NHL Draft Rumors: Oilers Trade 1st Overall Pick to Maple Leafs

The 2012 NHL Draft is coming soon and a common draft rumor is that the Edmonton Oilers are going to deal their 1st overall pick away to the Toronto Maple Leafs. In return, Toronto gives up their 5th overall pick and their top defensive prospect in Jake Gardiner.

Then, the Oilers draft another defenseman, either Ryan Murray or Griffin Reinhart. Acquiring two new young talented defensemen vastly improves Edmonton's blueline, so the trade looks possible. But giving up a potential superstar in Nail Yakupov is going to take massive overpayment according to Oilers' GM Steve Tambellini who said this about the 1st overall draft pick:

"There's been no offers so far that I would take to ownership."
"An offer would have to be significant and obvious for me to present it."
"It would have to knock our socks off."
"The offer would have to be for a significant part of a team's depth chart - current and future."
"As of now, I foresee making the pick."
"I will pick the best player available - you only draft for positional need from the second round down."
"Why would we need to move down? We have the top pick. That's for other teams to worry about."