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ASSETS BUBBLING UNDER (THE SKY IS FALLING)
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Lowetide
Jun 16, 2016, 13:30 EDTUpdated:
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The Edmonton Oilers will be shopping heavily over the next two weeks—draft, trades and free agency all in play. We have examined most of the NHL options, but what with possible targets being taken off the trade table in Carolina, Chicago and Denver, we may be looking at other options fairly soon. What about the bubbling under prospects in the AHL? With Edmonton needing help on right defense and the NHL men appearing to be fewer and farther between, let’s have a look at some strong options in the AHL.

RHD

The players below are unlikely to be certain plug-and-play NHL players, but could be acquired (perhaps for some of the AHL LHD) to give the team better balance—and serve as fallback positions if Peter Chiarelli strikes out in the trade market and in free agency.
Montour photos by Mark Williams
  1. Brandon Montour, Anaheim Ducks. He is RH and a quality offensive option on the point. Anaheim has no pressure to trade him—in fact, he may wind up being the replacement for Sami Vatanen should he be traded this summer. Would have to be regarded as a blue chip prospect and might cost the moon.
  2. Mark Pysyk, Buffalo Sabres. A former (and famous) Edmonton Oil King, he has developed into a pretty good defensive prospect. Has had some injury issues since draft day, but he is an attractive player for the Oilers. I assume there will be a large amount of anger if the team acquires him, but this is a good option, full stop.
  3. Ryan Murphy, Carolina Hurricanes. Split the season between NHL and AHL last year, appears to be ready and might be available (Hurricanes are flush with young blue). Undersized, but a dandy young player.
  4. Ville Pokka, Chicago Blackhawks. Although Chicago is likely to keep him (they need value contracts and Pokka appears to be NHL-ready), there is value here and he is worth listing. He is 6.0, 200 and an impressive two-way talent.

  5. Ryan Sproul, Detroit Red Wings.     A puck-moving righty with size (6.03 and 205), has been in pro hockey for three full seasons and maybe Detroit is going to make a decision on him.
  6. Vojtech Mozik, New Jersey Devils. Czech defender had some impressive
    seasons back home, he is rated as a pretty good power-play defenseman
    who can move the puck. He is 6.02, 189 and 23 years old, got into some NHL action this past year. 
  7. Scott Mayfield, New York Islanders. Shutdown defender is a big
    man (6.05, 218) and was discussed as an option before Edmonton stepped
    up and selected Oscar Klefbom No. 19 overall in the 2011 draft. Mayfield went No. 34, and has made steady progress.
  8. Connor Carrick, Toronto Maple Leafs. He is listed last because it is unlikely Toronto trades him so soon after acquiring the young puck mover. Looks like a dandy, would be a solid pickup—possibly in a bigger deal.
The Oilers are exposed due to extreme lack of quality and depth RHD. An astute smaller deal for one of the players listed above could offer some cover—while also giving the team better lefty-righty balance in Edmonton and Bakersfield.

THE DRAFT PARTY

 
There are few certainties in life – we can always count on the sun coming up in the morning, Edmonton winters being dreadful, and the Oilers missing the playoffs. As such, we present the annual OilersNation Draft Party! It’s time to honour the the anniversary of drafting our beloved Connor, celebrate the rewards of another failed season, and raise some money for charity.
Here’s what you need to know…
The party is happening at the Pint Downtown on Friday, June 24th. The goal is to raise as much money as possible for the Red Cross and their efforts to bring normalcy back to Fort McMurray, and have a little bit of fun while we’re at it. For $30 you get a Draft Party t-shirt, a $10 Pint GC, a $10 Oodle Noodle GC, a draft party collectors cup, and a chance for prizes and eternal glory.
All proceeds from tickets sold will be donated directly to the Red Cross so bring your friends, get involved, and help us support a community in need. Tickets are still available here.
One day, the Oilers will be a good hockey team and we’ll all be able to laugh about this. Until then, we party.
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