Is it about time to make a trade or 2

[Enoch]

With Klien's new 5-year contract paying under $3 mil a year, I disagree.

Josi's only pays 4.25 X 7 years ... I agree with your point. Klein's deal is fantastic. He is one of our 2003 defensive stars. He is a benefit on ice in terms of play, leadership, and financial role. That said, he is valuable for all of these reasons as well, and we have Weber/Klein/Ellis/Jones all of who are RHD.

 

[Soundgarden]

I'd be surprised to see Eberle hit a consistent 70. He had that excellent 76 point year, but hasn't been on pace for more than 62-63 in his other three seasons. Still better than any forward on our roster, but just not sure what putting him in a real system and making him be THE guy does to his production. To me, he'd be better as a player that complements and feeds off an elite talent rather than the "go-to" guy.

Don't think I could justify giving up Josi for him, not unless we start seeing more flashes from an Ekholm, etc...

But he has hit 70 before so that makes him a seventy point player. He's not even 25 yet so we would have him in his prime. Eberle fills a huge need for us even if he does just reach 60 points a year he'd still easily be our best forward.

I wouldn't say he'd be a franchise forward, I wouldn't build a team around Eberle, but I also wouldn't build a team around Josi.

We would then have a solid young forward core with the scoring spread pretty evenly. Eberle, Wilson, Smith, Forsberg, Hornqvist.

And on Defense we still have Weber and Jones with Klein mentoring the young guys. If we could get an aging vet to go with Klein that helps things immensely.

Sure there will be growing pains, but I think a trade like this would help our little re-build go a lot quicker. Face it, we just haven't been able to develop scoring forwards, we're going to have to make a trade for one unless one falls into our laps by chance.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Josi's only pays 4.25 X 7 years ... I agree with your point. Klein's deal is fantastic. He is one of our 2003 defensive stars. He is a benefit on ice in terms of play, leadership, and financial role. That said, he is valuable for all of these reasons as well, and we have Weber/Klein/Ellis/Jones all of who are RHD.

This part I agree with. IF other teams are willing to make strong offers based on what you noted, then I do think he would make great trade bait.

 

[Soundgarden]

While I would rather keep Josi and trade Klein, you have to think about what we'd be getting in return. Josi would net a way better return than Klein. For example Edmonton would probably give Eberle for Josi, but they'd probably offer up Gagner for Klein. If we trade Klein we're probably getting back more of the same.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

While I would rather keep Josi and trade Klein, you have to think about what we'd be getting in return. Josi would net a way better return than Klein. For example Edmonton would probably give Eberle for Josi, but they'd probably offer up Gagner for Klein. If we trade Klein we're probably getting back more of the same.

Well...They can offer Gagner all they want. With Gagner making $5 mil for awhile, he's not getting much more than Spaling + Hendricks. While it's true Josi would probably get more, I personally believe that Klein would net a better return than you might think.

 

[101st_fan]

But he has hit 70 before so that makes him a seventy point player.

By that logic, Legwand is a 27 goal scorer and Hornqvist 30 goal guy ... after all, they did in ONCE. The word "consistent" is an important one as is the fact that Eberle's one 70 point season was with RNH and Hall both putting up over .83 points per game as well that season.

 

[Soundgarden]

By that logic, Legwand is a 27 goal scorer and Hornqvist 30 goal guy ... after all, they did in ONCE. The word "consistent" is an important one as is the fact that Eberle's one 70 point season was with RNH and Hall both putting up over .83 points per game as well that season.

Fine, he's a former 70 point scorer. But he's not even in his prime yet so he's got a few good years left in him.

 

[101st_fan]

Fine, he's a former 70 point scorer. But he's not even in his prime yet so he's got a few good years left in him.

Nobody is saying he isn't a good player with years ahead of him. It is important to look how he reached that point level though. It was three forwards with .83 points per game or better that enabled his numbers. Smyth even had a decent season that year with 19 goals, 27 assists. Very few players come close to putting up those types of numbers consistently.

 

[MarkMM]

With Klien's new 5-year contract paying under $3 mil a year, I disagree.

Agreed, Klein may not be flashy but he's a serviceable top-four on good value.

I'd be open to the Eberle/Josi move, but very, very reluctantly and would want some assurance from management that they've got someone else targeted (UFA) to solidify the defense, and Edmonton would have to add, not sure much. Plus, for Eberle not to be left tilting in the wind, there'd have to be a concerted effort to make this a not one-off offensive improvement, either philosophy/system change or coaching change and maybe another UFA offensive threat added, with more patience for the likes of Wilson. THAT is what would make me okay with moving Josi for Eberle, if it was one part of a larger plan to fix the offense, but not if it's just a token desperation move.

But I'd wonder, if we put Josi on the market for a scoring forward, we might get someone other than Eberle that could be more attractive, not sure who, just saying. If we're worried that Eberle won't do as well on his own, does Kane attract anyone?

 

[Soundgarden]

Nobody is saying he isn't a good player with years ahead of him. It is important to look how he reached that point level though. It was three forwards with .83 points per game or better that enabled his numbers. Smyth even had a decent season that year with 19 goals, 27 assists. Very few players come close to putting up those types of numbers consistently.

I understand. Even if he plays the rest of his twenties scoring 60-69 points he'd still be our top scoring forward and I think it'd be worth the risk of giving up Josi. Josi's cheaper but he also has a concussion history. His value's high right now, but you never know what could happen. Of course it does go both ways, Eberle might get injured tomorrow.

I just think we need someone already developed who can put some in the back of the net, and I don't think Klein will get us a player that'll be worth losing him on defense. Plus it makes sense for both sides.

 

[Soundgarden]

Agreed, Klein may not be flashy but he's a serviceable top-four on good value.

I'd be open to the Eberle/Josi move, but very, very reluctantly and would want some assurance from management that they've got someone else targeted (UFA) to solidify the defense, and Edmonton would have to add, not sure much. Plus, for Eberle not to be left tilting in the wind, there'd have to be a concerted effort to make this a not one-off offensive improvement, either philosophy/system change or coaching change and maybe another UFA offensive threat added, with more patience for the likes of Wilson. THAT is what would make me okay with moving Josi for Eberle, if it was one part of a larger plan to fix the offense, but not if it's just a token desperation move.

But I'd wonder, if we put Josi on the market for a scoring forward, we might get someone other than Eberle that could be more attractive, not sure who, just saying. If we're worried that Eberle won't do as well on his own, does Kane attract anyone?

Eberle, I think, is the best example off the top of my head. Winnipeg doesn't really need defenders though. Enstrom, Buff, Bogo, Trouba is a solid top 4 I don't see where Josi fits for them. Edmonton needs defense and has the forwards to make a trade.

Colorado maybe? Toronto with Kadri +?

 

[token grinder]

People keep using Gaustad a comparable for someone who gets a first. You are forgetting that was one of the most laughable rentals in recent history.

That deadline day I sure do remember that deal being lauded by just about everybody. Team guy, huge, wins tons of faceoffs, exactly what we needed at the time too. Hindsight is 20/20. The deal following for 3 mil or whatever is the negative aspect of it.

 

[101st_fan]

That deadline day I sure do remember that deal being lauded by just about everybody. Team guy, huge, wins tons of faceoffs, exactly what we needed at the time too. Hindsight is 20/20. The deal following for 3 mil or whatever is the negative aspect of it.

Gaustad is somehow one of the team's leading ES goal scorers this season. He is living up to his roles. The same cannot be said about everyone.

 

[Soundgarden]

We wanted to win.

Detroit offered a 2nd. We didn't have 2nd so we offered a 1st. We beat Detroit in playoffs.

Yeah, we flubbed the 2nd round vs. Phoenix, but at least we won a round.

 

[Top 6 Spaling]

Prediction: A deal happens around Legwand for Sam Gagner. I could also see Mazanec being involved.

 

[PredsV82]

Prediction: A deal happens around Legwand for Sam Gagner. I could also see Mazanec being involved.

Why exactly does edmonton trade for a pending ufa?

I could see Legwand to any playoff team with an injury at center, or needing a vet pk/defensive specialist

 

[Top 6 Spaling]

Why exactly does edmonton trade for a pending ufa?

Because he is exactly the kind of player they need and they may be able to convince him to stay. Not to mention Edmonton needs to win some games down the stretch to save face.

FWIW I've gotten three "yes" votes and zero "no" votes to a Legwand+Mazanec for Gagner+2nd/3rd(+Dubnyk) post I made over there.

 

[PredsV82]

Because he is exactly the kind of player they need and they may be able to convince him to stay. Not to mention Edmonton needs to win some games down the stretch to save face.

FWIW I've gotten three "yes" votes and zero "no" votes to a Legwand+Mazanec for Gagner+2nd/3rd(+Dubnyk) post I made over there.

Color me skeptical. Plus with rinne still uncertain I don't see our ever cautious poile trading mazanec. I think Maz is our backup for the next couple of seasons

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

I'm not sure we wouldn't just be better off re-signing Legwand in that situation. Gagner is a marginally better offensive player (.61 ppg vs .58/.59) while a significantly worse defensive player.

In a Legwand/Maz for Gagner/Dubnyk/2nd or 3rd swap we're giving up the better (though UFA) forward, the better goaltender and only getting a pick while also having to take on Gagner's contract.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Why exactly does edmonton trade for a pending ufa?

I could see Legwand to any playoff team with an injury at center, or needing a vet pk/defensive specialist

Personally, I'd rather have the late 1st from a playoff team than get Gagner in return.

 

[Preds101]

At this point I don't know if there is anyone on the Oilers that I would want. I've read quite a few of their GDTs and post GDTs and from what everyone is saying there is that a lot of players are not playing with heart and once they get behind they show no effort and are not willing to try. If they came here it would be the same story for this year at least. They have a lot of skilled forwards but the number one complaint about their team is that they are soft. I think we need a Toews+Kaner tandem where Toews is hard to knock off the puck and plays hard and Kane is complete skills player.

 

[Bringer of Jollity]

At this point I don't know if there is anyone on the Oilers that I would want. I've read quite a few of their GDTs and post GDTs and from what everyone is saying there is that a lot of players are not playing with heart and once they get behind they show no effort and are not willing to try. If they came here it would be the same story for this year at least. They have a lot of skilled forwards but the number one complaint about their team is that they are soft. I think we need a Toews+Kaner tandem where Toews is hard to knock off the puck and plays hard and Kane is complete skills player.

A losing culture can be infectious. I don't think the players singled out are innately like that, but being in a situation where you are bad year after year and have nothing to show for the effort you have put in can undoubtedly be extremely deflating and destructive to a player. I definitely do have concerns with taking on some of the players from some of these organizations, despite the considerable talent, just because you don't know how the situation has altered them as a player, or affected their development.

Big reason, imo, why the desire to tank can be very dangerous. Extremely difficult hole to claw back out of (though obviously some teams have quicker than others). I really hope we don't have to experience that with the Preds any time soon.