Magnus Paajarvi

[doulos]

Unless they draft Seguin.

Or Hall plays Center (not as unlikely as you might think).

Omark would be a shock to make the roster next year.

Pride would prevent Penner from being moved TO Toronto - not a chance that ever ever happens.

[SeaDawg]

lol...Penner to Toronto is the funniest thing I've ever heard, I think. Burke's ego is waaaay to big for that to ever happen.

[donions]

I'll be absolutely floored if the Oil trade Penner. They invested too much $$, and took too much heat; to deal him as soon as he's finally worth the money they gave him.
If the Oilers want Eberle, Hall, MPS and Omark all in the lineup next year, they need to buy-out Moreau and maybe Nilsson and trade Cogs and O'Sulli. Easier said than done but Cogs will have some trade value; and somebody desperate for some scoring might gamble on O'Sulli. Either way it will be a fun summer for Oiler fans; from the interviews I've heard with Tambi, Katz and Macgregor(head scout); Edm isnt afraid too buy-out contracts; and make some big moves too revamp there roster.

[kbooks]

Penner, O'Sullivan, Nilsson, Moreau all with contracts and MPS, Hall, Omark, ready to make the line up.

First I think Edmonton takes Hall with the 1st pick. The media and fans would crucify them if they don't.

Burke was upset when he lost Penner to Edmonton on what Burke considered inappropriate actions on the part of Lowe. The long drawn out feud between Lowe and Burke has apparently been healed. The relationship between Burke and Tamballini is very good.

Now for the players. I am sure Edmonton would prefer to deal Toronto a bag of pucks like O'Sullivan, Nilsson, Moreau, and or Coigliano to Toronto. They do need to move a number of players but if they want something from Toronto they have to offer some value. I believe the only player currently on the Edmonton roster that Burke would really want are: Penner, Hemsky, MPS, Omrak. He would take some of the other discards like O'Sullivan or Cogliano as part of a larger package deal. I doubt Edmonton will let Hemsky or MPS go so it does not leave many options. Penner was a big disappointment to Edmonton until last year and even then his production fell of dramatically as the season progressed. MPS would be an upgrade over Penner on te Oiler top line so I think he could be made available in the right deal.

I believe the players under contract Edmonton would like to move are: O'Sullivan, Moreau, Souray, Nilsson

The RFA's they would be happy to move are Cogliano, Potulny, Pouliot

I think they will keep Gagner, Brule but would trade either or both for the right deal. They are after more size and thus they would trade these small skilled forwards in the right deal.

Perhaps Burke gets lucky and Oilers make Eberle, MPS, or Omark available in a trade but realistically I doubt it.

Oilers do have a problem in that Gagner, Brule, Eberle, O'Sullivan, Cogliano, Omark, are all small skilled forwards. If they are serious about getting bigger at least two or three of these guys have to go out the door along with Souray. That is why I think a big deal will develop with Toronto or some other team. I think Burke would be interested in a couple of these guys if Oilers include them in a package. He might even take Souray but that will be tough to swallow.

I can see a deal that saw Kaberle, Finger and one other player going to Edmonton for Penner, Souray, and one or two (tops) of the small forwards coming the other way.

[doulos]

The Oilers could also buy out Moreau, Nilsson and O'Sullivan for a combined cap hit of under 2 million combined.

If they are serious about freeing up space for some of the kids then this seems to be an option as well.

[donions]

I cant wait for the draft!! The rebuild will really begin there for Oiler fans. Gotta purge out the cancers from last year; and allow me to order a Hall jersey without stressing about Seguin.

back to MPS; do any of you guys think MPS, Lander and Omark would play in the AHL? All-Swede line! I dont think Omark would because last year he said he'd rather KHL than AHL, but I hope MPS and Lander consider it. Based on that article gilmour posted, MPS isnt good enough defensively to be a top 9 forward, but hes too good offensively to rot on the 4th line. The Oilers AHL team has been brutal and now they are moving it to Oklahoma; MPS would be a good draw for the fans in Oklahoma that have prolly never seen a highly skilled euro play live.
BUT MPS/Lander will probably go back to SEL...

[TavesSoul]

Doesn't really matter if MPS is good enough for the top 9 defensively when he's offensively skilled enough for the top 3 right now. He won't be in the A. Omark needs time in the A, but unless he agrees to it, he won't play there. Lander will be in the A if/when he comes over.

[TavesSoul]

I do think he'll be with them. Tambellini wants to sign him bad, especially after his IIHF performance. Now, it'll be up to MPS whether he comes over now, or goes the traditional Swedish route and stays there for another year. If he signs though, he'll be in the NHL, no doubt.

[natgeo]

For a prospect who has never played in the NHL, Paajarvi's defensive game is pretty good actually. He's got speed to burn and backchecks readily. Part of his defensive acumen comes from the fact that up until 3-4 years ago he played defense. He even states that he was something of a defensive defenseman.

I think Doulos is right. Most likely scenario in Oil town is that they buy out some contracts such as Nilsson, Moreau, and possibly O'Sullivan. O'Sully is a natural centre though, and I suppose he could reclaim the position if the Oilers are hard up for another player at that position. Having said that, this would put Gagner, Horcoff, Brule and O'Sullivan as natural centres. I expect like with most teams they will pick their squad and then toy around with line combinations to see who fits best with whom.

[donions]

O'Sullivan floats too much to be a Center. I hope they Oil bring back Ryan Stone to C the 4th line, when he was healthy he was a wrecking ball; and the Oil actually had a positive record when he was in the lineup.
I agree with Nat Nilsson and Moreau will be bought out, Osulli and Cogs are trade bait to hopefully entice someone into taking Sourays salary. Pouliot and Potulny hopefully are sent to the minors or traded; they show flashes of being NHL'ers, then are invisible.
And all these steps will be taken too find room for MPS and Eberle! and maybe Omark, and of course Hall!

[SeaDawg]

I swear if the Oilers don't pick Hall I'm going to have aneurysm!

Hall, Eberle, and MPS would be so sick!

[donions]

I swear if the Oilers don't pick Hall I'm going to have aneurysm!

Hall, Eberle, and MPS would be so sick!

Agreed. I've alrdy told my family/friends; if the Oil dont take Hall. Im becoming a Kings fan!

[SeaDawg]

Agreed. I've alrdy told my family/friends; if the Oil dont take Hall. Im becoming a Kings fan!

part of me has been tempted to switch allegiances since the mid-90s, but I keep holding out hope that the franchise will get back on track. I really like the future, even if they don't grab Hall, but with Hall in the line up I am a whole lot more excited about things.

[donions]

Yeah I'd never truly switch teams. Id just be mad enough I would tell people I am; then when the season starts ill be back to watching every single Oil game..probably wearing a Seguin jersey.

[Dean Youngblood]

The Oilers will pick Hall 100%. Don't sweat it Oil fans