Oilers sign 4 prospects

Edmonton Oilers News (June 15th 2010) "Edmonton sign 4 prospects"

New GM Morgan Kowalski has acted quickly following his arrival in Edmonton, signing no less than 4 prospects, all of whom will arrive in time for the 2010/11 training camp. The players in question are:

(D) ANTON BABCHUCK (2M x 2yrs)
(W) ANTON AXELSSON (.450M x 1yrs)
(C/W) TEEMU HARTIKAINEN (.450M x 1yrs)
(W) ALEKSANDR BUMAGIN (.450M x 1yrs)

Of the 4, Babchuck and Axelsson are believed to be the closest to making the roster from camp, although Kowalski has stated clearly that a full evaluation of all players will be made during September and that no one is either a lock or left without a chance during that time.

NHL News (June 15th 2010) "NHL Trophy Ceremony"

Swede Henrik Zetterberg picked up the Art Ross with his 118 points, followed by team-mate Pavel Datsyuk and Ilya Kovalchuk. Ducks winger Bobby Ryan won the Calder Trophy, while the emerging star Nathan Horton won the Conn Smythe. Perennial All-Star Niklas Lidström was awarded the Norris Trophy once again. Even though the Flames lost the Conference Final to the St Louis Blues, goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff managed to land the Vezina Trophy.

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Edmonton Oilers News (June 17th 2010) "The Boston Bruins win Entry Draft Lottery"

With the 1st rounder they gained from the Phil Kessel deal, the Boston Bruins won the Entry Draft Lottery, propelling their pick into 1st overall status, confirming that the Oilers will pick second overall. Speculation, discussion and rumours on what the Oilers intend to do with their much coveted draft choice has run rampant for a while already and will likely not settle until way after the draft day itself.

Rumour mongers have linked the Oilers with several young stars, suggesting they might give up their 2nd overall pick for a centreman of considerable quality. "We recognise that we have a significant gap at centre at this point in time" acknowledged GM Kowalski in a brief interview after the Draft Lottery, but also noted that Edmonton was in no rush to make deals at this point in time. Names like Ryan Getzlaf, Travis Zajac and Patrice Bergeron have been mentioned in connection with a possible Edmonton deal.