NHL Trade Rumors: Should The Lottery Winner Trade The Pick?
Flame for Thought
More from Puck Prose
- Detroit Red Wings 2023 Rookie Camp Has Plenty of Ups and Downs
- This Columbus Blue Jackets rookie doesn’t want to be forgotten
- 2 trades the Boston Bruins must make to secure the Stanley Cup
- 3 reasons the Avalanche won’t win the Stanley Cup in 2024
- This is a big year for Alex Turcotte and the Los Angeles Kings
Dec 21, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) shoots in the loose rebound for his second goal of the game against Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens (30) in the third period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Chris LaFrance-USA TODAY Sports
Even as the NHL enters its annual holiday trade freeze, you will continue to hear rumors about teams looking for extra pieces for a playoff push. Likewise you will also see rumors about teams out of the hunt dumping off assets for future possibilities. Two of the best future possibilities are available in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft in Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel. Both are lighting up their respective leagues now and are nearly assured to go 1-2 in some order when the draft comes around. Arguably teams are falling over themselves to be in a position to take one of these potential elite talents.
Should they?
It’s not a question about the skill level of McDavid or Eichel. But if you look at the bottom six teams in the league now you can make a case in more than half of them that drafting one of these players is not going to be in the best long-term interests of the franchise. Using the standings as of the morning of Monday, December 22nd I am going to take them in reverse order and assume that when the ping pong balls land, the order will remain the same.
That would mean the Edmonton Oilers would be selecting first overall. Congratulations Oilers nation! I think…
It’s not like Edmonton hasn’t had a few shots at this thing and the defense-be-damned approach of GM turned coach again Craig MacTavish and President Kevin Lowe has failed. If only there was a defensemen at the top of the draft they could make a play at.
Perhaps these two gentlemen could channel their inner Garth Snow and suddenly turn around a once proud franchise from the 1980’s. Could they possibly find a trade partner in the next five teams and get some NHL ready talent to turn things around quickly? Let’s take a look:
Next: Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
Dec 20, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes coach Bill Peters looks on from the bench against the New York Rangers at PNC Arena. The New York Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in the shoot out. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
The Hurricanes would be selecting second overall in this scenario. Even as a team stung by injuries, the depth at the blue line is challenged right now beyond team leading scorer Justin Faulk. Faulk would likely have to be a part of any deal for the Oilers considering their needs, as would the second overall pick and other components. While the future defensemen are “deep and diverse” according to hockeysfuture.com, will they be willing to part with one of them or Faulk in part of a deal? Sitting at number two, the Canes could select either McDavid or Eichel to match with Jeff Skinner, Eric Staal and Elias Lindholm. The forwards for the Canes would get a lot more menacing without having to give up the farm to move one position. Making a trade up to the top spot would be counterproductive for the Canes considering what they would have to give up in relation to what they can draft by standing pat.
Next: Arizona Coyotes
Arizona Coyotes
Dec 20, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing
Shane Doan(19) and center
Kyle Chipchura(24) celebrate a goal in the second period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Depending on how far you feel the drop off in talent is from McDavid and Eichel, the Arizona Coyotes are where the thought of trades start to get interesting. The Coyotes have languished near the bottom of the league all season, in part because the play of Mike Smith has fallen off dramatically. Their -30 goal differential is third worst in the league. Should the Coyotes decide to change course there could be interesting pieces to the Oilers – notably Oliver Ekman-Larsson. A solid puck moving defensemen with power play skills would fit nicely with the stockpile of forwards in Edmonton. Obviously this isn’t a straight up deal: Arizona would likely send this pick to Edmonton as part of the package. But they are going to have to figure out life without Shane Doan very soon. It would be a bold statement for Arizona to make and one that could energize hockey in the desert.
Next: Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
Dec 20, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing
Johan Larsson(22) celebrates his first career NHL goal with teammates during the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at First Niagara Center. Colorado beats Buffalo 5 to 1. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Here things could get VERY interesting. The Sabres are one of the few teams with assets in the minors as well as a strong asset at the NHL level. Rumors continue to swirl around Tyler Myers and he would certainly be an upgrade on the Oilers and able to make an immediate impact. The Sabres also boast an additional two first round picks from St. Louis and the New York Islanders. Myers, two of the three first round picks and a solid prospect (Justin Bailey?) would be as good of an open to negotiations as you may find. Even with Mikhail Grigorenko and Joel Armia soon to stick in Buffalo, the Sabres could use another skilled forward. And the Oilers would wind up with a package of solid talent to support what they already have. Would the Oilers take the risk for a similar package from the Sabres? Whether they do or not, the deal could make sense for both sides to consider.
Next: New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
Dec 19, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie
Keith Kinkaid(1) reacts after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in a shootout at Prudential Center to record his 1st NHL win. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
The New Jersey Devils are relying on ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr for offense right now, and that eventually has to come to an end. How the Devils choose to replace that offense remains to be seen. According to hockeysfuture.com the Devils have a “large amount of pro level prospects” however there is a “lack of potential star players at forward”, a problem this upcoming draft does not have. Defensive prospect Damon Severson has impressed this year and Eric Gelinas hasn’t been to shabby either. Ultimately it seems like the Devils don’t quite have the assets to make a deal like this without significantly mortgaging the future, and that’s not been a hallmark of this franchise. Expect the Devils to continue to try and draft smart and develop their own, sprinkling in a few free agents.
Next: Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
Dec 22, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie
Sergei Bobrovsky(72) makes a save as Nashville Predators center
Olli Jokinen(13) looks for a rebound during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Talk about a season that came off the rails. Columbus is second so far this season in man games lost due to injury at 202 according to mangameslost.com, trailing only Anaheim and their bouts with the mumps. When healthy Columbus can put a scare into most teams in the league in a seven game series, sporting forwards Nick Foligno, Ryan Johansen, Boone Jenner and Scott Hartnell. Adding McDavid or Eichel to this mix would be downright terrifying. And the Jackets are no slouch in back either, with David Savard, Jack Johnson and James Wisniewski. Former Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovski doesn’t hurt matters either. Add to that a “deep pool of NHL ready defenders” and the Jackets are another team that could give up assets off the roster and the farm system and absorb it. And GM Jarmo Kekalainen has not shied away from a bold trade, at one time dealing Marian Gaborik. Will he be on the acquisition side of a blockbuster trade?
There are certainly teams outside of the top five that would be foolish to not inquire about the availability of this pick should Edmonton acquire it. But Buffalo and Columbus pose interesting options with their talent pools. And both teams have GM’s that don’t seem to shy away from being bold in the trade market. The question will be do the Oilers want to be the team to risk giving up an elite talent that could play right away to turn the directions of the franchise? The plan now isn’t working: do McTavish and Lowe see it? And are they willing to risk backlash to change the fortunes of the franchise?