2012 NHL Draft: How Oilers Can Ride Third Straight Top Pick into Contention

Edmonton Oilers fans, your agony could be over shortly. The return to the glory days may be closer than you think. The Oilers just won their third consecutive NHL draft lottery.

What did they win?

The right to select first in the annual NHL draft. You may be thinking, "They have had the top pick for the past two years, and it hasn't turned into a playoff team. Why will this pick be any different?"

Well, if they depend entirely on the strength of the draft picks, then it'll be more frustration. There needs to be a sound strategy that combines free agency and utilizing the draft to return to prominence.

The No. 1 prospect is Nail Yakupov. The young Russian swept the NHL central scouting rankings.

Should the Oilers just take the best prospect available even though they already have players in a similar mold?

The young trio of Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins reminds me of the Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp.

Only the Oilers are even younger, and their ceiling is even higher. Hall and Nugent-Hopkins were taken with the last two top picks, and they combined for 105 points this season.

At 21, 20 and 18 years of age respectively, they are headed up, as long as they stay healthy.

Should they take Yakupov and get even younger, while adding a truly dynamic young prospect?

I say no.

This is the first step to winning in Edmonton—sooner rather than later.

Trade the Top Pick

As great as Yakupov looks to be, this is about building a team, not stockpiling talent. There will be tons of interest in Yakupov. At 18, with his skill set, teams will be heavily in pursuit of him.

The Oilers need to add toughness and physicality to their wings and defensemen.

Ben Eager does provide that element, but the Oilers would benefit more if that edge came from a more well-rounded and skilled player.

There is also a need for more size amongst their defensemen. They have one true crease monster, and that is the 6'6" Andy Sutton—but he's 37 years old. The Oilers could stand to get younger there.

Trading the top selection to a team that can offer a package of two defensemen, a swap of current draft picks and a future pick would be fair.

After all, the top pick in the NHL draft has proven most successful in recent years. Combine that with the prospect of adding Yakupov and the value of the pick should be high.

The Oilers' 239 goals allowed were the second-most in the Western Conference. They must improve this number to take the next step.

Sign a Goalie

Nikolai Khabibulin is so far removed from his glory days, it isn't even funny—especially if you're an Oilers fan.

Devan Dubnyk has done nothing to distinguish himself either. He could be maintained as a second option, but the Oilers should chase free agent Josh Harding from Minnesota.

Harding is only 27 and he hasn't had a ton of opportunities to play behind Nicklas Backstrom, but he has potential.

Moreover, he won't command a huge salary. Harding would represent a much-needed improvement in net for the Oilers.

Once these two steps are followed, the natural maturation of the Oilers' three young studs will have the balance and support to elevate the team into contention.

Without the toughness and defense, this team will remain out of the playoff picture.