Well its getting close to that time of year that Kevin Lowe needs to make the decision of weather he is a buyer or a seller. It pains me to say it but I don’t think the Oilers will be in the playoff picture this year, with the injuries they’ve taken and the inconsistent play of some key players early in the season they are just too far behind now to make up enough ground to get into the playoffs. I certainly hope that the players don’t give up like they did last year, its time for some young players to make a statement. Kevin Lowe has a lot of good options when it comes to the roster for next season, obviously Gagner and Cogliano are going to be key components to the team as well as Gilbert and perhaps this years most improved player to this point Grebeshkov. So should Lowe be looking at ways to improve the team for next year at this years trade deadline or should he try to get that player to push the team into this years playoffs? Well I’ve already stated my opinion and I think the players that Lowe may be willing to trade that other teams may show interest in are Roloson and Tarnstrom. I’ve stated earlier in the season that the Oilers shouldn’t trade Dwayne Roloson but I now reconsider that position, he is making a lot of money for a backup goalie and there are some teams out there that would be interested in picking up a veteran goalie, especially one who recently carried his team to the Stanley cup finals. The New York Rangers had reportedly made an offer to Curtis Joseph who lets face it is a step or two behind Roloson. So what could Lowe get in return? Well for one thing he clears a lot of cap space next year to help sign some key players who will be restricted free agents. That in itself would be great but throw in a young prospect or a draft pick and I’ll be happy. Then there is Dick Tarnstrom, well lets see, is there any teams out there that would like to have a veteran puck moving d-man? Of course there is, question is what are they willing to trade. Tarnstrom is a rental player as he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, a draft pick or prospect would be acceptable.

There is of course information that we are not privy to that may precipitate bigger, bolder moves by Lowe. Both Jarret Stoll and Joni Pitkannon are going to become restricted free agents this summer and almost certainly will receive an offer sheet after the events of the last off season. I’m sure Lowe has an idea what it will take to sign these players and if its something the team is going to do. If he feels there is not a good chance of signing them then I could see a trade coming by the deadline. With the depth the team has at both center and defense Lowe can afford to trade one or both of these player and get a lot in return, maybe that elite player the team has been waiting for.

The Oilers do have some very promising young players who will be restricted free agents come July 1st and I believe every one of these players will be signed before that date. (Robert Nilsson, Denis Grebeshkov, Tom Gilbert, Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers.) Of course Jarret Stoll and Joni Pitkannon maybe the priority for Lowe as well but is there enough cap to sign them all?

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