[Rumour] Eklund: Oilers ready to make offer for Phaneuf

[Troubamaker]

Originally Posted by kirant

There's still Dane Phaneuf. Oilers could always sign him. It might even be an upgrade on defence.

He only hits girls though. Pretty useless unless you play the Canucks for all 82 games.

[YogiBerra]

Whats next trading for Regher? Oilers are trying to collect all of the former Flames defensemen they must have decided to copy a competent franchise for once.

[theoforever]

Phaneuf is a good player and he makes Oilers better, then again Buttler would too. However, building the defence around him or thinking he can be effective as a top 2 dman is sort of crazy. The cool thing about the trade is that it gives Oiler fans hope, which will be crushed a month or two into the season. Good times!

[bubbsy]

to be honest, playing the role of armchair gm for the oilers is sort of interesting. They have some pieces, and have some very obvious gaps. Going after a guy like phaneuf, mike richards, or some other not so young players becoming available are the kind of moves that could finally turn things around up north.

just a matter of how 'bold' mact is willing to be.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Since when is Eklund considered to be a trustworthy source?

He's not, but "Phaneuf to Edmonton" is old speculation already. Eklund is just riding the internet's coattails, as usual.

As to the speculation, if I am Toronto, I stay the hell away from Yakupov.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

He's not, but "Phaneuf to Edmonton" is old speculation already. Eklund is just riding the internet's coattails, as usual.

As to the speculation, if I am Toronto, I stay the hell away from Yakupov.

I am not sure I would call Yakupov a bust yet(I know you did not call him a bust literally) but I think with the right coach and sorrounding he'll get better. He could be the next Cogliano or better or Schremp or worse. In Toronto he doesn't have to worry about being one of the top player and he is sorrounded by vet players like Kessel and others. In Edmonton, he is sorrounded by young guys like him with RNH, Hall, Eberle, Gagner and so on. Nobody really tells him he is doing things wrong and also give him advice. Yakupov is young hot shot player who thinks he is very talented and don't need to work hard.

As for Dion Phaneuf, I can see the Oilers going after him being a hometown boy and their situation with the D core. The question is how much are they willing to give up and is Phaneuf really the answer for the D problem?

Should we believe Eklund?? Well, we are talking about the Oilers and KLowe's crew here......so anything is possible. If it's true, i think the Leafs will at least Gagner or Eberle + prospects or high draft picks. Is MacT going to bite? Maybe or maybe not...like i said Oilers are unpredictable.

[Resolute 14]

"yet" is the key word with respect to Yakupov. Put him in Toronto, and he's going to get crushed by the media when all of his lazy and selfish habits are put under that giant microscope. Not to mention that Toronto itself isn't all that adept at defensive play. And for all this risk, you have to hope that a 20-year-old Yakupov can be mature enough to handle the criticism of his coaches and teammates with the kind of introspection that will allow him to turn his overall game around. That is not a chance I would even consider taking if I could pry anyone else out of Edmonton, in addition to a 1st rounder.

Phaneuf unquestionably makes Edmonton better, even at the cost of an Eberle (especially at the cost of Yakupov), so it makes sense from their perspective. But he isn't the answer. He's not going to put them in the playoffs. The Oilers would need to add about three more NHL calibre defencemen first.

[FlamesAddiction]

I doubt Edmonton is even on his 12 team trade list.

[MoreDrank]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

"yet" is the key word with respect to Yakupov. Put him in Toronto, and he's going to get crushed by the media when all of his lazy and selfish habits are put under that giant microscope. Not to mention that Toronto itself isn't all that adept at defensive play. And for all this risk, you have to hope that a 20-year-old Yakupov can be mature enough to handle the criticism of his coaches and teammates with the kind of introspection that will allow him to turn his overall game around. That is not a chance I would even consider taking if I could pry anyone else out of Edmonton, in addition to a 1st rounder.

Phaneuf unquestionably makes Edmonton better, even at the cost of an Eberle (especially at the cost of Yakupov), so it makes sense from their perspective. But he isn't the answer. He's not going to put them in the playoffs. The Oilers would need to add about three more NHL calibre defencemen first.

The Toronto market is not patient as it is with Nazem Kadri, who is a very good, seasoned young NHLer in comparison to Yakupov. There was plenty of talk of shipping Kadri out when things when bad in the season. No way Yakupov could make a positive impact to the Leafs.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I doubt Edmonton is even on his 12 team trade list.

I didn't think Phaneuf had any type of nm/ntc.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I didn't think Phaneuf had any type of nm/ntc.

At least according to Cap geek he does:

http://www.capgeek.com/mapleleafs/

[4oh3]

How would the oilers trading there first too affect our pick? I think toronto would pick Bennett.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

At least according to Cap geek he does:

http://www.capgeek.com/mapleleafs/

When does that contract kick in though?

[Jacks]

Ya that contract should kick in July 1st. Until then it looks like he is free to be traded.

I wonder if Elisha would enjoy the Edmonton winters?

[AcGold]

There's not really a trade where both teams win. Edmonton needs 1 Butler and 1 Witherspoon, one which kinda sucks and eats up minutes while the other develops

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by AC

That would be hilarious. Especially if they give up Eberle or Yakupov as part of the package.

Gagner + Eberle?
Gagner + 1st?
Yakupov + 1st?

It would be funnier if it was Nurse plus first, and Nurse developed into the player we thought Phone up would be after Toronto subsequently trades him somewhere else.

[Brannigans Law]

Dion can't handle being the #1 guy with over 25 mins a game. Why on earth would this make sense for them? Yes he can move the puck and add that piece they need -badly- but he's so over paid and will eat up so many minutes he'll wind up being a negative.

Although to be honest considering how bad the Oilers D is this may actually still improve them if he plays like usual Dion.

[kyuss275]

Oilers are probably making offers to any top 4 dman that they think might be available. Yes I believe Phaneuf would be on that list but I think the list is probably 25 players deep. Really think Oilers will pull off a major trade this offseason. Whether or not they are on the winning side of the trade is another discussion.

[BACKCHECK!!!]

Do not want.

The Oilers are already no good. Sure, a bad trade for Phaneuf might make things worse, but on the other hand it might actually help them. Why risk improvement?

The Oilers are plenty bad enough as is, we should be cheering for the status quo.

No bold moves. Everything is going according to plan.

[topfiverecords]

I think Dion's nm/nt has a closet space clause.