"Oilers Potential Draft Targets"

While there are some out there in Oilerland who can feed you deeper info on draft picks past the second round, I am not one of those. Each year I follow close to 50 prospects draft eligible across the world but mostly of course in the CHL. Following any more at any length would take up a whole lot of time and God knows, I spend enough time, year round on following prospects that are draft eligible in addition to those drafted already by the Edmonton Oilers.

I mentioned the list below a few blogs back so wanted to revisit the list today with Combine wrapping up and draft time quickly arriving. This list is what I believe would represent players the Oilers are interested in should there be a chance to draft one of them.

OILERS POTENTIAL LIST FOR THE 2012 NHL ENTRY DRAFT:

1) Nail Yakupov

2) Alex Galchenyuk

3) Ryan Murray

4) Morgan Rielly

5) Mikhail Grigorenko

6) Griffin Reinhart

7) Jacob Trouba

8) Radek Faksa

9) Olli Maatta

10) Brendan Gaunce

11) Zemgus Girgensons

12) Tom Wilson

13) Derrick Pouliot

14) Henrik Samuelsson

15) Slater Koekkoek

This list is a idea of really the top 2 picks at this years 2012 NHL Entry Draft. In other words, the Oilers will pick 1st or trade down maybe 2-4 picks and then get a second pick by the 31st pick OV. My guess is that the Oilers will select the 1OV as the asking price will be too high for other teams and the gamble will be too much of a factor to not pick Nail Yakupov. However let's go over the list of possibilities, even if I don't like some of those.

Possibility #1:

Oilers select Nail Yakupov as 1st OV then try to find a defencemen or potential big centermen but more likely a large power forward with 2nd pick.

Possibility #2: 

Oilers take Yakupov at #1 and then trade up from 31 by adding a prospect or current Oiler roster player

Possibility #3:

Oilers trade with Columbus and then select Murray with second pick. They will wait it out til #31 and go with BPA with hope that a power forward is available. (of course if this trade happens it would mean Marc Methot or Ryan Johansen is a Oiler)

Possibility #4:

Trade with Montreal and select Murray/Galchenyuk and or Grigorenko at that spot and in that order of availability. Next pick would be aimed at a big power forward still (This would mean that the Oilers have gotten PK Subban)

Possibility #5:

Trade picks with Islanders and take Murray, Galchenyuk or Grigorenko at that spot and in that order of availability. (This would mean the Islanders have likely traded Strome to the Oilers to make that happen)

Possibility #6:

I see no trade possibility with Toronto unless they were to do a Schenn, #5 pick and their 2nd round selection in exchange for #1 OV. (I highly doubt Toronto would throw in the 2nd round selection but anything less would not be worthwhile gamble for the Oilers)

 My prediction? 

1st pick: Nail Yakupov

2nd pick:Tom Wilson OR Henrik Samuelsson 

*Should the Oilers want a centermen it is possible they could try to trade up for a centre men like Faksa or Girgensons. If they have a good chance to get a good defencemen they could trade up also to snag one of Maatta, Ceci or Koekkoek. Maatta will not last past top 10 IMO.

For Oiler ,Baron and Thunder news and the 2012 or 2013 NHL draft watch go to www.twitter.com/revingev