Edmonton Oilers add Mark Fistric via trade
Jonathan Willis
January 14 2013 01:43PM
The Edmonton Oilers actually added two defencemen to their training camp roster today. The big news was the acquisition of hometown defender Mark Fistric from Dallas for a third round pick; the smaller news was the recall of Taylor Fedun from Oklahoma City.
A reasonable Oilers’ blue line depth chart likely looks like this:
- Ladislav Smid/Jeff Petry
- Nick Schultz/Justin Schultz
- Mark Fistric/Ryan Whitney
- Theo Peckham/Corey Potter
- Taylor Fedun/Colten Teubert
The middle two pairings are flexible - I can see the merits of a Nick Schultz/Ryan Whitney second pairing or a Ryan Whitney/Justin Schultz second pairing, too.
Right now, of course, Theo Peckham isn't really in the conversation. According to the Oilers, he "aggravated a hip flexor." The Oilers will know that Fistric is healthy entering camp - their deal with Dallas is dependent on Fistric first passing a medical exam. Meanwhile, Fedun is only around for training camp:
Theo Peckham has a hip flexor, Tambellini confirms. No timeline. On Fedun, Tambellini says he'll stay for camp and then go back down.
— Dan Tencer (@dantencer) January 14, 2013
Fistric, a rough-and-tumble third-pairing defender, is a necessary addition to an Oilers blue line missing both Peckham and Andy Sutton; he's a player in the same mold and given his age and past NHL seasons can arguably be expected to perform better than either of the guys he's replacing. Additionally, he has FISTric right in his name, which is bound to please the comments section here at Oilers Nation.
He's also likely to feature in a few highlight reel hits that will similarly please Edmonton fans:
FIST! for Fistric!
From what I'm hearing he's only 26 and was a late first round draft pick in 2004. Apparently was 4th in the league for hits two years ago...
But really...as and Oilers fan....here's all I need to know...
"Fistric is known for his aggressive physical play. In a game against the Calgary Flames on January 27, 2010, Fistric received a match penalty for intent to injure after hitting opposing forward Eric Nystrom over the head with his own helmet during a fight..."
No, but if the Octane could sign Olivia Wilde, SI would change the ranking to 1st!
6 real life NHLers playing in the Oilers top 6. Incredible!*
*How sad is it that just having 6 NHL defensemen impresses me these days?**
**I am fully aware 1 of them has not played a single NHL game but I think we can all agree he is better than the AHL and that makes him a defacto NHLer.
So does this trade move the oilers up to second or first in the sports illustrated power ranking?
So basically the Oilers just traded for Craig Muni.
I like this. A lot.
I remember a lot of people saying he should be a guy Edmonton should look at every time we played them last year. I don't really know a lot about him but i DO like the fact that they just made a trade to get better. Even if its only marginal improvement.
Some of you guys......and you know who you are...should really just find another team to cheer for...
The WOW trade not happening was explained away weeks ago.
The Canucks just signed Cam Barker!
Several other teams are looking for a 4 - 5 physical type D man.
Fistric shows up as top 4 D man in every Dallas Depth chart that hasn't yet reflected the trade.
What other trade that has occured since the lockout ended impresses you more???
Wake up!! Well done Oilers!
We need even more crazy but this is a good start.
I forgot part of my comment. I meant that it's close to being a wow trade for this team. As in: Wow - A trade!
We're trading picks now? Does this mean (dare I say it) it's time to WIN?!
It's a WOW trade because for the first time in history, the Oilers' fan base is unanimous in thinking that this is a good trade. I remember people being mad that we gave up Brewer for Pronger.
Excellent move for Fistric - way to go Tambi (whoa I feel dizzy after writing that)
tambellini made a pro-active move AND it was a good one?
i feel dirty
And if it is the line of Hall Ebs and RNH, they're out with, I know which net the puck will be in.
@DSF
That's funny!
If you say "dsf" it sounds just like 'massively self absorbed, boring troll'.
Sweet. Maybe we will get to see more Kevin Bieksa impersonations.
Damn! I've been camped here all day waiting to use that line!
That is a good deal. It's what the organization needs, plus he is playing in his home town!
Actually this addresses our toughness issue and gives us an immediate improvement on the blue line, I expect this to be a bigger improvement than you think
Excellant pick up for a 3rd. The back end just got tougher, the team just got tougher, and Fistric demands you keep your head up coming across the line.
Good Job , love this move. We just got a tiny bit better in the fact he brings that Andy Sutton presence, BOOM.
Love this pickup for the Oilers, roster is filling out quite nicely. Still a lot of question marks, but it's definitely possible our Oil will be in the hunt for a playoff spot.
For me a WOw trade would bring in one of the three:
1)Top 4 d-man.
2) Gritty second line center.
3) A legitimate young goalie to push Dubby.
Considering all of those highlights where be blows up rushing D-men, this is an underrated comment.
Fistric is a great fit here. Having a legit NHL D-man as our #6 is a wonderful change. Add in the fact that he is a punishing hitter, willing shot-blocker, and can play decent minutes and I love it.
IMO- Theo is done. Tuebert brings more or just as much and has more potential. Fistric- Tuebert. No not paired togeather, just = N-A-S-T-Y D .. And Good old Smid. no pushover.
Hey do a write up on SMID, I think all or most of ON, love this guy and how far he has come. He is a warrior.
And Yes.....the Kevin Bieksa impersonation was Priceless!
Surprising how this move quieted a lot of the anti-ST folks. I like the move, not just for the actual player and his abilities but the flexibilities it gives the team in its pairings, something we havent had in ages.
What I would love to see (perhaps wishful thinking) is to see some of the extra bodies in the body 6 and AHL be used to grab a couple solid energy physical guys. The third line is pretty much set with the contracts of Smythe, Horcoff and Jones, but we have some bodies to move to create a 4th line ala bruins (thorton, Campbell). A line that can go out and keep the other team on their toes at times.
Good addition. Likely only a six or seven, but he is needed. What i don't understand is why the oilers wouldn't make more moves like this (pick for a legit bottom of the roster type) instead of drafting mitch moroz. Potential and proven are two completely different animals. Bottom of the depth chart guys are almost a dime a dozen, and it makes me wonder why we dont just draft bpa. Even if you end up with small scoring forwards, you can trade them for more than you paid. Last year you could have easily got a third for reider. I would always draft bpa, and trade surplus prospects for more picks. eventually your team will become stronger. To summarize: glad oilers aquire player instead of just burning a pick.
I like this pick-up considering the cost. However, he is not the big hitter that the videos show him to be. Obviously he did make those hits, but he is not a Kronwall. Just a steady stay at home guy who is hard to play against and makes you think twice about heading into the corner with him.
I'd go along with the consensus that he's potentially a solid 6th D Man. More importantly to me is that he's the TYPE of Dman we need/can use right now....especially given what's out there.
All in All Oilers Nation seems pleased!
His age also helps him fit in perfectly with the Oil's current setup.
Maybe it's been noted already but the Canucks signed Vandermeer today. Barker and Vandermeer... is Vancouver officially on the Edmonton model? Get Tamby to see if they will take Khabby.
Already looking forward to Yak and Hall going around them like turnstiles.
Aaron ward just said Nick Schultz is getting an "A"
Nice to see the oilers working on their depth. Nice trade, good age and still some upside without giving up a crazy amount.
It's getting a bit more coverage now, but I really think the change to Krueger had been underestimated. He's the right guy at the right time - it's going to be fun to see what he does differently. Get the feeling all the players are starting from the same spot. Impress him with your play and attitude = ice time.
Hearing from Buds in Hongcouver, the Oilers are more than Mildly interested in Luongo...
Not sure what i think of that , if there is any merit to it. Not the first time i have heard it though... scary ? depending the price. Wherever Lou goes, it should be in a city with less media and fan pressure, Is that here ? hmmmm not sure..
Either way, we are ready, almost. Lets go boys.
As someone mentioned above..... MacT had a good day today.
Ha! I trade for Fistric everytime I restart my season in NHL13, now I dont have to! Thanks ST!!
That hit on Doughty was gorgeous. Could watch that all day
The prospect of orange and blue rushing past the turnstiles named Barker and Vandermeer has caused DSF to lose the one marble he had left.
It's nice to see us being proactive. Fistric is just what this blueline needed. Our top 6 actually looks pretty good if you ask me. Hopefully, we can have a reasonably healthy season on the backend.
Canucks are talking about having 9 NHL dman in camp . . . FOR Oilers in a shortened season where injuries can and will happen - this is a good move!
Yes it is.
But they still need another top 4 guy.
It's not uncommon to have 2 of your top 6 out at the same time and, in a compressed season, that is likely.
If Smid and a Schultz went down, yikes.
Dam! Can he hit! Every Oiler is happy they don't have to play against him this season I can tell you that.
And DSF; four of those were one goal games. I wouldn't call that domination. Flip two more of those around and we split the season series. Not out of reach. We are just happy people are signing our castoffs and not the other way around anymore.
You think a 3rd was too much to give up for Fistric yet you think we should somehow aquire a top two? From where? For how much?
I have a weird feeling Sutton may retire, and we'll easily re-sign Fistric (can we call him fister, or is this a family site?)
love this move.
Oh keeping score uh? Well dont forget this one
Oilers 5(cups) Canucks 0(cups)
Yeah that's right I'm using the Stanley Cup thing, because we can sucka!! Woooooooo!
1) Yes, as mentioned above
2) Yes, as mentioned above
3) I dont care where.
4) I dont care how much, as long as it doesnt take away from the 5
That's a pretty tidy pick-up for a 3rd round pick - his contract must be up this year.