So with the season wrapping up for the Oilers, and still 5 points away from the organizations worst season total of 60 points in 92-93. That draft year the Oilers drafted 7th overall. They took Jason Arnott. Not bad for their worst season. This year, the Oilers will pick 1st overall (barring the draft lottery which they have a 50% chance of winning). There are two possible candidates as it stands. Windsor Spitfires power winger Taylor Hall, and the Plymouth Whalers star center Tyler Seguin. Here is a breakdown of each player.
Taylor Hall:
Number: 4
Position: LW
Shoots: L
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 185lb
Born: November 14, 1991 Kingston, ON
40 Goals 66 Assists 106 Points
Tyler Seguin:
Number: 9
Position: C
Shoots: R
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 186lb
Born: January 31, 1992 Brampton, ON
48 Goals 58 Assists 106 Points
Either way, the Oilers will be getting an All Star player. To me, for the Oilers, Seguin is the more optimal pick. He is a center, which the Oilers need an All Star center pretty bad. He also isn't small, being 6'1" and 186lbs before even bulking up for the NHL. He is slightly younger then Hall, but that's fine. Another reason I'd give Seguin the one-up, would be because he plays on a team without much else for talent. While Hall is surrounded by talent (Cam Fowler, Ryan Ellis, Greg Nemisz, and Adam Henrique). So with all that said, you never know, they may even go off the board and take the now #3 rated pick in Cam Fowler, if they really want a defensman. With that said, let us consider the Oilers lineup, season end (take away UFA's, keep RFA's).
Dustin Penner Shawn Horcoff Ales Hemsky
Robert Nilsson Sam Gagner Gilbert Brule
Ethan Moreau Andrew Cogliano Ryan Potulny
Zach Stortini Marc Pouliot Patrick O'Sullivan
Ryan Whitney Tom Gilbert
Sheldon Souray Ladislav Smid
Taylor Chorney Theo Peckham
Nikolai Khabiboulin
Jeff Deslauriers
Those that are RFA's over the summer are highlighted in red. UFA's over the summer are:
D- Aaron Johnson
D- Dean Arsene
D- Jason Strudick
RW- Fernando Pisani
C- Mike Comrie
C- Ryan Stone
So minus the RFA's and UFA's, the Oilers total cap hit (as per nhlnumbers.com) is: $41.82 million.
At the draft, the Oilers will add a top 6 forward. They will also, most likely, get the injection of Jordan Eberle, and Magnus Paarjavi-Svensson. Thats 3 top 6 forwards that they will have to make room in the lineup for. Here is a possible lineup combo:
Svensson Horcoff Hemsky
Penner Gagner Eberle
Cogliano Seguin Brule
Moreau O'Sullivan Nilsson
Stortini Pouliot Potulny
Whitney Gilbert
Souray Smid
Chorney Peckham
Khabiboulin
Deslauriers
Either that, or they will have Seguin play on the farm, or with his OHL club again. As for Eberle and Svensson, there may be a good chance of them playing on the farm as well. Moreau's spot on the team is in contention, and there is a good chance he may not be here next September, same for Nilsson, Pouliot, and Horcoff. Horcoff is kinda untradeable though, so pretty much count him one the team for next year, barring a miracle. Penner, Souray, and Hemsky are being talked about as good trading chips on draft day, as the Oilers would love to grab at least another top 5 pick. There certainly aren't any guarantee's as to who will be in the opening lineup next year, but count Gagner, Brule, Whitney, Gilbert, Deslauriers, Eberle, Horcoff, Smid, and possibly Svensson as probables.
On defence, the Oilers swapped Vishnovsky for Whitney, not a bad deal at all, especially moneywise. Whitney is bigger and plays a tougher game. Souray could be on the block, especially on draft day. Smid and Chorney should be in the lineup opening night. As for Peckham, a trade, or free agent signing could very easily have him playing on the farm again. The Oilers resigning Aaron Johnson is the most probable move on defense, as he has showed up pretty good for them down the stretch.
In goal, the Oilers will have a goalie battle on their hands. With the veteran Khabiboulin coming back from injury, youngster Deslauriers has shown pretty good, but will have to fight to get games. Khabiboulin should get the nod, at least for 60% of the games, but who knows, maybe we will see a split, though those never really work out. Dubnyk, barring any moves, will be Oklahomas starter.
The team will be a young, exciting one, hopefully ridden with rookies. They could show up and be really good, or have major growing pains, either way, Oiler fans should be in for some exciting, fast, upbeat hockey, but be prepared for lots of rookie mistakes!
-Sporer
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