I'm still pretty tore up about how Chiarelli should go about improving this team in the offseason. Obviously our D core need to be improved and it's no secret that the best way to go about it is via the trade market. It's who Chiarelli should deal is what I'm still debating over.
Everyone keeps saying that our best option to acquire a top tier dman is by trading either RNH or Eberle. I don't agree. I think our most valuable asset could be the 1st rounder this year, depending on where that pick sits. If we win the lottery and get the 1st pick then I'm all for dealing it. The consensus pick at #1 is Matthews and there's not much debate over it. No doubt Matthews could return the star dman we desperately need. Even more so than RNH or Eberle. I know Maloney in Arizona stated that he wouldn't consider an OEL for Matthews deal, but with Maloney out of the picture I wonder how valid this statement will be with whoever replaces him over there.
If we get the 2nd pick in the draft I'd be ok with keeping it and drafting Laine. It's not that I think Laine is better than Matthews, it's just the problem I have is that if we get the 1st OA and decide to keep it and deal away Eberle for D help, then we really have no one to replace him on RW within the organization.
Lets face it, Yak is our only other option and it's pretty much a given he will be gone. We could look to free agency but it's no secret that Edmonton isn't exactly seen as an attractive destination for free agents as we've seen in the past. If we get the 2nd pick and draft Laine then it would make Eberle expendable if he can be dealt for a player to fill our needs.
With regards to RNH, I just love the thought of having the center depth in which this team has lacked for so many years. And I know a lot of people on here have lost some faith in Nuge but I honestly believe he's not far away from that breakout season we've been waiting for. Even as early as next year if he can stay healthy. I'd also like to keep RNH just in case we see Draisaitl struggle like he did during the second half of this season. Plus TMac even stated that he'd be quite comfortable moving LD to wing if need be, so that leaves even more options. If our #2 center produces as little as Draisaitl did the later part of this year then I think we're in major trouble.
Agreed with most of this. With exception that I deal the pick or player picked whether its first or second. I deal it. Reason being we have too much youth we are raising already and in our core. More youth is not only redundant but it contraprepares this team advancing to the next level anytime soon. Each additional youth in the lineup comes with further development growing pains of which we already have too much.
After watching the Chia interview I'm less convinced that the Yak deal is a slamdunk. Chia seems quite clear he isn't willing to except chump change for a young player still very talented and still willing to put hard work in. With injuries, and the Oilers often have them, its good to retain this type of talent rather than just give it away at this contract price. Yak is no longer the GA nightmare that hurts the team. Thing is Chia really needs to sit down with yak and have a long talk about the kid making up his mind.
To me Eberle is out. He's gone, played his last game, and nothing more clear. No knock on the player, but too small for Chia's liking and other than goal scorer not much for intangibles. Eberle has been showcased the last few months on McDavids wing. All this being clear. Should be said as well that McDavids GA and overall play suffered during this period. This not being an ongoing state of affairs the team would want. A more reliable vet will slot in next year with McDavid and Maroon. Maroon sealing the spot with his brilliant play also to me means the 3rd will be a guy with a bit more size ideally able to work with those two. The pair isn't McDavid-Eberle, the pair has become McDavid-Maroon. Chia likes size too much for this not to be irresistible.
Nuge I'm leaning could be gone with the right deal. I've tended that way myself even though I like Center depth but in lieu of the club now having McDavid, and Drai, Nuges contract at some point becomes an issue for someone who in my way of thinking is now slotting in at 3rd. For sure I don't like the reasoning of moving Drai to win. Drai is perfect as it gets here for a WC Center.
Hall stays. I'm pretty clear on that and would disappointed if its not the case. We would dearly miss Taylor Hall in this lineup. moving Hall would just put so much more weight on McDavid to carry this team offensively.
