EDMONTON, AB -It's shaping up to be a very busy week for Oilers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Ken Holland.
On Monday, he participated in a media conference call to address a variety of pertinent topics surrounding the hockey club, with the 2020 NHL Draft slated for Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by the free agency period starting Friday.
The Oilers hold the 14th-overall pick in the opening round of the NHL Draft, which will be conducted Tuesday starting at 5pm MT. Holland said on Monday he expects the team will make that selection, rather than trading it, and they likely won't be picking a defenceman given the depth of their prospect pool at the blueline position. He did clarify, however, they will stay true to their draft list and consider a rearguard that they didn't anticipate being available at 14.
As of right now, the Oilers have remaining additional picks in the third, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds on Wednesday, but they have the option to give Calgary the third-round pick per the terms of the James Neal for Milan Lucic trade. Holland said on Monday they're leaning towards keeping this year's pick and deferring the third-rounder to the Flames until 2021. They have until Wednesday morning to inform the NHL and their provincial rivals of their decision.
FEATURE: Holland discusses NHL Draft, Klefbom, RNH, Puljujarvi
Oilers President of Hockey Operations and General Manager participates in a media conference call ahead of this week's NHL Draft and Free Agency