Magnus Paajarvi-Svenson and second-round pick (40th overall) Anton Lander are closer to being Oilers than ever before. Robin Brownlee reported that while Tambellini is obviously visiting the IIHF hockey tournament to see Canada and Jordan Eberle play, the big reason for his visit is to finalize contracts with the two Swedes.

As Brownlee put it, "Don't be surprised if announcements about contracts for both are made by the end of the tournament." MPS is becoming widely known as the one Oiler prospect above all others most ready to step into the NHL lineup. Jordan Eberle and whomever the Oilers draft are among the most anticipated arrival by Oiler fans, but experts suggest MPS could have the biggest impact.

If his current play for Sweden is any indication, the experts may be right.

Anoton Lander is known as the type of prospect that not only has great skill but is a natural leader and been considered captain material on almost every team he's played.

Both signings would be big for Edmonton and take care of one of Tambellini's and the Oilers biggest obstacles in the summer of Steve.

One of the beautiful things about being a blogger, is that I can sit in the comfort of my own office when I'm not busy doing the work I'm supposed to focus on and suggest "what if". What if I could trade this guy for that guy? What if I could cut or waive this guy? It's just so easy from this position to make those decisions. But when you consider what is staring Steve Tambellini in the face this summer, would you really want his job?

Think about all that Steve has to do. Some of it which he's already started.

Sure, the whole NHL world knows about how much the face of the Oilers franchise is likely to change at the end of June thanks to the NHL entry draft. The Oilers will pick first overall. Great place to be right?

Of course, except that even this good news comes with bad news. Steve Tambellini can quickly be known as the GM who drafted the wrong guy. Yes, Steve has stated he'll be leaving that decision up to his scouting staff, but it will be Tambellini who falls on the sword if something goes wrong.

In this draft year like no other in recent memory, there is no clear indication of who will or who should go first overall. Taylor Hall was ranked as the top prospect for a while. His play of late as the Memorial Cup is adding fuel to the fire that the Oilers would be nuts to pass up on him. Of course, there was the incredible season of Tyler Seguin in which he won OHL player of the year and was ranked 1st by NHL central scouting.

It's easy to see how this is a decision that could go quite well or quite poorly for the Oilers GM. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Jordan Eberle comes a close second in propsect expectation among media and fans in Edmonton and in the eyes of those who recently caught a glimpse of what he did against Norway at the World Championships.

His four point night only adds speculation that it would be a no brainer to see him in an Oiler uniform next season. Yet, should Tambellini rush that decision and do what has been done to so many prospects before Eberle and hamper his ability; Tambellini again will be to blame. Eberle would become just another name in a long line of players like Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano and others who were in Edmonton before they might have been ready.

Sure, Eberle might in fact be ready. But, how would you like to be Tambellini as the guy who says no, when an entire city and experts watching think you should say yes? Everything points towards giving him a shot in the NHL, but it's a big big risk. One that has proven ineffective before and against everything Tambellini has said thus far in his new plan to give all Oilers prospects time to develop.

Of course, one can't ignore the play of Magnus Svennson who's been nothing short of spectacular for Sweden and a bright spot for the Oilers. A last minute addition to the World championship team, he leads all Swedes in points and is looking more and more like he's the most NHL ready prospect the Oilers have.

Only problem is, MPS isn't officially signed yet. Word is, the signing is close if not imminent, but it's just another item in a long grocery list of things to do for Tambellini and crew. Every day Svensson plays, the Oiler fans grow more weary and concerned the Oilers could somehow miss the boat.

When you consider signings, the Oilers now have a number of players signed. In fact too many. Not enough contracts end this season for the prospects who are anticipated to shake things up in training camp to give them all jobs. Players like Linus Omark, Jordan Eberle, Svensson (when signed), Hartkinen, Cornet and others will be here or in the new AHL farm team. To make matters more complicated, many of these names lack some of the attributes missing from last years team that Tambellini needs to address. He'l be looking to trades and free agency to find more grit, faceoff help and special teams help.

Who goes where is up to Tambellini, but every selection and placement either here or in the AHL will be scrutinized. Those Tambellini keeps will need space on the big club and those they'll be replacing need new homes. Not an easy task when you consider the contracts left to Tambellini by the old regime.

Players like Nilsson, O'Sullivan, Moreau, Souray a goalie and a couple other possibles are the obvious players being shopped, but with likely few takers. The more likely option is that teams will want the services of the Hemsky, Penner, Gilbert, Cogliano, or Gagner type. Will Tambellini make those trades? Only he would know, but they can't be easy decisions to make and ones everyone will second guess over and over.

And of course, these are just the surface problems. Tambellini has a coaching staff to re-evaluate. One that includes a coach like Pat Quinn who recent rumblings are starting to suggest isn't a lock as the repeat head coach for this season. That a possible rift or lack of agreement in coaching philosophy existed between he, his associate coaches and a number of the veterans on the team.

Tambellini has a new training staff to hire, he's got a new Oklahoma City club to staff, roster to fill and is smack in the middle of a new arena debate in the city of champions.

I'm not sure if I could armchair a current GM job, it would be that of the Oilers as the job I'd be looking forward to Would you?

For a minute, I'd like to pose a question.

It seems that the debate over Taylor Hall vs Tyler Seguin isn't one debating the skill of either player. The debate seems now to revolve more around where the Edmonton Oilers need the most help and for that reason alone, Seguin supporters are suggesting the Oilers draft him at #1.

I've yet to actually hear anyone say that Seguin should be drafted simply because he's better. Even Central Scouting, the latest and I think only major scouting agency to list Seguin at #1 overall, isn't doing so for his current skill, but more for his potential at a position that comes in higher demand around the NHL.

Furthermore, Seguin is being projected at a higher level than Hall. David Staples has a great read here on what that means if interested.

Tyler Seguin was a great player on a not as great a team in Plymouth. Taylor Hall was a star winger on a loaded team in Windsor. Those are facts as we know them and explanations by many who suggest that because Seguin was able to produce with a lesser supporting cast, his numbers mean more.

So, here's my question.

What if both players had played their junior career at center?

Sure, it's a loaded question because we know that's not what happened and we don't know what Hall's numbers would have looked like.

What we do know from the accounts of the many scouts, coaches and players who've provided information and testimonials about Hall, is that he's a natural athlete. He possessed skills that made him a great draft when he was selected into the OHL and his inability to play the position wasn't reason for the switch to LW.

Windsor coach Bob Boughner stated Hall's move to LW wasn't because Hall couldn't effectively play the center position, but because Boughner had a team with plenty of center depth and he thought a player with Hall's skills could make the switch. Moreover, Boughner enjoyed watching a player with Hall's speed play wing and literally fly around the defender on an offensive rush. He slated him there to better utilize the other members of the Windsor team.

Had Boughner not had that extra depth, Hall might have spent his OHL time at center. It's a bold guess and there isn't much evidence to suggest Hall's numbers would have been the same as they are now, but it's not a stretch to imagine they'd still be great and Hall wouldn't still be listed as a top tier draft choice in this years NHL lottery.

For those out there that are looking less at the player and more the position that the Oilers need to fill, would you think differently if Hall were thought of as a center and not a winger? Or even a 50/50 split should he have played a lot of time there?

Does it help or confuse your decision if you were given the impression that Hall could play either position in the NHL effectively? Since we really don't know how either player will make the transition, would that versatility be nice to have in your next superstar and would it make you change your mind knowing Hall can play both while Seguin is known purely as a center and not a winger?

Food for thought.

A couple of quick posts by the Edmonton Journal's Jim Matheson and Oilers Nation Robin Brownlee suggests what they thought was an unhappy and likely to be exiting Ales Hemsky, may have changed his tune.

Information presented to them in respect to a year end exit meeting between Hemsky and the Oilers, suggest Hemsky is now not only perhaps not looking to sign elsewhere at the end of his current contract, but excited about the Oilers current plans. If both Matheson and Brownlee were previously under the impression Hemsky was giving out feelers that he'd be leaving; what exactly happened at that meeting?

It's no secret that Ales Hemsky hasn't exactly been surrounded by a winning supporting cast. Ryan Smyth, Shawn Horcoff, Dustin Penner and other temporary fill-ins have tried, but none have yet to live up to the "superstar" billing that seems to surround Hemsky (even though Hemsky's numbers do not fully suggest he himself is a superstar). Ryan Smyth might be the closest.

As a result, the Oilers have done literally everything in their power to land a scoring winger to play with Hemsky. Marian Hossa, Dany Heatley, Thomas Vanek, even Dustin Penner who has had some mild success, were sought out or brought in to work with Hemmer and create that "top line" the Oilers haven't had in years.

In many cases, this never-ending quest has come at the detriment of the team.

This isn't to say that the attempts at centers like Michael Nylander or Paul Kariya weren't also done for the same reasons; but the publicity surrounding the failed attempts of someone Hemsky might click with, seem to start and end with well known and top level talent wingers. Heck even the Jagr rumors continued to float around until it was recently announced Jagr had officially re-upped in the KHL.

Does that mean that when the Oilers Steve Tamebellini and possibly Daryl Katz (as we have learned spent a good two hours chatting with Hemsky one-on-one over coffee) sat down with Hemsky to end this horrid season, that something like, "Hemmer...we're about to draft you the linemate you've always wanted. This is a big opportunity for you and the Edmonton Oilers" came out?

If anything similar to it was the focus of that conversation, the natural fit might seem to mean that Taylor Hall fits the bill better than Tyler Seguin would.

Hall, by all accounts, will make an immediate impact in the NHL. It won't come as a surprise to anyone to see him get top line ice time in 5-on-5 situations and the powerplay; and the logic behind it being to bury some of the beauty passes Hemsky can dish out. Hall has proven to be a big game player, has the ability to shoot and pass and he along side Hemsky should improve a player like Shawn Horcoff immensely, who everyone knows the Oilers can't and aren't getting rid of.

Perhaps the thought a player like Hall has Hemsky excited. That maybe, Hemsky can be a new leader on this team with a young scoring superstar who has the potential to be just as flashy as he is.

On the other hand, since we know little about what's really going on in Hemsky's mind, perhaps he's more open to the idea of a true first line center?

And, all of a sudden we're back to where we started. I guess, this is why it's fun to speculate, but really know nothing until the parties involved start to actually tip their hands. What do you think?

If you're a hockey fan you might be watching the playoffs no matter which teams play each other. Perhaps you are a Canadian and Montreal or Vancouver are your teams of choice. My suggestion, is that if you're an Edmonton Oiler fan, perhaps you take just a moment to give a little nod to the hockey gods that the Boston Bruins get to the finals.

The catch? In the end, we need Boston to lose.

If the Boston Bruins can do everything except win the actual Stanley Cup, imagine what the mindset of the team, the GM and the fans would be knowing that perhaps they are just a mere nip and tuck away from winning the whole thing next season.

Take into consideration a few things that lead me along this line of thinking.

First, the Bruins already have the 2nd overall pick coming to them in this years NHL entry draft. They'll be getting either Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall. Who they get, is up to the Oilers.

That said, it's no secret the Bruins want Taylor Hall. They're deep at center and want a player who will make an impact sooner rather than later. Everything we've heard to date about Hall fits their needs perfectly and the Oilers hope to take advantage of the Bruins need for a winger and not a center. The Oilers need both so Boston shouldn't gamble on thinking they know who the Oilers will take.

Second, the Bruins have most of their core locked up for just one more season after this current campaign. Come 2011/2012, players like Zdeno Chara, Marco Sturm and Patrice Bergeron all hit the UFA market. The Bruins will be unlikely to keep that core in tact and for them to win, the time is either this year or next with the squad they have. Can they replace other peices down the road? Sure. Would they rather make slight improvements to what seems to be a winning formula? That's more likely.

In short, the Bruins are the exact opposite of a rebuilding Oilers team. Their attitude is win now, as it rightfully should be.

If Boston comes ever so close without winning it all, they'll have tough decisions after using available money to resign players like Blake Wheeler and possibly Miroslav Satan or Recchi on the cheap (if they can get them on the cheap both are having tremendous playoffs seasons and have likely garnered some attention from other GM's).

If Boston successfully signs these players and then whatever draft selection they take, they'll quickly use up much of their $8 million in cap space for next year and will contemplate clearing out space. Maybe they'll look to trade a player like Michael Ryder. Maybe they'll toy with not re-signing with a player like Denis Seidenberg. Both cut even more into the limited space available and might be seen as less than key ingredients in this current and future cup runs.

Part of the decision will boil down to whether or not players available to them in trade or free agency are a slight improvement over the options available to them currently. Free agency might be a stretch since Boston just doesn't have the space to pay the going rate. So too, free agency doesn't allow them to eliminate cap space while a trade or two would.

Enter the Edmonton Oilers.

Would Sheldon Souray be an improvement over Denis Seidenberg? Boston might think so. A one two punch of Souray and Chara has a nice ring to it and if in the process Boston could move Michael Ryder they'd consider it. I'd bet the Oilers would make that move as well, if for no other reason than to say goodbye to Souray and hello to a lesser cap hit for one year.

Maybe even more, the Bruins take interest in a fourth line grinder like Ethan Moreau. Moreau brings playoff experience, grit and leadership. He also brings a contract about to expire which could make Moreau more attractive to the Bruins when other teams have clearly shown no interest.

The Oilers would be happy to send an overpaid Moreau for an overpaid Ryder, if it meant they could get rid of an overpaid and unhappy Souray. Perhaps adding Souray means the Bruins move one more peice of the blueline and an experienced NHL defencman like Andrew Ference to clear more space? He sounds like a thrown in, but Ference is a legit experienced d-man who can help the Oilers.

In one swoop, the Oilers move Souray and Moreau while adding Ference and Ryder. The Oilers pick up $6.2 million in cap space and move $7.4. It adds $1.2 million to the Bruins current payroll, but nothing that hampers them to make other smaller moves and they improve their team for another push to finally win the cup.

Don't think Boston would do it? Consider this a lateral move at best? What if the Oilers offered up the 1st overall pick for the 2nd, thus guaranteeing that the Bruins get their man Taylor Hall and the Oilers draft Tyler Seguin?

The Bruins have Souray, Hall and Moreau while the Oilers have Ryder, Ference and Seguin. I don't see this as too big a stretch. The beauty is, this isn't the only combination of options that work between Boston and Edmonton. What would you do?

The Edmonton Oilers are looking to move Sheldon Souray. Where they move him will be a focus of discussion up to this years draft and possibly after if they can't find a taker.

Perhaps the following is an option for Edmonton. Would you consider it?

Realistically, there will be two types of teams who might want Souray. One is a team that is losing a big name high ticket d-man and needs to replace them a la San Jose who might be losing Rob Blake to retirement. Or... a team that has a bigger ticket than Sheldon Souray and would be willing to take a more ageing veteran blueliner like Souray to move some cap space a la Chicago and Brian Campbell.

Once Chicago ends this year playoff run, some big decisions are going to need to be made. Without re-signing any of the players up for pending RFA and UFA status, the Blackhawks are over the cap by $700,000 (according to capgeek.com)

Chicago might be willing to move a player like Campbell and take some salary back if they can keep the core of their team together and get under the cap. With Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, the signing of Campbell isn't quite as meaningful to the Blackhawks as it was when it happened.

The Oilers however, with an exiting Sheldon Souray could perhaps use the services of a veteran offensive powerplay specialist like Campbell. Sure, he's overpaid, but he provides great offensive consistency having gotten near or over 50 points per season in the last five years.

So, if you were Edmonton, would you take on Campbell's offensive skill and bloated salary if as a result you could move say a Sheldon Souray and an Ethan Moreau or Robert Nilsson?

Obviously there are two big conditions here. One, is that Chicago throws in another small player salary to Edmonton to again get under the cap. Two, the Brian Campbell, who has a no trade clause in which he can name 8 teams for which he's accept a trade, were to include Edmonton in that list.

Big if's I suppose, but Campbell coming back to the Blackhawk line-up tonight and no one really seeming to care, got me thinking about it.

The Oilers are in a serious rebuild. For that, there is no doubt. They'll be selecting first overall in this coming NHL entry draft taking either Tyler Seguin or Taylor Hall. In a way, it's kind of like the biggest free agent signing of the summer.

Outside of that, the Oilers have recently made it clear, that while they'll be active in the trade market and free agency, they'll be no attempting to land the big fish in Edmonton this year. Recent interviews with Oilers GM Steve Tambellini and Oilers Owner Daryl Katz back up that comment as both are on board to take the time required for a proper rebuild.

Again, they'll be no fishing for free agents.

But what if one came calling?

Let's for a second pretend, that with all the shifting that's bound to happen in a tightly wound salary cap NHL and teams like San Jose (should they not win the first round of the playoffs) or players like Ilya Kovalchuk, Tomas Plekanec at forward or Anton Volchenkov and Dan Hamhuis at defense looking for a raise, should the Oilers listen if a simple phone call results in some interest?

The goal for the Edmonton Oilers is to do two things: 1) Move out the losers and big money contracts that either don't want to be here or shouldn't be here because they were to mistakes to sign in the first place and 2) replace those players with a mixture of new young ready to play NHL talent and smarter free agent signings or trades.

Knowing that many of the faces currently on the Oilers team roster are not part of the big plans, you have to fill space with someone. Those someones aren't and perhaps shouldn't be all kids who may or may not be ready for the NHL. We've seen the Oilers try that before and it doesn't end well, often hampering growth.

If Patrick Marleau was to be moved from San Jose because the Sharks needed to shake things up and his $6-$7 million salary wasn't something they could stomach, he'd need to go and would go somewhere. If the Oilers successfully moved Souray, O'Sullivan and Nilsson, they'd have plenty of room.

Or, if the Jagr rumors were actually true and he'd consider playing here for a year or two at a decent salary (say $2.5 million per) would you bring in a proven superstar, who even if he doesn't still have the goods, can teach the young players getting ready to be the Oilers next future wonder kids?

What if Dan Hamhuis, who is sure to get a raise and the Oilers absolutely think will be a stud would consider signing a 7 year $3.5 million per contract, would you do it? He's 27 and as steady as they come on the back-end for young blue-liners on the UFA market.

If they came a knocking, would you answer? Or would you stay the course no matter how tempting with the notion that to do a rebuild, it must be done right.

We began yesterday by taking a look at who might likely stay (keeper) and who might likely go (mover) in Tambellini's ideal new Oilers culture. Only one real player, Aaron Johnson seemed to be in the middle (tweener) because he seems the kind of player Tambellini would like, but if a better skilled and more proven blueliner comes in, could spell the end for Johnson on this team.

Let's look similarly at the fowards.

Dustin Penner

It's hard to imagine that Tambellini would have been referring to Penner when he commented on the year end meetings in which certain players talk about scoring 5 more goals and the team sucking, but Dustin Penner does fit the 5 more goals description before this past season in which he jumped from 17 to 32 goals. Penner seems to be finally understanding what using his size, skill and natural ability are all about and not coincidentally, players who played on Penner's line, played better. When he's not forced to play as much as he did, he should be able to better maintain his energy level and the Oilers lack 30 goal scorers.

He took the MacTavish years with professionalism, he seems to be a player his teammates respect and he's not once said a bad thing about Edmonton or the Oilers franchise, even though he's been given ample opportunity.

Keeper

Ales Hemsky

He is easily the Oilers most skilled players and if he could have even one full season healthy should be an 80 point player. He works great with Penner, he'd be a treat for a player like Taylor Hall who wants the pass (if that's who the Oilers draft) or would finally have a possible number one centre in Tyler Seguin.

The problem, is that rumors are that the Oilers wonder if Hemsky would stay after his contract is up and with only two years, would that be enough time with this new draft pick to wet Hemsky's appetite to staying.

He's still a bargain at just over $4 million, but, he has trade value, is often injured and may not be known as the ultimate team player. So too, what good is a player who only has two years left, when the team is two years from being a competitive one.

Tweener (depending on the trade value coming back)

Shawn Horcoff

I believe that Horcoff can still be a 60-65 point regular NHL'er. No, he's not worth the $5.5 cap hit, but he does offer a lot of other intangibles. He's ideally what the Oiler management team wants to see from its players in terms of attitude, effort, leadership and determination to improve. Horcoff not only likes being an Oiler, but he's the first to call other players and possible signings and preach the organization and the city.

All that may be irrelevant, as few if any teams would consider taking his contract on until he gets another 65 point season, so whether or not Edmonton wants him, their stuck with him.

Keeper

Sam Gagner

Young, talented, and just scraping the surface of what he'll become. He's got the right attitude even when delegated to the 4th line to start the year. Gagner simply knows he has to work his way back up to the top six. He's streaky, but he's also going to be a great 2nd line centre (with potential for top line time) for the start of what will likely be a long term contract.

A rebuild requires players that are young, have great upside and fall into the core group of where you want to go. That is Sam Gagner to a tee.

Keeper

Robert Nilsson

He's got great skill, maybe second only to Hemsky; but he's streaky, he's paid too much and with similar players coming in, he's an odd man out when there are so many others like him. It doesn't help he's had a less than perfect relationship with coaches, his effort to improve his overall game and he seems to be a healthy scratch as often as a sure bet to make the line-up type player.

Side Note* Calgary will be looking for skill and with the tradition of trades between Calgary and Edmonton now started, perhaps he makes a move there. That is of course if Sutter is still in charge. Sutter seems to be keen on taking failed players in one environment and giving them a shot in another.

Mover

Andrew Cogliano

There's no way if I were Tambellini that I'd trade this kid. But, I'm not privy to the offers that come to him for Cogs and if the right offer is there, I suppose it would have to be considered. Cogliano does provide a lot of the same skillset that other Oiler players do and if there's one thing for certain, there are too many of the same type players here.

Cogliano still amazes me with his speed even though I know how fast he is. With the right linemates, he's an excellent offensive weapon and he's not afraid to get dirty, which Tambellini needs.

If he's cheap to re-sign and the offers don't make sense to move him...

Tweener

Patrick O'Sullivan

He took the NHL trophy for plus/minus on the wrong end at -35. He scored a whole lot less than he was supposed to and he makes about $1 million more than he should.

I'm biased here, because I had huge hopes for O'Sullivan more than maybe any other Oiler to start the year. I now realize that a big problem exists and that is who would want him. He seems to be the exact "me first" type player Tambellini wants to move out (ironic since Tambo traded for him) and O'Sullivan has whined in the past about ice-time and position. Not a good combination.

He's a prime candidate for a buy-out or a big contract buried in the minors if the status of his deal allows for it.

Mover

Fernando Pisani

If and only if, the Oilers need roster players at league minimum in terms of salary, and Pisani would be willing to take it should he be considered. He's still bringing some traits to the table, he's simply not worth a high price tag and his health is a concern.

Tweener

Mike Comrie

I like Comrie. I think his plan was to jump-start his comeback by signing in Edmonton where he'd have a chance to shine, lead, and enjoy himself after learning from past history. I'd make s bet he's also not opposed to finishing his career here. He's a good example of what being an Oiler means after learning the hard way what not to do and he still has great goal scoring skill from any line and with any players. Healthy, he'd have been on pace for 25 goals and 40 points.

You need a player like him at a smaller salary to plug holes and teams like Phoenix and others signed a ton of these type of UFA lates, showing how successful that strategy can be. Comrie makes sense from a mentor point of view and he's known as a guy everyone likes and one that purely loves to come to the rink and play hockey.

Keeper

Ethan Moreau

The Oilers may ride out his contract and ask him to play a physical banger role the rest of his days as an Oiler. He still has the ability to play, as was evident with his newfound ethusiasm after realizing the Oilers couldn't trade him at the deadline because nobody wanted him; but I'd prefer him on the 3rd line checking role or 4th line grinder to a JF Jacques and since the Oilers won't contend next year and he simply comes off the books instead of a buyout.

I'd have said the same for O'Sullivan, but I think Sully more than Moreau is a negative in that dressing room. Moreau may run that risk too if he's acting as if he's not wanted and pouts his way to the end of his career instead of playing for a chance to continue it.

Tweener, but more Keeper than Mover

Zack Stortini

He's the perfect fit for this Oiler team right now. He understands his role is to stir things up and bang bodies. He has no problem taking it to the net, making the Oilers harder to play against and his ultimate goal is to be a regular third line player. You can't find a better example of what the Oilers should emulate in terms of heart. The Oilers just don't have enough of him.

He's not very skilled, but more-so than other 4th liners who only fight. Stortini can get you 7-10 goals if lucky and can actually burn the opposition if they see him as only a scrapper.

Keeper

Ryan Potulny

He's done well to be asked to join Team USA, but he seems the odd man out if the Oilers are moving players that are too much like each other. His goal total was impressive considering no one expected it, and he's got mad offensive skill and puck moves, but much of that came on the power play in gravy type ice-time and during the shoot-outs where he looked better than just good.

I like Potulny, but as an RFA, I see his 15 goalsin 64 games more as a carrot to dangle in trade.

Mover

Gilbert Brule

This kid is part of the core going forward for sure. He's getting better and better and understanding the NHL game more and more. He's got the skill to play top six, but has the grit to fit in your bottom six too. He would have had 20 goals if not for injury at the end of the year and he earned a lot of those the hard way by crashing and banging and picking up the goals many forwards don't like to pay the price for.

What the Oilers sign him for will be key, as they need his style of play but can't afford to overpay for it, but my guess is he appreciates the team giving him a second chance after Columbus and he'll prove to be a strong Oiler.

Keeper

Marc Pouliot

Pouliot has great skill, but I believe he's being mis-placed on this roster. He's been showing a lot more attention to earning his results with a strong effort to end the year and despite missing almost 50 games, had seven goals and fourteen points. Is that great? No, not compared to a player like Comrie who had 13 goals and 7 more points in only 8 more games; but Pouliot may now be showing signs of becoming the player the Oilers drafted so high.

It might be a shame to give up on him now if he's just starting to come into his own. Some players take a while to adjust and Pouliot's injuries had to help slow that process. I'd like to see the Oilers do with Pouliot what they did with Gagner at the start of last year. 4th line and make it clear, they expect him with his skills to elevate himself past that point if he wants to keep a job.
Tweener

Ryan Jones

He's got an ability to score from the 4th line and doesn't lack the size or grit to be there. The Oilers picked him off waivers for a reason and they need a few guys who have defined bottom six roles on this team where Jones fits nicely. With only one year left at a low salary, he makes sense to keep around too.

Keeper

Ryan Stone

I liked Stone and the element he brought, but he's another odd man out if he can't be a grinder on the 4th line. Is he a solid 4th line centre, who can bang but also play? Maybe, but he wasn't started there last season and he can't be a 2nd line guy since there has to be a place for players like Eberle and Hall/Seguin. While they aren't comparable style players, some bodies have to go.

Mover

JF Jacques

Tambellini likes him and so do I on the 4th line. He's not first line player like he was positioned for at the start of last year, but he needs to do what he did at the beginning which was hit everyone that moved on the other team. In that role he's effective and he's not expensive. He's also willing to fight but has more offensive upside than a fighter. Quinn and Tambellini both seem to like that about him.

Tweener

Our next article will be to take stock of our advice and see what kind of line-up that gives the Oilers. Where does it leave room for incoming prospects or talent? How does Tambellini move some of the movers?

Tough call, but that too should be fun to speculate on.