Wilderness Walk for 2-2-2012: Game Day Edition

The three Oilers you listed all have much higher ceilings than either Zidlicky or Staubitz. Plus, the two players don’t fit what the Oilers are doing.
Zids is a win-now defensman, and the Oilers are not in a position to win now. In addition, I don’t think the Oilers want another $4 million+ defensman when they already have Ryan Whitney.
Staubitz is an enforcer, and they have 2 of them already in Hordichuk and Peckham.

Your “trade” actually breaks down into two different parts
Zids + Staubits for Paajarvi.
A 3rd round pick for a 1st round pick.
If you were the Oilers GM, would you take this deal, or would you laugh your ass off and then hang up the phone?

And no, they’re keeping Kadri.

Everything I have ever said ever.

I don’t understand the case for “showcasing” the guy to other teams. It’s not like he’s a rookie. He’s a veteran who’s been in the league for a while. The other teams know what he’s about … an offensive defenseman, with a hard shot, who can play the point on a PP. Well, on paper at least.

Especially if the return involves Bjugstad or Rau. Really, I think Fletcher could be able to steal away Rau if he really wanted to.

You’re enjoying this too much. OK, not really.

He’s got a home here and would be a sports god in Minnesota. I’m going try to not dwell on it until the the ink is on the paper.
My great uncle tom told me when I was a boy, Josh don’t aim for the stars, aim for a large hill. The fall hurts a hell of a lot less. My uncle Tom was an unhappy man.

If you listen to every rumor that everyone puts out, Zach Parise is going to somehow play for all 30 teams in the NHL next season. I’ll wait until a contract is signed before I say where he ends up.

I know it sounds crazy, but I expect Dave Tallon to offer a huge contract for Zach Parise. The Panthers have a lot of good, young talent, and Parise could really be the piece they need to be a legitimate threat. A Parise and Bjugstad pairing, possibly with Dadonov on the other wing is a sick line. Add in that the Panthers already have Weiss, Versteeg, and Fleishman, and the Panthers could be a VERY dangerous team with Zach Parise.
Plus, Tallon is willing to offer up huge deals that are hard to turn down. He gave Campbell and Hossa huge UFA contracts. It’s totally within his character to do something like that.