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The Edmonton Oilers have put things in place to emulate the success the Los Angeles Kings just enjoyed. Signing coveted collegiate free agent Justin Schultz is just another awesome acquisition in what has been a productive offseason.
The Oilers made 18-year-old Nail Yakupov the No. 1 overall pick on June 22, and now with the signing of the 21-year-old Schultz, the Oilers have two cornerstones to build around.
The team hasn't made the playoffs since 2005-2006, but that could change in the next year or two.
What's even more impressive is that the young guns bring their own unique skill sets to the table. Yakupov is a offensive wizard with speed, soft hands and the ability to make the dazzling play.
Check out highlights of him here:
Schultz is a skilled defenseman that could easily be a top-notch blueliner for the next seven-to-10 years. These two studs will join the already established productivity of Jordan Eberle. Eberle is only 22 years old, but last season he had 76 points (34 goals, 42 assists).
If you look at this core, it looks a little like the Kings' core of Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Drew Doughty. Those three players keyed the Kings' maturation and charge for the Stanley Cup.
The Oilers' trio of Yakupov, Eberle and Schultz could have similar success.
One big difference between the Kings and the Oilers is in net.
The Kings have Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick, and the Oilers have a gaping hole there. Last year the over-the-hill Nikolai Khabibulin gave up 2.65 goals per game.
The Oilers' next step in their resurgence to prominence must be to find a solid man in net. The other pieces are falling nicely into place.
Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay.net for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports video games.
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