well Reinhart deal was just silly from the start. Thats not the target you go after in a futures deal, he only had 8 games of NHL experience. I don't think thats 16th overall worthy.

Like I said, I don't think the deal and pieces that have shuffled in and out are bad. Oilers sacrificed top end talent for more depth throughout the line up. It could pay off, just the deal by itself, full value wasn't achieved .
- DDM-Coga

I love how tough this team is now with Lucic on it. Teams have taken liberties with our players over the years. Not gonna be happening anymore. I hope he's on the ice at all times with McDavid.

I love how tough this team is now with Lucic on it. Teams have taken liberties with our players over the years. Not gonna be happening anymore. I hope he's on the ice at all times with McDavid.
- Xaos22

that all depends, can Lucic hang with McDavid. I think the fan base is forcing that marriage right out of the gate. Personally I think hes better suited to 2nd line duties

fair enough. Future packages are not always met with support, especially from a playoff starved fan base. But I agree with this, sakic mentioned it when he tired for the longest time to get a top 4 dman, was that its almost impossible to trade fairly for them, the best way to get one is to draft and develop it yourself.

They sold off ROR (different situation based on his contract status) for a futures package built around Zadorov. It could work out, he reaches all his potential and is that true top pairing stud. But they did sacrifice solid talent for this, I support the idea of the deal but who knows, could be a disaster. At least they got more depth out of it all that can turn into other assets if it doesnt work out.
- DDM-Coga

When debating this, people (not yourself) sometimes misunderstand that I think this was the ideal route, but that's far from the truth. I've said it countless times before, but for clarity's sake MY ideal realistic roster would look very different:

Lucic- McDavid- Eberle
Hall- Leon- Kassian
Pirri- Bozak- Maroon
Hendricks- McNiell- Pakarinen
Lander, Letestu, Puljujarvi, Caggiula, and Khaira

Klefbom- Trouba
Sekera- Severson
Davidson- Redmond
Gryba, Oesterle, and Reinhart

Talbot
Enroth and Brossoit

Lucic signed for what he is now, Nuge for Severson, Fayne plus a pick for Bozak, Nurse for Trouba, and Musil and a 7th for McNiell. All these deals have been discussed with the opposition fans and all were met with at least a reasonable reaction. Likely would've had to add a touch to the Bozak deal, but wouldn't have to be too much.

that all depends, can Lucic hang with McDavid. I think the fan base is forcing that marriage right out of the gate. Personally I think hes better suited to 2nd line duties
- DDM-Coga

I think the fanbase is more just latching onto the way it's been portrayed by Chiarelli, but I agree. Like the Phil Kessel situation last year, I think the team would be better with him a line down. Lucic- Draisaitl- Kassian/Pakarinen would make for a hell of a cycle line and serve to help lessen the impact on Leon's offense while also giving the RWer a boost.

Either Pouliot- McDavid- Yak and Maroon- RNH- Eberle or Maroon- McDavid- Eberle and Pouliot- RNH- Pakarinen/Kassian. Preferably the former so Puljujarvi can slot in once Yak gets traded.

I think the fanbase is more just latching onto the way it's been portrayed by Chiarelli, but I agree. Like the Phil Kessel situation last year, I think the team would be better with him a line down. Lucic- Draisaitl- Kassian/Pakarinen would make for a hell of a cycle line and serve to help lessen the impact on Leon's offense while also giving the RWer a boost.

Either Pouliot- McDavid- Yak and Maroon- RNH- Eberle or Maroon- McDavid- Eberle and Pouliot- RNH- Pakarinen/Kassian. Preferably the former so Puljujarvi can slot in once Yak gets traded.
- MaximumBone

The fanbase saw McDavid get ridden into the boards and miss half the year. I can't see teams taking liberties like that with Lucic on the ice.

no, you can criticize it now, its warranted to be fully criticized. Depending on how good Larsson is/becomes, then you can begin to justify the trade, but even then, it can still be criticized for selling off an elite level talent just for a position of need.

Even if Larsson wins the Norris and is a Conn Smythe winner, you can still criticize the nature of the trade...it becomes justified because of the results, but doesnt change the facts of why and how the trade went down
- DDM-Coga

Sometimes risks need to be taken in accordance with trade value.
Chia is all about risks. He has done it with Boston and he will do it with Edmonton. This time, he has experience under his belt.

I look at this trade as this... Hall, a proven, elite, topflight winger for Larsson, a PROVEN, top 2 DEFENSIVE defender, who has been UNDERVALUED by the fan bases due to how he has been utilized but not by the GM's, and whom has a lot of offensive POTENTIAL (in accordance to how he was utilized in the Swedish league) that has been untapped by NJ due to how they utilized Larsson.

The only calculation that comes into play is that Hall's value = 2-Way Elite Defender that is proven on both sides of the ice. This is where Chia's calculated risk comes into play. In order for this SINGLE deal to break even, Larsson has to develop his offensive game to a good level in the long run. Can he do it? I would bet on it. Chia knows something about Larsson that we should all know IF WE DID OUR RESEARCH. He was projected into this league as a complete defender. Had he not gone to NJ, we would see that happen, but we know how NJ has played their games in the past.

I'm not riding Chia's D, but I am for one, happy with the changes made organically, especially considering the composition and structure of the team. I'm sure Chia could have snagged a pick/B-rated prospect that would cover the development risk involved in growing Larsson's offensive potential, and I'm sure that is where Chia can be critized; he could have gotten a little bit more if he tried a tad bit harder. But Larsson had a FANTASTIC development year last season and he has made great strides lately.

that all depends, can Lucic hang with McDavid. I think the fan base is forcing that marriage right out of the gate. Personally I think hes better suited to 2nd line duties
- DDM-Coga

Lucic-McDavid-Yak
Pouliot-RNH-Ebs
Maroon-LD-Kassian

is the top 9 we will probably see initially, especially considering the chemistry and compositions that McLellan will try to imply in the beginning.

You Zorches think Puljujarvi will start and stick with the Oilers this season?

Lucic-McDavid-Yak
Pouliot-RNH-Ebs
Maroon-LD-Kassian

is the top 9 we will probably see initially, especially considering the chemistry and compositions that McLellan will try to imply in the beginning.
- EdmHockeyMan

I would swap Maroon and Pou but otherwise ya.

You Zorches think Puljujarvi will start and stick with the Oilers this season?
- laughs2907

He will get time but not sure if it's more than 9 games. Also not sure if it's at the start or after some adjustment time in the A FIRST.

You Zorches think Puljujarvi will start and stick with the Oilers this season?
- laughs2907

hopefully no

hopefully no
- prismo

Agreed, hopefully no. And yet it wouldn't surprise me if he outplayed Yak in a 9 game stint.

You Zorches think Puljujarvi will start and stick with the Oilers this season?
- laughs2907

He probably shouldnt, let the guy do his thing over in Euroland. Once the expansion is done, Yak is traded, or whatever, then bring him over for a meaningful role in the top 6

The fanbase saw McDavid get ridden into the boards and miss half the year. I can't see teams taking liberties like that with Lucic on the ice.
- Xaos22

Oh ffs. Lucic being on the ice would have done nothing to prevent McDavids injury last year. Zero.

Sometimes risks need to be taken in accordance with trade value.
Chia is all about risks. He has done it with Boston and he will do it with Edmonton. This time, he has experience under his belt.

I look at this trade as this... Hall, a proven, elite, topflight winger for Larsson, a PROVEN, top 2 DEFENSIVE defender, who has been UNDERVALUED by the fan bases due to how he has been utilized but not by the GM's, and whom has a lot of offensive POTENTIAL (in accordance to how he was utilized in the Swedish league) that has been untapped by NJ due to how they utilized Larsson.

The only calculation that comes into play is that Hall's value = 2-Way Elite Defender that is proven on both sides of the ice. This is where Chia's calculated risk comes into play. In order for this SINGLE deal to break even, Larsson has to develop his offensive game to a good level in the long run. Can he do it? I would bet on it. Chia knows something about Larsson that we should all know IF WE DID OUR RESEARCH. He was projected into this league as a complete defender. Had he not gone to NJ, we would see that happen, but we know how NJ has played their games in the past.

I'm not riding Chia's D, but I am for one, happy with the changes made organically, especially considering the composition and structure of the team. I'm sure Chia could have snagged a pick/B-rated prospect that would cover the development risk involved in growing Larsson's offensive potential, and I'm sure that is where Chia can be critized; he could have gotten a little bit more if he tried a tad bit harder. But Larsson had a FANTASTIC development year last season and he has made great strides lately.
- EdmHockeyMan

and thats where I put the chia criticism at mainly (I would feel the same if they moved Duchene in a similar deal 1 for 1 deal) . If he got Larsson plus, then there is an attempt to move a top end talent for multiple pieces, I think the outside hockey world would see more of a longterm foresight.

Larsson is going to be a stud for the Oilers, just wished they got more to help soften the blow in the forward ranks

Oh ffs. Lucic being on the ice would have done nothing to prevent McDavids injury last year. Zero.
- Iggysbff

Yup.

Oh ffs. Lucic being on the ice would have done nothing to prevent McDavids injury last year. Zero.
- Iggysbff

Larsson would have healed him though, he has those powers.

and thats where I put the chia criticism at mainly (I would feel the same if they moved Duchene in a similar deal 1 for 1 deal) . If he got Larsson plus, then there is an attempt to move a top end talent for multiple pieces, I think the outside hockey world would see more of a longterm foresight.

Larsson is going to be a stud for the Oilers, just wished they got more to help soften the blow in the forward ranks
- DDM-Coga

- Mr.Bobby

you should of gave them Quenneville too, you cheap dinks

- Mr.Bobby

you should of gave them Quenneville too, you cheap dinks
- DDM-Coga

For Nuge?

For Nuge?
- Mr.Bobby

Sploogent

Ryan Nudie Hopkins

Ryan Nudie Hopkins
- laughs2907

Ryan Hugent Flopkins

Ryan Hugent Flopkins
- DDM-Coga

Ryan Please Trade Him For A Decent D-Man Hopkins