Trade Deadline Primer 4.0

Trade deadline deals should work for both teams. An example: Edmonton acquired Sergei Samsonov in 2006 for assets that included a 2nd rd pick later that year. Boston used it to acquire a big part of their future.

Milan Lucic was chosen 50th overall in 2006, the selection originally belonging to Edmonton. Both clubs saw the move pay off, Edmonton added a useful player for their run and Boston has a big part of their future in Lucic. His play during last spring’s playoffs was a contributing factor in the Bruins winning the Stanley for the first time since Orr.

Edmonton has a few "Lucic’s" matriculating towards the NHL. You can never assume any of them will be that good, but if the Oilers can add some actual NHL players from the group the benefits will show. Among the draft picks acquired via trade:

Most readers will know that I put a lot of value in advanced stats, including Gabe Desjardins’ NHL equivalencies. This trio doesn’t perform well by this metric and may point us toward their future roles with the Oilers should they make it to the NHL.

Klefbom doesn’t have a point in 30 SEL games, although his WJ performance (6, 1-1-2) was impressive and he certainly looks like he can wheel and headman the puck.

Teubert is a "defense first" option, what we used to call a stay-at-home type back in the day.

Hamilton is following up his 62, 26-56-82 WHL season with 40, 5-6-11 in his pro debut in OKC. I’m not certain–this could be a case of a top 50 selection falling flat and he might be out of hockey in a few years–but it seems to me Hamilton (and Tyler Pitlick) are getting the "Phil Cornet" treatment from a year ago: lots of HS’s and 8-10 minutes a night. I do have some evidence (several conversations with coach Nelson and pbp man Jim Byers) to confirm but at some level Hamilton will need to force his way up the depth chart.

All three prospects were procured under the current regime; as long as Tambellini-MacGregor remain they’ll get the push. Klefbom has a nice range of skills and could develop into a defensive defender with footspeed ala Laddy Smid–or the SEL may be playing tricks on us and we’re looking at the next complete defenseman on the Oilers depth chart; Hamilton’s skills always reminded me of the two-way wingers Montreal used to develop 6 at a time in the 70s–but he’s more Dale Yakiwchuk than Dave Hunter right now and needs to pick up the crooked numbers; and Teubert looks about ready to replace Theo Peckham or Andy Sutton should the need arise. The boxcars will never be boldface on his resume.

History teaches us that one of these men will end up being an NHL regular, one will bounce around here and there and the other one will fall away.

The Lucic? Can’t see him from here.