Oilers Trade Deadline: What Should Tambellini Do?

Can you be a seller and a buyer at the deadline? That is the question facing the Edmonton Oilers as the March 4th deadline approaches.

The Oilers were a buyer in 2006, they were relatively higher in the rankings when they brought in Dwayne Roloson and Sergei Samsonov.  They spent most of the season in or on the brink of a playoff spot and there was a feeling that with a goalie better than Ty Conklin, and Jussi Markkanen the Oilers could compete.

In 2009, there is a doubt that the team is on the brink of success.  In fact a vocal fan base has wanted change for most of the season.  Even though the records are similar the expectations are remarkably different.

A Stanley Cup finals can have a drastic effect on expectations.  The Oilers are expected to be in the hunt and have no excuses.

So with this in mind what does the General Manager, Steve Tambellini do? 

The Oilers have three major deficencies which have plagued them for most of the season.

1. The Oilers have no forward scoring on any line. They are one of only four teams not to have a 20 goal scorer, Hemsky is close at 19.  Their next biggest scorer is a defenseman, not good.

2. Dwayne Roloson has been asked to carry the load this year.  It is three years since he led them to the Stanley Cup final and has much more wear on his tires this year.  Can he really carry the team to a final?

3. Defense is too focused on puck movers.  After having none in 2006-07 the team has an over abundance of defensemen who move the puck, almost none of them can play a solid rugged defensive game.

So how can the Oilers plan to fix these problems, or do they sell off over priced veterans for draft picks and start over?

If the Oilers are looking at the short term, in an attempt to repair fan relationships before season ticket renewal begin, then here is what they could do.

Possible rental choices

Forwards:

Tuomo Ruutu - the Carolina forward scores, plays tough and at times is dirty hitter.  He would be an addition who would be of some value in a playoff run.

Miroslav Satan - Pittsburgh's elder statesman and former Oiler would make a good addition, his ability to score would complement Hemsky and has been a clutch performer in the past.

Defensemen:

Sean O'Donnell - Sean has that defense first mentality and leadership experience which would compliment the Oilers but does have a down side of being penalty prone.

Scott Niedermayer - I think it is very unlikely that Scott would want to be a rental player but it is a possibility to consider and him and Souray on the first line would be quite the tandem.

The other, and I think most sensible option would be to off load some of the big ticket veterans who are not living up to their pay checks.  This would gut the present team but certainly if the Oilers want to make a run in the long term then they should probably drop at least two of these.

Ethan Moreau - the captain has at least played all year this year but he has been undisciplined and lacking in the leadership qualities expected from a captain.

Fernando Pisani - the 2006 playoff phenom has been a shadow of that person, partially because of his long term health troubles last few years.  His contract is one of a few that do not match up with reality.

Shawn Horcoff - the hot and cold center is the third highest scorer but has never been a strong first line center.  He is probably more tradeable than the other two.

Rob Schremp - The young Springfield player has not been able to make his way with the team and unless there is an overhaul in the team management it is probably a good time to part ways.

Robert Nilsson - The kid seems at times to be great and at times dreadful, he may live up to expectations but it might be time to cut bait.

Eric Cole - He is a Free Agent at the end of the year, may as well get something for him.

Dustin Penner - It was a mistake to sign this player and he might be able bring in some decent return for someone else.

As I said earlier the Oilers are in a difficult position of being on the brink of being a playoff team.  They need to decide whether they are sellers or buyers.  

Certainly some trade for say a Spezza type of player could happen making the Oilers instantly better as when they brought in Roloson, but the team may just have to recognize they are not in the long term served by maxing their credit card for a small run.