In defense of the Oilers (I'm sorry)...
The Yakupov pick is the only one that I think was really bad, and even then I can see why they didn't take Murray or Galchenyuk. Murray hasn't been consistent and has had injury problems, and Galchenyuk was injured for his entire draft year. They may seem like better options now, but at the draft a GM would have needed balls of steal to take Galchenyuk at #1. I think they should have moved that pick instead of taking Yakupov, who has looked like crap every time I have seen him touch the puck.
RNH is really struggling this year but I still think he will be one of the better players from that draft. Landeskog is the better player right now but he was by far the "most NHL ready" prospect from that draft so it isn't surprising that he is out-performing RNH. Time will tell who is the best player from that draft, but right now Landeskog and Huberdeau are clearly better players than RNH this year.
Seguin vs Hall is a wash so far IMO. Hall plays on a crappy line on a crappy team, where as Seguin has one of the best supporting staffs in the whole league. He also plays on a dominant line. The two of them still put up pretty similar numbers.
The problem the Oilers have is that their management is terrible beyond drafting #1. Pajaarvi looks like a total bust, they took Mitch Moroz with what was basically a first round pick (seriously), and the haven't shown any ability to improve the on ice product. The only pick of theirs that looks any good is Klefblom, who could be solid. They have shown zero interest or ability to improve the Oilers defense and goaltending.
How long will the Oilers be bad for? I would say 5+ years unless management changes happen
|