Oilers GM on lack of pre-camp trade chatter: 'Like us, everybody else is very optimistic'

Ah the week after Labor Day. 

The sun is still shining and it still feels like summer outside, but a sense of renewed drive has already replaced the hedonist lethargy of summer. It may not be the 'new year' per the Gregorian calender, but in secular society – whether it's school, professional sports or media – the start of September marks the real start of the 'new year.'

And with a new year comes a fresh sense of possibility and the giddy rush of optimism. For NHL players – many of whom will begin preparing for training camp at informal skates across North America this week – and for NHL general managers, it's a heady time and one that, according to Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish, serves to depress trade talks around the league.

"There is no deal there right now, because like us, everybody else is very optimistic," MacTavish told Derek van Diest of the Edmonton Sun this weekend. "We’re all undefeated in July and August, but things change once the fur flies in October. We’re hopeful with the group that we have we’re going to be competitive."

Being competitive isn't something this current group of Oilers players have ever managed. Though Edmonton's cadre of young stars and former first overall picks will be another year older, wiser and more dangerous this upcoming season, and the club added some useful veteran grit in free agency, the Oilers still have a glaring hole in the middle of their lineup.

This summer, the Oilers dealt second-line center Sam Gagner to the Tampa Bay Lightning for skilled winger Teddy Purcell. Then they didn't really do anything to offset Gagner's loss. Going into training camp, the Oilers employ just one center, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who seems like a credible bet to fill in effectively in a non-checking role.

The Oilers aren't in a rush to make a deal though, and are content (for now) to let young players like third-overall pick Leon Draisaitl, center Anton Lander and productive AHL farmhand Mark Arcobello battle it out at training camp.

"We’re going to go into camp, barring anything unforeseen, with the group that we have right now,” MacTavish said. "We’ve made some improvements in some of our personnel, mostly on the wing. But we’ve got Leon Draisaitl, which is a big question mark for an 18-year-old’s ability to come in. We’ve got Anton Lander, who has shown an ability to score and be a really good player at the American League level. And we’ve got Mark Arcobello. 

"When we sent him back, he had two points per game at the American League level or very close to that. He’s got potential to fill one of those roles."

Continued the second-year Oilers general manager: "When you look at our depth chart, I understand and certainly agree with that position having the most question marks. 

"But I think that the onus is going to be on this current group of players to show an ability to be competitive for a playoff position. The onus is going to be on Arcobello, Anton Lander and Leon Draisaitl to show that they’re ready to play."

So the Oilers are giving an 18-year-old every opportunity to earn an NHL roster spot in his draft plus-one season? Unlike the seasons, some things never change.

[H/T Pro Hockey Talk]