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2. Eric Gryba acquired for minor leaguer Travis Ewanyk and 107th pick in the 2015 entry draft: PASS.The Oilers gave up next to nothing to pick up a tough defenceman in Gryba who moved the puck and defended adequately in a third-pairing role in 2015-16, then signed a bargain basement contract this year. He helped fill a need for size and toughness, while also being able to play a regular shift without leaking scoring chances against.

3. Cam Talbot and the 209th pick in the 2015 draft acquired for the 57, 79th and 184th picks: PASS. An NHL team needs a decent starting goalie, one who is not going to let down his team every second or third game by letting in a rancid goal or two. Talbot has been that decent dependable starting goalie in Edmonton, especially in 2016-17.

4. Griffin Reinhart for the 16th and 33rd picks in the 2015 draft: FAIL.Given that Chiarelli expected Reinhart to help the team win more as early as 2015-16, given the amount the Oilers gave up, as well as the fact Reinhart isn’t high on the Oil’s left defence depth chart at this time, this trade is a fail.

5. Lauri Korpikoski for Boyd Gordon: FAIL.It did not make sense to trade a fourth line center in Gordon, who had one year left at $3 million, for a bottom-line winger with two years left on a $2.5 million per contract. Chiarelli had to admit this fail and buy out the final year of the veteran Finn’s deal.

6. Mark Letestu signed as an unrestricted free agent, three years, $1.8 million per: PASS. McLellan over-used Letestu in 2015-16, especially when the centre got steady minutes as the team’s third-line centre. This year Letestu is playing a grittier game with bigger, tougher wingers at his side, and is his having more success. It looks like he’ll earn his keep this year and next.