On Saturday, Edmonton Oilers GM Glen Sather pointed his guns at the New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks and pulled the trigger on two deals, seeing nine players changing jerseys.

Boris Mironov by Meredith Martini

The big deal involved the Chicago Blackhawks acquiring defenceman Boris Mironov, winger Dean McAmmond and prospect defenceman Jonas Elofsson. Coming to the Great White North was centre Chad Kilger, left winger Ethan Moreau, other left winger Dan Cleary and defenceman Christian Laflamme.

Then Sather banished Mats Lindgren and an eighth-round draft pick to Long Island as he joined the New York Islanders. In return, the Oilers acquired Tommy Salo, who has the No. one job between the Edmonton pipes until he loses it.

The Oilers gave up experience with their premier defenceman Mironov, 27, and speedy winger McAmmond, 25. In return, the Oilers receive a four unproven kids. With the major need to make the playoffs, the question is: Is this a deal that will help the Oilers now?

Apparently so, from the looks of the first game with the new Oilers, which included Ethan Moreau garnering three assists playing in McAmmond's old spot beside Mike Grier and Todd Marchant.

Kilger played but failed to produce. Laflamme didn't play because his equipment got lost in Denver and didn't make it in time for the game.

Still, the verdict is out on this deal. All these guys are 23 years of age or younger.

Selected fourth overall by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks during the '95 entry draft, 22-year- old Chad Kilger has high expectations placed upon him. Sather said he'd like to see him become the next Keith Primeau. With his size (6-3, 215 lbs) and talent that's a possibility, the only thing lacking is his drive.

This is Kilger's fourth team already, he's running out of fresh starts. But after a few years in the league, maybe this will be his home for the next few years. Kilger has the potential, but he hasn't shown the offensive flash he did when he was in junior with Kingston of the OHL.

Ethan Moreau's another first round draft choice, drafted 14th overall by the Blackhawks, Moreau has already contributed to the Oilers with a three-assist performance on Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks.

The book on Moreau says he's a good, physical two-way winger who'll never be a huge point-producer. He can be a good second or third liner.

Christian Laflamme by Meredith Martini

Christian Laflamme, drafted 45th overall in the '95 draft is considered to be solid two- way defenceman. He can play both ways and should see some power-play time with the Oil.

Dan Cleary, who was sent directly to the Hamilton Bulldogs, is yet another first-round draft choice. He was selected 13th overall during the '97 draft and should have a decent offensive upside. He could become a solid second line winger.

The other new Oiler is Tommy Salo, who has the starting job. He's been successful at every level except the NHL. He has managed two consecutive 20-win seasons. That's quite an accomplishment considering he was playing behind the sad-sack Islanders.

Tommy Salo by Meredith Martini

Say Good-bye

Leaving Edmonton are long-time Oilers Dean McAmmond (six years as an Oiler), and Boris Mironov and Mats Lindgren, who each spent five years as Oilers.

Mironov will be a good addition to the Hawks. He didn't want to leave Edmonton, but his time was up. The fans were booing him and in turn he wasn't making the smartest choices with the puck.

But Mironov has the talent and the heart to become an all-star defenceman, and it looked like playing beside one of the NHL's best, Chris Chelios, would help Boris realize his full potential. Unfortunately for Mironov, Chelios was traded to Detroit, so he won't get to experience that.

Bobo currently shows flashes of brilliance for 20 or 30 games at a time. When he puts it together for the majority of a season, he will win the Norris.

There are not many all-star players who wanted to stay in Edmonton. But Boris really wanted to stay and finish his career here. He says he'll still call Edmonton home during the off-season.

McAmmond will bring some good speed and decent two-way play for the `Hawks. If McAmmond can get his head screwed on straight and gain some confidence, he can be a threat like he was last season where he collected 19 goals.

He looked like himself Sunday against the Colorado Avalanche where he netted a goal and an assist.

Mats Lindgren, who's now an Islander, will be given a lot more responsibility in New York. On Sunday, during the Islanders 12-shot performance against the Calgary Flames, Lindgren was centering the first line and logged 21 minutes on the ice.

When Lindgren arrived in Edmonton five years ago, some dubbed him the `next' Mats Sundin. Well, he never panned out did he? Injuries and lack of icetime certainly were a factor, but Lindgren has never been more than a defensive 3rd/4th line forward for the Oil.

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