The Edmonton Oilers will focus on building from within rather than relying on a quick fix trade or free agency to rebuild the team, according to general manager Steve Tambellini.
The Oilers won the first overall pick in the 2010 draft on Tuesday night and Tambellini is looking at the pick as a huge opportunity for his team to improve through development.
“We have a wonderful opportunity here to do things right,” Tambellini said yesterday. “I’m not saying we’re not going to be in the free agent market and that we’re not going to continue to make trades that benefit the hockey club.
What I am saying is if we’re only reliant upon a trade or a free agent signing, than I’m going to be sitting here, possibly 10 years from now, and we’re going to be talking about the same thing.”
The GM said he’s been talking to Sheldon Souray for the past year about the defenceman wanting a trade out of Edmonton and that’s the attitude Tambellini wants to change. “I’m sick and tired of having to hear people complain about this city, this organization,” he said. “I want people that love to play in Edmonton. This is an incredible hockey market. How can you not respect the people here that love this hockey club?”
The NHL draft goes June 25 and 26 in Los Angeles.
