OILERS WIN!
Lowetide
April 10 2012 06:45PM
We know now where Edmonton will pick in the 2012 draft (barring trade). Winning the lottery creates all kinds of options. Who is the best prospect available? What's out there? Where do Edmonton's picks come from? Who are the important men in the amateur procurement department?
Stu MacGregor is the Oilers scouting director. His team consists of several men who contribute but rarely get a mention. Leading up to the draft last season, the Oilers published their scouts names and areas they cover. Since it doesn’t happen often, I wanted to take the time to post it so we can know the names of the men doing all this good work.
- Bill Dandy: QMJHL
- Brad Davis: OHL, tier 2 leagues in Q and O
- Kent Hawley: OHL, QMJHL, tier 2 leagues in Q and O
- Bob Brown: WHL, tier 2 leagues, USHL
- Jim Crosson: WHL, tier 2 leagues, USHL
- Scott Harlow: NCAA and American junior leagues (east coast)
- Frank Musil: Europe
- Pelle Eklund: Europe
- Robert Nordmark: Europe
- Stu MacGregor: WHL, cross checks the world
I believe the list to be correct along with their areas of coverage. We do know that the Oilers like to get their scouts in front of the top candidates and that MacGregor will have seen these players multiple times.
OILERS DRAFT TRENDS-SOME REAL LOOKERS!
Stu MacGregor--since becoming scouting director before the 2008 draft--has changed the Oilers' draft may. He is using precious early picks on Swedes. Since taking over in 2008, two first round picks, one 2nd rder and a fourth round selection have been used on Swedish prospects. For the record, this is where Stu's team shops at the entry draft:
- WHL: 10 (most recent: RNH, Musil, Ewanyk)
- Sweden: 4 (most recent: Klefbom)
- Finland: 4 (most recent: Perhonen and Tuohimaa)
- QMJHL: 3 (most recent Jeremie Blain)
- OHL: 3 (most recent: Tobias Rieder)
- BCJHL: 2 (most recent: Kellen Jones)
- NCAA: 2 (most recent: Dillon Simpson)
- Slovakia: 2 (most recent: Martin Gernat)
- Belarus: 1 (most recent: Kristians Pelss)
- USHS: 1 (most recent: Troy Hesketh)
WHL represents 31% and the entire CHL accounts for 50% of the selections. Sweden and Finland are CHL east and 25% of the selections come from those two countries. Three quarters of the MBS era picks come from the CHL and Swe/Fin. Add the two BCJHL selections into the group and there’s a pattern forming after 4 seasons of this drafting team.
Reading the tea leaves, there’s a good chance that the WHL, OHL, QMJHL, Sweden, Finland and tier 2 junior (BCJHL, AJHL, USHL, etc) will be hotbeds for the Oilers.
An interesting scenario exists with regard to Russians. Edmonton has steered clear since 2008 but that may change with two CHL draft eligibles from the Motherland. Nail Yakupov and Milhail Grigorenko are outstanding young talents and should go at or near the top of the draft.
After winning the lottery tonight, Edmonton's choices are threefold: take the BPA (Yakupov), trade the pick or select someone #1 overall who is not the best player available.
Early thoughts: take the Russian, don't look back.
Bob McKenzie's top 10
- NAIL YAKUPOV
- MIKHAIL GRIGORENKO
- RYAN MURRAY
- FILIP FORSBERG
- MATT DUMBA
- ALEX GALCHENYUK
- JACOB TROUBA
- GRIFFIN REINHART
- MORGAN REILLY
- RADEK FAKSA
- TEUVO TERAVAINEN
Nail Yakupov lays it all out about Team Canada after Russia beats them 6-5 in the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championships in Calgary
.
Kid loves to win and has ridiculous skill. Hall-Eberle, Nuge-Nail? Lordy.
Next up: NHL equivalencies.
The interview Tambi gave after winning was embarassing. That Sh!t for brains Tamby was asked if he would have expected to be here again after saying he doesnt want to ever be back to the lottery and what was his answer? (Fumbling like a nerd) Well if we are going to be here its better to win it than not to and we are excited blah blah blah. First of all cram it up your butt if your excited cause no Oilers fan or player enjoys watching a team completely suck. Show some friggen emotion and anger towards 3 disapointing seasons. Tamby is a loser and it doesnt seem like he brings a winning attitude.
Get rid of him and Renney and bring in people with fire that will not accept loosing.
As for the draft, Nail is unreal but the Oil dont need another small winger UNLESS!!! They trade Gagner for a center with some size and attitude, Getzlaf prototype.
I think the Oil should trade the first to the vunerable Canadiens and try to pick up Subban and there first then draft a center. Since im this far into the rebuild mold lets add the cherry on top and sign SHULTZ
That is a pretty hilarious Yakupov interview by the way... and also the attitude we need on the team: We score more goals. We win. We are better.
Goals of the offseason:
1. Draft Nail: check
2. Trade for stud d-man: _____
3. Snake charm Shultz with Lowe's cup ring hand: ____
Poor Columbus. Their Fail for Nail, was a Total Fail.
Edmonton just became the second most hated team in the NHL.
I hope the Oilers bring in an experienced Russian to help Yakupov. One guy I was thinking was Nik Antropov has great size (6'4 230 lbs), can play all three forward positions, can play on the top 3 lines, has a 4.75 million salary next year and is coming off a 34 point season. The Jets would likely be looking to move from that contract.
I remember reading an article when Jagr came into the league, the Pens traded for Jan Hrdina late in the season and after that move Jagr felt more comfortable and started to play better. Antropov could be that type of teammate for Yakupov.
CC
Great Post, Cletus
Unfortunately my friend, a couple of small grammar problems.
"Your" is an adjective to describe something you possess. As in "Your head is up your a$$."
"You're" is a contraction of the words "you" and "are". As in "You're embarassing yourself, you mouth-breathing hillbilly".
Don't forget that.
RNH+ Eberle +Hall + Yakupov = 4 midgets in the NHL
The Oilers have an experienced Russian.He tries to play goal for them.
I would say Hemsky's odd man out. I would also think that a player like Sutter may now be interested in playing for the Oilers especially if we can grab Shultz kid as well.
TAMBELLINISQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE! LUCKY STEVE STRIKES AGAIN!!!
Seriously, this is the best birthday present an old Oiler fan could possibly hope for. Suck it Blue Jackets!
Trade 1st+ for Nash,
Hall-RNH-Eberle Nash-Gagner-Hemsky
Thats a scary top 6
Sweet justice! Another #1 draft pick. Oilers' brass will be committed to an insane asylum if they don't pick the BPA. If the decision is for McGregor to make, I would expect Yakupov. If not, it will be a rocky off-season.
The big problem with the organization is the failure of the pro scouts to identify players that perform at a level far above what we have been adding to the roster. Players that not only complement the young and skilled players, but protect them as well.
As for Calgary and its GM Feaster, its not so bad in the desert. 9th place gets you 14th in the draft.
I laughed out loud (it was sent to me). He was like opposite Pakleds with a Russian accent. :-)
Sooooo, what if the Oilers traded back to CBJ for Nash? Do you think he would say no to a trade to the Oilers?
@ The Soup Fascist
I'm suppose to be impressed on your grammar on a hockey blog.
This is where you score victories.
sad
Unless a trade for maybe 3 or 4 defenders, or 4 or 5 top centers, the team better keep it simple and just grab nail.
The most points Nash has had is 79. He quit on his team.Rumour has it he is a dressing room disruption.He is 28 and demands huge money 7 million a year.
The kids will need new contracts starting next summer.
Or we could take another kid head and shoulders above his draft class.Pay him entry level money.Have him grow with the other kids.
Seems like a no brainer to me.So yes I'm sure Tambo will trade the pick for Nash.
@Tayranchula
Subban?
I wonder if they would do a double russian and draft galenychuck and Yakapov. Friends and Linemates. Could be like the sisters in Vancouver.
Do not trade Pick or Players. Free Agency will open up now that the team has offence.
@Spydyr
Sorry for being excited, some of us are actually fans.
Got to draft Yakupov. This lottery win is a gift from the hockey gods. Guy is scary fast, amazing puck handler at top speed, great hands, tough to knock off the puck. This team is going to be good sooner than later and if top free agents want to win they have to seriously consider signing with the Oilers.
The word your are searching for is "supposed". Keep on "livin' the life, Jethro". Jeff Foxworthy would have no new material if not for you and the rest of "flame nation". Big hand is past the 6, I'll let you be off to "pick up Ma" at the French Maid.
un-fricken-believable!!!
1st emotion: squeeeeeeeeee
2nd emotion: ahhh... crap... tambi... how's he going to eff this up...
@ The Soup Fascist
Your friends must be impressed with your witty responses.
Your Mother not so much.
It's lucky we didn't finish last in the league.
Yes, I YELLED so loud when the Oil won the pick the better half jumped.
Then calmed down and started posting like my mom was looking over my shoulder.She hates yelling.
@JohnS
What team do you cheer for?
My Mother is in a coma.
(Get one of your friends from Edmonton to explain in to you, Jeb. It's funny. Honest)
I would continue to have this Battle of wits but I won't fight an unarmed man. I am ooooot.
3 for 3, 4 for 4 would be better
@Spydyr
:) I like you.
My mom is working so I got carried away
Are you on crack? Nash?
Guess what YOU'RE still a bad speller. Don't forget that. Good luck passing grade three.
RNH+ Eberle +Hall + Yakupov = 4 - hundred points per year?
Well seen as though we are chucking names around how about Yakipov,Hemmer,Omark and Peckham to the Bruins for Seguin and Hamilton?Honestly I havent smoked any in years.
The Soup Fascist = My new favorite commenter.
Am I the only one worried that Ecklund is one of our pro scouts?
Nah we have Sutter too.....wait, what.
Appreciate it but I am just another frustrated Oil Fan hoping this ship turns around. These Flame Trolls are so idiotic ... This stuff just writes ("rights" for you Flames Fans) itself.
So that's why she wasn't moving around much last night.
I have to agree - Soup Fascist is killing it! (I just joined ON now to give him props...I've been a reading member only)
@john = pwned
No way we want Nash, too much money!
Just figure out who can play on the left, imagine YAK - RNH - EBS & HALL - GAGNER - HEMSKY. Yeowsers, that is scary!
I understand the people at the Shrier are very concerned we keep showing up and stealing all the best Hobbits!
Tamby is a frekin embarrassment ............I'm not saying he should be like Burke but frown once n a while........he was smiling like he won the cup or something.
Note to Tamby.......you didn't win anything...........Loser!
Time to trade a couple Hobbits for a couple Orcs.
You have to admit nailing down Nail makes the suffering of the last season a little easier to swallow.
In this environment why would you trade what should be a productive ELC for a bloated Nash contract? Zero chance of that.
Can't see the Oil trading a concensus #1 under most circumstances even if they need a D-man. Would take a huge overpay (young stud D and a top 10,I would hope) to even consider it. Very lucky day for Oilers. Draft BPA and re-evaluate.
The Nation really needs to get a 'dislike' or negative props button maybe call its 'nrops' (Name is in the works....).
To the man who suggested trading Gagner and Hemsky for another top 5 pick all I can say 'nrops' to you, you know who you are...
Also we just find out the Oil pick 1st overall and people are already shipping out players...WHYYYYYYYY???? Lets draft Nail load up on top 6 talent and if size in the top 6 becomes an issue then it can be addressed but we won't know till we are good enough to make playoffs. Yes it appears we are small up front but if our talent is way better then other teams then it might not be an issue...we haven't found out yet because other then 3 young kids our forward crop has no talent.
Now if guys could finally figure out the difference between "Schultz" and "Shultz", we might be able to graduate to grade four.
NAIL it down boys! Who needs D when you score 8 goals a game!!!
Wasn't Hemsky playing LW when he was moved on to the line with Ebs and RNH. That line did look mighty decent at times when Renney needed offence and speed so it's feasible he could switch
You forgot to add "Who'll be kicking my teams butt for years to come"