Full steam ahead

Oilers ready to punch ticket to the second season

Trade deadline is in the rear view mirror, and now all focus is steering this ship into the playoffs. To say GM Ramsey was pretty busy is an understatement. The movement in and out of the lineup in Edmonton was plentiful. It all pretty much started back in January, when the Oilers and Flames made what may be the biggest trade of the season in the DCHL. Not only did Ramsey figure out his goaltending in landing Thatcher Demko, and Marc andre Fleury, he also turned Mathew Barzal into 3 solid wingers in Andrew Mangiapane, Sam Bennett, and Jordan Eberle. The biggest punch to the gut in this deal was, the 2 big macs Ramsey must bring to Haida Gwai as part of the return for Flames GM Vince Brzostowski. A few days later, Ramsey was at it again with the Boston Bruins, which saw Ramsey send Conor Sheary, Emil Bemstrom, and Sam Steel to the Bruins in return for Teddy Bluegar, and a couple late round picks, and a prospect. Ramsey then took a month to really concentrate and figure out what this team needed moving forward for a playoff push, and a hopeful cup championship. Back on the phones with Boston GM Nathan Bon-Bernard a month later saw the Oilers bring over Sam Lafferty in exchange for Justin Brazeau, and Michael McCarron. It seems as though both Ramsey and Bon-Bernard weren't finished, as it turns out, 5 days later they made a big splash in the trade world. One that saw Alex Tuch, Andrew Mangiapane, Boone Jenner, Zach Whitecloud, and Dan Vladar head to Boston, and Brandon Carlo, Dylan Strome, Conor Sheary, Morgan Geekie, and Ryan Strome head to Oil Country. It seems they forgot to discuss a couple names, because 3 days later, Oilers shipped goaltender Marc ande Fleaury over to Beantown in return for Pius Suter. The following day, Ramsey quickly fixed his goaltender vacancy with veteran Cam Talbot. Prospects, late round picks, and some cash were the pieces used to land Talbot from Canucks GM Jean Brisson. Right when it seemed as though the Oilers had their tandem in Cam Talbot, and Thatcher Demko, the following day, Ramsey was knocking on GM Max Lauzon's door, enquiring about goaltender Freddy Anderson. A deal was quickly figured out that would benefit both teams in the direction they are heading. Mac Hollowell, and Pius Suter were sent to St Louis, for the 50% retained Anderson. Once again, when you think 2 GM's are done chatting, another trade hits the ground a week later. Arguably the biggest move of the season for Edmonton, besides the big Flames deal. This one saw veterans Jeff Carter, and Victor Hedman shipped to Edmonton, in exchange for Chris Tanev, Morgan Geekie, Ryan Strome, and $8,000,000. Hedman, back in Oil Country. This one made fans and the Oilers organization pretty happy. Ramsey wasn't quite done, as he road this trade deadline right to the wire with a couple of pickups in Erik Gustafsson, and Ben Chiarot. There was one more move at on the hair of the deadline that saw Ramsey send goaltender Clay Stevenson and $6,000,000 to Chicago, where Hawks GM sent 50% retained Colton Sissons to the Oilers in what was thought to be the final trade of the year. It turns out, at exactly 1 minute before deadline was behind us, Ramsey was having lagging site issues as he tried to accept the trade posted by Hawks GM Christopher Jacobus. Word of this trade not being processed hasn't been put out there yet, so is there a chance this final seconds trade makes it through. A huge depth piece for Ramsey, and a tender with some good upside moving forward for Jacobus, hanging in the balance. Time will tell. All in all, it looks to be a pretty solid lineup for Ramsey and his Oilers, as they pursue the ultimate prize.