What happened to Horny? I think you're putting WAY too much stock in Sprong and ZAR. I think they will both be lucky to be regulars this season. Also, 6th dman looks sketchy. One injury on the D (Letang, Maatta, and/or Schultz which is not a matter of if but when) and you're in a world of hurt. Thank jeebus Cole is able to play in an elevated role.

I doubt you could even sign the RFAs and those two, let alone have anything left for a sorely needed dman.
- T-Train

I have a good feeling ZAR is ready now. Just reading the reports on him, including that great feature on DK this week, he already plays a well rounded game so there shouldn't be any rough edges to work on. Not sure how big the uoside is, but he's a polished player and he does absolutely everything from go to the net, fight, hit, offense, defense, work ethic, plays all 3 spots, etc.

Sprong might take a while, but he's made strides as well. I expect be to be ready mid-season. If they can get that C that can play with Kessel, Sprong could hopefully fit next to Malkin.

That's why so many of us want a good 3C, not just a defensive specialist. Adding 2 more potential middle 6 wings to our group is more talent than we can fit around Crosby and Malkin. We've got strong lines without them, imagine adding them. You can't count on it, but doesn't mean we shouldn't prepare for the possibility of it.

So a sign-and-trade with Sheary? We're guessing in the $3.5 range? Could be undervaluing him. That only saves them $1 mil. Who knows. Would Rust be enough if they are desperate to shed salary?

Talking to 5 teams about a center? Hmm, I just don't see Duchene working line- and contract-wise. I think your other names are good guesses. We seem to deal a lot with the same teams. Maybe STL involved? Hopefully we can get a dman from the Ducks.
- T-Train

I'm guessiny Sheary gets 3 on a bridge but completely guessing. That might get to arbitration. I don't think Rust is enough by himself.

Agree on Duchene, don't sse it happening, but do think Pens are looking at him. Sakic just seems to be looking for an overpay, not that GMJR isn't above doing that to get his man, we just don't have the pieces to spare.

We have officially landed in lunacy. Matt Duchene for Leon Draisaitl. That's like if the Pens traded a 21 year old Malkin for.........um.......anything. Draisaitl is the second best player on the Oilers and he has Malkin part 2 to McDavids Crosby part 2. There is no logical reason to trade him. http://edmontonjournal.co...mour-from-nhl-insider-huh

I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve hoping he gets a new bike tomorrow morning (Top 4 D) and am worried my parents got me school clothes instead (7D) ...
- hipcheck_goalie

Perfect!!

I have a good feeling ZAR is ready now. Just reading the reports on him, including that great feature on DK this week, he already plays a well rounded game so there shouldn't be any rough edges to work on. Not sure how big the uoside is, but he's a polished player and he does absolutely everything from go to the net, fight, hit, offense, defense, work ethic, plays all 3 spots, etc.

Sprong might take a while, but he's made strides as well. I expect be to be ready mid-season. If they can get that C that can play with Kessel, Sprong could hopefully fit next to Malkin.

That's why so many of us want a good 3C, not just a defensive specialist. Adding 2 more potential middle 6 wings to our group is more talent than we can fit around Crosby and Malkin. We've got strong lines without them, imagine adding them. You can't count on it, but doesn't mean we shouldn't prepare for the possibility of it.
- Tojo.

I just get leery of slotting guys who haven't played a shift in the NHL into the top 6 before the season even starts. It seems to happen a lot and more often than not it doesn't seem to pan out that way. Like that Plotnikov dude. People penciled him in as Malkin's winger and now he's out of the league one year later.

I'm not saying ZAR won't be a good or even great player at some point, I just don't think he and/or Sprong are regulars this season so we should plan the lineup accordingly.

All I know is the Bonino type at 3C was a winning formula and helped this team to win 2 Cups. I think guys like Jokinen and Anisimov would fit that role. Not sure about Duchene and I definitely don't want a one-way center. Also, we are losing PKers left and right. It would be nice to add a 3C who can play PK and win important faceoffs. A good facilitator would be nice but I don't think we need a goal scorer at that position on this team.

We have officially landed in lunacy. Matt Duchene for Leon Draisaitl. That's like if the Pens traded a 21 year old Malkin for.........um.......anything. Draisaitl is the second best player on the Oilers and he has Malkin part 2 to McDavids Crosby part 2. There is no logical reason to trade him. http://edmontonjournal.co...mour-from-nhl-insider-huh
- Dcoms

No way the Oilers organization lets that happen. He can't possibly be that dumb.

I'm guessiny Sheary gets 3 on a bridge but completely guessing. That might get to arbitration. I don't think Rust is enough by himself.

Agree on Duchene, don't sse it happening, but do think Pens are looking at him. Sakic just seems to be looking for an overpay, not that GMJR isn't above doing that to get his man, we just don't have the pieces to spare.
- Tojo.

Sakic may be asking for an overpay to save some face or his job. He can't get fleeced on that deal or he's done.

So a sign-and-trade with Sheary? We're guessing in the $3.5 range? Could be undervaluing him. That only saves them $1 mil. Who knows. Would Rust be enough if they are desperate to shed salary?

Talking to 5 teams about a center? Hmm, I just don't see Duchene working line- and contract-wise. I think your other names are good guesses. We seem to deal a lot with the same teams. Maybe STL involved? Hopefully we can get a dman from the Ducks.
- T-Train

The place to get dmen is from Vegas. If we could trade Hornqvist and other considerations if necessary for 2 of Schmidt, Miller, Merrill, Theodore or McNabb we would be just fine. Say it's Miller, Merrill and Lindberg for Hornqvist, Kuhnhackle, Cole and a first.
Sheary Crosby Guentzel
Sprong Malkin Kessel
Rust Lindberg ZAR
Wilson Rowney Hagelen(Reeves when absolutely necessary)
Archie
Maatta Letang
Dumoulin Shultz
Pouliot Miller
Merril
Murray
Someone not named Niemi
That's a competitive roster that can move the puck from the backend and can score a ton of goals. And we would still have about 5 mill cap space.

No way the Oilers organization lets that happen. He can't possibly be that dumb.
- Thorny87

That's my point. The rumour people are running mad in the streets with nonsense.

We have officially landed in lunacy. Matt Duchene for Leon Draisaitl. That's like if the Pens traded a 21 year old Malkin for.........um.......anything. Draisaitl is the second best player on the Oilers and he has Malkin part 2 to McDavids Crosby part 2. There is no logical reason to trade him. http://edmontonjournal.co...mour-from-nhl-insider-huh
- Dcoms

It is Chiarelli, though. For all the grief Sakic gets, I think Chiarelli is worse.

The place to get dmen is from Vegas. If we could trade Hornqvist and other considerations if necessary for 2 of Schmidt, Miller, Merrill, Theodore or McNabb we would be just fine. Say it's Miller, Merrill and Lindberg for Hornqvist, Kuhnhackle, Cole and a first.
Sheary Crosby Guentzel
Sprong Malkin Kessel
Rust Lindberg ZAR
Wilson Rowney Hagelen(Reeves when absolutely necessary)
Archie
Maatta Letang
Dumoulin Shultz
Pouliot Miller
Merril
Murray
Someone not named Niemi
That's a competitive roster that can move the puck from the backend and can score a ton of goals. And we would still have about 5 mill cap space.
- Dcoms

I doubt Vegas has any interest in Horny. Why would they? He has one year left and Vegas won't be close to contending.

I just get leery of slotting guys who haven't played a shift in the NHL into the top 6 before the season even starts. It seems to happen a lot and more often than not it doesn't seem to pan out that way. Like that Plotnikov dude. People penciled him in as Malkin's winger and now he's out of the league one year later.

I'm not saying ZAR won't be a good or even great player at some point, I just don't think he and/or Sprong are regulars this season so we should plan the lineup accordingly.

All I know is the Bonino type at 3C was a winning formula and helped this team to win 2 Cups. I think guys like Jokinen and Anisimov would fit that role. Not sure about Duchene and I definitely don't want a one-way center. Also, we are losing PKers left and right. It would be nice to add a 3C who can play PK and win important faceoffs. A good facilitator would be nice but I don't think we need a goal scorer at that position on this team.
- T-Train

: good post. I agree that I don't see ZAR just handed a role out of camp. Nothing wrong with spending some time at WBS first.

That's my point. The rumour people are running mad in the streets with nonsense.
- Dcoms

It's the silly season.

I doubt Vegas has any interest in Horny. Why would they? He has one year left and Vegas won't be close to contending.
- T-Train

Because he's a 2 time cup winning, blue collar, hard worker type that every fan base loves to get behind. He may not be a fit hockey wise but marketing he's a gem and they can flip him at the TDL for another first. They have tons of dmen they have to get rid of some. I could sell it to McPhee, he did pay Forsburg for Erat.

Because he's a 2 time cup winning, blue collar, hard worker type that every fan base loves to get behind. He may not be a fit hockey wise but marketing he's a gem and they can flip him at the TDL for another first. They have tons of dmen they have to get rid of some. I could sell it to McPhee, he did par Forsburg for Erat.
- Dcoms

I agree with the flipping part.

Because he's a 2 time cup winning, blue collar, hard worker type that every fan base loves to get behind. He may not be a fit hockey wise but marketing he's a gem and they can flip him at the TDL for another first. They have tons of dmen they have to get rid of some. I could sell it to McPhee, he did pay Forsburg for Erat.
- Dcoms

I could see it as a TDL asset, but that's a couple moves removed. There will be A LOT of interest in the Vegas dmen (which is why they loaded up on them), especially Schmidt, Miller, and Theodore, so I think it's hard to compete with other offers if you're only offering maybe a late 1st at the TDL and a bit of marketing which they probably don't need (and might backfire if he gets shipped off without even playing a full season). You have to give to get and I don't think an aging net-front guy with one year left plus spare parts gets a young stud dman. For those guys the asking price will someone you don't want to give up like Sprong.

I just get leery of slotting guys who haven't played a shift in the NHL into the top 6 before the season even starts. It seems to happen a lot and more often than not it doesn't seem to pan out that way. Like that Plotnikov dude. People penciled him in as Malkin's winger and now he's out of the league one year later.

I'm not saying ZAR won't be a good or even great player at some point, I just don't think he and/or Sprong are regulars this season so we should plan the lineup accordingly.

All I know is the Bonino type at 3C was a winning formula and helped this team to win 2 Cups. I think guys like Jokinen and Anisimov would fit that role. Not sure about Duchene and I definitely don't want a one-way center. Also, we are losing PKers left and right. It would be nice to add a 3C who can play PK and win important faceoffs. A good facilitator would be nice but I don't think we need a goal scorer at that position on this team.
- T-Train

I'm not slotting either in the top 6.

I do think ZAR can come in and start with 3rd line minutes. But the Pens currently have 7 wings that can do that so it's not like they need to count on either of them. I'm just saying to be prepared IN CASE they are ready AT SOME POINT this year. Have the centers to take advantage of it.

PK is why I'm not as eager to trade away Hagelin. Love to get a guy who can pk and play with skill. That's why Anisimov is a target for me.

Not good on faceoffs though, so that will need to be a priority at 4C.

I could see it as a TDL asset, but that's a couple moves removed. There will be A LOT of interest in the Vegas dmen (which is why they loaded up on them), especially Schmidt, Miller, and Theodore, so I think it's hard to compete with other offers if you're only offering maybe a late 1st at the TDL and a bit of marketing which they probably don't need (and might backfire if he gets shipped off without even playing a full season). You have to give to get and I don't think an aging net-front guy with one year left plus spare parts gets a young stud dman. For those guys the asking price will someone you don't want to give up like Sprong.
- T-Train

Vegas has already said the top young defensemen, and Schmidt and Theodore were specifically mentioned, aren't being flipped. Miller is their only righty other than Engelland so he probably atays to. They are moving guys like Garrison, Sbisa, Emelin, etc.

I doubt Vegas has any interest in Horny. Why would they? He has one year left and Vegas won't be close to contending.
- T-Train

Trade deadline bait. He will get them a 1st then. Same thing with Neal.

New blog....again

I could see it as a TDL asset, but that's a couple moves removed. There will be A LOT of interest in the Vegas dmen (which is why they loaded up on them), especially Schmidt, Miller, and Theodore, so I think it's hard to compete with other offers if you're only offering maybe a late 1st at the TDL and a bit of marketing which they probably don't need (and might backfire if he gets shipped off without even playing a full season). You have to give to get and I don't think an aging net-front guy with one year left plus spare parts gets a young stud dman. For those guys the asking price will someone you don't want to give up like Sprong.
- T-Train

Merrill and Miller are 3-6 dmen at best. I'm sure there is a deal to be made without giving up too much. Schmidt and Theodore are who teams are going to want.

Vegas has already said the top young defensemen, and Schmidt and Theodore were specifically mentioned, aren't being flipped. Miller is their only righty other than Engelland so he probably atays to. They are moving guys like Garrison, Sbisa, Emelin, etc.
- Tojo.

No one wants those guys and they have too many dmen. Are teams supposed to offer up assets for washed up trash? Not happening.