from Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal,
Odds are high they deal their 10th overall pick this June because whatever teenage defenceman is available at that spot is probably two to three years away from playing in the NHL — think Ty Smith in Spokane of the Western Hockey League or Noah Dobson in Acadie-Bathurst of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League — and the Oilers don’t want to waste any more of Connor McDavid’s prime years waiting for help down the road.
They need immediate offensive punch for a defence that had 29 goals last year.
And no, they can’t afford to trade for Ottawa Senators superstar Erik Karlsson.
“A player at No. 9 or No. 10 isn’t going to play next year,” Oilers general manager Peter Chiarelli said recently. “We’ll certainly listen to offers, and if there is a trade, it would probably be on the draft floor.”
Rest assured, he’ll be the one making more calls than taking them for the pick.
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