Dumba, Grigorenko, Murray, Yakupov: Should The Oilers Draft Offense Or Defense?

Neither. Draft BPA. If that’s Yakupov then you draft him. The GM has to build the team, not the amateur scouting department.

Corey Graham was on Nation Radio yesterday talking about the top CHL defensive prospects. According to the scouts he’s talked to, and based on his own experiences with Griffin, It’s his opinion that Murray is THE best defenseman in the draft bar none. The next tier of prospects includes Dumba, Reinhart, and another prospect whose name escapes me (i beleive he is injured at the moment). Dumba’s offense is seen as a big question mark at the next level, and the hits he throws in the WHL would likely be penalties/suspensions in the NHL this year. He is also a bit of a gong-show in his own end – the parallel that I draw is Grebeshkov (if he makes it).

Reinhart is supposed to be much more proffesional – ready. WIth so much family in the game already, he’s got great habits, is a good lockeroom guy, and is much more mature. Because his game is based on good deciions, good passes, and rubbing guys out on the boards, he’s also much safer – those items are much more likely to translate. And his 6’4" frame is much more projectable in the NHL.

Taking dumba is a big gamble. If the Oil don’t get Murray, They better take Griffin. Gambling on first round picks is a great way to score more Plantes…

Everybody agrees that this team needs help on the backend, and I agree that management is probably unlikely to be able to build a good team, but Yakupov is honestly just too far removed from the rest of the pack, particularly the defenders, to be passed over imho. Although we could realistically pick as low as third.

Acquire Weber or Suter (if they are willing to sign an extension). If not, draft BPA.

If you can grab Gleason before the deadline (again, if he would be willing to sign an extension) do it. Anything the Oilers can do to bolster their reputation as an NHL club before the end of this season is worthwhile.

Edmonton needs to show their young players they want to build with them, not sit idly by and wait for another lottery pick. Players want to win, and all this talk of “they see what we are doing here”, is flawed because the OIlers aren’t ‘doing’ anything. There has literally been a 2 point advancement over 3 consecutive seasons, where is the progress?

Chicago and Pittsburgh used their forward momentum to sign additional complementary players, and retain the talent they already had (see: Hossa, Campbell, Sharp; Martin, Michalek, Orpik).

Re-sign Hemsky, R-sign Smyth. Trade our pick (or the next one) for PROVEN NHL caliber talent (mainly D men). Show the league and the kids that the “sucking for picks” period is over and that it is now time for accountability. If done right, the Oilers might be to change the league’s perception of them, and they MIGHT be able to add a key piece during UFA (I’m talking a Parise-like talent, not a Barker maybe).

Couldn’t agree more with everyone above… it’s managements job to build a team not scouting. They need to get some qualty NHL players in the lineup for next season (not could’ve beens, gonna be’s or ‘were drafted in round 1 5 years ago’ players but PROVEN players). Create some packages (with our first overall pick) and nab a stud or two who are signed for at least 2 years and who’s wives don’t hate Edmonton. Another high end prospect will not solve our problems at all … namely no defensive depth and average goaltending. Also, sign Hemsky and sign Smyth (for much less than he has now). Trade Khabi at the trade deadline for any draft pick you can get (Detroit’s 6th round pick sounds excellent to me for him) and clear him off the books.. the experiment failed. Now sign any number of good goalies to join Dubynk while our young goalies develop. I’d think trading pieces like Gagner, our Number 1 pick, Khabi and one of the awesome 3 Swedes would fetch a good return. Suter in Nashville would be great. Weber would be ideal. Even a guy like Z. Michalek would do wonders (assuming his health returns) although I’d want more than that. 2 Top 4 D men would be great as well.

" But blueliners mature by the sundial…,"

Nice generalization, but we have seen some examples of top 5 dimen picks contributing early. Hedman, Larsson, Doughty. Wouldn’t shock me if gudbranson climbs the learning curve a lot more quickly than sundial pace, assuming that means slow.

If the scouting staff believe there is another Doughty, Larsson or Hedman available when the Oilers come up to pick they would be crazy not to pick that player, given how rare and important they are.. If there is not one of those players available, then pick a forward.

Guys, you’re just talking. Talking, “la-la-la-la”, like this is business as usual. It’s not. You’re not even looking at the problem. What’s the problem? Derek, what’s the problem? Bruce, what’s the problem? GCW, what’s the problem?

The problem we’re trying to solve is that there are smart teams and there are stupid teams. Then there’s fifty of crap, and then there’s us – the Oil – the laughing stock of the NHL.

We talk about Renney this and Tambo that, draft a defenseman, take the BPA. I’ll tell you what we need, we need to get rid of Kevin Lowe.You want to talk about old-school and stupid all in one – that, my friends is Kevin Lowe. NOTHING will change with this team as long as Lowe is at the management helm. End of story. You can draft a d-man or acquire one or whatever only to be sabotaged by Lowe’s ineptitude by giving some lighting in an ‘06 bottle a ridiculous contract. We ought to start an Occupy Rexall movement until change happens. Who’s with me?