Stay Calm and Connor On
Hello Oilers fans. Im here to mend your dissapointment with the recent draft lottery.
I know most of you have grown used to owning the number one pick and many of you were hoping for a repeat of the dynasty years. No not five cups in seven years, but instead five number one picks in seven years. In the end the Hockey Gods decided this cannot happen and rewarded another team.
Although, a lot of fans are upset for a completely different reason.
The Toronto Factor
The thought of Toronto being the team rewarded sickened many. After last year when Toronto fans and media dragged Edmonton through the mud, claiming I was not happy to be in Edmonton and stating this great city did not deserve me, you wanted nothing more than to see Toronto drop. Well I've got one thing to say to that, Toronto still doesn't have me! To all the Toronto fans laughing that the Oilers fell to 4th and that they kept the 1st pick, just keep reminding them of that.
Draft picks do not take a team from nothing to contender as you've witnessed through the last ten years of suffering so those bitter Maple Leafs fans should not be partying like they just won the cup. If they even remembered what that feels like...
What to do with the Pick
The player coming out of the draft at number 4 will most likely be a player who is not ready to be an impact player in the NHL. Not everyone is as gifted as me. So they will probably be returned to junior. As many of you probably figured, this is not what Edmonton is in need of. My advice to upper management would be to trade the pick with the obvious target being a top pairing defensman.
Trade Candidate #1
The main requirements of this defenseman include a right shot, minute eating, and puck moving. This leads us to candidate number one.
Travis Hamonic.
This is an obvious choice as early in the season he requested a trade north and whenever a trade is requested value drops. At 6'2" and 205 pounds he brings size to an Oilers team searching for some. He also checks off the right shooting and minute eating boxes. His offensive numbers are not stellar but at 21 points he would have sat second in scoring by defensemen on the Oilers and is nearly doubling the points of the next. He is on a very reasonable long term contract and is only 25 years making him a great fit for the young Oilers core.
Trade Candidate #2
Sami Vatanen.
Vatanen currently plays for a Ducks team that is loaded with many talented young defensemen and the Oilers maybe be able to shake him loose. While his size is less than optimal, 5'10" and 183 pounds, his offensive production makes up for it. 38 points in 71 games would place him first on the Oilers defence by 8 points. Just like Hamonic, Vatanen will be able to grow with Oilers as he's on 24 years old. A right shot and the ability to man the point on the power play may make him exactly what the Oilers are in need of.
Conclusion
Although the draft lottery ping pong balls did not fall in favour of the Oilers, the outcome may not be that bad. Although the player selected at 4th overall most likely won't make an immediate impact, he will in a couple years and in the mean time he will help fill a rather bare cupboard of prospects in Edmonton. Beyond that, the pick gives Chiarelli another trade bullet to land the defenseman we desperately need. Either Hamonic or Vatanen would go miles in immediately helping the Oilers. But be aware a trade for one of these D would probably not be a straight pick for player trade.
And Toronto, always remember, you will never have me.