An Oiler becomes an Oil King

photo by Jon Howe

Edmonton Oil Kings G.M. Bob Green pulled off his biggest and toughest trade since becoming G.M when the team re-entered the WHL 6 years ago.  Green picked up a massive minute muncher who is also and Edmonton Oilers draft pick, which should make the parent club smile.

Green is bringing in left handed defenceman David Musil from Vancouver.  He's big at 6.04 and 203 lbs, which is pretty much Griffin Reinhart and has the ability to play a ton of minutes and keep the puck out of his end.  However to get something you have to give something and Green did that for sure.  Mason Geertsen who was the Kings second -  first round pick in 2010, 18th overall and a first round pick in next years bantam draft.

Shaughn Butts , Edmonton Journal

As my fellow host on  The Pipeline Show Guy Flaming put it earlier tonight, they traded Mason Geertsen today for a a more experienced older version.  I think it's a pretty bang on comparison.

It's a lot to give up for sure, considering Musil was one of the Oilers players to be invited to training camp should the lock out end.  I can't see him making the team, and I can't see Bob Green making this deal without either a tap on the shoulder or reassurance that he'll help the club for this year.

That's likely the extent Musil will stay in Oil King silks, but if if helps him get them to Saskatoon in May then it's worth it.

A few weeks ago Guy and I discussed the available blueliners in the WHL and when they might get dealt.  You might say the Oil Kings had an ace in the hole with this deal as their parent club drafted Musil and control his destiny.  But still to come on 'Let's make a deal' will be Ryan Murray in Everett and Morgan Rielly and Joel Edmundson in Moose Jaw, but with Murray and Rielly the lock out will likely trigger their movement.

So now the first domino has fallen with Musil to Edmonton, the question is when will the next one drop.  Does Saskatoon try and salvage it's sinking ship with a back end star or look for offensive help?  Will a team step up and take a chance on Murray or Rielly before the price goes up when the lock out ends?

Stay tuned, this deal caught me by surprise and who knows when the next one comes.