Why? Things don't go well for us. It's a case of reading (over and over) "missed it by THAT much" every July 1 in the EJ or the Sun or the blogs.
We might also read "Oilers one of three teams in on Vern Fiddler" only to see Vern (a smart guy) sign elsewhere in search of Stanley.
There's no sin in it. Should the Oilers one day improve to the point where they are considered possible Stanley winners, the quality veterans will come to Edmonton as they did in the olden days (Linseman, Napier, Nilsson, etc).
Oiler fans would do well to look at Saturday or Monday signings. There is some talent in the deep, dark areas of this free agent season. Here's 8 free agents I'd love to see sign with Edmonton.
- L/R Antti Miettinen (UFA, $2,333,333). Quality 2-way winger would help the Oilers kids and chip in offensively. A RW depth chart of Hemsky, Eberle, Miettinen and Jones would be very nice. He also scored 8 powerplay goals a year ago.
- D Jan Hejda (UFA, $2,000,000). I know he wasn't stellar this past season with the Jackets, but his resume overall is quality and he's not ancient. I'd take a chance that he could return to a level where EV and PK performance would be average plus.
- C Marty Reasoner (UFA, $1,150,000). Come back, Marty! Not just for Loxy, but let's face it for all of us. Reasoner would be a solid checking C for the Oilers and showed signs of instant chem with youngsters when he was here last time. He could have a long chat with guys like Cogs about the "crossroads" and chip in some goals. A nice player.
- C Vernon Fiddler (UFA, $1,100,000). Zona has done an excellent job of showing us how well this center would fit. Not quite last year's Malhotra in terms of perfect fit for massive need, but there's a wonderful match here.
D Jonathan Ericsson (UFA, $900,000). He's going to want to get paid and the Oilers have some dollars. Young enough to be around when this team is really good..- D Sami Lepisto (UFA, $800,000). A nice puck moving option, left handed defender who might be effective pairing up with one of the RH veterans.
- G Anton Khudobin (UFA, $660,000). Stops pucks.
- D Denis Grebeshkov (RSL). I know there's chaos and maybe they would need to bring Huddy back as part of the package, but Grebs could do some things.
Dos Equus doesn't always watch hockey, but when it does, it prefers Vern Fiddler.
ReplyDeleteNice. Well played.
ReplyDeleteIF the Rangers need to free up space to sign Richards, I wonder if they trade Dubinsky for Gagner straight up, or for Cogliano +?
ReplyDeleteIF the Rangers need to free up space to sign Richards, I wonder if they trade Dubinsky for Gagner straight up, or for Cogliano +?
ReplyDeleteQuite possibly, if Sather had just finished smoking the drapes.
So Regier opens the vault for Erhoff.
ReplyDeleteGood cap hit at $4.0, but huge money up front.
That's what having a billionaire owner should be all about.
Overspending on decent players, but not wrecking the cap.
I still think Regier has some Vish-open wallet disease, but at least the cap hit is tempered.
I wonder when Edmonton's dark knight in shining armour Batkatz will sanction the same?
TSN's Free Agent frenzy day will fizzle like trade deadline day.
Its a crappy FA year and most of the good ones are gone.
Over/Under on how much air time will be spent on Richards (if he doesn't sign early)? 72.3%
Good cap hit but wow what a long term. Long terms make me nervous on Dmen. They're always one hit away from a career-ender. I'd still risk it to sign a Weber type, of course.
ReplyDeleteIs that the Edmonton-born Vern Fiddler?
ReplyDeleteThe very same. Edmonton, Alberta. Canada. Four Strong Winds Alberta.
ReplyDeleteYep.
I like khudobin.I think he would be a good signing.Looks ready to take the next step.
ReplyDeleteJust following Tambellini's presser and I don't blame him for being pissed off. The Oilers org managed to keep the details of Brule's health problems private for a whole season and then it all comes out (likely from LA) and now the health issues of Fraser have also come out.
ReplyDeleteWow... what swift kick to the guts of any fantasies of the Oilers acquiring guys who could make a significant difference on this team...
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the value in tempering expectations, but I think you picked a crappy time to do so LT.
Dos Equus doesn't always watch hockey, but when it does, it prefers Vern Fiddler.
ReplyDeleteYou mean Edm...
Is that the Edmonton-born Vern Fiddler?
Carry on, then.
I think Edmonton born BatKatz should green light interloper v3.1 to give Edmonton born Vernon Fiddler $3MM over two years.
ReplyDeleteIts an overpayment, but isn't that what Batmen are supposed to do?
Jordan: Timing? I'm not certain there's a better time to talk free agents than the period right before free agency.
ReplyDeleteIf Martinek can return from this and get a clean bill of health, he's not a bad 1-year signing.
ReplyDeletebleh on Reasoner. I'm not sure he's even an upgrade on Cogliano at this point.
ReplyDeleteWe know he can't saw off the tough minutes based on his last couple of seasons in Edmonton.
I'd like to see an upgrade if they are going to go to the free agent well.
LT I dunno if you check this before but didn't Grebs sign a 2 year deal with SKA?
ReplyDeleteJordan, if you don't believe Edmonton-born Vernon Fiddler, who I believe spent last weekend clearing dry brush from high risk areas, or Marty Reasoner can't make a significant impact on this team, you've not been paying attention to the Oilers for the last three seasons.
ReplyDeleteYes, 2 years in the KHL.
ReplyDeleteBlogger book¡e said...
ReplyDeleteJust following Tambellini's presser and I don't blame him for being pissed off. The Oilers org managed to keep the details of Brule's health problems private for a whole season and then it all comes out (likely from LA) and now the health issues of Fraser have also come out.
Of course Mr. Dithers neglected to mention that both players were LA property at the time the information was released.
It's not the talking about free agents that bothers me - it's prefacing the the entire conversation with, "ever year they try to get someone, and they always end up settling for their B or C choice, because A always goes elsewhere."
ReplyDeleteDAMN IT! That just s***s all over my blue-skying free agent dreams. I want Hannan! And you're being 'realistic' is not helping my fantasies of a near-competent top 4.
Where's the optimism? This is the Summer of 2 Ryans! The year Tambi traded Dustin Penner, an injured Colin Fraser, and a 7th for Ryan Smyth, Oskar Klefbom, Colten Teubert, and a 3rd next year!
Have they really sucked all the hope out of you that the Oilers might actually get the guys they want or... dare I say it.... need?
Jordan: Yes. :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's reasonable to expect a big name UFA to come here. This is home for Smyth, but UFA's aren't likely to come to Edmonton until the Hall's and RNH's are ripping it up.
Edmonton is not an attractive free agent option. The Oilers attempted to overcome this by overpaying and that landed them Sheldon Souray and Nikolai Khabibulin.
Steve Staios was a free agent when they signed him, and that guy was a piss cutter here for years. That's the kind of free agent signing the Oilers need this summer.
Sschulte1 is correct, Grebeshkov purposefully signed a 2 year contract so it would expire when the current CBA does. His hope was to return to the NHL at that time under a possibly more flexible CBA.
ReplyDeleteI read nothing of an out clause for the NHL. One assumes that if they wanted him badly enough they could come to some agreement with his KHL team, but I wouldn't bet on it.
8 names with "Oilers secure top pick in 2012 draft" written all over them.
ReplyDeleteArt, I didn't believe they could have their pick of The Nuge or Larsson this year, so hells if they can't pull off the Fail for Nail.
ReplyDeleteCannonball - The Nuge - Nails
Dare to dream.
Eriksson signs in Detroit..3 years for $9.75 million.
ReplyDeleteScratch one off the list LT.
Canucks reportedly chasing Dubinsky if the Rags sign Richards.
ReplyDeleteDubinsky would play LW with Kesler.
One would hope the Oilers are involved in any kind of talks re: Dubinsky.
ReplyDelete//Of course Mr. Dithers neglected to mention that both players were LA property at the time the information was released.//
ReplyDeleteBrule was NEVER Kings property. That deal was NEVER consummated.
Blogger godot10 said...
ReplyDelete//Of course Mr. Dithers neglected to mention that both players were LA property at the time the information was released.//
Brule was NEVER Kings property. That deal was NEVER consummated.
Ah, yes it was but the league wouldn't approve it because Mr. Dithers had not filed the appropriate medical forms with the league.
Four high priced lawyers stayed up until midnight on draft day trying to make it work but they couldn't get it done because Dithers hadn't done his job.
It was an "orgadses" of fubar.
Lowetide said...
ReplyDelete"One would hope the Oilers are involved in any kind of talks re: Dubinsky."
Not much to offer outside the young guns...Vancouver has both Hodgson and Scneider on the table and both have very friendly cap hits.
//Four high priced lawyers stayed up until midnight on draft day trying to make it work but they couldn't get it done because Dithers hadn't done his job.//
ReplyDeleteThat's D%$#%^$ Lombardi's "version". You take the word of a guy who leaking confidential medical information about players all over the place. You take the word of someone who fabricating fake deals complete with updates with Calgary in the media.
Nobody has given Katz credit for eating Souray's salary, and not ordering Tambellini to use a prospect to induce someone to take Souray with it.
ReplyDeleteDSF - one team has the ability/respect to keep a sensitive medical issue private - one leaks it before they even finish the trade.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to re-evaluate how you judge such situations. I think Lombardi takes the reputation hit here, not Tambellini.
I suspect that you are coming at the situation with a hate for Tambellini and as such, can't be objective
How bad a GM is Tambellini? He tries to trade Brule, but can't because he's injured (despite publicly avowing his health.) Then he does trade Fraser for Smyth, only for news to break that Fraser is seriously injured and requires surgery. Does Steve even know anything about the status of his players? Not only does he come off like a cheapskate by trying to force LA to accept some salary in return, he looks incompetent by not knowing the health of his players, and like a prick for trying to sneak a fast one past a fellow GM.
ReplyDeleteBlogger godot10 said...
ReplyDeleteThat's D%$#%^$ Lombardi's "version". You take the word of a guy who leaking confidential medical information about players all over the place. You take the word of someone who fabricating fake deals complete with updates with Calgary in the media.
That is NOT Lombardi's version...it was widely reported by the media on draft day and subsequently including Bob McKenzie.
Your defense of Mr. Dithers is puzzling.
If he trades THREE players who are medically unfit to play will you concede there may be an issue here?
BTW, LT, did you read Shogun recently or something?
ReplyDeleteDSF - one team has the ability/respect to keep a sensitive medical issue private - one leaks it before they even finish the trade.
ReplyDeleteYou might want to re-evaluate how you judge such situations. I think Lombardi takes the reputation hit here, not Tambellini.
I suspect that you are coming at the situation with a hate for Tambellini and as such, can't be objective
I don't hate Tambellini at all...I just think he is a doofus.
There's a ton of evidence...would you like a list?
It grows daily.
Godot10: Yay Katz! Are we happy now?
ReplyDeleteBrule is probably fine. Bono even said so. [-)] Lombardi was exaggerating to the media to try to get out of having to take a contract back in the Smyth deal.
ReplyDeleteIt is called bargaining by bullying. Lombardi was using bullying tactics throughout this negotiation.
He was trying to intimidate and humiliate Tambellini to give up on forcing a player on him.
This is obvious with the first media leak.
Me thinks the Oilogosphere is about to become a total shit show on all fronts. Hold on tight!
ReplyDeletePersonally I think it needs to happen.
If I were Tambellini, I would have told Lombardi to go eff himself, but then Smyth wouldn't be an Oiler today.
ReplyDeleteDangerMan said...
ReplyDelete"Me thinks the Oilogosphere is about to become a total shit show on all fronts. Hold on tight!
Personally I think it needs to happen."
I've been saying for a while we need a total rebuild.
Burn it to the ground :)
Well, DSF is the oldest person here so I guess he's the first to go.
ReplyDeleteLT: Appreciate the new mobile-friendly version of the blog. What's your guess as to how many personalities TSN will have in its studio tomorrow?
ReplyDelete"8 names with "Oilers secure top pick in 2012 draft" written all over them."
ReplyDeleteHaha. There some good stuff in here tonight.
"Dos Equus doesn't always watch hockey, but when it does, it prefers Vern Fiddler."
&
"Quite possibly, if Sather had just finished smoking the drapes."
40. There's not going to be much to talk about, so they're going to have to go in shifts. :-)
ReplyDeleteI think it might be a crazy day. It seems as though the Flyers makeover has caused some kind of watershed of signings before free agency.
So a team like WASH or NYR or VAN haven't done diddly and there may not be any difference makers.
Only one team can sign Richards and then it's a giant sucking sound.
DSF: Burn it to the ground :)
ReplyDeleteIt's already been burned to the ground, whats next, scorch the Earth? To the point of radioactive waste?
BTW, the shit show that is in question is the man, the myth, the legend, TAMBO!
ReplyDeleteWe're gonna have years to debate whether or not he should have a job or not. That debate will be ugly and heated. The results will speak for themselves. That alone should give plenty to talk about, all the while people will lose their sanity during this process.
Quote from this link:
ReplyDeleteElliott says this trade won't be voided. Additional or alternative compensation will be made for the Kings.
Really? Additional compensation?
PDO said...
ReplyDelete"Well, DSF is the oldest person here so I guess he's the first to go."
No, we take out the useless young ones out first.
They never know nearly as much as they think they do.
Do you want Oilogoshphere to be the Red Wings or the Oilers?
Think very carefully.
Lidstrom or Smid?
Your choice.
Psst... Lain is older than I am.
Did not watch Oiler presser tonight.
ReplyDeleteOccasionally listen to Oiler Lunch. Same thing....it's 100% Oiler presser. Or 2-3 minutes of Milhouse reading Oiler prepared and distributed scripts on 630 CHED
Really simple answer to this problem. Sorry guys. If Oilers disclosed the nature and extent of Brûlée injury to LAK, if so, LAK are entirely responsible for whatever the risk that materializes is. Same rationale with respect to Fraser. Either we told LAK about injury or we did not. If not, we have a problem.....UNLESS we made the trade on an "AS IS, WHERE IS" basis. That situation can, in law occur......" I will sell you Secretariat....... As is, where is," the fact that he is dead is for the purpose of the deal.....Irrelevant.
Which is entirely legit. You bought him in whatever, condition he is presently in. The risk lies entirely with LAK.
Problem is not whether it can be done that way, it can. see above. Which is 100% legit, it is whether it was done in that fashion. If not, ie trading trading 2 broken down assets trying to get a good player without disclosure is bogus.
I hope it is the former: complete disclosure!! If not, not sure you can continue in role as primary representative of NHL team. GM role not to see what you can get away with, closed system what is allowed
I believe Ethan Moreau was the first causality of the Oilers rebuild....
ReplyDeleteWhat was that woman on HF who always used to go on about people bashing the Oilers?
ReplyDeleteI think she's got a new handle and found LT's site.
"squatut" = An approximation of Steve Tambellini's credibility.
"I believe Ethan Moreau was the first causality of the Oilers rebuild"....
ReplyDeleteI think it was Mark Messier.
"What was that woman on HF who always used to go on about people bashing the Oilers?"
ReplyDeleteYou might be onto something there MC.
mc79hockey said...
ReplyDeleteWhat was that woman on HF who always used to go on about people bashing the Oilers?
I think she's got a new handle and found LT's site.
"squatut" = An approximation of Steve Tambellini's credibility.
hahaha.
Narnia lives.
He's a whirling "dervie"
Blogger PDO said...
ReplyDeleteI believe Ethan Moreau was the first causality of the Oilers rebuild....
Shremp wasn't far behind PDO.
All hat, no cattle.
Lidstrom or Smid?
ReplyDeleteThere are two things wrong with this statement.
1) The choice should be Lidstrom or Klefbom, not Smid, and if the question is "Which Dman do you want for the next 7 years", Klefbom wins because Lidstrom only has 1-2 years left
2) Comparing yourself to Lidstrom is incorrect. PDO's comparison to theformercaptainethanmoreau is more accurate.
Godot,
Everyone gives BatKatz credit for backing his employee's decision with dollars.
What pisses me off is another BatKatz Sports Empire employee cries "poor" at the same time and refuses to open the books.
I have to be the oldest person on this blog. Maybe Bruce is close, I'd have to think about it. Anyway, once you're a certain age all that matters is where the hell are my glasses.
ReplyDeleteDSF said:
ReplyDeleteI've been saying for a while we need a total rebuild.
Burn it to the ground :)
We?
Sorry bub, but unless you take off that Canucks jersey, there is no "we" :-)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteProps to Ducey for being the first to properly point out it was a Dys fan who wanted to burn the Oilogosphere to the ground.
ReplyDeleteThey do like to burn things.
Excellent.
Woodguy said...
ReplyDeleteLidstrom or Smid?
There are two things wrong with this statement.
1) The choice should be Lidstrom or Klefbom, not Smid, and if the question is "Which Dman do you want for the next 7 years", Klefbom wins because Lidstrom only has 1-2 years left
2) Comparing yourself to Lidstrom is incorrect. PDO's comparison to theformercaptainethanmoreau is more accurate.
Godot,
Everyone gives BatKatz credit for backing his employee's decision with dollars.
What pisses me off is another BatKatz Sports Empire employee cries "poor" at the same time and refuses to open the books.
It's not unusual for a die hard Oiler fan to take the line that a Klefbom in the bush is better than a real NHL player in the hand...lord knows it;s been going on for years.
But, in reality, two of these players are in the NHL and one is struggling to get top six minutes in Sweden.
If you want to compare apples to dragon fruit, be my guest, but I would think 7 years from now Lidstrom could likely take Baby Oscar to school.
You know what would be totally the funniest is if Tambo finished off the Lombardi relationship once and for all and offer sheeted Doughty a crazy offer like 10 year 100 million. That would make my day Rofl.
ReplyDeleteThat is only if Lombardi matched the offer. Might hurt to pay Doughty 10 mill a season for 10 years.
Blogger Lowetide said...
ReplyDeleteI have to be the oldest person on this blog. Maybe Bruce is close, I'd have to think about it. Anyway, once you're a certain age all that matters is where the hell are my glasses.
There are a couple of other things but I expect, if I tell you, you'll likely just forget anyway.
Here are your glasses :)
"Lidstrom at 48 will be better than Klefbom at 25" - DSF.
ReplyDeleteSo, if there was a pale imitation of LT's blog elsewhere, with a top eight list of UFAs to pursue, and Souray's name appeared on it, which city would it be?
ReplyDeleteMinsk.
ReplyDeletePDO said...
ReplyDelete"Lidstrom at 48 will be better than Klefbom at 25" - DSF.
Lidstrom is the Swedish Stan Weir.
Book it.
I wonder why the Oilers signed Smid today but didn't sign Cogliano. No hurry, I guess.
ReplyDeleteMatty mentions Fiddler but you can tell they want Konopka and then he throws out Free Willie Mitchell.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.edmontonjournal.com/Oilers+will+picky+free+agent+market/5033751/story.html
Blogger Lowetide said...
ReplyDeleteMatty mentions Fiddler but you can tell they want Konopka and then he throws out Free Willie Mitchell.
Konopka would be a horrid mistake but perhaps he'll get injured and the Oilers can trade him to the Kings at at the deadline.
Only if it's for Doughty.
ReplyDeleteLT: Reason they didn't sign Cogliano is that 3.1 probably couldn't find his glasses.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, I just found mine!
Really like that Oil want to sign guy to win face-offs and fight.
ReplyDeleteJust not sure we wanna sign someone who cannot play.
Seriously we are watching Khabby FA signing all over again. "KL and ST will say WHO KNEW" and answer is anyone who can read stats
Course by then we should learn they meant to write "as is, were is" on Brule/Fraser trades but MEANT to write it and forgot......intention is everything
I say we pay 3 years and $4.5m for Konopka and he plays in AHL within 18 months"............ who knew?
Well, we've already pissed LA off more than we could've thought we could.
ReplyDeleteWhy not drop an RFA offer to Doughty for $12,000,000 and one year?
Meehan is Doughty's agent.
ReplyDeleteI take that back.
Boyd Gordon will sign for $1m less over 3 years and everyone will know who he is at the end of that contract. He will be known as where PP's go to die!!
ReplyDeleteCourse Konopka will win 57% of draws in AHL
//Why not drop an RFA offer to Doughty for $12,000,000 and one year?//
ReplyDeleteI think that still costs you four 1st round picks. And that means you have to quality Doughty at the max every year.
So 4 1st round draft picks for 4 years of Doughty at the salary max.
But it won't happen because Katz and Anschutz are essentially business partners in the Edmonton Arena District.
Lombardi throwing a public fit, a million dollars, and released medical records won't strain the business relationship between Katz and Anschutz.
An offer sheet to Doughty probably would.
Don't you think cogs is a target for Offer sheet?
ReplyDeleteThe souray Buyout? isn't tonight the deadline?
I'd like Hamrlik for 2 years.
ReplyDeleteBut no #44. Not 44. no no. never never...ever again.
That's a bold move for a DMAN that may not resign with the team. 4 first rounders?
ReplyDeleteMaybe the timing isn't quite right.
Honestly, what a depressing time it is to be an Oilers fan.
ReplyDeleteTambellini is firm ("This is only year of the rebuild") in his stance towards thinly veiled tanking.
He suggested today nothing might transpire tomorrow, or another veteran forward perhaps won't be obtained until late July [left-overs]
The Oilers management aren't even hiding the fact they don't intend to be competitive. If I were a season ticket holder, I'd be pissed.
PunjabiOil said...
ReplyDelete"The Oilers management aren't even hiding the fact they don't intend to be competitive. If I were a season ticket holder, I'd be pissed."
Pissed?
Why would anyone pay thousands of dollars to play that game?
And it will continue for another 5 years?
PJO said:The Oilers management aren't even hiding the fact they don't intend to be competitive. If I were a season ticket holder, I'd be pissed.
ReplyDeleteWhere did you get that conclusion from?
He suggested today nothing might transpire tomorrow, or another veteran forward perhaps won't be obtained until late July [left-overs]
ReplyDeleteThe Oilers management aren't even hiding the fact they don't intend to be competitive. If I were a season ticket holder, I'd be pissed.
PJO,
Maybe you did not get the memo:
1) there are very few top drawer FA's
2) the top drawer FA's are not coming to EDM for a rebuild
3) there are a bunch of middle range guys who will get overpaid due to 1)
4)the middle range guys are unlikely to come to EDM for a rebuild
5) the middle range guys are unlikely to make much of a difference to the playoff chances of the Oilers anyway
6) the Oilers will nevertheless try to get a middle range guy or two but due to 4) they are unlikely to be successful
7) as a result the best strategy is to wait until the leftovers get deperate and then sign them cheap - done well, it can be an effective strategy to fill out the bottom 6 and find an extra D - because the team isn't making the playoffs anyway.
Or put in terms you are familiar with:
Tambo is the pimple faced kid going to the bar tommorrow driving his dad's Ford Tempo. All the hot girls and girls with nice personalities will be taken by midnight. In a few years when his skin clears, he has done a few more chinups, and he has some nicer wheels, he might be able to do some business by midnight. But tomorrow, if Tambo wants to get lucky he is going to have to settle for whatever rolls out of the alley at 2 am.
Maybe we should start writing the Oil Change episode around free agency.
ReplyDeleteScene begins with camera tracking down the hallway to ST's office. From a distance, we hear "how do I dial out again?" followed by a heavy sigh.
Then...
Ducey said...
ReplyDeleteOr put in terms you are familiar with:
Tambo is the pimple faced kid going to the bar tommorrow driving his dad's Ford Tempo. All the hot girls and girls with nice personalities will be taken by midnight. In a few years when his skin clears, he has done a few more chinups, and he has some nicer wheels, he might be able to do some business by midnight. But tomorrow, if Tambo wants to get lucky he is going to have to settle for whatever rolls out of the alley at 2 am."
In the meantime, Howson lands Jeff Carter and James Wiz.
That Erhoff deal is a decent deal for the Sabres.
ReplyDeleteVCR could have had him for an extra $600 K a year (cap hit) on top of what they paid him last year.
The last 3 years at a million per mean he will likely retire during those years.
They are really paying him $5.5+ million a season with a $4M cap hit.
The template for most future contracts?
Of course there is the risk the guy turns into a pumpkin.
Still, a big loss for VCR. Especially when that contract is something they could have likely done to keep him.
Blogger Ducey said...
ReplyDeleteThat Erhoff deal is a decent deal for the Sabres.
VCR could have had him for an extra $600 K a year (cap hit) on top of what they paid him last year.
The last 3 years at a million per mean he will likely retire during those years.
Gillis isn't that stupid.
They are really paying him $5.5+ million a season with a $4M cap hit.
The template for most future contracts?
Of course there is the risk the guy turns into a pumpkin.
Still, a big loss for VCR. Especially when that contract is something they could have likely done to keep him.
Gillis isn't that stupid.
A ten year commitment is just dumb unless the player is a prime piece of your core.
In the meantime, Howson lands Jeff Carter and James Wiz.
ReplyDeleteIs the Wiz signed?
Do you see things going that well for CLB? They don't have any depth on D and are selling tickets at $15.
I could continue my analogy to CLB by rearranging the name of Grant Clitsome, but this is a family show.
Just in case anyone was wondering, none of the other OKC RFA's (Marquardt, Montgomery, Pitton and Bendfeld) were given QO's. I know some people thought Montgomery might be brought back.
ReplyDeleteThat's according to this:
http://www.examiner.com/oklahoma-city-barons-in-oklahoma-city/o-marra-and-chorney-given-qualifying-offers
LT, I'm sending you my dry cleaning bill for this one:
ReplyDeleteMaybe we should start writing the Oil Change episode around free agency.
Scene begins with camera tracking down the hallway to ST's office. From a distance, we hear "how do I dial out again?" followed by a heavy sigh.
Then...
that's an 'erfer' which is my word verification.
I swear when the Oilers capitulate on signing real depth players today... and announce that they've signed the 'veteran' Jason Strudwick to a 1-year deal @ a $1.8 million dollar cap hit, I'm going to book an appointment with a hypnotist. Maybe he can convince me that green is orange and that Edmonton Oilers is spelled "Vancouver Canucks" for a couple seasons.
ReplyDeleteThen......
ReplyDeleteTambo is sitting at his desk flipping through his rolodex while looking down through his reading glasses that are perched precariously on the end of his nose. He finds the correct card and gives the camera a triumphant smile. He places the card down on his desk and dials carefully.
Tambo: Hello, the Edmonton Oilers are interested in retaining your services. We need a player like yourself. A veteran presence on the blue line with some toughness that can contribute on the power play.
Screen splits and shows Sheldon Souray staring incredulously at his cell phone.
Kevin Lowe in the back ground to Tambo: Hang up the phone Steve, we need to talk. We already have him on a contract.
Tambo: But, he didn't play for us last year!
Screen fades to black
Ducey: The Wiz isn't signed, but I'd somewhat stay away from him, unless he's paired with a solid defensive D.
ReplyDelete(AKA, if you plan to have him play with Smid it's fine... otherwise)
He just has the shortest stick I've ever seen for a d-man, which makes his reach tiny. He needs a stabilizer with him at all times.
Matt N: lol. Classic.
ReplyDeleteSo although i usually avoid hockeybuzz, the Oilers blogger had a decent article last night, he made some good points, the main one being:
ReplyDelete- if the Oil are smart they'll sit back after the craziness of July 1 when a team like the rangers will blow up their cap space to get Richards and others and then look to make deals that help cap wise.
- for example if the Rags give Richards $8 mill per they will be tight to re-sign Dubinsky and Callahan. Dubinsky would be nice, but so would Callahan (awesome physical player with great special teams play). What about Callahan for Omark and a prospect/pick? Or more for Dubinsky? Adding Callahan to the right side makes us a more balanced and better team.
I like the idea of trying to poach from some cap strapped teams. Mind you, that is not how we roll. Crazy like a fox!
I like the idea of getting a Callahan from the Rangers, but don't like the idea of giving up Omark. We already have a pretty good idea of who we have in this guy, and giving that up for Callahan would hurt. Perhaps one of the prospects, like Hamilton or Martindale would be enough instead. Saves the Rags some cap room too.
ReplyDeleteWell if they give up Omark we'll know the Oilers can't rebuild. Up front, Hall, Eberle, MP, Gagner, Omark, Hartikainen should be off limites.
ReplyDeleteOn the back end, Petry, Peckham.
Just don't trade these guys until you know what you have.
You're right LT, they should until wait until Omark gets pissed with his icetime and then demands a deal. Then that would be a good time to deal him.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we should worry about the Oilers giving up on players too early. They usually wait until there is a big pile of dust left.
Wiz signed 6 yrs $33M - woof
ReplyDeletebactu - describes this deal pretty well
Well I sure as hell wouldn't trade Omark yet. He could be very good.
ReplyDeleteLT: Omark could be very good. But he is a depth player on the Oilers. If he is willing to accpet that...great, if he is going to bitch and moan about icetime and threaten us with going back to Sweden, then thats no good.
ReplyDeleteOmark's character is going to be tested by the Oilers, especially, god forbid, that the Oilers have a healthy season this year. If they don't, then yeah, it will business as usual.