They arrived in the fall of 2010, determined to impact the NHL and lead the Edmonton Oilers to victory. In September 2016, after years of missing the playoffs, one or both men could be gone. (Photo by Sarah Connors)

I will never forget Jordan Eberle’s first NHL goal. Someone in the game’s history probably scored a better first-ever goal, but it is not in my memory banks and there is no video evidence. Taylor Hall quickly became a favorite, his ability to create excitement attached to speed, skill and abandon. It is my opinion that these two men are not failures, but rather played in their first six seasons for a failure of an organization. Today, now, it no longer matters.

Chiarelli will enter the offseason with a list of needs, and the rumored assets available are being documented in other markets:

My own feeling on the draft is that there are two players (Matthews and Patrik Laine) that will be immediate plug-and-play difference makers. If Edmonton wins the lottery, we might see them trade down from No. 1 to No. 2, with an added asset helping them find that elusive impact defenseman.

If you visit any Oilers blog these days, you know that a lot of talk involves which one of the talented forwards to sacrifice in pursuit of that franchise defenseman. Leaving aside the distant bell possibility of actually acquiring a franchise type (I keep praying PK Subban does something to make the Habs lose their minds, thus giving PC an open opportunity), what are the assets that might be in play?

Over at Lowetide, I have often used Jordan Eberle as the guy heading out of town. He is a winger, the lesser of Taylor Hall and his contract expires sooner than the rest. For those reasons, it is easier to discuss the future using 14 as the example.

However, that is for discussion. The major factor in which of those four assets is dealt? The ask from the other side. If the Edmonton Oilers are going shopping, real shopping—like Alex Pietrangelo real—then Oilers fans should probably stop arguing over what asset is heading out.

They are likely all in play. It depends on the ask.