According to this tweet from Chris Nichols, who I highly recommend if you’re into NHL insider highlights, and via Elliotte Friedman; the Edmonton Oilers are apparently still in the Travis Hamonic sweepstakes. One would think things have simmered down since last week, wouldn’t they?
https://twitter.com/nicholsonhockey/status/670330428318846976
Well friend of the blog Ryan Robinson laid out his thoughts in his most recent vlog below. Check it out and I’m going to comment on his thoughts below!
Comments on Mr.Robinson’s vlog:
- “I don’t believe that Edmonton has a desperate need to trade for him (Hamonic)”
- The Oilers lack a two-way RIGHT HANDED defenceman in the mold of Hamonic. So I strongly disagree with this sentiment. Not only that but he’s not a spring chicken and he’s capable of playing a shut down role and 20+ minutes per night.
- “The main problem I see with it (defense) is that it’s young.”
- So by this sentiment, wouldn’t you want to acquire an older player?
- “This is the core that the Oilers should be building around: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Darnell Nurse, and Oscar Klefbom.”
- I like this core but given what Hall is bringing to the table right now, you definitely keep him in the core because he is not a complimentary player, he’s a driver. Eberle and Yak are complimentary wingers thus expendable. Not only that but his contract is an absolute steal.
What I come away with is that Mr.Robinson isn’t willing to part with Hall, Eberle, or Yakupov at the beginning of his vlog (surely they’d fall under the title of “talented young forwards”) but then at the end those players don’t fit into the core of his team and trading Hall for Hamonic would be a massive overpayment… So would he be willing to trade Eberle, as many are suggesting, or a healthy and producing Nail Yakupov? I’m so confused…
In order to acquire talent, one has to be willing to part with talent, no?
I get the feeling that Ryan is willing to be patient with this squad and I respect that and I also get that Nurse is going to be a top 20 defender within the next three years but it’s all but guaranteed that Peter Chiarelli is far from willing to wait 2-3 three years for that nor are the fans of the team.
Lastly, how many years of Connor McDavid’s entry level deal are you willing to waste waiting for Reinhart, Davidson, Klefbom, and Nurse to develop to their potential?
What are your thoughts on the vlog? Let me know in the comments below!
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It’s time to brake up this core they are not a good mixture get hamonic trade ebs away yaks Justin shulz Ryan nudge bring in some size get some grinders that will go in front of the net win puck battles we need a lucic type player so get rid some these guys free up cash Dustin buff would be a great pick up get those type players let’s get some characters here this team is weak
Thanks for reading and commenting Mike!
I definitely get your frustrations but dismantling the team and replacing those players with slower players who’s best days are probably behind them doesn’t sound like it would put the Oilers in a better spot. Now with that said, I do believe the team is still too young and lacks some sandpaper in certain areas. I’d consider moving Eberle, Yak, and Schultz no problem but the other young players I’d keep.
So if you wanna say trade Jultz and Eberle for Hamonic and Okposo, I say ok. If you wanna deal Yak for Curtis Lazar, I say please!
Oilers should trade Eberle and yakupov for travis hamonic and kyle oposo then try get bufylien before the deadline to add some bulk on the d line
Wouldn’t that be something? Adding those guys would def. change the complexion of the team!
i do agree with Ryan but only partially. I believe a veteran stud leader on the backend would help this team and kick start them into getting more wins. That would only help nurse and klefbom develop into their full potential and it may even speed up the process in the meantime. The part i do agree with is position of importance and how it is much more valuable to have top centre’ s in your lineup, and defence men, as opposed to wingers. Therefore I believe Rnh and Draisaitl should not be trading chips for better d-men. Obviously McDavid falls into the same category. Having one of the better forwards in the league, (T Hall) I would use him as trade bait to bring in that stud d-man. Hamonic is good but I wouldn’t consider him a stud d-man so maybe a guy like ebs or yak and then some could land a hamonic type d then I’m for it cause it would still help. But to shake things up and make a big splash, acquire a veteran stud d- man then involving Hall is the only way I see this team being able to make that move right now. If oilers can wait another yr, then ebs and a top 1-5 overall pick might get u a stud but I’m not so sure it’s in the best interest for this team to finish in basement again after coaching and management overhaul.
Hey Darren, Welcome back!
I’m with you up until you trade Hall. At this point we can see that when a top player on the Oilers goes down with injury it can have a devastating effect on the team. Imagine how poorly this team would be doing if Hall wasn’t playing like he is now. No defenceman could make up for what Hall is doing. Could one man keep the puck out of the net more so than the group that is trying now, it’s debatable but I’d say doubtful.
Now what I’m getting at is the team doesn’t need just one stud d-man, it needs two top three defencemen of the veteran persuasion in order to give the kids that are busting their asses right now a chance to slow down and develop in a sensible fashion. So If Hamonic was one of those guys I’d be over the moon. I’d def. pay for him with an Eberle. Another veteran dman might come via FA or trade. How about a puck mover like Jared Spurgeon? Not old but not young mind you and he’s had tons of experience learning from Ryan Suter to make him a valuable player on both sides of the puck. Not only that but he’s probably the best passer in the league.
But that’s not all. The team’s bottom 6 needs an upgrade too from the looks of things. Expect more changes and more losses but be optimistic because when 97 and 10 come back, we’re going to see those fireworks again and the team’s confidence will soar in the 2nd half of the year.