Flame for Thought
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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:
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