Even When Jackets Lose They Can't Win

No Taylor versus Tyler. No RNH.

Now what will the Edmonton Oilers do?

They may not be very successful on the ice, but the mighty Oil is damn good at the draft lottery, winning the 2012 version on Monday night and jumping ahead of the sad-sack Columbus Blue Jackets, worst team in the NHL this season, to grab the first pick overall for the third straight year.

Everything seems to work for Edmonton in the lottery. Last year, they didn't win it, but because New Jersey did and could only move up four slots to No. 4 in the draft, the Oilers kept the top pick anyway and selected Ryan Nugent-Hopkins after picking Taylor Hall ahead of Tyler Seguin the year before.

The intriguing question now becomes whether, after stacking up a pile of good forwards in the draft in recent years, the Oilers will finally recognize the urgent need to add some blue-chip talent to their thin defence corp.

Most see two Russian forwards, Nail Yakupov and Mikhail Grigorenko, as the class of the '12 draft. But the first round is loaded with good defencemen, and the question now becomes whether the Oilers will make one of them the top pick - rock steady Ryan Murray of the Everett Silvertips is the obvious choice - or trade down to let some other team select first and then pick a quality defender lower down.

Its A fascinating dilemma for GM Steve Tambellini, who is in limbo these days, waiting to see if he or head coach Tom Renney will get a new contract.

The Leafs, with designs on getting a top centre out of this draft, stayed at No. 5 in the draft order, but they might be one of the teams interested in the top pick. Toronto president/GM Brian Burke and Edmonton president Kevin Lowe aren't the best of negotiating partners, but Tambellini and Burke's right hand man, Dave Nonis, can take care of that.

Would Luke Schenn or Carl Gunnarson and the fifth pick get the Leafs the top pick from Edmonton? The Oilers would love to think they could get more, but in this draft, they may not get many suitors for the top selection. Moreover, adding Schenn or Gunnarson, then picking an elite blueline prospect like Morgan Rielly, Matthew Dumba, Griffin Reinhart or Cody Ceci, would give the back end of the Oilers a big boost.

If Edmonton were to stand pat and go with Murray at No. 1, and Columbus and Montreal then grabbed Yakupov and Grigorenko, the Leafs would then definitely get a shot at one of centres Filip Forsberg, Alex Galchenyuk or Radek Faksa regardless of what the Islanders were to do with the fourth pick.

So perhaps there's not enough to be gained by going after the top pick anyway.

"There's more than five players in this draft," said Burke after the results of the draft lottery were announced.

Burke and Nonis have already had viewings of the top prospects, as has Leaf executive Rick Dudley and all the amateur scouting staff.

Burke said he could move up or down, and doesn't feel he needs to draft high to increase his favourable rating with doubtful Leaf fans.

"I'm not on the defensive. I'm not going to say we won't trade down," he said. "Our lack of success this season hasn't changed our mindset."

All in all, while the draft lottery was again as dull as dull can be, the run-up to the draft, with three Canadian teams in the top five, will be as intriguing as any recent draft year. Burke and the Leafs will be right in the thick of it.

 

 

 

Comments

[Chris Bellman]

Poor Howson and Columbus. Could not even fail right as in Fail for Nail. Unbelievable the Oilers have the first pick yet again, and I think this draft will be fascinating to watch as there will be some trades made for teams to acquire what they need.

I think Burke will move heaven and earth to get a top centre be it Grigorenko, Galchenyuk, Forsberg or Faksa. I could definitely see a package deal made by Nonis in order to pick first and go after Grigorenko.

Colborne did not have a good year with the Marlies, but the playoffs coming up. If the kid goes wild in the playoffs maybe Burke & Co. don't make a move and take their best shot with the fifth pick.

Nice to have a top level first round pick this year at any rate after the horror of this year's finish for Toronto.

The cop in me feels compelled to let you know that Gunnarsson is spelled like that Damien. Had you made the error once I would have let you off with just a warning, but you have been ticketed for twice blowing a Leaf's name. Egregious error. :)

Cheers!

[Bob]

I would expect Burke to do the usual, trade the pick for a washed up over-hyped, over-paid forward, while the other team picks a star player with an incredible future. But what do I know, I'm only a hockey fan, tired of excuses!

[bill]

@Bob

What a ridiculously moronic statement. (if I am wrong, please name the washed up, over-hyped players he's traded for while GM in Toronto)

Are you sure you're a hockey fan??

[Harp]

Galy or Forsberg all day!

[DJ]

Let's guess, Bob doesn't like the Kessel deal. Mind you he was 21 or 22 and coming off multiple 30 goal seasons with Boston.

Or do you mean the good old days under Quinn et al when they really did send their first round picks away for mediocrity.

Heck I'm even willing to point out that they had not one but two first round picks in front of the Islanders the year Mike Bossy went 15th overall.

[bri]

Trade down with Washington. Pick up the 11th and 15 picks for the 5th. Take Brendan Gaunce/Dumba/Wilson with those picks. The draft after the top 4 is a real crapshoot with rankings all over the place. I like Dumba, reminds me of Wendel.

[robert hunt]

The way I look at it the NHL season shoul be till christmas -that is as how long the Leafs can play hockey!!!!

[robert hunt]

Sorry for what ?? The Leafs are paid to play hockey. have some pride and get up and go to win. To bad the ACC is always sold out even when there are no butts in the seats, I remember when there WAS good Leaf games and you did not have to pay a arm and a leg to watch a GOOD Leaf game .
Now it does not take much to switch to anther chanell and watch a rerun

RJ

[robert hunt]

To Bob
Leafs can not waste time on grooming players that is why they trade for over paid washed up players that LOOK good on paper--read the fine print. fiend sent me some pics when Syd the Kid brougt the Cup to Nova Scotica. that is how close I will get or see the Cup.. Hooray!!!!
RJ

[j-rock]

In Bob's defence, I don't think he was referring to Burke specifically, but to a pattern of behaviour displayed by most of the previous Leafs GMs over the past few decades. And if that's the case, then he is completely correct, although Burke certainly knows better at this point, and even said as much during yesterday's incredibly awkward press conference.