If Draisaitl refuses to sign an extension this summer, Should the Oilers trade him or ride it out and go All IN one more time.

[CashMash]

Tough choice. My heart says to go all in since they were SO CLOSE this year.

And yet...

This last round seems to suggest they're in trouble when their two gamebreakers struggle. They can't cover up the deficiencies and have seemed outmatched for long stretches. When Crosby didn't score, at least Malkin did.

It completely depends on what is available, honestly. If you get a replacement top-6 center and a proven goalie, go for it. Otherwise, I would just stay put. The oilers NEED a good goalie, though... Saros? Ullmark? Someone like that.

EDIT:

It doesn't even have to be an elite goalie. Just someone nice and stable.

 

[Section 104]

I think you trade him. You can’t allow to happen what the Islanders let happen to John Tavares (who dropped a lot of hints that he wanted to stay on the island but didn’t).

 

[belair]

Has there actually been any indication that Drai wants out other than baseless speculation?

No, but there's this though.



Which kinda takes the conversation in the other direction of how Edmonton allocates their cap when Bouchard, McDavid and Draisaitl eat 40% of the salary cap.

 

[Hockeyholic]

Tell that to the Chicago Bulls, they didn't listen and lost it all.

Bulls had won 6 titles in 8 years. Their formula was successful beyond belief.

 

[Hockeyholic]

No, but there's this though.



Which kinda takes the conversation in the other direction of how Edmonton allocate their cap when Bouchard, McDavid and Draisaitl eat 40% of the salary cap.

Almost sounds like his opinion without a source.

But 40% cap tied up in three players will make it tough to keep other players

 

[DanyHeatley]

Ottawa offers Norris, Chychrun and 7th OA and a protected 2025 1st

 

[Fatass]

No, but there's this though.



Which kinda takes the conversation in the other direction of how Edmonton allocate their cap when Bouchard, McDavid and Draisaitl eat 40% of the salary cap.

Can these contract talks start before July 1, or can the two sides talk now and only the actually signing can occur July 1.

 

[bleedgreen]

The return would never be enough. Ride it out and move on, use the cap space then. Drai likely won’t sign with whoever trades for him, nor should he. He’s a rental.

 

[kcunac]

Canucks offer Pettersson and demko for a signed Drai

 

[613Leafer]

Trade him.

They would get some very good pieces, and could still be competitive next year. If they are competitive, it might entice McDavid to stay. If Draisaitl walks for nothing, McDavid is leaving (ie "all in" virtually guarantees losing both of them).

If they trade Draisaitl, and it's clear McDavid also wants to leave a year from now, then they can trade him too.

Gives them a shot next year, and either way, helps them longterm either via Draisaitl's trade return + McDavid locked up, or Draisaitl + McDavid's combined trade returns.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Go all in... And we will see a Oiler/Panther rematch again next season

 

[57special]

It really depends on what the offer is for Draisaitl, and how EDM is doing next year.

 

[Fatass]

Trade him.

They would get some very good pieces, and could still be competitive next year. If they are competitive, it might entice McDavid to stay. If Draisaitl walks for nothing, McDavid is leaving (ie "all in" virtually guarantees losing both of them).

If they trade Draisaitl, and it's clear McDavid also wants to leave a year from now, then they can trade him too.

Gives them a shot next year, and either way, helps them longterm either via Draisaitl's trade return + McDavid locked up, or Draisaitl + McDavid's combined trade returns.

If the Oilers traded Draisatl then McDavid would very likely not want to stay. So he’d be traded too. And that means a year it down rebuild. The Oilers aren’t heading down that road so Drsisatl will get a huge extension. 13.5 x 8 enough?

 

[CascadiaPuck]

Do everything you can to keep Draisaitl. Staple as many draft picks to Nurse as needed to ship him out. Ditto pricey goalies.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Do everything you can to keep Draisaitl. Staple as many draft picks to Nurse as needed to ship him out. Ditto pricey goalies.

No amount of draft picks will make Nurse tradeable.

 

[Devilsfan118]

No, but there's this though.



Which kinda takes the conversation in the other direction of how Edmonton allocate their cap when Bouchard, McDavid and Draisaitl eat 40% of the salary cap.

Add Nurse in and we've got a new "core 4" to obsess over!

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

Florida obviously learned some lessons and look posed to win a Cup. No reason Edmonton can't be next. You tweak but keep the core together. Draisaitl is a top 5 forward in the league, I wouldn't give up on that when if I have a team that made it to the finals.

 

[AvroArrow]

I like this prop for edmonton. Maybe not great for boston? This would fill 2 huge holes that the oilers have

Boston would fill their hole at 1C, they run Draisaitl + Pasta for the next 7-8 years maybe longer. Gotta give to get, they still have Swayman in net, and even though Nurse is overpaid he's not as horrible as people are making him out to be. His problem is, he's not worth 9m, but I genuinely don't think he's a bad player. At 6M you don't mind him, so you take on a bad contract (cap expected to rise) but he's still a serviceable player + you get one of the best players in the world, who I think immediately fits in Boston.

Just my take on it. Edmonton gets their G for the next 4-5 years + a stud on the blue line, Boston gets their 1C

 

[CascadiaPuck]

No amount of draft picks will make Nurse tradeable.

I mean, maybe. But if Drai is heading out, bundling him with Nurse ensures you DON’T acquire meaningful pieces.

 

[Roksta]

With their road to the finals plus the fashion they lost in. I would have a hard time saying no shame. They were pretty well gifted a SCF appearance. Toss away first round. Key injuries to the next two opponents and completely folded in the finals.

Of course you would, you're a Toronto fan with extreme bias

If you want to talk about shame look at your stupid team

 

[belair]

Add Nurse in and we've got a new "core 4" to obsess over!

Odds are he isn't going anywhere. Neither are Nugent-Hopkins or Hyman for at least the next three seasons. Do the math. Shit's gonna be tight.

 

[hurdemz]

Boston would fill their hole at 1C, they run Draisaitl + Pasta for the next 7-8 years maybe longer. Gotta give to get, they still have Swayman in net, and even though Nurse is overpaid he's not as horrible as people are making him out to be. His problem is, he's not worth 9m, but I genuinely don't think he's a bad player. At 6M you don't mind him, so you take on a bad contract (cap expected to rise) but he's still a serviceable player + you get one of the best players in the world, who I think immediately fits in Boston.

Just my take on it. Edmonton gets their G for the next 4-5 years + a stud on the blue line, Boston gets their 1C

Agree with this. This helps both teams get better and fill weaknesses

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Boston would fill their hole at 1C, they run Draisaitl + Pasta for the next 7-8 years maybe longer. Gotta give to get, they still have Swayman in net, and even though Nurse is overpaid he's not as horrible as people are making him out to be. His problem is, he's not worth 9m, but I genuinely don't think he's a bad player. At 6M you don't mind him, so you take on a bad contract (cap expected to rise) but he's still a serviceable player + you get one of the best players in the world, who I think immediately fits in Boston.

Just my take on it. Edmonton gets their G for the next 4-5 years + a stud on the blue line, Boston gets their 1C

Literally the only thing I can come up with wrong with your proposal is that Boston might be confident they could get him for free as a UFA

Otherwise it’s a trade that makes both teams better imo

 

[GOilers88]

Buyers remorse will come out for whatever team takes him away from McDavid. There is a reason he doesn’t produce to the same level while away from him.

Are there any players who wouldn't produce less playing away from McDavid than with him?

With their road to the finals plus the fashion they lost in. I would have a hard time saying no shame. They were pretty well gifted a SCF appearance. Toss away first round. Key injuries to the next two opponents and completely folded in the finals.

Your brain must be exhausted.

 

[Cursed Lemon]

All I'm saying is