According to Pittsburgh Penguins beat writers Rob Rossi and Josh Yohe (The Athletic), in February of 1988, Oilers GM Glen Sather and Pens GM Eddie Johnston had a deal in place that might’ve changed the immediate future of the Pens and long-term one of the Oilers had it gone through.
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This is the story of a trade that never happened,
In February 1988, the Penguins were building a talented team. They had acquired Paul Coffey earlier that season and, at 22, Mario Lemieux was surpassing Wayne Gretzky as hockey’s dominant player. But they didn’t have much in the way of a goaltender. (Eddie) Johnston, himself a former goaltender, knew this was a concern.
Andy Moog had demanded a trade from the Oilers months earlier, as Edmonton had chosen Grant Fuhr to be its No. 1 goaltender. Moog had Stanley Cup playoff experience and was still fairly young, making him a sensible choice to join the Penguins.
Johnston and Oilers general manager Glen Sather had a deal in place. The Penguins agreed to send young goaltender Steve Guenette and their first pick in the 1988 draft to the Oilers in return for Moog. At the last minute, however, Penguins owner Edward DeBartolo nixed the deal. (source)
Now, what isn’t said is where the Pens were selecting at the 1988 NHL entry draft…
At 4th overall, Pittsburgh selected left-wing Darrin Shannon from the Windsor Spitfires, a Memorial Cup All-Star and Major Junior Scholastic Player of the Year winner, ahead of future hall-of-famers Jeremy Roenick (8th ov), Rod Brind’Amour (9th ov), and Teemu Selanne (10th ov).
Who knows which player the Oilers might’ve selected 4th overall that year had they made the deal to send Moog to the Pens. They had a shit draft that year anyhow. Out of the THIRTEEN picks they possessed, only FOUR made it to the show, Shjon Podein, Len Barrie, Trevor Sim, and Francois Leroux.
Len Barrie’s kid Tyson is now an Edmonton Oiler… How’s that for coming full-circle?
So, not only could the Oilers have added another hall-of-famer to their dynasty in the first round, they could’ve picked Tie Domi in the first, he went 27th to the Leafs. If they wanted another tough guy, Link Gaetz was picked right after Edmonton went in the 2nd round. In the 3rd round, Mark Recchi, Rob Blake, or Tony Amonte were available. In the 4th, Alexander Mogilny was sitting there. Another Russian could’ve gone in the 5th, Dmitri Kristich. Why stop at two Russians in the 6th round? Valeri Kamensky was there to take. Eventual 700+ game player Marty McInnis might’ve made a good selection in the 7th round. Not convinced with either Tie Domi or Link Gaetz, Tony Twist in the 8th round was an option. Bret Hedican in the 9th was around, Alexei Gusarov in the 10th, Claude Lapointe in the 11th…
I think you get the point. Edmonton’s scouting staff was out to lunch that year… But I think every club has a dry spell at the draft podium from time to time. So we won’t hold it against them too much.
Anyway, I thought that you might like this little story. Funny how we haven’t heard it from Bob Stauffer in all these years.
The Athletic is having a promotion right now on subscriptions and I reckon that if I’m going to “borrow” some content from them, it’s only fair that I give them a shout-out.
Let’s face it. The Oilers aren’t going anywhere fast but they need to be. After ten clown-like years out of the playoffs and four first overall selections one could say things are getting ridiculous but even that is a major understatement. And after the comments by management and coaches yesterday, it’s safe to say that unless your name is Connor McDavid, nobody is safe. Read on for my thoughts coming up to the trade deadline and some possible Oilers trades.
Would you deal this guy?
I got a list today of players that are in play for the oilers. Check it out!
Of this grouping I’m surprised Kassian would be on the list. He hasn’t exactly been tearing the league up since his return but he looks to be a useful bottom 6er right now and he’s done everything he’s been asked or at least one could assume so.
But as far as I’m concerned, the rest could go. I really want to keep Yakupov around if Eberle gets traded though. I like his energy and tenacity on the puck, something that Ebs doesn’t always show. His contract is tasty and there’s still potential there. But if the brass deems him unfitting to their system, he’ll have to go then.
At the moment most of the “insiders” have Purcell going to Chicago or St.L right? Pouliot could get some interest from Dallas if Edmonton were to take a contract back. I don’t have the foggiest idea as to who’d be interested in Korpikoski, Letestu, or Lander. Maybe the Rangers could use an upgrade on the 4th line and Letestu would help there. Will the Oilers trade Yakupov to Montreal? It’s a rumor that has always been on the burners but now I’ve heard that Galchenyuk is on the block… So the whole reuniting Gally and Yak could be in the works…
The Oilers are also “gauging interest” in Eberle, Hall, and Nugent-Hopkins (more so Eberle than the other two).
Nothing new here but if the Oilers are serious about building a winning team, a team that has size and a good defence, they’ll cash in on Hall and Eberle. Especially if they end up drafting in the top four in this summer’s draft. Matthews, Puljujarvi, Laine, and Tkachuk are some beastly options there and this team is in dire need of the dreaded culture chance. And if that’s not your preference, perhaps an Oilers trade involving the pick and Oliver Ekman-Larsson could happen if Arizona is desperate enough.
Another point a lot of people miss on is what happens to the Oilers center depth if the deal Ryan Nugent-Hopkins? Just sign one? Trade for one? Do you really want to go into 2016 with your top two centers under the age of 21? The worst thing they can do is deal from a point of lack. That’s when you get taken for a ride. It’s best to have more centers on the roster than wingers as it’s an easier transition to the wing from center than the other way around.
I mean how would you feel if the Oilers dealt Hall and Eberle and brought in Travis Hamonic and Vatanen? Or Ryan Ellis and Kevin Shattenkirk? Not saying those kinds of deals would be player-for-player, obviously more pieces would be involved. But using Hall and Eberle to upgrade the D and then signing veteran wingers like Loui Eriksson, Milan Lucic, David Backes, Andrew Ladd, or even Jaromir Jagr to shore up their offense.
In addition to the forwards, defensemen Justin Schultz, Fayne, Nurse, Nikitin, and potentially Gryba (tricky with the injury).
If you’d have asked me last week about the certainty of the Edmonton Oilers trading Justin Schultz at the deadline, I would’ve told you 100% gonzo! But I’m not sure now. That game versus the Senators did more to devalue him than any game this year and I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t moved apart from the waiver wire. Maybe then someone would claim him and if not, down to Bakersfield. Pierre LeBrun said today that the team would prefer to add a prospect or a draft pick in return for Schultz and would be willing to retain salary to help a deal move forward. That’s probably good news because without that he’s not going anywhere.
A name I’m sort of shocked that isn’t on that list is Griffin Reinhart. The team must really think highly of this guy. He’s coming along slowly and if his ceiling is that of a number four dman, he should be in play. Especially if Nurse is going to be on it. Players like Ryan Murray, Morgan Reilly, and Matt Dumba are passing him with authority.
Speaking of Darnell Nurse… You might be thinking that this is absolute nonsense and there’s no way that the Oilers could trade him. He’s too young. He’s exactly what the Oilers have been lacking for years since Pronger bolted town on the A-Channel Express. And I agree with you but as we said before, this is a team that NEEDS to turn things around next season and be in the hunt for a playoff spot. No more relying on sub-21 year olds to carry this team. And I think you have to ask yourself, would the team be better next year with say Dougie Hamilton or Travis Hamonic or Kevin Shattenkirk than Darnell Nurse? Would they be closer to a playoff spot with a more veteran defender?
I think it’s very debatable bit I’d have to be with those of you that say keep him. Plus I’d have to take this sweet shirt off the market…
What a tee! Get one now by clicking the pic above.
AHLers deemed excess to requirement include Nilsson, Gazdic, Klinkhammer, Hunt, Miller, Hamilton, Gernat, and Musil.
Technically Nilsson is an NHLer but he hasn’t been that since the beginning of the year. Gazdic won’t go anywhere, Klinkhammer might. He’s ripping up the AHL right now and is obviously too good. There might be a team like San Jose, LA, or the Predators who’d like a bit more sandpaper in their bottom 6 for the playoffs at a cheap price.
As for the other names on that list, I fully expect them to stick around in Bakersfield. I think the team would like to move Musil and Gernat but perhaps they’d be nothing more than filler in other deals. They’ll have to make decisions on them as the will not be waiver exempt next year.
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Are you as equally perplexed as I am when it comes to Nail Yakupov? I mean at this rate he’s going to be known as the Russian Alexandre Daigle. Don’t believe me? Go check out Daigle’s stats. Yak is literally a couple of injury ravaged seasons, a trade or two, and a celebrity girlfriend away from it. And the thing is you can’t even accuse him of being the enigmatic Russian because he works his ass off every shift but can’t seem to get the bounces.
Speaking of bounces, last night versus the Ducks… Poor guy, he couldn’t get the puck to settle down on his stick. On that first shift with McDavid and Eberle he had a chance to clear the puck out and the puck rolled up on him and he couldn’t get it out which resulted in a goal against. Now everyone will say that he didn’t back check on that play but watch it again. He WAS moving his legs a mile-a-minute trying to catch Silfverberg but was just a stride behind him before the shot went off. And another moment when he picked the puck up at center ice and broke into the Ducks’ zone, as he attempted to make a move to fool the defender the puck bounced up again and a fumbled it into the corner.
Now something I didn’t hear a lot about was the hit Yak smoked Kevin Bieksa with or his hustle in the corners on the evening. Oilers Nerd Alert had his DFF% at 4th best on the team. A shame it is, a crying shame.
https://vine.co/v/ivv95XH5hFm
Todd Mclellan made it clear that he wasn’t happy that Yak couldn’t take advantage of Benoit Pouliot’s benching in the post gamer here.
He (Yak) gets to take the ice-time I took away from Pou and not a lot of success there either. – Todd McLellan
Seems like some of the Edmonton media have thrown their hands in the air now as they’ve got now clue either.
So we’re at a fork in the road with young Nail. Have we seen what this former no.1 overall pick can do? I have to think there’s still a player in there that can excel at the NHL level. He’s shifty and unpredictable and he’s got a world-class shot to boot. Another thing is, is Jordan Eberle any better a player defensively or along the boards? What about Yak’s contract? Is this of value more to Edmonton in-house or as a trade asset?
Would it be foolish to trade him before the draft? I mean it’s nearly a foregone conclusion that Teddy Purcell will be dealt and that will open up a spot on the right side for Yak, right? Or will he be passed over like many times before by the likes of Matt Hendricks, Rob Klinkhammer, and Iiro Pakarinen?
If the team was looking at dealing him, what kind of return would he garner? And before you say he’s worth nothing on the trade market, Justin Schultz has value… So if a bumbling defenseman with his own verb in the hockey lexicon can have value, there’s very little doubt that Yak has too.
A team looking for secondary scoring that is willing to part with picks and/or prospects seemingly would be a good fit, no?
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So what about the Carolina Hurricanes? They’ve got a young right-handed puck moving defensemen in Ryan Murphy who can’t seem to break into the lineup and is popping up in trade rumors. They’re in the thick of the wildcard race and are -11 in goal differential. They wouldn’t be losing anything apart from a prospect off of their AHL roster and the Oilers could use a right-hander in their system.
With Ryan Murphy (12th overall in 2011) you’re looking at a smaller offensive blueliner (5’11” 185lb) with a bit of an injury history already. He’s racked up 60 points in 76 AHL games and 29 points in 108 NHL games. With the likes of Haydn Fleury and Roland McKeown ready to turn pro, it doesn’t look like there’s going to be much room for Murphy in the Carolina system soon.
Perhaps the deal could be expanded due to the amount of contracts the Oilers sit at 49 and the Hurricanes at 45.
So what if the Oilers sent Yakupov and Mark Fayne to the Hurricanes for Ryan Murphy, the ‘Canes 2nd and 3rd round picks?
This way the Oilers shed a bit of salary and get back some desperately needed draft picks, that 2nd rounder being vital as they’re going to lose one to Boston in one of the next two years due to the hiring of Chiarelli. Carolina has a ton of room to fit a veteran dman and a skilled winger under their cap as well.
Now I’m not in any way, shape or form wanting to deal Yakupov out of town. I would love to see him get a good run of games beside two linemates who could allow him to play his game the way he knows how and who knows? We could very well see him reunited with Pou and McDavid if Eberle is traded but at this point that is looking unlikely unless the Oilers get a deal they can’t afford to turn down or Eberle gets injured.
We truly are coming to the breaking point with YakCity and as sad as that is, we may have to be happy for him as he plays for another team.
What do you think? Should the Oilers trade him or show him more patience? Let me know in the comments below!
Have you ever thought that the Edmonton Oilers were an easy team for the opposing clubs to play against? Have you ever wondered why the Oilers best players are constantly being run? Has there ever been a moment in an Oilers game where you wondered aloud, “Why isn’t anybody getting in there and making that bugger pay?!”
I have. Hall twice versus Buffalo and Klefbom and Pouliot in the Toronto game to name some instances recently. And don’t give me that “they make them pay on the scoreboard” BS because it’s pretty hard to do that when the players that are tasked with scoring the goals are getting their asses handed to them on a regular basis, harder yet when they’re injured.
The Oilers need more toughness in this squad because teams are targeting Edmonton’s best players. They know that nothing is going to happen. Now, I want to preface this by saying that I am not advocating that the Oilers go out and try to acquire John Scott, Derek Dorsett, or Zac Rinaldo. Edmonton has Luke Gazdic already.
Bucky sure knew what to do when the time came!
What I’m talking about is the throwback player. The player that can hit, skate, shoot, and lead by example. Say, a better version of Matt Hendricks. I want to see the Oilers go out there and grab a guy that will nonchalantly forget the rule books exist from time to time. A player that will sternly remind the opposition that hitting his teammates in an ungentlemanly manner will not be tolerated and any attempt, successful or otherwise, will be met swiftly with the necessary amount of retribution.
I understand that this isn’t the 70’s or the 80’s but this isn’t figure skating either. Shit, have you watched women’s hockey? That’s hella rough.
What I’d like to see removed from the team is the big softie. Guys like Benoit Pouliot and Teddy Purcell who are fantastic talents on their day but don’t add anymore apart from the odd assist and goal. Mark Fayne is another player who could go the way of the dodo to me. Apart from being a big body, he’s shown me nothing.
Let’s take a look at a healthy Oilers roster and figure out where the team could use this toughness I speak of. I’ll highlight the players I think the team could do without.
So as we can see the lines look like actual NHL lines and to be brutally honest, if the Oilers didn’t get destroyed by that flu bug, they’d be higher in the standings and you can be assured that Mark Spector wouldn’t have even brought up the “soft skill” trade article. I wonder how much his books sales spiked after that article was published?… I like Spector but you’ve got to wonder if he had that article sitting in his back pocket for just this occasion.
When this roster is as healthy as it’s going to be, that is when we’ll need to pay close attention. If it falters or under-performs, then that is the time to make a deal. BUT if it shows that it can keep up with the rest of the playoff contenders, you may just want to hold off on calling for any significant changes. Who knows? Maybe Pouliot will revert back to the form he was showing alongside McDavid and Yakupov.
Gator was as tough as they came!
The defense is starting to come together but it’s still not where you’d like it to be. It’s still quite young on the left side but luckily the youngsters that are in the top four are very gifted. I’ll go to my grave under the impression that Justin Schultz is the greatest conman hockey has seen since Alan Eagleson. Talk about buyer’s remorse. This guy is going to have to put up at least 40 points, heck let’s make it 50, if I’m going to have my mind changed. There’s no bloody way that he’s worth over $5 million dollars on any team letalone $4 million.
So the highlighted players are Teddy Purcell, Benoit Pouliot, Lauri Korpikoski, Mark Letestu, Iiro Pakarinen, Justin Schultz, and Mark Fayne.
They all can’t go. Jordan Eberle I think will be dealt sooner rather than later. Purcell should be with the team until the trade deadline. Pouliot makes too much money and has too much term left on his deal. Anton Lander and Lauri Korpikoski’s numbers are making Tanner Glass look like an All-Star, and Letestu is a recent signing. Jultz could bring back some value if packaged up but his shortcomings are too well know. This could lead to the team just walking away from him this summer. Mark Fayne still has term on his deal but given he’s a right-side defender, there might be a team who’d take him on in money-in-money-out deal.
So if we get down to brass tacks there’s not a whole lot for the Oilers to do. They’ve got a shat ton of extra baggage and nowhere to hide it. But that’s boring to talk about and I want to talk about potential players the Oilers could bring in.
Wayne Simmonds (PHI) – The Flyers aren’t lighting the league afire as their big guns have started out of the game in the tortoise setting. Would this be a possible setting for the oft-rumored Eberle for Simmonds deal? Wayne Simmonds def. fits the description of a tougher player that can play.
Scott Hartnell (CBJ) – Earlier in the season there was a rumor going around that the Blue Jackets were looking to unload the veteran winger to the Oilers for Mark Fayne. Give me that deal all day long if that’s the case. Hartnell is an annoying prick out on the ice not only due to his playing style but the man’s mouth never stops. Perfect! I don’t think Edmonton has had a player like this in some time.
Kerby Rychel (CBJ) – Here’s a younger player that can’t seem to crack Columbus’ lineup. He’s got the tools but there are so many players who play a similar fashion to Rychel in Ohio. Dubinsky, Hartnell, Jenner, and Foligno. I think he could step into the Oilers line-up and be that Ethan Moreau-like winger for very little cost. Is he worth a second round pick? It’s worth a conversation.
Jarred Tinordi (MTL) – Another young guy who’s stuck behind some major depth in Montreal. He’s a giant standing at over six and a half feet tall and well over two hundred pounds. He’s too good for the AHL and the Canadiens know this. They won’t put him on waivers because they’re afraid they’ll lose him. I think for good reason. If you watched his dad play you’ll know that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. He’s got forty-three NHL games under his belt and in those forty-three games he’s accumulated 76 hits and 61 PIMS. The Habs want a second rounder for him but I think there’s room to negotiate.
Radko Gudas (PHI) – One more from Philly how about? I love this guy because he’s probably the hardest hitter in the league. The Flyers will offer Luke Schenn but you insist on Gudas. He takes no prisoners. He is always amongst the leaders in hits whether that’s playing for a great team like the Tampa Bay Lightning or a crap team like the Flyers (Better than the Oilers but not by much tbh). He’s on pace for over 400 hits yet only 80 PIM!! Gudas is your bottom four warrior and on a good contract too. He’s got a long list of players names who he’s destroyed in his short career to date, plus that beard… Good lord that beard is Hall-of-Fame worthy!
Other notable names: Andrew Desjardins (CHI), Josh Jooris (CGY), Zack Smith (OTT), Leo Komarov (TOR), Cal Clutterbuck (NYI), Tommy Wingels (SJ).
Now how about that roster? That would def. make things difficult for opposing teams to play against. I don’t know how exactly you could rid the team of so many blemishes or if the $$ make sense here but this is just for shits and giggles anyhow.
It’s completely possible that this player resides within the squad already. We’ve already spoken of Matt Hendricks. What about Rob Klinkhammer. He was doing exactly what he was supposed to be doing and excelling before he went down with a twisted shin bone. I think that Jujhar Khaira is showing to be a very capable power forward. He has size, strength, is fearless, and allows his more skilled linemates the time and room to make the magic happen. Meaning he can play the game a bit. We’re also waiting to see how players like Mitch Moroz turn out and Kale Kessy too. David Musil is no slouch, keep an eye on him!
Who do you think would be a good add to the Oilers to increase team toughness? Let me know in the comments below!
Take Care!
BLH
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Two games at home and two wins. Is it possible that the Oilers could make it three in a row against the Sabres on Sunday? Jack Eichel is coming to town and what was previously billed as the McEichel showdown is now a face-off between former WHL rivals Sam Reinhart and Leon Draisaitl. It would’ve been something if Griffin didn’t get sent down eh?
Trade me right f*cking now!
I just wanted to touch on a few rumblings this evening and then let you get back to your Christmas shopping and your hockey.
Pouliot and Ference were put on IR. Don’t ask me what’s wrong with Ference. Maybe he got a splinter from riding the pine. As for Pouliot, there’s been something wrong with him for sometime but I suspect that hit from Dion Phaneuf didn’t do him any favors.
Ryan Hamilton was called up to replace Benny Pouliot today. He stands over 6ft and 200lbs and plays a physical game.
The Oilers are 4-4-2 in their last 10… Beauty!
I’m just watching the Sens/Islanders game and Bob Cole is calling it. Do you get mesmerized every time you hear his voice like I do? I think he’s the greatest play-by-play man in hockey history.
I read of a few teams that are targeting Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle since they were called out by Todd McLellan this past week. Namely Nashville, Minnesota, and New Jersey.
If we’re looking at the Predators, there are only two players I could accept, well three, in a trade for Nuge. Seth Jones, Roman Josi, and Shea Weber and I can’t see David Poile being silly enough to move any of those players.
Minnesota also has a few defensemen that tickle me fancy. Jared Spurgeon, Jonas Brodin, and Matt Dumba. Charlie Coyle is a very good two-way forward as well but would making a deal with the Wild me more or less two steps back and one step forward?
I see nothing in New Jersey apart from Adam Larsson and with the Devils have Adam Henrique and Travis Zajac to cover the center position. The team only has prospects to offer and the Oilers simply do not need any more “potentials”. Although Pavel Zacha and Mackenzie Blackwood are tempting.
Eberle is being connected with the Habs and Flyers. Both teams need some more complimentary scoring on the right side.
I don’t reckon the Oilers would get anything apart from prospects and picks in return for Eberle due to his salary. Unless of course they’re taking salary back.
Perhaps a player like Wayne Simmonds (PHI) or Brendan Gallagher (MTL) fit the McLellan mold. But why make that deal when the Oilers potentially have players in the same vein in Braden Christoffer and Jujhar Khaira. Prioritize the defence.
Nothing will get done mid-season. It’s just too hard to make a trade with so many teams up against the cap.
Griffin Reinhart is doing fair to midland down in Bakersfield so far. Two games in no goals, one assist, +1, and two PIMs. It’s nothing to write home about but the scorelines in both of those games were 7-6(L) and 6-4 (W). I suppose you can draw your own conclusions.
Speaking of Bakersfield, keep an eye on Josh Winquist. He’s played in 8 games so far and has 3 goals and 4 assists. He’s also managed to find a way to rack up 20 minutes in the sin bin too.
That’s it for now. Take it easy and we’ll see you tomorrow night!
BLH
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