Proposal: Proposals Thread: Fix this broken club

[Soundwave]

Bring in Statsny and Bennett/Reinhart and I think it doesn't look to bad. Statsny-Reinhart/Bennett-Gordon down the middle would be fine. Fix our mess of a d with the RNH trade and by trading one of Petry or Schultz, and were suddenly looking like a playoff team. Way easier bringing along one of Reinhart or Bennett knowing that there will only be maybe 1 or 2 other rookies on the team compared to when we brought in RNH, and we had an AHL/1st time on the ice merry go round. The great thing is we would still have a lot of guys like Nurse, Gernat, Khaira, etc... in the system potentially looking to step in in the next couple years and being able to be moved out for upgrades if were close to contending.

I don't even think it's a lock that we get Reinhart or Bennett. We very easily could end up picking 4th or 5th. Just like we didn't get Monahan last year.

If RNH is dealt I want a stud on back end too, not Nashville's 3rd or 4th best d-man.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Find a way to add both Kulikov and Edler via trade. Sign Markov is the summer.

So maybe you move

Gagner and Petry to Van for Edler and Burrows

Yakupov for Kulikov and 2014 1st

Sign Markov for 3yrs and $6.5-7.5M per season

Let all of Belov, Larsen, Fraser, etc leave this summer, and you're forward group looks like

Markov - Schultz
Ference - Edler
Kulikov - Marincin
Nurse/Ekblad

I would say that's significantly better. I know it's probably selling low on Yakupov, but what are you going to do.

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Really? The guy who looks to be regressing you want to keep? For me it's the goalies, Hall, Perron, Gordon, Hendricks, Gazdic, Smyth and our 1st this year and next. Trade the rest to round out the roster.

Simply by virtue of him being a pretty good Centerman.

At his absolute worst, Nuge is still a VERY good #2 C (Which is more than can be said about Gagner).

The rest of the roster are luxury assets that don't meaningfully contribute to actually 'winning'.


The return on a guy like Hall could be a Norris caliber guy.

 

[Raab]

I don't even think it's a lock that we get Reinhart or Bennett. We very easily could end up picking 4th or 5th. Just like we didn't get Monahan last year.

If RNH is dealt I want a stud on back end too, not Nashville's 3rd or 4th best d-man.

If we don't get Reinhart or Bennett then I would probably hold off on trading RNH and just take Ekblad. We would know who we get before we make the trade. And Josi plays 26min a night in Nashville. He's hardly there 3rd or 4th best dman. Maybe value wise but he's definitely better then Jones right now. He's also a LHD who you have to pay a premium for as there aren't many out there.

Edit: Nice little write up on Josi. http://www.olympic.org/news/roman-josi-the-golden-boy-of-swiss-ice-hockey/222610

 

[Bryanbryoil]

Find a way to add both Kulikov and Edler via trade. Sign Markov is the summer.

So maybe you move

Gagner and Petry to Van for Edler and Burrows

Yakupov for Kulikov and 2014 1st

Sign Markov for 3yrs and $6.5-7.5M per season

Let all of Belov, Larsen, Fraser, etc leave this summer, and you're forward group looks like

Markov - Schultz
Ference - Edler
Kulikov - Marincin
Nurse/Ekblad

I would say that's significantly better. I know it's probably selling low on Yakupov, but what are you going to do.

So one RHD?

 

[Moose Coleman]

Yeah honestly, barring a Roy-like coaching miracle, I don't think there is any quick fix here.

It's going to be another couple of years before Mac T can salvage this mess, provided he doesn't get himself fired first.

Stastny will probably be into his 30s before we're ready to compete for anything.

I'm willing to be patient with RNH, simply because there's no way this franchise is going anywhere with the center depth it has right now anyway.

Getting the Tambo stink off this team was going to be at least a two year project at best. I think they can still meet that window, but they'll need a lot of things to break right, like say Nurse becoming next year's Marincin.

If they can trade Gagner for some real help in the bottom six and bring in a guy like Grabovski, they're miles ahead of where they are today. If the roster is improved, it'll be easier to tease out what's coaching and what's not.

 

[Soundwave]

If we don't get Reinhart or Bennett then I would probably hold off on trading RNH and just take Ekblad. We would know who we get before we make the trade. And Josi plays 26min a night in Nashville. He's hardly there 3rd or 4th best dman. Maybe value wise but he's definitely better then Jones right now. He's also a LHD who you have to pay a premium for as there aren't many out there.

Weren't RHD a premium like a year or two ago? Now its LHD that we have to overpay for. Gotcha.

I remember half the board gushing about Justin Schultz because he was a coveted RHD.

 

[Soundwave]

Getting the Tambo stink off this team was going to be at least a two year project at best. I think they can still meet that window, but they'll need a lot of things to break right, like say Nurse becoming next year's Marincin.

If they can trade Gagner for some real help in the bottom six and bring in a guy like Grabovski, they're miles ahead of where they are today. If the roster is improved, it'll be easier to tease out what's coaching and what's not.

They could have done that last summer and sold Gagner for a good return. Massive, massive mistake by this management group.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

So one RHD?

I guess, because making sure of a balance of those is the Oilers' biggest issue.

Fine, change the deal, Yakupov for Gudbranson straight up.

 

[Moose Coleman]

They could have done that last summer and sold Gagner for a good return. Massive, massive mistake by this management group.

Yup. Some people were hollering for that move, won't say who...

Still, if you can give Grabbo Gagner's money as an FA this off season, you do it. then you can deal Gagner for whatever the market will bear out.

Hall-Grabbo-Yak
Perron-Nuge-Ebs

I'd personally go further and trade Eberle as well, but I don't expect the Oilres brass as it stands to make that one.

 

[5 14 6 1]

Sign Niskanen @ 5x6, go as high as 6.5

That is disgusting.

 

[Raab]

Weren't RHD a premium like a year or two ago? Now its LHD that we have to overpay for. Gotcha.

I remember half the board gushing about Justin Schultz because he was a coveted RHD.

The board seems to think this for some reason but look around the league and most of the top pairing guys are RHD. Weber, Pietrangelo, Doughty, Subban, etc... For LHD you got guys like Chara, OEL, and Suter then theres a drop to guys like Yandle, Mcdonaugh, Phaneuf, etc...

 

[Joey Moss]

I guess, because making sure of a balance of those is the Oilers' biggest issue.

Fine, change the deal, Yakupov for Gudbranson straight up.

Yuck.. Gudbranson is Luke Schenn 2.0.

 

[1989]

I know that this is a loaded question but if you're a team looking to improve, looking to make the playoffs (and most would agree that this team should've been but they're not) with realistic intentions, knowing the team needs "fixes", how open would you think Oilers management should be to trading one or both of the Oiler's 2014 or 2015 first-round picks?

It's essentially the Kessel trade. His team wasn't in the playoffs, his goal was to make it there. Certainly, he traded for other pieces but that was the defining moment in recent Leafs history, and I for one would say it worked - it took another four seasons but in that time Burke had also then begun adding the necessary complimentary parts to the team.
Furthermore, I honestly feel that while the trade was pretty crazy at the time, the Maple Leafs have definitely seen success due to that trade. Kessel is a dynamic scoring talent who has lead their team every season since the trade.

I would say that it's the opposite for the Oilers where the complimentary pieces have already been introduced and you guys are a couple of big moves away from the playoffs (barring management woes.) With that in mind, do you take the risk?

Realistically, who do you trade for if you assume that this year, the Oilers finish in 26th and in 2015 they finish in 20th? Would you be comfortable with the inherent risk? Is it better or worse than losing a roster player to trade?

 

[Aerchon]

Nice thread.

#1 Fire the whole coaching staff. Bring in a proven NHL coach with his own resources. This should be done now or at the ten game mark of next year. Not in the off season. Coaching changes do not seem to work when done in the off season.

#2 Trade Eberle + picks? for Simmonds or a similar type of player (RW with size and skill).

#3 Trade Gagner + next years first for either a seriously good top 4 d-man (prefer RD) or a seriously good two way center with size. Depending on which player we get in this years draft. aka if we get Ekblad trade for a center. If we get Reinhart/Bennet trade for a D-man.

#4 Sign Yak and Shultz to reasonable long term or bridging contracts. Aka 5 mill per year at the most.

In 2-3 years.

Hall RNH Simmonds
Perron Rein??? Yak
Moroz Gordon Hendricks
???Kharia/Yakimov/Lander/Chase/Gazdic/Pitlick???

Nurse Ekb???
Maracin Petry
Ferrence J. Shultz

and Klefbom for depth.

That team with good coaching I think would be amazing.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

That is disgusting.

Not disagreeing, but he's a good #3 / average #2 defenseman having a career year, and we're desperate.
He's a UFA thats never had a big payday before, and he'll basically have his pick of landing spots.

Have you got better options up your sleeve?

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Not disagreeing, but he's a good #3 / average #2 defenseman having a career year, and we're desperate.
He's a UFA thats never had a big payday before, and he'll basically have his pick of landing spots.

Have you got better options up your sleeve?

I'm not speak for Doc, but I would Markov at $7 or $7.5M is money better spent, Dan Boyle on a 2 year deal, Andrew MacDonald, would all qualify.

I would say that Niskanen is only slightly ahead of a few other guys, but if you give him $6M for more then a year or two, you're asking for significant trouble.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

I'm not speak for Doc, but I would Markov at $7 or $7.5M is money better spent, Dan Boyle on a 2 year deal, Andrew MacDonald, would all qualify.

I would say that Niskanen is only slightly ahead of a few other guys, but if you give him $6M for more then a year or two, you're asking for significant trouble.

I don't think Markov or Boyle are options, as I dont think either one wants to spend their last couple of years on a bottom feeder.

Part of the reason I identified Niskanen and Legwand as guys to chase after is I think they will be second options for a lot of teams circling bigger fish like Stastny, Markov, Boyle etc. If we target Legwand, who I think would be a great fit with the young group we have, and Niskanen, we stand a better chance of signing them. We absolutely can't afford to spend our time on Stastny or Markov and have them turn us down in July when there's nothing left in a weak crop.

Bold moves, boys. it's absolutely an overpay for Niskanen but I think that's what it will take.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I don't think Markov or Boyle are options, as I dont think either one wants to spend their last couple of years on a bottom feeder.

Part of the reason I identified Niskanen and Legwand as guys to chase after is I think they will be second options for a lot of teams circling bigger fish like Stastny, Markov, Boyle etc. If we target Legwand, who I think would be a great fit with the young group we have, and Niskanen, we stand a better chance of signing them. We absolutely can't afford to spend our time on Stastny or Markov and have them turn us down in July when there's nothing left in a weak crop.

Bold moves, boys. it's absolutely an overpay for Niskanen but I think that's what it will take.

You can over pay him if the term isn't too long, but I would still rather the Oilers over pay Markov, I agree it may not be "likely" but it's a good gamble for the Oilers, imo.

I'm on board with you about Legwand, I'd give him a 3yr deal at Filpula money, maybe slightly more, and slot him in as the 2nd line center. He'll bring 2-way stability and veteran leadership to a top-6 that needs both.

I would also make plays for Ott, Winnik, Moss, McClement and Kulemin to add depth to the bottom-6.

The Oilers will need to trade for defenseman this offense (no kidding eh), but I think this is the offseason where they can "afford" to move Gagner and either one of Yakupov for Eberle, as long as the Return is "right"

 

[ChaoticOrange]

You can over pay him if the term isn't too long, but I would still rather the Oilers over pay Markov, I agree it may not be "likely" but it's a good gamble for the Oilers, imo.

I'm on board with you about Legwand, I'd give him a 3yr deal at Filpula money, maybe slightly more, and slot him in as the 2nd line center. He'll bring 2-way stability and veteran leadership to a top-6 that needs both.

I would also make plays for Ott, Winnik, Moss, McClement and Kulemin to add depth to the bottom-6.

The Oilers will need to trade for defenseman this offense (no kidding eh), but I think this is the offseason where they can "afford" to move Gagner and either one of Yakupov for Eberle, as long as the Return is "right"

I suggested 3yrs x 5 mil for Legwand, but realistically at his age and with some of the ridiculousness being floated around for guys like Bolland and Callahan it might take 5 x 6 to get him. I hope not.

The Oilers have needed to make a trade for defense for years and haven't done it, so I'm not holding my breath, but Gagner and one of Ebs or Yak need to be heavily in play this summer. We need 2 top 4 defensemen.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

I suggested 3yrs x 5 mil for Legwand, but realistically at his age and with some of the ridiculousness being floated around for guys like Bolland and Callahan it might take 5 x 6 to get him. I hope not.

The Oilers have needed to make a trade for defense for years and haven't done it, so I'm not holding my breath, but Gagner and one of Ebs or Yak need to be heavily in play this summer. We need 2 top 4 defensemen.

No Question, atleast one of them has to be a good solid veteran. The Oilers are in a position, especially if they get Ekblad, to start developing their top-pair of the future next year. If they can add those 2 go to top-4 defensement to Schultz and Ference, the Oilers might be able to have a pair of Nurse-Ekblad get sheltered minutes as a 3rd pair.

Not saying it will work, or that it's even the plan, but it just could work.

 

[Oil In My Veins]

The board seems to think this for some reason but look around the league and most of the top pairing guys are RHD. Weber, Pietrangelo, Doughty, Subban, etc... For LHD you got guys like Chara, OEL, and Suter then theres a drop to guys like Yandle, Mcdonaugh, Phaneuf, etc...

If you ask me, it's pretty much split down the middle as far as top D shooting left or right, but most of the D in the league are left handed, with some teams having ZERO right handed D at all.

Not one team has more RHD than LHD and only three have an equal amount.

This is how many right handed shot D there are per team.

ANA - 3/9
BOS - 5/11
BUF - 5/10
CAL - 0/10
CAR - 4/8
CHI - 4/8
COL - 4/10
CLB - 4/10
DAL - 0/10
DET - 1/10
EDM - 4/10
FLA - 4/10
LAK - 3/7
MIN - 4/9
MON - 2/9
NAS - 3/8
NJD - 3/9
NYI - 3/9
NYR - 4/9
OTT - 4/9
PHX - 4/9
PHI - 1/8
PIT - 4/11
SJS - 3/7
STL - 3/8
TBL - 4/11
TOR - 1/7
VAN - 4/10
WAS - 6/13
WIN - 5/12

Right handed D are harder to come by, therefor making them a higher cost to get. Supply meet demand.

 

[Faelko]

No Question, atleast one of them has to be a good solid veteran. The Oilers are in a position, especially if they get Ekblad, to start developing their top-pair of the future next year. If they can add those 2 go to top-4 defensement to Schultz and Ference, the Oilers might be able to have a pair of Nurse-Ekblad get sheltered minutes as a 3rd pair.

Not saying it will work, or that it's even the plan, but it just could work.

Just to add to this: Looks like they'll work Marincin in next year. No way we can compete with all 3 of Ekblad, Nurse and Marincin in the lineup. Top that off with Schultz being under 150 NHL games and we have the making of a disaster.

 

[McMozesmadness]

What are people's thoughts on the College free agent market?

Looks like Kenny Morrison is the top guy and the Oilers have the inside track, he sounds like a very intriguing prospect, and is a right hand shot which is important to note.

Free prospects are always nice.

Here's what the folks at Hockey's Future had to say.

Kenny Morrison, D
Sophomore, Western Michigan University (NCHC)

Following in the footsteps of former teammate Dan DeKeyser (DET) last season, Kenney Morrison has become the hottest defensive commodity available on the college hockey free agent market this season. Numerous NHL teams have Morrison on their collegiate free agent wish list and it’s not hard to see why. Among the teams that could potentially land the coveted young rearguard is the Edmonton Oilers, whose prospect camp Morrison attended this past summer.

The Lloydminster, AB native has played in all 35 of the Broncos’ games to date, posting 18 points (three goals, 15 assists). Morrison logs upwards of 25 minutes per game playing in all situations. He has been especially good on Western Michigan’s power-play, where all of his goals so far have come. Morrison leads the Broncos with 75 penalty minutes and ranks fifth on the team with a +7 rating.

Morrison is an excellent skating, two-way defenseman who is blessed with size (6’2”, 205 lbs.) and great hands. He moves the puck exceedingly well and has greatly improved his decision-making while controlling it. But what has scouts clamoring to get glimpses of him is his pro-style shot. Morrison possesses one of the NCAA’s hardest shots and to say that he has a cannon of a slapshot might be an understatement. One notable attribute that Morrison has shown this season is his ability to employ different types of shots. This has resulted in increased shots on goal, and more importantly, accurate ones.

Two other attributes that scouts like about Morrison are his skating and physicality. He has good foot speed and is active in jumping up into plays. Morrison can deliver some solid checks and has begun to strike a balance between his hard-hitting style and playing with discipline.

 

[Aceboogie]

Just to add to this: Looks like they'll work Marincin in next year. No way we can compete with all 3 of Ekblad, Nurse and Marincin in the lineup. Top that off with Schultz being under 150 NHL games and we have the making of a disaster.

I would like Petry and Marincin to be broken up, and for Petry to be paired with Klefbom. Then we can see how good Marincin is without a partner like Petry. If Marincin can keep his play up with a partner like Ference, then we wont need to worry about babysitting him next season. Then its possible to bring on 1 of Nurse, Klefbom, Ekblad.

If Marincin struggles then its likely not possible to have 3 young D, plus only 2 vet NHL D in Ference (ok bottom pairing guy) and Petry.