There is a job opportunity for a good lawyer. If Murphy's Law isn't done kicking the living daylights out of Kevin Lowe, this kid will be a Duck next summer.
Tavares won't be going to the draft this year, you can bet on that.
But anyway, last place team has a 50% chance to keep the first overall pick.
Gagner has looked good so far, but it's interesting to learn that he's playing injured again. It seems everytime he's in the hockey news he's also injured. Should be interesting to see how he fares next year as an 18 year old, and subsequently to see if he can make the team the following year.
I would predict the Oiler #1 pick (now Anaheim's) and Anaheim's #1 pick (now the Oilers') will be within 10 places of one another.
With the potential Niedermeyer retirement, the Penner loss and a key Pronger injury (finger's crossed)- they could be in a playoff spot battle themselves this season. The Western Conference is going to be dominant again this season and with Dallas and San Jose in their division both solid once again - you just never know.
Speaking of a powerful Western Conference, here is MY (albeit early) prediction in the NW Division:
Wild 'Nucks Avs Oilers Flames
Wow, that could be WAY wrong. My point is that any team could be first or last... should be fun.
Chris alludes to an interesting issue. If Phoenix does manage to land Tavares, they could end up being the Penguins, part 2 - an extremely talented group of youngsters attained through years of mediocrity.
Unfortunately (or is it fortunately?!), that's something that the Oilers have almost always lacked...we make that perpetual drive for 8th that always precludes us from getting a reasonable shot at a top 3 pick.
By mediocrity you actually mean years of abject horror. Mediocrity is what the Oilers are at this point, and mediocrity does not a modern Penguins make...only a flat out, sustained train wreck gets you Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Whitney, Fleury, et al.
Talk about post-traumatic-stress syndrome.
ReplyDeleteSam Gagner had a goal and an assist today.
Look at the Phoenix roster.
PHX is definitely the worst club in the majors.
ReplyDeleteI can't see it being much of an issue myself. Ovechkin missed the cutoff for the '03 draft by only 3 days, and exceptions weren't made for him.
ReplyDeleteTavares should worry more about the series he's in right now.
Speaking of Gagner... both the assist and the goal today were of the highlight-reel variety. Kid's definitely got a set of hands.
ReplyDeleteAnaheim sounds like they're going to deal the pick. Mind you if we're in last place at the deadline they might think twice.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty confident we'll be middle of the road though.
Even if things do not go our way this year I do not see our pick being quite low enough to even have a shot at the kid.
ReplyDeleteTavares is going to Phoenix next year. Book it.
ReplyDeletePhoenix has to win the thing too remember. Being the worst team is only what, 25%?
ReplyDeleteBut Turis/Tavares would be a solid foundation for whatever coach eventually replaces 99.
Tavares won't be going to the draft this year, you can bet on that.
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, last place team has a 50% chance to keep the first overall pick.
Gagner has looked good so far, but it's interesting to learn that he's playing injured again. It seems everytime he's in the hockey news he's also injured. Should be interesting to see how he fares next year as an 18 year old, and subsequently to see if he can make the team the following year.
I would predict the Oiler #1 pick (now Anaheim's) and Anaheim's #1 pick (now the Oilers') will be within 10 places of one another.
ReplyDeleteWith the potential Niedermeyer retirement, the Penner loss and a key Pronger injury (finger's crossed)- they could be in a playoff spot battle themselves this season. The Western Conference is going to be dominant again this season and with Dallas and San Jose in their division both solid once again - you just never know.
Speaking of a powerful Western Conference, here is MY (albeit early) prediction in the NW Division:
Wild
'Nucks
Avs
Oilers
Flames
Wow, that could be WAY wrong.
My point is that any team could be first or last... should be fun.
Chris alludes to an interesting issue. If Phoenix does manage to land Tavares, they could end up being the Penguins, part 2 - an extremely talented group of youngsters attained through years of mediocrity.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately (or is it fortunately?!), that's something that the Oilers have almost always lacked...we make that perpetual drive for 8th that always precludes us from getting a reasonable shot at a top 3 pick.
By mediocrity you actually mean years of abject horror. Mediocrity is what the Oilers are at this point, and mediocrity does not a modern Penguins make...only a flat out, sustained train wreck gets you Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Whitney, Fleury, et al.
ReplyDelete