[News] The Edmonton Oilers win the draft lottery and will select 1st overall

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Yeah but all of that is relatively easy to fill and the fact that he'll be on the team makes it alot easier to fill those positions as well. One of the biggest disadvantages the Oilers had was being able to attract free agents. Alot of that is self-inflicted but him being on the roster instantly makes Edmonton a much more attractive destination that it used to be.

I'm not sure it helps that much for defensemen or goalies at the outset. The main draw of being on that team is that you're likely to put up more points as an Oiler either by playing WITH McDavid, or playing on a line with one or more of their other skilled forwards while the other team's top players are tasked with shutting down McDavid, hopefully giving you more room to produce.

Once the team starts winning (if they do), that'll help attract other players but I think the "draw" for free agents here is mostly up front.

[Gaudfather]

MacT will trade the Oiler's first round pick to the Leafs for Phaneuf and Kessel and Reimer - problems solved.

[868904]

The Oilers obviously have a good foundation but they need to shore up other areas. Most importantly, they need veterans that these young kids respect and will listen to. They need leadership. I think most of what they need can be available through trades and free agency, but the question is how does the McDavid thing change the appeal of Edmonton to other players?

If they didn't get McDavid, I could say with certainty that no free agent in their right mind would sign there unless they were grossly overpaid (see Pouliot and Fayne), and no veteran would waive their no trade clause to go to Edmonton.

But how does McDavid change things now? Do players now look at Edmonton as a slightly more appealing destination knowing that they have a generational talent there? Maybe more importantly, do any good coaches (say Babcock or Mclellan) now view Edmonton as a good destination?

I guess players and coaches will have to weigh the good (McDavid) versus the bad (Lowe and MacT).

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I think the point about how good McDavid will or won't be for the Oilers is irrelevant. The relevant point is that Edmonton, going back near a decade or more, has been continuously awarded major assets for failure. 4 first overall picks in 6 years. That is absolutely ludicrous. Not to mention the other top 5 picks they've had. Its only due to their own incompetence that they haven't been able to take advantage of the situation.

That makes the NHL look like an absolute joke of a league.

The LA Clippers have won 5 draft lotteries, and have not won anything yet.

[Tinordi]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I'm not sure it helps that much for defensemen or goalies at the outset. The main draw of being on that team is that you're likely to put up more points as an Oiler either by playing WITH McDavid, or playing on a line with one or more of their other skilled forwards while the other team's top players are tasked with shutting down McDavid, hopefully giving you more room to produce.

Once the team starts winning (if they do), that'll help attract other players but I think the "draw" for free agents here is mostly up front.

Yes I'm not saying that they're instantly just going to turn it around but basically they have all the makings of at least turning into the Islanders with potential for more. That's how significant I would rate the McDavid acquisition. Sickening honestly.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Yes I'm not saying that they're instantly just going to turn it around but basically they have all the makings of at least turning into the Islanders with potential for more. That's how significant I would rate the McDavid acquisition. Sickening honestly.

To be fair, the Islanders' turnaround was just good GM'ing. Getting Leddy and Boychuk for peanuts because Chiarelli and Bowman were dealing from positions of weakness was really all that team needed; they essentially bought a second pairing at a bargain. Then Snow signed Halak and boom, suddenly they have competent netminding. If the Oilers did that, sure, they'd immediately be out of the basement and well on their way back towards the top 8, but no sign to date of their GM making those kinds of shrewd moves (though MacT hasn't been as bad as some on here like to suggest).

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by troutman

The LA Clippers have won 5 draft lotteries, and have not won anything yet.

Again, irrelevant. Should the NHL be rewarding teams for failure to the extent that it does? That's the issue. Fact is the best way to collect valuable assets is to tank for several seasons. That is a huge problem IMO.
I understand giving struggling teams a bit of a leg up, but what we've seen occur Edmonton is truly unjust. I don't care if they are unable to utilize the assets properly or not, that is their problem. But the opportunity to build a dynasty being gifted to them? That is the NHL's problem, and its a major problem in my mind.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Yes I'm not saying that they're instantly just going to turn it around but basically they have all the makings of at least turning into the Islanders with potential for more. That's how significant I would rate the McDavid acquisition. Sickening honestly.

I am torn, while I hate that the Oilers got the #1 overall, it really is how the system should work. They are a bad team, we all know it. They are a bad team while trying to be a better team. Buffalo, is a bad team, while trying to be a bad team. They tanked, like really tanked.

It is that point, that the Oilers are a bad team while trying to be a good team, that give me faith they will mess this up as well.

I really don't think the Oiler organization has the smarts or forethought to plan this.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Did I say that? If so, that's not what I meant; obviously you need four top 4 D to be a perennial contender. I don't remember posting that specifically but I'll take your word. Maybe I meant that they need one MORE, assuming that Nurse and one of Musil/Klef/Marincin pan out and they keep Jultz. That's probably 3 years down the road.

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

d. They don't need Shea Weber; they need a reliable top 4 guy who eats 20+ minutes. You can UFA those guys.

You said "A reliable", so yeah I interpreted it as just one. In any case, I don't think you can count those other players until they've proven to be those players. They may not.

Also, UFAs are not as easy to get as people think, especially when you're Edmonton and already up against the cap.

I don't really know how you develop Nurse best; I mean, Aaron Ekblad thrived when thrown to the wolves. Every player is different. Sure, they could screw him up, and you can never tell who a defensive prospect is going to be (nobody thought Brodie would be THIS good) but I think he'll be good. I just like the player.

Ekblad was thrown to the wolves, but if he was terrible people would say it was a bad choice. He proved to be a top defender. None of the Oiler's have done that, and again, until they prove otherwise, I defer to history (ie, terrible player development).

Hall is an impact player, Eberle has been (though I never really bought into his hype). RNH is good and is on the road to becoming a good, if not spectacular, #1C. Yakupov is in a similar situation to Duchene a few years ago. These guys aren't the problem; it's been a remarkable run of awfulness picking outside the top 10 picks in the draft that's been the problem, along with the inability to maintain stability in the system by firing a coach every year. That and goaltending.

This is why I extenuated FULL impact. Patrice Bergeron is a FULL impact player. Sean Monahan is a FULL impact player. Hall is not a FULL impact player. He is an impact player from the redline in and he's very good at that part of the game, not unlike Kessel. But everywhere else he is a liability and disinterested. Until he rounds out the other 100 ft of his game, he will never be a complete impact player. Nuge, there is potential, but he's still to weak to deal with the Kopitar's, Getzlaf's and (yes) Monahan's of the west. That type of strength is require to be a top-tier centreman in the league. Eberle is a slower, less interested Hall. A decent complimentary piece, but again will lead you nowhere. (and I was an Eberle fan when he was entering the league).

I agree they aren't the problem, but their deficiencies are a product of the problem, which is poor player development and management. Which is why I have little confidence that their decent prospects really turn into anything. If they can't make top-picks into full players, what about the ones that require more attention and time?

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

McDavid drastically changes the composition of that team. I wouldn't be quick to dismiss how much better he instantly makes the Oil. Just terrible news, I'm honestly livid that they could be so bad for so long and then get gifted the foundation of a contender. Unbelievable.

They need 6 NHL calibre defenders to become a contender.

They have Nurse.

It'll be a long while yet, I think.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

Yeah, a couple pieces including a tendy, Hall and Eberle aren't overrated. But you're a huge homer judging from your other posts, so whatever, no point.

http://imgur.com/gallery/RdRvV?hc_location=ufi

NHL BUNGLES DRAFT, ROBS SABRES

That's pretty funny.

KFF is one of the best posters on the board. Again you continue to be completely unable to make your points without being arrogant and speaking down to anyone that disagrees with you.

It is a shame because you have solid points to make - but then you just can't help but add some additional stuff that just really makes it hard to respect you as a poster.

In short - quit being a jerk to other people on this board. And stop pretending that somehow you are this objective vision of knowledge - you aren't. You have your own slants just like everyone else.

[Mony]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

Popped up on my Facebook feed.

I saw him yesterday at the West Ed food court.

[Azhouse]

As much as I despise the Coil this will only make them better.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Hall is a good player. Just because I think he's overrated doesn't automatically mean I think he's a terrible player, he's not. He's just got a terrible hockey IQ and plays with his head down far too often. He's good, not great.

Eberle is a decent player, but one of the worst defensive players in the league. And he goes through the motions far too often. One game this season against the Flames he was great, played with some emotion and played really well. But far too often now he's just a shadow of his former self and really is a liability defensively.

Overrated doesn't mean garbage.

I wasn't disagreeing with you - I was disagreeing that they are not overrated. They certainly are, especially in Edmonton (which makes them untradeable). They are, IMO possibly at their peak right now, and still woefully deficient players.

Eberle especially. One question will be if Hall and McDavid can even mesh. Hall wants to carry the puck, which is McDavid's biggest strength.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Heres my fantasy trade.

McDavid to ARZ for Hanifin, Ekman-Larson, Smith and 2016 1st

not going to comment on your trade proposal but you can rest assured their 1st isn't on the table...

they will do everything in their power to get the kid from Arizona next year.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Azhouse

As much as I despise the Coil this will only make them better.

Of course it will make them better, but it doesn't address the huge holes in the rest of the line up. The top 6 is the best of the worst (the rest of the Oiler team).

Bottom 6, Top 4 D, and a goalie (or 2) are bigger problems.

[Ashasx]

Andrew Walker talking on the Fan 590 that the Oilers have been guaranteed a Stanley Cup because of the lottery.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by MattyC

You said "A reliable", so yeah I interpreted it as just one. In any case, I don't think you can count those other players until they've proven to be those players. They may not.

Right, I'm crystal-ball-ing a bit there. If they all bust, they all bust. But I think they have the tools and the talent, so I'm predicting, I think somewhat conservatively, that of those four players, you get 1 top pairing guy in Nurse and one solid 2nd pairing guy.

Also, UFAs are not as easy to get as people think, especially when you're Edmonton and already up against the cap.

Cap issues are a whole other ball of wax. But 2nd pairing defensemen are signable. This year there isn't even a bumper UFA crop, but there are probably 5 guys who fit that bill (Paul Martin, Mike Green, Cody Franson, Christian Ehrhoff, Francois Beauchemin, maybe Barrett Jackman and Johnny Oduya).

Ekblad was thrown to the wolves, but if he was terrible people would say it was a bad choice. He proved to be a top defender. None of the Oiler's have done that, and again, until they prove otherwise, I defer to history (ie, terrible player development).

I'm still not sure it's bad player development, it could just be bad drafting. Anyway, my point is, it's tough to say what will happen if they throw Nurse into the lineup and give him 20 minutes a game playing against stars. Maybe he'll wilt; maybe he'll thrive. No way to know.

I agree they aren't the problem, but their deficiencies are a product of the problem, which is poor player development and management. Which is why I have little confidence that their decent prospects really turn into anything. If they can't make top-picks into full players, what about the ones that require more attention and time?

Eh, I think I just generally disagree with you on player evaluation.

Kessel isn't a problem because he's all offense, that's just who he is as a player, and that talent can make up for other shortcomings. You could say the same of Ovechkin. Same goes for Hall, who isn't as bad as some like to make him out to be. The central point is that trying to make all these guys into 100 foot players may be trying to fit a square peg into a round hole in a lot of cases. I don't think Nail Yakupov, no matter what he becomes, will ever be a defensively responsible player, but that doesn't mean he can't be extremely valuable.

Player development isn't trying to make everyone into Jonathan Toews; they're not all Jonathan Toews. It's about identifying their strengths and weaknesses and trying to make them better at what they're good at, not forcing them to be something they aren't.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Andrew Walker talking on the Fan 590 that the Oilers have been guaranteed a Stanley Cup because of the lottery.

I don't understand why you would want to make an ass of yourself by saying that.

Every media member who has guaranteed a cup for the Oil has looked like a fool.

How can you, in one breath, say that McDavid is great, but not quite Crosby and then look at what Crosby has had to play with and his one and only success, and think that McDavid guarantees them anything.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

KFF is one of the best posters on the board. Again you continue to be completely unable to make your points without being arrogant and speaking down to anyone that disagrees with you.

It is a shame because you have solid points to make - but then you just can't help but add some additional stuff that just really makes it hard to respect you as a poster.

In short - quit being a jerk to other people on this board. And stop pretending that somehow you are this objective vision of knowledge - you aren't. You have your own slants just like everyone else.

I'd like to personally apologize to KFF if he thought I was talking down to him, being a jerk, or somehow implying that I'm a better hockey fan.

If you think anything I've posted demonstrates a "slant" I'm happy to talk about that, but it would be easier to have that conversation without being called arrogant or impossible to respect. Again, I'm trying to do this without raising hackles or tempers or anything and trying not to be a "jerk" as you put it. I really do just want to talk objectively about what the Oilers can and should do from here.