Friday, June 24, 2011

Draft Week Post #10: All Will be Revealed


The truth is the Oilers could go any number of ways and win the day. If they select RNH at number one, trade up to get Ryan Murphy and trade for Ryan Smyth I'll consider it a grand day. Should they trade down to number three and get Adam Larsson or another center, pick up Duncan Siemens later in the first round and lose Smyth to Calgary it'll be a good day for MBS and another day of thinking for Steve Tambellini.

If the Oilers draft RNH, trade next year's first round pick in order to get Adam Larsson and lose out on Ryan Smyth, we can congratulate another team on their efforts to select an elite level player next season. Should Steve Tambellini end up dealing the Nail Yakupov pick (or another elite player from next year's very deep draft) for Larsson (Robin Brownlee has mentioned this a few times at ON--where there is smoke there's fire) then it's probably the death knell for his GM career.

If he trades next year's lottery ticket and then makes little or no effort to add NHL players (like Ryan Smyth) then we must fear the deal is ownership sanctioned deal and there is no job danger for anyone in the front office. Imagine finishing last and watching Dale Tallon draft Sidney Crosby.

All will be revealed today.

308 comments:

  1. Sorry, but not picking RNH isn't the end of the world, as some insist.

    A player like Larsson is just as an urgent need as a center, and if we get a good NHL one in the deal, it's fine.

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  2. All interesting scenarios.

    But I think the most likely outcome is that we walk away with RNH after having turned away several can't-refuse offers. Then pick 19th. And then lose Smyth somehow.

    It will be a complete day of brainless autopilot inaction.

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  3. There are very few scenarios today that don't work out well for the team. Some of those are especially good as it envisions Toonces losing his job as a result of the next 48 hrs of activity.

    Great day.

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  4. Rick: I don't know too many people who will throw themselves on the exhaust manifold if the Oilers choose Larsson or Couturier or Huberdeau or Strome.

    MBS has a nice track record, this pick is very likely to bite him in the ass a little (the odds of having 5 equal talents and selecting the correct one) so it only makes sense to have him chose the guy he's graded out at number one.

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  5. Talk about holding a gun to Tambo's head. If the initial leak of Ryan Smyth wnating to come back to the Oilers wasn't enough, how about the rumored potential deal to Calgary?

    Big day with the Carter and Richards deals.

    As for the draft, I don't think Tambo has the stones to deal the Yakupov pick which is a good thing. Remember, he's also dithers... It won't get done.

    Expect the Oilers to pick at #1 (RNH) and whatever SMB likes at #19.

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  6. @Jay - yes but sod's law says that today is the day that Tambellini decides to do something and trades that 2012 pick, not something I want to see happen...

    Oh and please, please, please don't let Smyth go to the Flames. He can stay in LA, but just not to the Flames.

    EasyOil

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  7. heard an interview with couturier. he never met with the Oil, so as much as I would like him I doubt they draft him. Apparently Landeskog met most with Edmonton and Colorado. Makes me wonder if the Oil are thinking about Landeskog. They can only do that if they trade for a centre, which I can't see.

    my hope for today:
    - trade for Smyth
    - draft RNH
    - trade up to draft Hamilton or trade for Nick Shultz from Minnesota for the 19th.

    I would be a happy camper if that happened. I actually believe they can screw up the draft and Tambo will be fine, but not getting Smyth may be the only thing he could do that actually angered the Oil fans. Smyth in red makes me angry. All the players interviewed at the end of the year mentioned needing vets. We have a ton of cap space. Smyth isn't taking a spot of a kid who needs time, since they could all use extra shelter time in the minors or down the lineup. Get Smyth, get a dman via trade or draft later in the 1st, and look for bargain vets later in the summer. Is that so hard....

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  8. I am willing to bet that Landeskog doesn't get past the Avalanche tonight.

    Draft RNH
    Pull the trigger on Smyth
    Use your assets to move up and grab a puck moving d-man

    Perfect day IMHO. Do I think this will actually happen? Not a chance.

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  9. The Smyth trade is NOT going to happen today if it is with the Oilers.

    The Oilers are not going to ruin RNH's day.

    So chill folks.

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  10. Much like DBO my ideal day is:

    -RNH at 1
    -Moving up to get Hamilton
    -Not losing any of 6,83,4,14,91,58,56,77 in the process of getting Hamilton
    -Not trading their 2012 1st.
    -Getting 94 for a 3rd or less

    Also,

    A Derek Zona post from April showing trading every pick you have to get into the top 7 is probably the right move.

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  11. The Oilers franchise has so many holes that any of the top 10 picks can't help but fill one of them.
    Need a scorer? Check
    Need defence? No kidding
    Size up front? Ditto
    Face-offs? Checkers? Anthem singer? Czech, Czech and Czech
    General manager? Gawd yes... Too bad the Oilers can't draft one of those.

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  12. Woodguy: I'm surprised you didn't add "finding a hidden cave filled with lost pirate gold" to the list! :)

    In seriousness, I don't think we'll be able to make a deal to move up that wouldn't involve moving a serious roster player or next year's #1. Maybe Dallas at 14 would take 19 + 31.

    My ideal day is simply seeing RNH go #1 and then taking BPA at #19, rather than paying additional assests to make a marginal move up the board. They can cap it off with a Smyth acquisition Saturday or Sunday for no more than a 3rd.

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  13. godot,

    I hope your speculation of v3.0 not pulling the trigger on the 94 deal due to NJD 1st being in play if the Oilers take back 2 bad salaries is correct.

    Larsson is probably there at 4.

    Lordy would that be a good day.

    If v3.0 gets RNH and Larsson without giving up one of 6,83,4,14,91,58,56,77 and the 2012 1st, I'll build an effigy of v3.0 of chicken wire, multiple choice question sheets and gold spray paint instead of burning a paper effigy of him.

    Book it!

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  14. The depth of next year's draft makes it risky to deal next years pick, but deAling next years pick is a signal that the team is looking to try to win next year and not target the lottery. Next years pick for this years top 4 pick is probably a good deal.

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  15. Ditto Woodguy.

    Fully expect RNH to go #1 and it won't be the end of the world (much as I'd still rather take Larsson but I think that ship has sailed).

    Not sure you can move up to get Dougie Hamilton, but it would be a sure winner.

    Adding Smyth (by Sat) makes us better this year - solidifies the top 9, adds a proven PK/PP person, helps in the locker room.

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  16. watching all the video this year. RNH in tight quarters is amazing. you see him head above the rest in Offence. then I see 30% and PP and get knots in the stomach. It just doesn't fit the vid.

    I am happy with:
    RNH #1
    Klefbom #19
    Ritchie #33

    We could end up with the best:
    Player (rnh)
    Scoring forward. (ritchie)

    Plus a big mobile dman that was .8ppg in international play. Had better Wj U18 numbers his 17 yr season vs. larsson 17 year season.

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  17. I'm almost positive we'll be selecting Nugent-Hopkins 1st overall. The best part about that is that we can all stop talking about moving Hall to center.

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  18. rickibear said:

    I am happy with:
    RNH #1


    *faints*

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  19. at WG:I didn't faint but I did fall out of my chair.The least you could of done Rickibear was give us a warning :-)

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  20. There has been a lot of talk about how much deeper next year's draft is going to be compared to this years.

    Why isn't anyone talking about flipping the pick at 19 to someon else's first rounder next year?

    Anyone?

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  21. Jordan:

    Because this draft is happening now, and there are 30 future Gretzkys who are about to be drafted today. We need one of THESE guys!

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  22. For the record, I would loike to see Tambellini trade #19 for another 1st next year. Possibly picking up a 2nd in this year's draft or something.

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  23. I wonder if the Calgary rumour is just so LA can gain a little leverage in dealing with EDM. If Smytty is a true Oiler he would never play for the Flames, ever....

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  24. Every Year there's another Gretzky. Personally, I'd rather see a GM trade today's lottery ticket for tomorrows, that still has a chance of hitting the bonus( i.e winning the draft lottery). We know that the 19th pick is the 19th - 2/3 odds whoever's pick we get next year will be better than that. I'd target Florida if possible - Tallon needs more picks that he can throw away for players.

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  25. I'm almost positive we'll be selecting Nugent-Hopkins 1st overall. The best part about that is that we can all stop talking about moving Hall to center.

    Can we still talk about Robbie Schremp? What about Horcoff's contract? Maybe the quality of MacT as a coach?

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  26. Can we still talk about Robbie Schremp? What about Horcoff's contract? Maybe the quality of MacT as a coach?


    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

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  27. I wonder if the Calgary rumour is just so LA can gain a little leverage in dealing with EDM. If Smytty is a true Oiler he would never play for the Flames, ever....

    Was Fuhr a real Oiler?

    If Smyth really wants or maybe even needs to come back to Alberta(who knows what family pressures may be at play here) and the Oilers aren't interested in him, than I think he should go to Calgary. I don't want to see him in a Flames jersey but if they are willing to pay his salary and the Oil are going to step up.....

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  28. You have to be very careful when talking about 'deep' drafts. 1999 was considered at the time to be one of the deepest in years and its first round produced only two elite players - the Sedins - and a couple of useful ones like Havlat and Conolly. Only a handful of those first rounders are still in the league and 2/3 of them had either no or a very marginal career. You can't really tell whether a draft is deep until years later.

    If Larsson is sufficiently talented to be a credible first overall pick, which I think most would acknowledge he is, then you have to have a LOT of faith that the magic bean that is next years pick will turn into an even better player than Larsson, to turn down the chance to take Larrson in order to hold on to that pick.

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  29. Smyth would play for Calgary if Calgary stepped up and traded for him when the Oilers would not. In fact, I am betting he would turn into an Oiler killer for them.

    Also, to those who suggest that Smyth would tell LA that he is not going to accept a trade to Calgary and is holding out for a trade to Edmonton, consider that Smyth might feel a bit guilty about the bind that he has had to put LA in.

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  30. Marc - I agree, LT seems to be valuing next year's pick as though it is a guaranteed #1 or at the very least a guaranteed lottery pick.

    I personally don't think another team would give the Oilers a top 4 or 5 pick this year for their 2012 first round pick. Perhaps if the Oilers throw in their 19th. If they do that, I have to think it's MBS's doing and in Stu we trust.

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  31. I don't think it is necessary to sell the ranch to move up. If anything yesterday's Philly deals show that GM's value draft picks much higher than the fans who have seen the stats from blogs like this.

    Most of us know realize that outside of the top 5 in almost any draft year, your odds of a bust go up a lot, increasing with each round.

    Let's all hope that ST gets it too. It should not take more than the late first and second and third round picks to move up.

    No way we should lose a first next year, or a player and picks, it's one or the other. If that's the price it's an overpayment and not worth it.

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  32. I would like to see the Oilers make some moes today. I would love to have Smyth back, but it wouldn't kill me either.

    If Stastny is available or Wiess why wouldn't the Oilers look into getting either one.

    If you could get Stastny for Gagner and the 19 th pick do you do it? I would.

    I would swap first picks with the Avs to get Stastny. RNH might become a better player then Stastny or might become a player who ends up very simular to Gagner.

    I would pick Larsson and swap picks and trade Gagner and add another pick into a trade for Stastny. He's a number one center man and the Oilers need a number one guy.

    I don't think anyone would be disappointed if this happened.

    IMO

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  33. Big big day.

    I'd like to see RHN then somehow use the Katz money to buy the #4 pick.

    I also don't see the Oilers in the lottery next year. Hall, Eberle, Gagner, Whitney, Hemsky and Horcoff can't all be hurt again next year (knock on wood). We wont play Khabby all year and Taylor Hall is a stud.

    And bring Smytty back home.

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  34. Bookie: There are very good reasons to believe that the Oilers will finish in the bottom ten next year. I think history has shown, and JW took a look at this recently at ON, that teams that finish 30th in the league do not bounce back the following season.

    In fact, of the teams that JW looked at, none of them made the playoffs the season after finishing last.

    Tambellini has done a lot of good things during this rebuild. He's bolstered and improved the farm team and the organization's developmental process greatly.

    What he has not done however, is take any effective steps to improve the Oilers' ability to win hockey games.

    If he goes out and signs two veteran defenders, Vokoun, and two or three veteran forwards, then maybe we could be confident that the Oilers will finish out of the lottery. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that none of those objectives are accomplished this offseason.

    Make no mistake, the Oilers' pick will have a good chance at an impact prospect in the 2012 draft. Moving that pick could very well be career suicide for Tambellini.

    (PS: Of course Lowe is saying that Tambellini should move the 2012 picks. If Tambellini gets fired Lowe gets his old job back. Huzzah!)

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  35. I may have missed something, but is there reason to believe that NJ would be willing to move the #4 for a lesser return, so long as large salaries are going out the door?

    Capgeek has them at 17 players signed with $12M in space so unless they're hoping to go on a UFA spree or they have some serious cashflow problems, they shouldn't need to make such a sacrifice.

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  36. Manitoba Moosequitos
    Winnipeg Threshers
    Winnipeg Flood (works from a Halo pov)

    I know there's a massive demand for Jets, and they will go with that, but I actually would have liked Manitoba Rebellion. Would've worked on a few different levels.

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  37. Spoiler: But if it were the Manitoba Rebellion, wouldn't they have to hang their captain every year after a controversial trial? Methinks the NHLPA might disapprove.

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  38. Jon K - I get that next year's draft pick will be valuable, but you need to remember that THIS year's draft pick will also be valuable. If he can get a guaranteed #3 this year for a 'somewhere in the top 10' that seems to be good value.

    What you are suggesting is that the Oilers pick next year WILL be more valuable than the number 3 pick this year. Correct?

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  39. @ Marc

    Somehow I doubt that Larsson will be available with the pick @ 19.

    I'm not sold on a number of the D-men available later in the 1st round. Most of them look to be 2-5 dmen, which isn't bad, but considering the expected glut of high-end d next year... why no gamble with that pick @ 19 and shoot for the moon next year?

    It's not like our window for the cup will be closing soon...

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  40. Make no mistake, the Oilers' pick will have a good chance at an impact prospect in the 2012 draft. Moving that pick could very well be career suicide for Tambellini.

    So, just to be clear, I am not suggesting that what you say is not accurate, what I am adding is that they will also have a chance at an impact prospect THIS year if they get the #3 overall.

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  41. Cactus,

    Tell me that wouldn't sell newspapers. I'm sure we can get Hearst on board.

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  42. Has anyone actually established who owns the "Jets" brand? I wouldn't be surprised if it's the Coyotes.

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  43. Schitzo: The NHL. The Yotes own the Jets' records tough (whatever that is)

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  44. Schitzo, they can use the same name, but the old logo, crest, history cannot be used.

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  45. Winnipeg Falcons
    (the fighet jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon).

    They keep the nickname the "Jets" and they use an historical Manitoba hockey team name.

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  46. This year's draft is also exceptionally deep.

    I'm backed up by numbers and MTL's scouting team, the best in the NHL for picks/NHL player ratio since Timmins' entry (2003).

    Next year just looks like the best draft since 2003 itself. Or even better.

    It's great draft, then monumental draft.

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  47. i love hockey Xmas!

    re-acquire #94, RNH at #1OV, move #19OV and Gagner for #5OV (and take Landeskog). prepare to add veteran depth. that'd make me happy.

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  48. Bookie: I'd say that it would be unwise to move our 2012 pick generally.

    I would still be hesitant to move our 2012 pick for a pick this year, even if it guaranteed us Larsson. This is due in part to the consideration of the 2012 top 5 talent, which is looking to be very, very good.

    So I suppose, yes, I think there is a good chance that the Oilers 2012 pick is more valuable than the 3rd overall this year.

    And, should certain events occur (Hemsky trade or injury, sophomore slump for key rookies, injuries on the backend, injury to Dubnyk), I still think there is a decent chance the Oilers draft 1st overall next year. Not a high chance, but a chance nonetheless.

    It's just not smart to move a 1st rounder when you are a team in the middle of a scorched earth rebuild. I think the recent travails of Brian Burke's Toronto Maple Leafs (TM) has shown that.

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  49. Gotta think E.J. McGuire gets some kind of tribute tonight (if Bettman has any class)

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  50. Hey person that hacked into Rickibears account can you sign off so he can, again, use his account. It would be akin to to PJO posting a "pick Sequin" post on last years draft day!!

    If the reason to not take Smyth is related to assuming other costly assets to get a high draft pick that is ok. But if it is because they say he can't help this club, we have identified the problem: they don' t watch this team play in games!!

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  51. Well with Rickibear on board we're really only missing one or two regular posters for perfect consensus... A certain Quebecois-type comes to mind.

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  52. Jordan

    I was referring to trading next year's number 1 to try to get up to NJ's or FL's pick to grab Larsson.

    I agree with jon k that next year's pick is likely to be in the top ten, but I don't think that in itself is reason enough to hold on to the pick if we can move up to get Larsson.

    If you look at the top ten picks of any given draft, a couple may be better than Larsson projects to be, a few more will be about the same level as Larsson and four or five in each year will be lesser players than Larsson projects to be.

    Given that the odds of the pick turning into a player better than Larrson are low, why would we hesitate to turn the pick into Larsson?

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  53. Spoiler: I will not sell my soul haha.

    I'l stay with Sean, and my top 15 until the end.

    Trade down, get Sean, with Jamie and Duncan.

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  54. Spoiler and All:

    Math and video say Ritchie and Klefblom could end up the the two best in the draft.
    Both would be top 5 in 2012 if they were 2 months younger.

    all that has ever been discussed:

    RNH might become a better player then Stastny or might become a player who ends up very simular to Gagner.

    this conveys the expectations of RNH.

    Now if the Video game Weasel went into the gym for the next 4 years and put on 6/year. with his VO he can still get O2 to the added lean mass.

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  55. I would love to see a deal with the Avs to grab Stasny with us then drafting Larsson. In reality, I don't think Tambi will do anything on the trade front outside of possibly acquiring Smytty for modest returns.

    My admittedly muddy crystal ball says RNH at #1, McNeil or Oleksiak at #19 and Joe Morrow or David Musil at #31. I think this is the year the Oil focus on adding more blue chip D prospects to the system.

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  56. RNH in tight quarters is amazing.

    @Rickibear: I saw RNH play quite a few games this year, and time and again I found myself shaking my head and saying "this kid could stickhandle in a phone booth!". Has that innate skill to make checkers miss both him and the puck, even when he's not going anywhere in particular.

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  57. //Capgeek has them at 17 players signed with $12M in space so unless they're hoping to go on a UFA spree or they have some serious cashflow problems, they shouldn't need to make such a sacrifice.//

    Zach Parise is going to take about $7 million of that $12 million. A goaltender another million.

    So 19 players with $4 million is closer to where they are.

    The 4th pick if he plays, with bonuses, will have a $3 million cap hit.

    So 20 players with $1 million in space free.

    The clock is running on Brodeur. They can manage through their cap issues, but they can't contend during Brodeur's last years, without finding someone to take bad contracts.

    True, they might trade Parise, or they might blow it up...but to take one last shot with Brodeur, they might be tempted to use the #4 to solve their cap problems.

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  58. Draft RNH

    Trade 19 and Gagner for Couturier

    Let the Flames have Ryan Smyth

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  59. That should satisfy those who want to connect with history.

    "wormstud" - Corey Perry?

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  60. A good day:

    - Draft RNH (I've warmed to this gradually, as everything I've read says he'll be the perfect fit between Hall and Eberle 3 years down the road).

    - Hold at 19 and pick either McNeill, Siemens, or Oleksiak, depending on who is left

    - Acquire Smyth for a 3rd or 4th rounder and add a proven NHLer to the stable

    Most importantly though:

    - Do NOT trade the "core four" youngsters (Hall, Gagner, Eberle, MPS) or the 2012 first rounder

    - Maintain our current experience and resist any urges to deal Hemsky or Gilbert for futures

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  61. I agree almost entirely with HBomb's suggestions, but would add Scheifele and Klefbom as possible considerations at 19.

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  62. GMillerTSN: Eric Brewer signs a four year extension with Tampa for just under $16m. [via Twitter]

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  63. I think Zibanejad and Scheifele have probably risen to much to be reachable with #19+#31 in a trade, so it might be better to just wait for McNeill or a defenseman at #19, and keep the second bullet at #31.

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  64. I'm with H Bomb too. Although I'd be even happier if we also bag Taro Tsujimoto

    Glasgow Oil

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  65. What about using a minor piece to move from 19 to 14 (Dallas, Nieuwy apparently shopping it), and getting the guy MBS prefers the most?

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  66. DarrenDreger: Robyn Regehr remains undecided on waiving no-move. May not decide today. Other teams believed to be interested, but CGY like Buf deal. [via Twitter]

    I wonder if this means it isn't the 16th coming back? Would they be crazy enough to trade for Smytty without the Regehr deal in place?

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  67. Spoiler: That's what makes this draft so great.

    Even at 19 we aren't to be worried about specifics.

    There'S a load of players to like.

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  68. Puempel should slip to #31 like Hamilton slid into the 2nd round last year.

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  69. Glasgow...

    That's one of the best draft stories of all time.

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  70. I am betting that the team is called - get this - "The Winnipeg Jets".


    Maybe the "Winnipeg Mighty Jets"

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  71. Dreger figures they'll be the "Manitoba Jets". Seems kind of silly, but whatever.

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  72. Spoiler

    I don't think they can make the deal. I think it was WG who said that you can't exceed the cap until after July 1st. So unless they can clear the cap room for Smyth, there will be no deal for Calgary.

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  73. Rumour is that it will be the Jets. Awesome.

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  74. Hah..Dreger just tweeted a correction that they will indeed be the Winnipeg Jets.

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  75. Dreger figures they'll be the "Manitoba Jets". Seems kind of silly, but whatever.

    Well, if you want provincial dollars to support a building or whatever in the future, having the name of the Province in the name is helpful.

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  76. Thumbs up on Puempel, Scheifele, and Klefbom. Joe Morrow is also intriguing.

    I think it's pretty certain we'll get another nice prospect at #19. What I'm really hoping for is that there's a top notch guy who falls through the cracks that is still there at #31 tomorrow morning....

    I'm all about quantity of picks as opposed to quantity (exception being the move for Larsson or Hamilton, as long as it doesn't include the 2012 1st rounder). Packaging the 19 and 31 to move up? Meh. Sending a roster player and the 31 to a team in the teens (Dallas or Ottawa perhaps) to grab an third 1st rounder? That's more like it.

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  77. pboy...

    I'm not as sure on that with exceeding the cap. As Smyth's cap hit for 2010-11 is already fully earned on LA's books, I think it will be zero in this term till the new term starts.

    However, with every team knowing Feaster must clear space to make the limit, they will bend him over a barrel.

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  78. @ cactus,

    One of the players that NJD needs to sign is Parise. He is expected to be in the $7MM range.

    So a reasonable guess is 18 players signed with $5MM in cap left for 5 players.

    The big jump in cap has probably saved Lou from having to consider selling off the 4th with 2 bad contracts to get Parise signed.

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  79. RNH at one for me.

    Morrow at 19. Bartschi if any way possible.

    Gibson, Rask, or Musil at 31 would be nice.

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  80. There has been a lot of talk surrounding Gibson (the John one) and the Oilers.

    I'd hate to use one of our top 3 picks on a goalie.

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  81. My idea for draft day if I was Katz would be to invite my blue chip boys. Eberle, Hall, PRV, and Gagner to Minnesota and have them on the podium when we called RNH.

    To me it would be a bit of a badassed statement to the hockey world to hide their hockey daughters.

    If the Oilers could somehow get another high pick and get both RNH and Couturier. I would have an untameable boner for the rest of the weekend.

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  82. Oops, had stale thread open, godot said it first and with better information.

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  83. My idea for draft day if I was Katz would be to invite my blue chip boys. Eberle, Hall, PRV, and Gagner to Minnesota and have them on the podium when we called RNH.


    Hall is with the Oilers in MIN.

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  84. I kind of like the sound of the Winnipeg Falcon or Wolves tbh.

    Polar Bears are totally badassed but you can't work them into a cool sounding team name.

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  85. Awesome. The Oilers love my ideas. (Even before I share them)

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  86. "If the Oilers could somehow get another high pick and get both RNH and Couturier. I would have an untameable boner for the rest of the weekend."

    Agreed. RNH and Couturier complement each other like ying and yang.

    19 + Gagner. Toss in 31 if you have to.

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  87. Dreger and now Mackenzie tweeting looking like Calgary close to getting Smyth. Sad. Angry. Need a beer.

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  88. If Calgary gets Smyth for a late round pick. Then Tambi is completely dead to me.

    Those of you that don't feel that way, will, when he gives a bunch of money to total plugs that will do nothing for the team to get to the cap floor.

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  89. If Tambellini lets Smyth go to Calgary he deserves a raise.

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  90. If Calgary gets Smyth for a late round pick. Then Tambi is completely dead to me.

    If Calgary gets Smyth for a late pick, and the Oilers don't then use the extra cap space to yield some advantage (be it more picks or good real NHL player UFA's), I'm really going to consider a new team.

    Being a fan is one thing... cheering years at a time for a team with no intention of winning (until an arean is built) is another.

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  91. If Smyth plays for the Flames, I will watch them a little more. I would probably even pull for them a little. It won't hurt as bad when we go 0-6 against them next year.

    ReplyDelete
  92. Guess they Oilers want another top pick next year.

    That's the only reasonable explanation.

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  93. Tambellini passing on Smyth will be one of the hardest moves he will be forced to make.

    It can be debated whether or not its the right decision but personally I think its impressive that he doesn't go with the easy route.

    I want a GM that can make tough decisions.

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  94. I want a GM who wants to improve the team. Got one of those?

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  95. If Calgary gets Smyth for a late round pick. Then Tambi is completely dead to me.

    Those of you that don't feel that way, will, when he gives a bunch of money to total plugs that will do nothing for the team to get to the cap floor.


    Tambo will be dead to me if he starts dealing off next years draft picks like Alex Rodriguez peels off $100 bills at a strip club.

    They can develop some bottom 6 guys this season, grab another high pick and then sign Smyth as a UFA and this team is off to the races.

    Its funny. My friends who are Flames fans will kill Feaster for a Smyth trade. They all feel its some kind of ploy to put pressure on Tanguay to sign for a more reasonable number. They can't conceive of this as a good hockey move for the Flames.

    By the way, good tone in here today.

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  96. I want a GM who wants to improve the team. Got one of those?

    Seconded. Smyth offers an improvement for effectively only the cost of his salary.

    4th round pick? Don't we have two of those?

    Just get this done and don't subject Oilers fans to having to watch Smyth wear the Flaming C while the hometown team flounders to another DFL finish.

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  97. Tambellini passing on Smyth will be one of the hardest moves he will be forced to make.

    It can be debated whether or not its the right decision but personally I think its impressive that he doesn't go with the easy route.

    I want a GM that can make tough decisions.


    If Tambellini wants the oilers to stay the course, and build through the draft (and suck next year too), then he has to use the cap money (to hit the cap floor) to trade away low picks / middling prospects and take back bad contracts with better draft picks.

    If Tambellini wants the oilers to get better this year, and doesn't believe Smyth is the best player available, he'd better sign some pretty good UFA's.

    If, on the other hand, Tambellini doesn't want to do anything to make the team better either now or for the future, this is not a case of him making a tough decision... he's simply not doing his job.

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  98. My heart tells me Tambellini MUST get Smyth. My brain is split on the idea. I see plenty of arguments that can be made FOR Smyth coming back, but I'm not totally convinced that it isn't just rationalizing because emotionally I want Smyth to be an Oiler. I can also see arguments AGAINST Smyth coming back, but I'm not sure it isn't just rationalizing because I suspect he'll go to the Flames and I need a defense mechanism to get over it.

    When it comes to Ryan Smyth, it's hard for an Oiler fan to make a rational, emotionless business decision.

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  99. Tambellini has a plan and he is sticking to it.

    I respect that.

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  100. I want a GM who wants to improve the team. Got one of those?

    You have one. The debate is about timeline.

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  101. If Smyth does go to Calgary that pretty much means Tanguay's making it to market. So I say give Smyth's $4 Million to Tanguay (who might be the better player anyways) if 94 does end up in Calgary.

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  102. Gord Miller tweets: "Potential Ryan Smyth deal needs to be approved by Cgy ownership. Possibility the answer would be "no"."

    This is getting too tense for my already battered and bruised Oiler heart.

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  103. Lombardi, Meehan, and Calgary are bluffing.

    The latest is that they are taking it to Calgary ownership for approval.

    Ha. Ha. Ha.

    Fortunately for the Oilers, it is the other Ryan's day, and LA will just have to wait for a pick tomorrow from the Oilers for Smyth.

    Stuff it Lombardi.

    Some Oiler fans aren't sentimental fools.

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  104. What's his plan Traktor?

    If he doesn't use his cap space to improve our draft position in the future, he simply is not following any plan that will improve the team.

    Doing nothing is not a plan.

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  105. TSN now reporting that its a done deal the Smyth deal to Calgary pending Calgary ownership approval. Something tells me the ownership isn't going to like this and probably will reject the deal. At least I hope that is what happens.

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  106. This was the easiest move in Tambo's career and he's on the verge of fucking it up.

    Amazing.

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  107. I'm with godot and Ducey on this one: I would love to see Smyth back here, if the price is reasonable. This remains a terrible hockey move for Calgary, one that should anger Flames fans a whole lot more than Oilers.

    If Tambellini doesn't take Smyth AND doesn't use some of the cap space in a productive way (it's wait and see on this), then you can sign me up for the angry mob. Anything earlier is just premature rage.

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  108. The team being shit is not a plan worth sticking to. Period.

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  109. I'd phone Stu and ask him if I should trade one of his bullets away for Smyth. That's the only call I'd make.

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  110. Maybe Lombardi wants to break up Tambellini's deal with New Jersey for #4, so Lamerello is forced to trade Parise to LA.

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  111. The Oilers new model is the Quebec model.

    Finish last 3 years in a row.

    After that, who knows.

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  112. According to TSN's Gord Miller, details have been worked out on a trade that will send Ryan Smyth from Los Angeles to the Calgary Flames.

    The Kings will receive a late round pick in the transaction, with the only delay being the Flames waiting on ownership approval.


    So much for that tone I was speaking about.

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  113. "The Oilers new model is the Quebec model."

    Finish last for 3 years and then move to the US and win the Stanley Cup?

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  114. If Tambi is not interested in Smyth, then Hemmer is already out the door.

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  115. My idea for draft day if I was Katz would be to invite my blue chip boys. Eberle, Hall, PRV, and Gagner to Minnesota and have them on the podium when we called RNH.


    Hall is with the Oilers in MIN.


    Another blue chipper is there too... Ryan Jones.

    Only because he lives there, of course. Would be kind of funny to see him on the podium, though.

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  116. Every Flames fan I know is talking about how terrible a move it would be to acquire Ryan Smyth. If all it takes is a 3rd round pick then I don't understand how Tambellini can't get it done, or how Feaster can get it done. None of this makes any sense.

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  117. I have been a proponent of Larsson for a long time but am ok with RNH. The fact that they haven't met with Larsson, other than at the combine, pretty much seals the deal for me.

    If we got Klefbom at 19 (or trade up a few slots to get him) suits me just fine too but like HBomb said, any of a list of mid-range d-men work for me.

    If Smitty is traded today, it won't be to us as you don't rain on your 1st overall's parade. Smyth would be great, and not simply for sentimental reasons, but I am not going to blame Tambo for failing to match a Calgary overpay.

    If a fourth rounder gets it done, ok. I can go with a third rounder but 2nd is too high.

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  118. Anyone that thinks trading for a 35 year old is the only solution needs to get a grip.

    4.5M is a lot of money.

    Petrell got 90k bonus.

    Arcobello got 180k bonus.

    House got 100k bonus.

    Tyrvainen got 90k bonus.

    Tremblay gor 40k bonus.

    Lots of ways to spend that 4.5M

    Smyth will have almost zero impact in terms of the standings. The only thing he is going to bring is in terms of leadership.

    Stick to the plan Tambo.

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  119. If negotiations have been going on for a few days, what's taking Calgary's ownership so long to approve this? Is it possible they've woken up to the reality that without the Regehr deal completed, they've lost a whole pile of power because they'll be at the cap with no Tanguay, or 6th/7th defenceman?

    I wish I knew what Buffalo's offer was right now... it might be about to drop.

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  120. Lowetide said...
    Peter Falk has passed away. Damn.

    But his lazy eye lives on.

    Now, just one more thing...

    Rest in Peace.

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  121. godot10,

    I'm with you. This is a pressure move by LA (and Calgary is happy to play along) but really how does this make sense from a Calgary perspective?

    They have limited cap space. They may have had a great run to finish just out of the playoffs but they are closer to a rebuild than a cup run so this is hardly a "put them over the top" sort of acquisition. There is no sentimenality at play here (other than the screw EDM issue, but for their own fan base they would look at this as a screw themselves sort of thing).

    I just don't get it.

    For us, yes, its Captain Canada and all the memories of the best mullet in hockey. Maybe Iginla put in a good word for him and all but Feaster is no idiot and knows that this is a $6 million cap hit for a great heart in a 35-year old body. Unless the thought is one last dash for the playoffs and if nothing comes of it we blow it apart in March - I just do not understand it.

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  122. New Jersey must be auctioning Parise today if Lombardi is so desparate to get Smyth off the books today rather than tomorrow.

    Lombardi must know that the Oilers won't do the Smyth deal on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' day. So there has to be another reason why Lombardi is going over the top with the pressure.

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  123. I am wondering if the Oilers are willing to move a draft pick at all for Smyth, but rather are just trying to move salary back the other way as there bottom line (i.e. Souray, Brule). If a 6th, 5th, 4th is going to get it done from Calgary, I can't see any other problem from the Oiler's perspective unless it is multiple picks going from Calgary.

    I will not outright condemn Tambellini if Smyth goes south, as he would have the chance to redeem himself in FA or trade, but by failing to make this easy move put on his lap he is making life a lot harder for himself to find a replacement later. And if he does nothing of note in FA or through trade to replace a miss on Smyth, as is more likely than not to be the case, he should get lambasted.

    He sure does a good job of not inspiring confidence in himself as GM;)

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  124. Douglas - we don't know what's going on w/Calgary, but Feaster has obviously come in and decided that status quo is not good enough.

    Will it all pan out? Remains to be seen but to his credit, rather than sitting around and making assessments, he's going to do something to either push the team into the playoffs or push the team towards a rebuild.

    With Smyth only having 1 year left, it's a high price but low risk move - particularly when you have a bare cupboard of prospects and Tanguay does not want to come back for the money offered.

    What is safe to assume is that this is the first of several moves.

    Am now expecting no trades this weekend for 3.0.

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  125. Trak:

    You'd have a point if we were talking about a real asset here.

    We're not.

    A 4th? Who the fuck cares?

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  126. Potential Smyth #NHL trade to #Flames on hold until Ryan finds out where #Oilers stand with possible return. As of now his NTC not lifted.

    Nick Kypreos posted a few minutes ago on Twitter

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  127. Should actually update that comment about Feaster. He's made the assessments and come to a conclusion in what seems like to Oiler fans lighting speed compared to the training wheels 3.0 needs.

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  128. See, Kypreos effectively says, it was and is a bluff.

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  129. Rich: you betray your unreasonable biases by assuming that Feaster is beginning a series of wise moves while alleging that Tambellini is a dithering moron (yes I'm paraphrasing).

    Tambellini may be a bad GM (jury's still out for me, I'll have a better idea around July 3rd), but there really is no good justification for this move in Calgary. Smyth, though we love him, is overpaid (in terms of cap hit) at his current age and level of production. Calgary is the team closest to the cap and with a pile of aging players on large contracts, has limited options to free up more space. Moreover, by acquiring Smyth before getting a Regehr deal done, the Flames are within about $1M of the cap and now have limited leverage with any trade partners.

    How can you possibly have faith in that?

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  130. PDO:

    Each one of those players has a better chance of helping us when we need it than Smyth does, even if all of them are long shots to make the NHL.

    Tyrvainen looks like a Matt Cooke/Brad Marchand hybrid.

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  131. Man I love Smytty.

    If he goes to Calgary after all this -- it looks for certain that he pushing for Edmonton -- I'll have a hard time watching this fall. It doesn't get more obvious they are either trying to fail short-term or are completely incompetent.

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  132. Can't they at least throw us a bone, we've been starving for 5 years.
    Bring home the mullet you jerks.

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  133. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  134. Each one of those players has a better chance of helping us when we need it than Smyth does, even if all of them are long shots to make the NHL.


    So tell Smyth we're acquiring him on the condition that he's going to be moved at the deadline and will have to play the last 20 games away from home.

    Bam, 4th rounder to a 2nd rounder, if not more.

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  135. Trak:

    Well, easy answer to that.

    Deal Cogliano for a pick.

    Hey, our team gets better today and tomorrow!

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  136. I won't boo Ryan Smyth as a Flame. However, I will boo Kevin Lowe and Steve Tambellini for letting it happen.

    Elliot Friedman says it best - "you need guys to teach your young players to play the right way". Called it a "support system" for guys like Hall.

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  137. Trak:

    Of course, that makes us a shittier hockey team so we can get more shiny 17 year olds a year from now!

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  138. Godot: if you're NJ, wouldn't you move the #4 before you'd think about auctioning off Parise? Especially in the type of salary dump trade that you've proposed which would allow Lou to add some parts in FA and take one last Brodeur run.

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  139. When was the last time a transaction was held up by Calgary ownership mulling it over?

    Every hour or two for the last 2 days there have been reports that a LA-Calgary deal was imminent, or completed pending a thumbs up by ownership, or 94 waiving his NTC. Not to mention this all looks like it was leaked a few days before the draft by the Kings in the first place.

    Seems like a lot of noise over a 35 year old winger with 1 year left on his contract.

    If in the end Smyth does end up a Flame it sure is going to sting, but some of the pain will be eased by the fact that it looks like the new guy running the show in Calgary is partially insane.

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  140. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  141. Edmonton could lose Gagner on waivers and would instantly become a better club via subtraction, save for losing an asset for nothing.

    He's a tweener top 6 player that is also a soft, defensive liability and he doesn't bring anything in the bottom 6.

    A smart GM deals him yesterday. He doesn't help win hockey games and he never will.

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  142. @ Derek

    How would that make the new guy in Calgary any different from the old guy in Calgary?

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  143. "If in the end Smyth does end up a Flame it sure is going to sting, but some of the pain will be eased by the fact that it looks like the new guy running the show in Calgary is partially insane."

    Well put. Judgement on the deal and v3 should wait till after it occurs and once more till we see the first days of UFA.

    LA is pushing extremely hard before the draft. I'm curious what else is going on. If it is just v3 being an mega-dick about sending back salary instead of accepting a gift then not good. But that still doesn't explain why LA is pushing so hard now.

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  144. I have been coming to this blog since 06/07 because there are a lot of smart, original thinking, people who comment here - including you LT ;-) - but there is a small cluster here who do talk some right shit.

    In particular, there has always been this "other GM's" man-love. Every other team's GM is always smarter than ours, every other GM makes shrewd moves. I recall when Howson went to Columbus there were a bunch, and I mean a BUNCH of people on here who were talking about him as the "brains" behind the Oilers 2006 run, blah, blah. Well have a look now. What has he done besides sign a lot of average players to shit contracts, miss the playoffs all but once (swept), and back himself into needing to make a job saving trade this weekend? I also recall a few people on here complimenting Sutter in Calgary for his nice "subtle" moves he was making a few years back. Enough said.

    I don't have a feel for what Tambellini is or isn't at this point, because I think he's done what he's said he was going to do. But, this particular phase the Oilers are in probably could have been executed by almost any semi-competent GM.

    The Smyth thing is ridiculous. Just replace the name Ryan Smyth with any other NHL player and assess the deal on it's merits (cap hit, age, positional need). I wouldn't be opposed to it, but it's not the end of the world.

    *as I right that, I get a tweet that he's gone to CGY*

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  145. Maybe they're stalling until after the first round, as other irons could be in the fire.

    But if Steve lets Smyth go to Calgary, then he'll have lost every ounce of goodwill with the fans.

    I won't hold any ill will towards Ryan either way, as he gave the Oilers their chance, and they passed.

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  146. Dreger tweeting Huddy officially let go by the Stars. be nice to bring him back into the fold. If he could handle Grebs' acid trips...

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  147. Dreger tweet...

    Charlie Huddy let go by the Dallas Stars today.

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  148. Huddy was just let go by Dallas. Now that's someone to bring back into the fold.

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  149. Somebody tell Don Meehan that it is Ryan Nugent-Hopkins day in Edmonton today.

    It is NOT a good sign for a successful return that Ryan Smyth and his agent don't understand this.

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  150. Regardless of whether they get Smyth or not they need to get to the cap floor. They need to take on salary.

    I'd like them to bring Smyth back especially if its a fourth or fifth round pick. They have to spend the money, its likely going to be on big contract veterans I would think (we all know its not UFAs like Richards coming here) so why not Smyth? There's no harm and they NEED to spend the cap space.

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  151. I can't beleive that this supposed deal with Calgary hasn't happened yet. If it were going to, there wouldn't be all these little snags. If Ryan wanted to be there, he'd be there. If the flames wanted him, they'd have him.

    This is all a bunch of smoke being funneled at Oilers HQ, to try to make a deal today.

    The question remains - Why are the kings so desperate to make this deal now?

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  152. Its impossible to justify passing on Smyth on the last year of his deal for a mid-late round pick. Absolutely impossible but Shambellini will get away with it by saying the names Taylor hall 4 or5 times Eberle 5 or 5 times and the media will walk away smiling.
    There is no downside to this deal, no way it shouldnt be made.

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  153. From Brownlee:

    -- 1:04: As per Stauffer: Oilers scouting staff said to be unanimous on taking Nugent-Hopkins.

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  154. The only thing I can think of is that they have another deal that involves either that third round pick, a player LAK are requesting the deal, or a deal that involves a lot of money coming Edmonton's way.

    Otherwise, Smyth fits. He just does.

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  155. I prefer to reserve my hate for the Flames and Kings, for daring to screw up RNH's draft moment.

    That's Smyth and his scumbag agent's mo, imo. last time they fucked up Messier's big night.

    Fuck them all.

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  156. And what LT says makes sense. The one thing I can see making this not a fit is a deal with another club to take on big salary in order to get more picks.

    Like Rolston coming our way or something like that.

    mender - if Tambellini doesn't get this club on the right track I'm going to get so loaded I won't even be able to spell bender properly

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  157. BD

    It's possible that they other irons in the fire and need to see how the first round plays out before pulling the trigger. They probably have some idea of what NJ's price for the 4 and I suspect that it would include taking back some junk. Do you want to add $6M of Smyth when there is even a small possibility of adding $5M of Rolston too?

    Plus I think godot is right. This is supposed to be RNH's day and they probably just don't want to deal with this today.

    butrifi - The Sedins seemed to butrifi when the stakes were the highest

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  158. We all saw the deadline episode of Oil Change. Tambellini cannot make a spot decision, he has to check with all sorts of people to be sure his behind is sufficiently covered.

    As for the draft, I'm 99 percent sure we're not moving up picks with Mr. Sleepy at the wheel...

    Thank goodness that at least we have MBS running the draft.

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  159. veryone realizes that if Smytty goes elsewhere that RNH will be partially runed anyways

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  160. If it comes out that Smyth wasn't going to fit the changed culture that they've produced, I can kind of buy that. I don't know what goes on in the dressing room so maybe Smyth wouldn't be good there.

    It doesn't mean I wouldn't be angry about it, though. It's one freakin' year! How much harm could he possibly do?

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  161. Cactus: Sorry, stepped into a meeting and want to answer your question.

    Calgary has a very narrow window left to compete. The core is nearing their past due date so you have to choose between what might help you win right now (think NYR mid 90's after they finally won the cup) or rebuild.

    Smyth as of today gets you closer to the cap (after you trade Regyhr) but he's only got 1 year left on his deal (Regyhr has 2). You've postponed the inevitable 1 more year (true) but you've given yourself a reasonable chance (with other moves to come) to attempt to compete before the window completely closes.

    And if you get to mid-season and last year's late run turns out to be a mirage, you go to your most tradeable assets and you move them.

    It's a plan. Don't know if it'll work, but it didn't take 3 years to get to that point.

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  162. Rolston has a NTC I believe. They could make an agreement to claim him off waivers, but not likely he would waive to come to Edmonton.

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  163. -- 1:04: As per Stauffer: Oilers scouting staff said to be unanimous on taking Nugent-Hopkins.

    Thats kind of too bad the news is out. Hall was saying today that the first he knew was when he heard "from the Windson Spitfires" when he was picked.

    Anyone know when the draft actually starts? The coverage starts at 5 but I imagine there is a lot of blather off the top. I want to reduce my exposure to McGuire and Button as much as possible. I'm dumb enough.

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  164. Every other team's GM is always smarter than ours, every other GM makes shrewd moves.

    We've got the worst record in the NHL since 2006-07. Isn't this like exactly correct?

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  165. 1:04: As per Stauffer: Oilers scouting staff said to be unanimous on taking Nugent-Hopkins.

    I heard Stauffer interviewing Macgregor – it was “unanimous consensus”– whatever that is - amongst the procurement team.

    And no names were given in the phone call.

    Macgregor was clammig up

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  166. @ Ribs

    It's one freakin' year! How much harm could he possibly do?


    I hear Rifles is UFA this year. Want to find out?

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  167. It appears Renaud Lavoie has deleted his tweet from last night claiming that a deal sending Smyth to the Flames was imminent.

    Wonder why he would do that?

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  168. If it comes out that Smyth wasn't going to fit the changed culture that they've produced

    Ribbsie, Ribbsie, Ribbsie...
    Please say you're kidding

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  169. //If it comes out that Smyth wasn't going to fit the changed culture that they've produced, I can kind of buy that.//

    Pissing all over Nugent-Hopkins day, and making it all about himself, Ryan Smyth, is one blaring fog horn that Smyth ISN'T going to fit into the changed culture.

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  170. Listening to Stauffer and his sidekick, two guys paid by the Oilers it certainly appears the team wants to throw some water on this. They dont want him.

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  171. It is only fitting that the Intentional Columbo passes away on the same day that the Unintentional Columbo of Hockey takes the stage to announce the 1st overall and totally duff the easiest hockey move he'll ever see.

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  172. godot...

    the urgency on the Smyth deal seems to be coming from Lombardi, not Smyth. I doubt Smyth cares if it happens today or on Monday, as long as it happens. Lombardi though seems insistent that it be a pick from this draft so it has to be done before tomorrow morning.

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  173. mc79: If you don't think the moves that Tambellini has made have been designed to do exactly that then I think we're going to have to agree to disagree.

    But from reading around the blogosphere you'd think that we are judging Tambellini's body of work as if he's supposed to be putting together a contender.

    What exactly has he done that hasn't been in line with "the plan"?

    And for the record, I'm not saying he's a good GM. I'm just saying there's very little of substance to judge him on. I get that we all love to play armchair GM (I do too) but using Colin Fraser for 6th rounder as the basis for critiquing a GM's competence is stupid. If you wanna talk Khabby contact, fine, but that was when the organization hadn't committed to a full rebuild, and that's the WHOLE ORGANIZATION's fault!

    So seriously, what are his real failings as a GM? And don't come with the 3rd line/faceoff center, top 9 veteran, etc...because those things are designed to WIN games and make you a BETTER team.

    I'm not an ST apologist, I just don't get all the hate.

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  174. Round 3 isn't till tomorrow.

    Smyth has responsibility for raining on RNH day. Your agent is effing you over again Ryan.

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  175. erm - godot, how is Smyth making it about himself?

    Lombardi has a couple of irons in the fire and has gone to him today and said what do you think? Is Reghyr shitty in the room as well because he is also trying to figure out what is best for himself?

    Yeah Reghyr and Smyth, there are a couple of guys known for being selfish assholes.

    As for Rolston I just threw out the name but I presume if the choice is Edmonton or riding the buses he'll take Edmonton.

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  176. mc79hockey said...
    Every other team's GM is always smarter than ours, every other GM makes shrewd moves.

    We've got the worst record in the NHL since 2006-07. Isn't this like exactly correct?


    Plus he's got the capped out 30th place Nadir of NHL Efficiency Award on his mantle. That is the definition of worst management in the league.

    Oh, and wasn't that the same year the President of Hockey Operations guided the Oilers' NHL, AHL, and ECHL affiliates all to last place in their respective leagues?

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  177. Jason Gregor has a thoughtful read up about what's going on with the Smyth stuff.

    More I read and think about what happened when he left, the more I think Don Meehan is to NHL Agents what Matt Cooke is to NHL Players. All of this bullshit doesn't seem like Lombardi's style. I don't see it being Tambi's or Ken Kings/Feasters... And I don't think that Ryan is that big of douche... so that leaves... the guy responsible for making Ryan happy.

    If I'm Kevin Lowe or Steve Tambelinni, I'm making a phone call to Ryan and telling him to get his agent to back off or there will be no happy return. It's really too bad that all of this bullshit had to happen today.

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  178. Moose: Tambo was definitely trying to win up until last year. The payroll gives him away.

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  179. I am in complete agreement with you Godot.

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  180. RiversQ: The payroll that Lowe primarily established? Really? Who besides Khabby was on his watch?

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  181. godot10 said...
    //If it comes out that Smyth wasn't going to fit the changed culture that they've produced, I can kind of buy that.//

    Pissing all over Nugent-Hopkins day, and making it all about himself, Ryan Smyth, is one blaring fog horn that Smyth ISN'T going to fit into the changed culture.


    I definitely agree that he doesn't fit in with this culture of don't try and don't compete. Also, he doesn't fit in with the culture of scapegoating dressing room staff and totally avoiding accountability.

    The Oilers' changed culture is not something to which you want to aspire.

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  182. LT...

    Next year can we have CZJ in a scanty Santa's Elf outfit? Pretty please?

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  183. Smyth may well end up with Calgary in spite of what a bad deal it would be for the Flames. But assuming this deal isn't as done as it sounds, let's look at this situation from another angle:

    You're Dean Lombardi:
    -A top winger has asked for a trade
    -His NMC means he gets to dictate terms
    -The only two teams he'll go to are Calgary (which has no cap room) and Edmonton (who you feel just ripped you off for Penner)
    -When you talk to Tambellini, he immediately figures out you have no leverage and won't give you the 2nd round pick/prospect you want
    -Doughty won't sign a reasonable contract and picking up Richards is inching you closer to the cap
    -You want to be active in FA but until Doughty signs, you're worried about an offer sheet so unless you deal Smyth, you have to wait
    -You can't stand the idea of that jerk Tambellini ripping you off again

    This is a terrible situation to be in as a GM. It makes total sense that Lombardi would do absolutely everything in his power up to and including a "deal" with the Flames to try to extract something of value from the Oilers.

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  184. Ribbsie, Ribbsie, Ribbsie...
    Please say you're kidding


    They've went to great lengths to change the culture of the team. Whether or not that is a valid thing to do or not is anyone's guess, but if that's the story they go with it will be consistent with what they have been doing.

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  185. schitzo,

    Exactlly what I'm thinking.

    60 games of Smyth with the last twenty as a away from home rental is a brilliant play.

    He'll have value at the deadline for a lot of teams looking to bolster their rosters. This is exactly what I've been thinking would be a huge play.

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  186. Moose: I personally do not accept constantly shifting accountability. Its the EIG's fault! It's Katz's fault! It's the "Organization's" fault. And most recently the formerly taboo "It's Lowe's fault" all smacks of Oiler fans being totally unable to come to grips with the fact that their team has no managerial leadership. None.

    Tambo presided over numerous decisions and opportunities to improve the team now or in the future and he has failed almost every single time. In fact, the only positive asset the team has had the past year (draft position) is a function of his colossal repeated failure at maximum cost to his employers.

    I don't disagree with rebuilding, but arguing Lowe or Tambellini are capable managers of an NHL hockey team is utterly preposterous.

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  187. If you wanna talk Khabby contact, fine, but that was when the organization hadn't committed to a full rebuild, and that's the WHOLE ORGANIZATION's fault!

    Get a better goalie if you're going to blow your brains out for one.

    I've made the point before that a lot of the stuff he's done to now has been the easy stuff. His fuckups in 2009 were so egregious though that I don't see how you can trust him when the decisions get tougher.

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