sid and geno will produce no matter who they play with. I would rather have a much better balanced team than two stacked lines

I thought he was your best player but someone on here suggested RNH
- dbell646

Different views I guess. I might get some hate for this but I think RNH is a #2 C.

Hall had 80 points last season. He's elite. Whatever's going on with him this year I have no idea. Doesn't trust his linemates, wants out of Edmonton, got tired of Eakins!!

Who knows!

This is a very good post and the comparison is there. Edmonton, like the Pirates during the time frame you said, were horribly put together teams. The GM of the Bucs didn't have the stones to make the moves ... expecting all the top notch prospects to click together. Same deal in Edmonton. Their drafting strategy sucks there. They pick the top talent instead of what they truly need. Now, they are stuck with a bunch of top end forwards that can't gel together to save their lives; ignored defense for a while and have sh*tty goaltending.

Every GM knows that Edmonton won't attract a quality FA in the offseason. It's been that way since Pronger. The only way to better the organization is to trade one of the big names - Eberle, Hall or Nuge. You don't change a team's fortunes by trading Perron alone. Again, its not rocket science. They have too many of the same players. Until someone has the stones to recognize this, that organization will continue to be a mess. If I had to render a guess, Mac doesn't have the stones to make a bold move. His bold move was removing a coach that shouldn't have been hired in the first place.
- Oneonta Penguin

I think the Edmonton organization does realize they can't attract talent. Not saying they've done a not terrible job, but there's not much they can do about the fact that their city is a frozen truck stop. Not only are they over a barrel, but they're permanently bolted to it.

Also, long time no see brah.

I'm not even being a d*ck by saying this..no sarcasm meant by it...

Shouldn't the Oilers explore all opportunities to improve the team? Why label anyone untouchable? If they consider him untouchable, then your team is in worse shape than anyone imagined.

Hall is indeed a dynamic player. I'm all for Pens trying to acquire him. Hell, I was the one on these boards that started the Hall discussion while everyone else was talking about Yakupov, Eberle, and whatever else...so I agree with RW's blog as I pretty much wrote the same stuff a few weeks ago.

I maintain Sid would blow this league up if he was paired with Hall and Horny. 150 pts.

Pens fans are so in love with Maatta and Pouliot. I'll move anyone, any time, for the right players coming back.

Only thing I disagree with RW's article is why Edm would want Sutter in a trade? He's a UFA to be. Likely wouldn't resign there.

I just don't think the Pens have the assets to pull this off.

If I'm Edm and Pens offer Sutter, Maatta, Doumolin, and #1..that doesn't make me move Hall. I think they could get more back. We're missing a dynamic FW to send their way.
- 87_71_11_29

Sutters signed for another season after this

I think its highly unlikely Hall gets traded. That said, for arguments sake, the Oilers absolutely need Maatta and Sutter. Two leadership/character guys. Maatta could become a true number 1 D-man. Obviously he hasn't proven/reached his ceiling yet, but thats why we are paying the premium. There's a decent chance that Maatta ends up the best player in that trade...
- YouMeAndDupuis9

I just don't think more young players is what Edmonton needs. They need guys who can teach the kids how to win. And not grinders like Boyd Gordon, they need guys who can play with the kids. Like, Hornqvist would have been a perfect trade target for the Oilers last summer. A guy who plays hard all the time, backchecks hard all the time, and is willing to do what it takes to win, while having the talent to share a line with a guy like Hall.

Oilers need a 1D/2C/1G
Maata is top 4 and has a great future ahead (Oilers would probably ruin the guy)
Sutter is a 2/3C
Harrington is a LHD prospect. Oilers already have lots of these (Marincin, Nurse, Klefbom being the most ready impact players)
20+ 1st rounder

I think it'd be better to see Maata + Sutter + Sundqvist + ?? + 1st
- ChetManly

Screw that!

Different views I guess. I might get some hate for this but I think RNH is a #2 C.

Hall had 80 points last season. He's elite. Whatever's going on with him this year I have no idea. Doesn't trust his linemates, wants out of Edmonton, got tired of Eakins!!

Who knows!
- nanook82

Someone also suggested Hall is soft? I don't recall ever getting that impression from him.

We don't want a 3/4 Dman for Hall.

Sutter would probably be a nice addition (not in a Hall trade).

And I doubt Harr/Dumo would be everyday starters. We have Nurse/Klef/Marincin waiting and should be everyday starters as it is. Management just doesn't want to rush the Dman for some reason.

And if we're making a deal just "to shake things up" you don't start with your best player. Ugh!!!
- nanook82

You saying Maatta is the 3/4 Dman? He would be your best without question.

And three years down the road, you will still be waiting on Klef and Marincin if I had to render a guess. I'm not sure to their injury status, but one has played 10 and the other 12 games this season on a team that has a lousy defense. It's the Sven Baertschi thing all over in Calgary. Great prospect as they continue to say ... couldn't stick as a forward for a lousy scoring team a year ago.

Not saying Sutter is God's gift. However, when you have Nuge, Arcobello, Gordon and Draisaitl down the middle, Sutter looks awfully good compared to three of those names right now.

I just don't think more young players is what Edmonton needs. They need guys who can teach the kids how to win. And not grinders like Boyd Gordon, they need guys who can play with the kids. Like, Hornqvist would have been a perfect trade target for the Oilers last summer. A guy who plays hard all the time, backchecks hard all the time, and is willing to do what it takes to win, while having the talent to share a line with a guy like Hall.
- hardnosed

Fine take out Sutter and Maatta replace them with Adams and Scuds

Taylor (frank)ing Hall give your heads a shake. He won't be traded and you know why? Because he is an elite proven talent in the NHL. If he is available and this package went out the door you guys can all eat poop because I love it. I've seen more concern over losing Sutter then Maatta WTF?
- dbell646

The real question...does this trade work on NHL 15?

Okay, in seriousness, I think Taylor Hall is a perfect fit for what the Pens need. I think the package proposed is fair value for both sides. I also think the Pens would be just as well off bringing in two "lesser" guys like two of Tlusty/Perron/Kassian/Rattie/Jurco/etc.

I think ideally the best long term solution is to try and find "the next Taylor Hall" without paying the premium. So basically trade for Tarasenko or Filip Forsberg or Tyler Seguin or Kucherov, etc BEFORE they turn into stars. Hell even James Neal was an example. Take a chance on an NHL ready prospect or forward stuck in a logjam and try to strike gold.

You saying Maatta is the 3/4 Dman? He would be your best without question.

And three years down the road, you will still be waiting on Klef and Marincin if I had to render a guess. I'm not sure to their injury status, but one has played 10 and the other 12 games this season on a team that has a lousy defense. It's the Sven Baertschi thing all over in Calgary. Great prospect as they continue to say ... couldn't stick as a forward for a lousy scoring team a year ago.

Not saying Sutter is God's gift. However, when you have Nuge, Arcobello, Gordon and Draisaitl down the middle, Sutter looks awfully good compared to three of those names right now.
- Oneonta Penguin

No Yonk1216 said he was a 3/4 Dman.

Klef/Marincin/Nurse all full time next season. No question.

I agree Sutter would be a nice addition, just not at the price of Hall