Two interesting names are on waivers today, one a former Edmonton Oiler. Should Edmonton make a claim on one or both? Let’s start with the 50-man list.

CURRENT 50-MAN (48)

This is my understanding of the current 50-man list for the Edmonton Oilers. Some include Ethan Bear and Caleb Jones, but those contracts are slide rules, and since both players are back in junior the contracts will not kick in until 2017-18.

Edmonton was willing to go to 49 contracts, based on the contract offer to Kris Versteeg.

This blog has long argued that balance has not yet been achieved. A two-way RW (Pisani), a RHD who can move the puck and a substantial backup goalie are on my list, your mileage may vary.

DYLAN MCILRATH

I liked Dylan McIlrath in his draft year (ranked him No. 4 D, No. 15 overall) but the NY Rangers liked him more. At 6.05, 220 and built like a brick outhouse, McIlrath had to be high on Edmonton’s list based on their own past (Alex Plante, Matt Greene, Theo Peckham, others). Here is some verbal from his draft year:

Mike Remmerde : I love this guy and I think he’ll surprise on draft day. Scouts who have seen a lot of him understand he’s got a more well-rounded game than he gets credit for. If I was picking in the 8-15 range, I’d really argue for this guy. Source

: I love this guy and I think he’ll surprise on draft day. Scouts who have seen a lot of him understand he’s got a more well-rounded game than he gets credit for. If I was picking in the 8-15 range, I’d really argue for this guy. Source Kirk Luedeke: Biggest wingspan of any player in the 2010 draft class with an 83-inch reach; allows him to effectively employ a pokecheck on defense, and also comes in very handy when fighting; he ragdolls opponents and keeps them at arm’s length while pounding them. Straight-line speed is above average; can get up the ice well once he gets going. A feared open-ice hitter; reads the play well and anticipates where an opponent will be, then lowers the boom. Very good defensive sense- understands his positioning and clears the crease with abandon. Source

I liked McIlrath for the size and speed, but the NHLE suggested we weren’t dealing with an offensive prospect. Most of this scouting report remains true from what we know, but the game has changed in the last five years—bigly. If Edmonton picked up McIlrath, it would help fight the Leftorium, but there isn’t a lot of evidence that suggests (to me) McIlrath would be a better option than Eric Gryba. Remember, if McIlrath gets the job, he would be third pairing, with Darnell Nurse or Brandon Davidson.

DYLAN MCILRATH 2015-16

5×5 points per 60: 0.54

5×4 points per 60: nil

Corsi for 5×5 %: 51.3

Qual Comp: third pairing

Qual Team: third pairing

Corsi for 5×5 % REL: 2.9

Shots on goal/percentage: 28 shots/7.1%

Boxcars: 34GP, 2-2-4

Information via Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com, behindthenet.ca and hockey-reference.

He is inexpensive, an enforcer, and has 38 games in NHL experience. For me, the future of RHD in Edmonton is probably Adam Larsson followed by to be determined, with Brandon Davidson, Kris Russell and Matt Benning all in the mix—along with Brent Burns next summer (I kid. Probably).

MAGNUS PAAJARVI

We know Magnus really well, I don’t feel a need to update you on him (but you can read what I wrote here). He is somewhat like Anton Lander, in that offense is the issue with this player. Unlike Lander, MPS can flat out fly—I mean he would be one of the fastest Oilers the minute his skates carved the ice.

Is there a spot for Magnus? Getting mighty crowded. The 4L right now is Lander or Anton Slepyshev, and the 4R is Tyler Pitlick. I honestly like Magnus a lot, and think he would really help out in the speed department, but Matt Hendricks is coming back and there is probably no room at the inn.

If I had to pick one of these two for Edmonton to pluck from waivers, it would be Paajarvi. So, McIlrath it is.