NHL Draft: 10th overall pick in play if Edmonton Oilers can land defenceman

Use it or trade it? That’s the question surrounding the Edmonton Oilers 10th overall pick at the NHL Draft in Dallas.

The Oilers, like many other teams, are in the market for an offensive defenceman who can quarterback a power play.

“We would look to move the pick if the right player is available — NHL player, a defenceman — is available,” GM Peter Chiarelli said Thursday.

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“I’ve had some discussions with some teams. It’s still ongoing.”

If the Oilers can’t trade for a blueliner with an offensive dimension, then they may draft one and wait for him to develop.

Quinn Hughes (University of Michigan), Evan Bouchard (London Knights), and Noah Dobson (Acadie-Bathurst Titan) all fit the bill but could be gone by the time the 10th pick rolls around.

“At 10, we think there might be that defenceman available. We may have to move up.

“We’ll draft the best player available at 10,” Chiarelli said.

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“As far as acquiring a defenceman, it is hard. They’re valuable players. I just think just the general type of player is hard to find. The way the NHL is going, they’re becoming more valuable. That’s the obstacle we face.”

“There are some good defencemen in the top part of the draft. We’re going to draft the best player available. If we can move to the right spot to get the right type of player, we’ll look at that too,” he added.

Chiarelli was also asked about the rumours surrounding Milan Lucic’s future with the Oilers.

Lucic has five years remaining on his contract but scored just one goal in the final 46 games of last season. Chiarlli wouldn’t comment when asked if Lucic has requested a trade but did say: “I think Milan is a high-character individual. He has to have a good summer.

“Conditioning for him is not really an issue. He has to be in the right frame of mind. He’s a proud guy. We expect to have him back at a better level than he was last year.”

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Also, the Oilers have placed Eric Gryba on waivers for the purpose of buying out his contract.

“We just figured that he wouldn’t be in our lineup next year and it would clear up a contract,” Chiarelli said. “It would give Eric a chance to pursue his career elsewhere.”

Gryba has one year remaining on his deal at $900,000. The buyout will put $300,000 on the Oilers’ salary cap for each of the next two seasons.

Listen to live coverage of the NHL Draft from Dallas starting at 4 p.m. Friday.