Chiarelli expects Oilers to make playoffs next year, won't rule out trading 1st-rounder

At the end of a disastrous 2017-18 season for the Edmonton Oilers, general manager Peter Chiarelli faced plenty of questions Wednesday about how he plans to erase those bad memories.

Many expected Edmonton to contend for the Stanley Cup this season, yet a lack of talent surrounding Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, along with a dreadful campaign from goaltender Cam Talbot, sunk the Oilers to 23rd in the league standings.

Chiarelli faces tremendous pressure to turn things around quickly, and the veteran executive is counting on his club to be back in the postseason in 2018-19.

"I expect this team to be in the playoffs next year and that's what we're going to strive for," Chiarelli said at a press conference.

One method for Chiarelli to potentially bring in new blood would be dangling his higher-than-expected first-round draft pick, which should be inside the top 10 selections.

"I would put that pick in play. It would have to make sense. I wouldn't rule it out." Chiarelli on the #Oilers 1st-round selection at the #NHLDraft this June

- Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 11, 2018

Elsewhere this offseason, Chiarelli has to sort out new contracts for a few restricted free agents, most notably blue-liner Darnell Nurse and last summer's trade acquisition, Ryan Strome.

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