THE PICK AT 32

The last time Edmonton used the No. 32 overall selection, Mitch Moroz (photo by Mark Williams) was named in 2012. The club also grabbed Chris Hajt in 1996 and Mike Watt in 1994 with the No. 32 selection. Who will be chosen this time? Will Edmonton make the pick?

As you recall, the Oilers owe  Boston a second-round pick because Edmonton hired Peter Chiarelli after the Bruins fired him. Don’t ask. The thought was the 2016 pick might be used, but the NHLPA stepped in and now teams like Edmonton can kick the can down the road to 2018 (should they choose).

Smart money probably has Edmonton using the pick for their own usage this summer. It is a ghastly rule, but the Oilers have to pay it at some point.

If we use Craig Button’s list as a guideline, I can see a scenario where one of the top defenders begins to fall. Button has Charlie McAvoy, Dante Fabbro and Jakob Chychrun in the middle of the first round, and if even one of those players slides past 15, maybe Peter Chiarelli finds a way to trade up from No. 32.

If the Oilers ended day one of the draft with Matt Tkachuk (No. 4 overall) and Charlie McAvoy with an acquired selection, that would be a very nice return on the day. Fair?

If Edmonton stays put at No. 32, there are all kinds of options that will be available. Goalie Carter Hart, puck-moving defender Cam Dineen, giant blue Logan Stanley and power forward Max Jones should be available—or at least several of them.

If Edmonton grabs Matt Tkachuk, perhaps the club will move Benson down their list and address another position. I can tell you Benson is a pretty good example of a Chiarelli-type player and I bet the organization likes him a lot.

First, that damn Tom Petty song (The Waiting Is the Hardest Part) is absolutely correct. Come on! Make a trade! Second, although much of this year was spent talking about how disappointing this draft year would be, Edmonton does appear to have a real chance to add at least two substantial players.