The 2016 NHL Entry Draft And Beyond

As of this moment, the Edmonton Oilers sit in the basement of the Western Conference with 38 points and find themselves ahead of just one team in the overall league standings. While this club has shown signs of improvement in some areas, they are still staring at the very real possibility of heading into the 2016 NHL Entry Draft with yet another lottery pick. 

Moroz will need time to develop

When the Edmonton Oilers decided to use their second round pick of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft on Edmonton Oil Kings forward Mitch Moroz, it left many an Oiler fan scratching their head. While no one should have been surprised to see the club take a chance on one of their so-called “homegrown” talents, the fact the organization used the thirty-second overall selection to grab the native of Calgary, Alberta is what confused so many.

Patience level at an all-time low for Oiler fans

With the 2014 NHL Entry Draft now less than a week away, the Edmonton Oilers have once again become relevant in hockey circles. Unfortunately for them, the only time this happens is leading up to draft day and it is a scenario this fan base has truly grown tired of. 

Drafting Aaron Ekblad

There is no question that the Edmonton Oilers greatest area of organizational need is at centre ice. 
Outside of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and the polarizing figure that has become Sam Gagner, the Oilers cupboards are completely bare when it comes to options down the middle of the rink. 

Time to be bold!!!

With the NHL Entry Draft roughly three weeks away, fans of the Edmonton Oilers appear to be split on who the club should grab with the third overall selection. In a perfect world they would love to have Aaron Ekblad fall into their lap but the chances of the Barrie Colts defenceman still being around appear to be slim and none. 

Taylor Hall is an elite offensive weapon

As good as Taylor Hall has been during his first four seasons in the National Hockey League, there are those who feel he still has a long way to go before becoming one of the top players in the game today. While the Edmonton Oilers star winger certainly has room to grow as a player, this notion of him being this irresponsible kid who refuses to conform his game is almost laughable.

How Predictable

When NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly opened up the final envelope of the 2014 Draft Lottery and pulled out the card of the Florida Panthers, all I could do was shake my head. Through eighty-one games, the Edmonton Oilers sat 29th in the overall standings, one point ahead of the Panthers.

The Kids Are Not The Problem

With the Edmonton Oilers heading for what could quite possibly be their fourth first overall pick in the last five years, many fans have finally reached their breaking point. Not surprisingly, much of the blame for what currently ills this roster continues to be hurled towards former general manager Steve Tambellini. 

Ehrhoff and Stewart...yes please

In a perfect world, the Edmonton Oilers would walk away from the 2014 NHL Entry Draft with defenceman Aaron Ekblad in their back pocket. As of this moment, they sit 29^th in league standings and are just three points ahead of the last place Buffalo Sabres. While the Sabres have won two straight since the Olympic break, they have already started to deplete their roster via trade.