The Edmonton Oilers will hold on to the number 1 pick in the 2012 NHL Draft and not trade down, reports Sportsnet’s Mark Spector.
The club won’t decide until Thursday night or Friday morning whom they will draft.
The NHL Entry Draft begins June 22 in Pittsburgh.
#Oilers won’t trade No. 1 overall pick. Also won’t decide until Thursday night, Friday morning who they’ll take. — Mark Spector Sports (@SportsnetSpec) June 15, 2012
#Oilers won’t trade No. 1 overall pick. Also won’t decide until Thursday night, Friday morning who they’ll take.
— Mark Spector Sports (@SportsnetSpec) June 15, 2012
With Sarnia Sting sniper Nail Yakupov slotted as the favourite to be drafted first overall, and the Oilers’ roster flush with skilled, young forwards, there’s been plenty of speculation that the Oilers might trade down from the top spot in order to fill an immediate need by selecting one of the top-tier defencemen up for grabs.
No. 1 pick too costly. From Leafs, would have to include a Gardiner. From Habs, a Subban. Neither team willing, so Oilers will draft. — Mark Spector Sports (@SportsnetSpec) June 15, 2012
No. 1 pick too costly. From Leafs, would have to include a Gardiner. From Habs, a Subban. Neither team willing, so Oilers will draft.
A number of players could fill the defensive void for the Oilers if they decide not to take a forward. Ryan Murray, Matthew Dumba, Griffin Reinhart, Morgan Rielly, Jacob Trouba, Derrick Pouliot, Cody Ceci, Matt Finn and Olli Maatta headline a deep draft class of defencemen.
A team has traded the No. 1 pick only four times in NHL history. Two of those times were in the same draft year, and recently hired Montreal Canadiens executive Rick Dudley was behind each one.
