Quote:
Originally Posted by Firebot
Oilers fans on the HF forums keep saying to look at Draisatl as an example of why you need to be patient. The difference is that Draisatl's biggest problem was by far his skating, and he improved on it to get to NHL level. Poolparty's problems seem to be more of the Yakupov mindset, and more of an IQ problem. His AHL numbers were pretty underwhelming.
He could actually become more of a bust than Yakupov, still very early, but the early signs are not good. There would be no way he would be selected 3rd overall with his current season.
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Puljujarvi was a much more distant third for me over the first two options at the draft, but I think he will (unfortunately) end up being a good player. This is his first year in the AHL as an 18 year old. Given that, I don't think it was that much of a disappointment. If he is still in the AHL all of next season and doesn't look to be developing, then it is time the questions start being raised. Still too early.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
Nah. We have seen worse players on bad contracts get traded than Eberle and RNH. I feel they will have plenty of takers for either player. They aren't going to hit home runs on the return but they could get quality young prospects or draft picks from other teams. There are always teams looking for centers that have skill and RNH looked great at the World Cup of Hockey playing with talented line mates. Eberle is more of a one-trick pony but he's only got two years left on that deal and a team in bad need of a skilled winger may be desperate enough to make a move for him
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While I do agree that there would be lots of takers still for either RNH (especially) or Eberle, but that list dramatically closes considering the point of any trade is free up cap room. How many teams are willing to take either player on without sending significant cap in return? I would argue that based on both being somewhat of a reclamation project of sorts (overpaid), the Oilers will be hard-pressed to find takers. A team has to be very offensively challenged to try and go that route. Maybe Vegas?