Fansided Mock Draft Pick 1 – Edmonton Oilers

Once again this season the Fansided NHL Network will be participating in a mock draft where the representative Site will select for their team.  With the draft now less than four weeks away, our draft has begun, with Oil On Whyte selecting first overall on behalf of the Edmonton Oilers.

Pick #1. The Oilers select Nail Yakupov, RW from the OHL’s Sarnia Sting

http://oilonwhyte.com/2012/05/23/fansided-mock-draft-oil-on-whyte-selects-nail-yakupov

Click the link to visit Oil On Whyte to see their explanation for the selection.

Senshot’s Take

While the Oilers have the first selection for the third straight year, they continue to be hampered by the fact that the concensus #1 prospect is a forward.  With a solid stable of under 23 forwards, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the Oilers trade down a spot or two to use the pick to net some help on the blue line.  That is where the need currently exists, and the Oilers aren’t going anywhere until that hole is addressed.  Using the #1 pick as a carrot they could wrangle a roster defenseman plus one of the plethora of franchise level defenseman available this year such as Ryan Murray, Cody Ceci or Matthew Dumba.

However, trades are not in the equation for this mock draft and the Oilers aren’t still in the position where they need to take the best available player, and Yakupov is that player.

However, if they can swap this pick for a package that includes a potential #1 goalie for the long term, then that might also be something for the Oil to consider come draft day.  Either way, it will certainly be interesting with rumors abound in the coming weeks.