From David Staples of the Edmonton Journal:
Sure, the Oilers should try to trade for a top player, but not if he is 29 or 30 years old, nearing the end of his peak years. Sure, trade for a star, but only if he 24 or 25, not if he is anywhere close to past his prime and with a massive long-term contract in his back pocket.
Go for a player only if he fits into the overall scheme, if he can help not so much next year but in two or three years when Gagner, Cogliano and Nilsson are ready to lead this team deep into the playoffs. And only make this kind of move for a top talent if it leaves room in the budget for the contract that a player like Gagner is sure to command.
So for next year, the glass is half empty for me.
Read the entire entry from Cult of Hockey here.
It seems most Oilers bloggers are stressing patience with this current squad and that is a good idea. As Staples points out, the team needs to allow its core to develop. Adding veteran players to contend now does nothing but cost the team cap room without moving close enough to the team’s ultimate goal of the Stanley Cup.
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