Sportsnet: Rob Brown on the Kyper and Bourne Present speaking in regards to the Edmonton Oilers and their subsequent 10 video games or so will decide if they could need to make a transfer for a defenseman sooner relatively than later.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Nick Kypreos: “Outdoors of lacking a star participant, we take a look at this roster and it appears lots completely different than the one which ended disappointing Recreation 7. And at what level does it come off of ready for a great bounce or a great break to, okay, (Jeff) Skinner, not the most important man on the earth. (Viktor) Arvidsson, not the most important man on the earth. The blue line bought smaller with Travis Dermott and (Troy) Stecher.
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And when do you begin trying on the roster and saying, we’re not, we’re not precisely the identical as earlier than?
Brown: “Effectively, I agree. I don’t assume the Oilers at present are pretty much as good as Recreation 7 Edmonton Oilers. They, they misplaced some key gamers. They misplaced three guys on their again finish who’re in all probability proper now, all stronger than the three they introduced in.
I feel this subsequent 10-game phase, the Oilers can have a good suggestion of the place they’re as a group, with or with Connor within the lineup, as a result of they’re taking part in good hockey golf equipment. Groups that they’re going to need to problem for playoff spots. Groups which can be going to be first or second-round or third-round opponents within the playoffs.
So I feel they’ll begin to see what warts they’ve. What issues they’ve which will have been dangerous balances, or possibly we’re not as large, possibly we’re not as quick.
And you then see among the gamers that left the Oilers having success. I feel Warren Foegele as much as 4 targets. McLeod’s as much as 5. Broberg has been a stud in St Louis.
So it’s the Oilers, I feel within the subsequent 10 video games, will begin to notice the place they’re as a group. The GM will take a look at it and say, okay, 20 video games in, what do we now have to do to enhance our group, to get again to the place we need to be?
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And having Connor out and having to name gamers up, that takes away from the cash that they’re attempting to save lots of in cap house for a transfer later within the season. I at all times thought {that a} transfer for a defenseman or top-four defenseman would are available in February, early March. But when the Oilers battle over the subsequent 10 video games. Possibly that transfer must be made earlier.
