The first think you have to resolve is what do the Jackets need? Offense or Defense? note there is no Goaltender ranked high enough for a #1/2 pick.
Let’s go with offense today.
The recent post from The Cannon again got me to thinking about my favorite scenero with the draft and the #1 pick. Before we rerun that thought again, let me remind you that Ryan Murrey the highest rated defenseman in the draft played for team Canada in the IIHL world tournament. As far as I can find out, he did not play stellar, but he was not a wide gaping hole either. And this is being said about a young kid who has been playing Junior Hockey all year and now going against the best of the World. This particular opportunity was arranged by Edmonton executive Kevin Lowe. But guess who else played for team Canada as a Defenseman? Marc Methot. Again an up close and personal observation opportunity by Edmonton’s Kevin Lowe. But, did Marc play well enough to impress?
Now, there’s not a lot of difference between #1 and #2 picking order. Particularly if you don’t actually need the #1. But here is where the gunslinger, riverboat gambler side of the GM must come in. What can you bluff up to get for something you might give away {by choosing a defenseman} if nothing works out?
To me the Jackets would have to give something, but not a lot. Soooo. I propose that the Oilers would get the #2 pick from the Jackets and Marc Methot in exchange for the Oilers #1 pick and ???. And that ???? my friend is where the GM must earn his paycheck. Originally I had thought something like the Oiler’s #3 pick, but I’m not sure the draft is that deep this year. So what could the ???? be? It could be a prospect, It could be a future draft pick. It could be a current player. Scott Howson has shown good ability for finding gems among the rubble, so let him do it again.
This is a trade that I think both sides could declare themselves as winners. The Jackets would get Nail and ???? The Oilers would get 2 defensemen for essentially 1 draft pick [ and a + ?]
And of course if this fails, the next 3 ranked prospects are offensive players. I would choose Filip Forsberg over Mikhail Grigorenko or Alex Galchenyuk, as he has the least downside known and the Russians are paying big $ for NHL players, why not NHL draftees. So you could draft a Russian, and never sign him.