If the oilers are to climb out of the basement they cannot rely solely on the draft to get it done. In the post Oilers missing the boat by not using Amateur Free Agents route to acquire talent posted by me on Feb 6, I stated that the oilers must do a better job of recruiting Amateur free agents.

They have done well so far this spring signing.

2011 AMATUER FREE AGENTS 

These young players all under 25 provide depth at our AHL level and lessen the need for high priced mercenary talent like Giroux, Moran, ect, we may still need a couple but with Bryan Helmer signed to one more year we maybe need only one more, to provide leadership to our young prospects that will surely be playing in OKC next year.

But  are we done, Lowetide on Oiler nation reported that the Oilers may be interested in  Ville Lajunen a 23 year old 6 foot, 180 lb Finnish defender, and Victor Fasth a 29 year old goaltender playing for Sweden in the world championships. This would be very welcome as many more knowledgeable hockey people have identified organizational weakness on defense and in goal.

I have also been impressed by the signing of our drafted prospects 

I am a little worried by the lack of signing Martindale, or Davidson as I believe if we don`t sign the we lose their rights but I could use some clarification on this.

In closing I am looking forward to the draft, not getting sucked into the debate I trust in STU, I am impressed by the oilers progress so far. OKC   experiment went well and by all reports the Player development system is working well with Moores and Sillinger at the helm.  

A couple more European free agents and a strategic trade or pro free agent and we could start to see a playoff hope some day soon.