Oilers Drop Ball

This is Matthew Lombardi, who just signed a nice deal with Calgary to play a few more seasons with the Flames. Lombardi is best known to Oilers fans as the "one that got away" from an otherwise pedestrian draft for Edmonton in 2000.

Taken in the 7th rd, 215th overall in 2000, Lombardi chose not to sign with Edmonton in 2002 (issue: $$$) and ended up going back into the draft pool. A bizarre "trade" then happened, as Edmonton chose former Calgary pick (and holdout) Jarret Stoll and the Flames took Lombardi (in the 3rd rd, one round and many picks after Stoll was selected).

History tells us that winning organizations build through the procurement department and great clubs rarely if ever pass up a chance to improve their depth in all areas.

This week, Guy Flaming wrote an article for Hockey's Future entitled "Oilers 2006-07 European Season Review" and breaks the news that Edmonton lost several players by not signing them before the Euro deadline: They lost 5 guys total: Dragan Umicevic, Josef Hrabal, Fredrik Pettersson, Kalle Olsson and Lukas Zib.

Zib was drafted in 1995 one assumes the Oilers didn't have him in their plans for quite some time (12 years should be enough to get a player you're interested in over here, hell Mikhnov only took 6 years). Umicevic, Pettersson and Olsson are somewhat predictable, although I still think Umicevic will end up on someone's roster down the line (there's no reason for this kid to pass up a legit shot at an NHL training camp even if it doesn't come for another three or four years).

The hill I die on is Josef Hrabel. Why wouldn't they sign the kid? His numbers imply that offensively he's a hair superior to Denis Grebeshkov, and Grebeshkov cost the organization an extremely affordable MA Bergeron.

Is this a good asset management move? Based on what reasoning? Guy implies the "50 man list" is the culprit but I don't buy that for a minute. Is Brock Radunske on that list? How about Troy Bodie?

If Sam Pollock is the "top drawer" NHL general manager all these guys must strive to become, and we know that teams routinely have "depth" players on their pro lists (give me the list and I'll name the players), how on earth can anyone defend this move? 50 players is a lot of players for crying out loud. Radunske has had his shot, and even if you don't choose him surely there are better options.

I understand agents are going to push for more money when their low picks act like first rounders. But let me ask you something: when you walk away from Matt Lombardi or Josef Hrabel because their agents are squeezing you, who in h-e-double-hockey-sticks are you punishing?

I think maybe the Edmonton Oilers would make more money if they spent more money, and Hrabel is the most recent example. He was imo certainly worth a contract.