Eager is a LW, 6.02, 230 and scored 7-10 with 120 pims a year ago for San Jose. The raise is very slight, the term was probably the most appealing part of the deal for Eager.
LW is now full for the Oilers: Hall, Smyth, MP, Eager. The team could move Paajarvi to RW, but that would crowd that position with Hemsky, Eberle, Omark and Jones already there.
The Oilers entered draft week with the following shopping list:
A veteran winger to help with PK/PP and guide the kids at evens.Truculence.- A veteran NHL defensemen.
- A faceoff man to help with PK and to balance the C position.
- A legit option for the moment when goaltending becomes an issue.
I think Hall is practicing his draw
ReplyDeleteWhat I don't know about Eager is quite a lot. Sounds like a pretty easy upgrade over JFJ/Storts/Smac though the contract isn't great.
ReplyDeleteThe contract is about $150,000 more than he made a year ago. The contract length is the worry, but he's not 90 or anything.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy with the signing. He can take a pass, has scored a few goals and he will definitely involve himself physically.
It's a small move, this isn't Ryan Smyth coming back. But the tail end of the Oiler roster had MacIntyre, Jacques and Stortini a year ago.
Eager is a better player imo.
3 years is a bit of a bet but the contract should be movable so long as he can throw a punch.
ReplyDeleteit is an upgrade, so good.
the signing i'm concerned about is on defense. they need to get *something*.
At least this deterrent can take a shift. His numbers weren't horrible it seems. I believe he's got decent wheels too.
ReplyDeleteBeing LW he can go on Hemsky or Eberle's line if things get hairy for them, and I'm sure will provide much more disincentive than Crazy Train.
How about "Gentle Ben" for a moniker. Good stop gap signing.
I think it's a solid signing, and certainly looks like we now have a tough player who can actually play some hockey. Does this pretty much guarantee Hartikainen starts the year in OKC?
ReplyDeleteI still would like to see Konopka signed - even though Fiddler might be a better overall player - because the Oilers would have the option of sitting Eager and still have toughness on the 4th line if, in fact, Hartikainen was to see some time...
It's also interesting that you had mentioned their interest in Eager LT, and it actually came to fruition (!)... does this mark the beginning of you officially becoming an "insider"?
The bar is pretty low when you can say he's better than Smac and JFJ, but I like the signing.
ReplyDeleteNo illusions about him being a 4th liner, he's played on winners, ads truculence. It's not as if the contract is a killer if he does not work out (in terms of a buyout).
Low risk, high reward. This is the kind of thing that Vish actually did quite well at in the EIG years (see Steve Staios).
Nothing wrong with this one.
Or Ryan Anything to center experiment take two.
ReplyDeleteHall excelling at center would solve a lot of problems on this team.
Jagr to Flyers?
ReplyDeleteFlyers sign Jagr to one year deal...interesting.
ReplyDeleteStars get Fiddler and Dvorak. Nice.
ReplyDelete$3.3M for Jagr, per Dreger. If you didn't think he'd go where the money was, you were fooling yourself.
ReplyDelete$3.3 for Jagr?
ReplyDeleteGlad that's no longer the Oil strategy!
TSNRyanRishaug
ReplyDeleteOil are in the mix on Belanger, as are a number of teams. Expect him to do something fairly soon after last years issues with caps.
Great signing - I watched Eager alot while he played with the Blackhawks, and he's a fast skater who's v. physical and doesn't get caught out of position too much. Think a slightly less offensively skilled, but better defensive version of a Torres.
ReplyDeleteShould easily be able to play 10-12min a night with some PK time - won't score that much.
Fidler - too bad. Would have been good here.
ReplyDeleteThat's one heck of a User Name.
ReplyDeleteEager - I don't like giving these guys long term contracts without having them play at least a year with the team. It's hard to say how he'll be in the room, or on the ice, for that matter. Hope for the best!
ReplyDeletenot sure how i ended up with such an awesomely incoherent user name - you should see our children's names ;). openid kind of sucks, i guess.
ReplyDeleteRibs: Yeah, that's one thing that should be a red flag. He's moved around a lot.
ReplyDeleteNo worries. cheech. Everyone's welcome here.
ReplyDeleteRyan jones tweet Rumor is the the Oil r working out a trade w/ TSN.. Bob Stauffer and 2 video cameras for @TSNBobMcKenzie . Welcome to the Oil Bob Mc.#rumors
ReplyDeleteDang you bookie, I just spit up my drink at my computer on that one.
ReplyDeleteTSNRyanRishaug
ReplyDeleteFiddler gone.. Oil didn't table offer
TSNBobMcKenzie
Jan Hejda's deal with Colorado is 4 years x $3.25M per season.
_____________
Hejda went at reasonable dollars. Dammit
testing - just redid my name so i could post under a more normal name than "Ceac-..."
ReplyDeleteHe takes bad penalties. That's why he gets moved, he cost San Jose in the playoffs against Vancouver but he was also all over them that game and wound up scoring a goal and riling them up.
ReplyDeleteThe Oilers are too well behaved. We need someone to run people, it's been too long on that score.
Best news: This means Stage Fighters are out this season. Ben Eager is a legit player.
I guess te Oilers brass ddidn't like Fiddler quite as much as the Oilogosphere.
ReplyDeleteWell 4 years for Hejda might be a reason for not getting him, but the Oilers need a fricking defensemen here.
ReplyDeleteI really like the Smyth deal, I mean absolute killer. The Eager deal is fine, it cuts down on the guys who can't play at all.
But if the Oilers don't add a defenseman here it's really tragic. you MUST get a defenseman, Steve.
No other option. Seriously. For fuck sakes.
Yeah, there's a ton of footage on Youtube under "Ben Eager cheap shot" lol. It might be fun to see the Oilers be on the other side of this stuff for once--h8 to admit it.
ReplyDeleteEdmonton should trade Gagner for a defersemen.
ReplyDeletewin-win situation
Good singing on the face of it. Can play a regular 4th line shift and low risk from a trade/buy out perspective. Imo the real risk is if he has a bad off ice lifestyle? Any one with input on that?
ReplyDeleteI remember reading during the regular season that Eberle and Hall were hanging out with Vandermeer at WEM. If he can relate to the kids and is a good off ice mentor that would be another reason I would like to see him brought back as a #7 D.
My most recent memory of Eager was in the playoffs. Eager took a crapload of bad penalties, knocked down Luongo when he scored a goal, then yapped at Luongo as he stood over him, then got a game misconduct eventually. Real d-bag in my opinion. But can play. So not sure what to think. Not exactly thrilled.
ReplyDeleteStruds was just seen racing into the Oilers offices...
ReplyDeleteStruds: Steve, I can play D! Please! Pretty please!!
3.1: Kevin, you're a good judge of d-men, does Struds still have it?
Vish: He did beat me in the 40 and can down a six pack with one hand tied behind his back. Plus he's great in room. Why not, for old times sake.
3.1: Struds, it's a done deal! See you at camp.
Marcel Goc down to Panthers
ReplyDeleteHamrlik or McCabe would do it.
ReplyDeleteRishaug now retracting his comment - Oilers were in mix for Fiddler
ReplyDeleteTreenasOil tweet...
Suprise announcement coming from the Oilers sit tight
Is she legit, or what? I don't get how she can be updated so frequently.
Ribs: She's wearing a bikini and she's talking hockey. Who the hell cares?
ReplyDeleteAvs trade for Varlmolov? Do they know he's trying to sign with a KHL team?
ReplyDeleteColorado loses mind, trades what could be a lottery pick in the deepest draft in 8 years for a back-up Goaltender.
ReplyDeleteThis division is going to get easier.
LT - What's that thing they say about things looking too good to be true.....
ReplyDeletelancytot - That would be my fake Oilers insiders username.
What the hell just happened? Did the Avs trade their first rd pick for a goalie who is going to the RSL?
ReplyDeleteHoly crap.
lol. Well, I'm married so I just go there for the reading.
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell just happened? Did the Avs trade their first rd pick for a goalie who is going to the RSL?
ReplyDeleteAnd a second rounder
LT said:
ReplyDeleteRibs: She's wearing a bikini and she's talking hockey. Who the hell cares?
okay, so you are on Twitter, what's your Twitter account name?
I'm not yet on twitter. I'm working on it, but am not a good knitter.
ReplyDeleteMcPhee absolutely destroyed Sherman in that deal.
ReplyDeleteNHPLA votes Tallon "GM of the Year"
Fun day to do yardwork, drink beer and check on hockey.
Wonder what happens with Vokoun now?
ReplyDeletespeeds: At what number and contract length would you consider Vokoun a good option for EDM?
ReplyDeleteO'Brien still unsigned?
ReplyDeleteSpeeds: I wonder if he's priced himself out of the market. Some of the rumours were saying he was looking for high 5s, low $6M per. That seems excessive given the current goaltending market.
ReplyDeleteIf Vokoun is looking for money, I think the Islanders would throw some money for that. If he is looking for somewhere to play and maybe a chance to win, I'd look at Chicago or Detroit.
ReplyDeleteCan't answer that without knowing the team goals. Are they trying to win? If so, I don't hate a pretty big offer for 2 years.
ReplyDeleteTalbot to FLyers too? jeez.
ReplyDeleteWould anyone take a chance on Giguere at 1 x 1.5M?
ReplyDeleteTalbot to Flyers... I'm assuming they're not signing Leino.
The Oilers would be better off spending their money on a Khudobin or a Desjardins than a Vokoun. Vokoun is just overkill for where the Oilers are at now.
ReplyDeleteFist post ... Ever :D so my gathering after the Ben eager signing: D will be addressed through trade, bye bye cogs/omark. Neither meet the height requirement set by management and omark was never billed as a "keeper." Throw in tambo's rumblings about signing a vet or two, well obviously we have no room up front and the ufa dmen suck and will be over paid. Thoughts?
ReplyDeletefrom PDO:
ReplyDeletePhilly gets Talbot. Holmgren seems more interesting in trolling Ray Shero than anything else
Haha!
On the other hand, if they really think Dubynk can be a starter, and want to get him games, it probably makes sense to roll with what they have.
ReplyDelete"Would anyone take a chance on Giguere at 1 x 1.5M?"
ReplyDeleteIt would interesting in the sense that Smyth and Giguere would be able to continue their feud in practise.
I wouldn't trade Omark right now. At all. I'd consider him to be part of the Hall group.
ReplyDeleteSeriously.
"I wouldn't trade Omark right now. At all. I'd consider him to be part of the Hall group.
ReplyDeleteSeriously."
I would if it was to address a need, but in no way am I giving him away. Its hard to gauge what Omark's value is today. I'm guessing its not all that high.
I think putting Cogs and Omark in the same category is like putting dynamite and apples in the same category because they both contain carbon atoms. Cogs is expendable, Omark is dynamite.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, btw.
LT: agreed. The only grounds to trade Omark are if you think he's not going to amount to much and you can find a team to pay high for his potential. Anyone who can say with certainty what Omark will become is either crazy or has a great psychic.
ReplyDeleteRishaug reporting the Oilers have an offer for Belanger - hopefully they've come in with something good.
ReplyDeleteI wonder long the bidding war for JFJ will go on?
ReplyDeleteIsn't Belanger the guy who said he would play in Quebec rather than Winnipeg?
ReplyDeleteBar Qu: Expendapple?
ReplyDeletespOILer: Richards first, Jacques next. That would be my guess.
ReplyDeleteCLB must be looking for a little cap relief, and they want to dump Pahlsson. Worth a shout for the PK/Faceoff role.
ReplyDeleteIf there is anything on the Hemsky to Phi rumour...you think Schenn/versteeg would have to be comming back no?
ReplyDeleteI, for one, am glad that Tambellini isn't going all "Tallon" today.
ReplyDeleteWhat he hell is Florida doing???
4 yrs for Jovo? 3 Mill for Kopecky? 3.5 for upshall? INSANITY
spOILer: Richards first, Jacques next. That would be my guess.
ReplyDeleteReally no loser then.
What? I haven't heard this.
ReplyDeletewhat Hemsky rumor is that, hadn't heard anything about that?
ReplyDeletewhat Hemsky rumor is that, hadn't heard anything about that?
ReplyDeleteJust a chick in a bikini making rumours up.
I'd rather sign Handzus than trade for Pahlsson.
ReplyDeleteEarlier today, Bikini Girl tweeted:
ReplyDeleteFlyers are interested in Hemsky have called Oilers again
Spoiler: Me too, but that seems like a longshot.
ReplyDeleteHolmgren has so completely lost the plot at this point that if that were true I'd ask for Simmonds and Schenn for Hemsky and Cogs.
ReplyDeleteLooks like Hannan is still out there. Will cost a lot, but the good teams are running out of cap space. Belanger would be a good fit.
ReplyDeletei'd take coburn from the flyers, but not for hemsky unless he re-signed up front. No need to deal hemsky. Now I know LT you don't want to move him, but Omark for a re-signed Coburn solves a huge problem for us for a top 2 dman.
ReplyDeleteDBO: Do you have a corner in your home?
ReplyDeleteBikini girl says Oilers offer Smac 2 way contract
ReplyDeleteColorado's GM is trying to get fired.
ReplyDeleteIf Philly had "lost" on Jagr, and "won" on Jovanoski, maybe trying to trade Carle or Coburn to Edmonton for Hemsky was plan B.
ReplyDeleteHow about Hemsky for Calgary boy Braydon Coburn and a pick?
ReplyDeleteI'm fine with SMac on a 2-way. He'll get sent up and down and eventually Burke or Torts will claim him.
ReplyDeleteLT: lol. do i get a tinmeout.
ReplyDeleteRE: Smac....don't we have Abney graudating to OKC this year?
ReplyDeleteWings sign Commodore...1 year...$1 million
ReplyDeleteDBO: I'll assume you can't read this on account you're in the corner for the next 5 minutes. :-)
ReplyDeleteRe: Abney. He'll be in the ECHL next year imo.
Budaj signs in Habland, Rupp in Satherville.
ReplyDeleteHere is all I need to know about Hemsky and Coburn. Both in the same game.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOsGyrdDgBs&playnext=1&list=PL3AD70BD13502BDD2
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_g1GT-_QfQ&feature=related
I feel shame.
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, unless they move Hemsky, Omark is redundant. Don't we want more balance? I know he has upside, but he will struggle to get minutes over Hemsky and Eberle.
Steve sullivan signs in Pittsburgh. nice move by the Pens. 1 yr $1.5 mill.
ReplyDeleteTreenasOil
ReplyDeleteOilers close to signing Belanger
And now Bikini Girl is saying the Oilers are close to signing Belanger. Take that for whatever it's worth.
ReplyDeleteSo the Smac deal was the Oilers big surprise for the fans?
ReplyDelete(re:bikini girl)
Erik Cole to MTL as per Elliot Freidman on Stauffer's show.
ReplyDeletespoiler - that was good
ReplyDeleteThe Cogliano Exepenapple will be premiered by Steve Jobs next week. Guaranteed to go really fast, entertain, but eventually crash and lose all your work.
Great signing for Habs if that comes off. Just what they need.
ReplyDeleteTreenasOil
ReplyDeleteOilers had a deal that involved Gilbert and Coglino but the deal fell through minutes ago,
Reasoner is off the market, according to Dreger.
ReplyDeleteJoel Ward 12M/4 years with Washington.
ReplyDeleteOverpayment
Bikini Girl....
ReplyDelete...the surprise was a top 2 D man coming back will try find out who it was.
Ward to the Caps, Reasoner to the NYI.
ReplyDeletewow. washington signs Ward to a 4 yr deal for $3 mill per. Jones looks like a bargain now
ReplyDeleteDarren Dreger
ReplyDeleteDarrenDreger Darren Dreger
Isles agree to terms on 2 year deal with Marty Reasoner as per team release.
Too bad. Reasoner would have been a good signing.
ReplyDeleteNo Marty Sakic? Heartbroken.
ReplyDeletereasoner to the isles upsets me. they better get belanger
ReplyDeleteJason Arnott is still kicking out there, I wonder if he would be willing to come back?
ReplyDeleteBelanger would be ok, but I hope they don't overpay or overterm the guy. Nothing more than 2yr/2mil/yr type deal.
Probably friggin Sergei Gonchar.
ReplyDeleteWhat about Sturm? would he be a decent fit on our 4th line?
ReplyDeleteHamrlik 2 years to WSH
ReplyDeleteWhen will the D men start signing with teams?
ReplyDeleteWould like to know what the market is saying.
I don't like what WAS is going, but still can't get over that Colorado deal.
ReplyDeleteRoman Hamerlik gone for 7M/2 years.
ReplyDeleteHe's the type of guy the Oilers should have pursued.
stauffer saying oil may have signed a tough guy? no details
ReplyDeletehamrlik. 2 yrs $7 mill total to caps
ReplyDeleteWow Hammerlik at 7/2y looks good
ReplyDeleteReasoner went for 2 years 1.35M per season.
ReplyDeleteThe Oilers should without a doubt have signed him, even if they had to play him on the 4th line.
Hammer off the market.
ReplyDelete3.5 million for each of two years.
Yikes. Wonder what McCabe would want?
Ward for 3mm/year is stupid money. I love the way he plays, but that's too much money for a guy who scores 10 goals and has a 6.34% shooting percentage in the regular season.
ReplyDeleteOwners better not complain about money getting out of hand in the next CBA - they're doing it to themselves.
stauffer saying oil may have signed a tough guy? no details
ReplyDeleteGregor is saying Konopka is close.
cole 4 yrs $4.5 mill per year with mtl
ReplyDeleteGregor is saying Konopka is close.
ReplyDeleteFor fuck's sake.
You have Reasoner who addresses a team need, and all the Oilers seem to want to do is sign 4th liners who can't skate.
stauffer says hordichuk i think may have signed with Oil
ReplyDeletePlayer X goes elsewhere, Oilers should have signed him.
ReplyDeletePunjabiOil
Edmonton Oilers
ReplyDeleteNHL_Oilers Edmonton Oilers
#Oilers agree to terms with free agent defenceman Cam Barker & forward Darcy Hordichuk. Details to follow...
"You have Reasoner who addresses a team need, and all the Oilers seem to want to do is sign 4th liners who can't skate."
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you are saying, but I'd rather just hand Lander the job over ALL of them.
Oilers get Hordichuk and Barker.
ReplyDeleteand oil sign cam barker as per oilers twitter
ReplyDeleteWe just signed Barker and Hordichuk.
ReplyDeleteBarker's numbers have REALLY fell over the past few years.
Plus, rumours are that he's an alcoholic.
Eric Cole signs with Montreal 4yrs. 18 mil... does that warrant a 'WTF'?
ReplyDeleteHordichuk is a nice addition, but Barker?? Oh man...
ReplyDeleteCam Barker an Oiler as per bikini girl
ReplyDeletePunjabiOil: unless you're in the room with Lowe, Tambellini and co, do you know for certain that they HAVEN'T gone after these players? Just because the Oilers want someone doesn't mean they'll sign him and Katz may not want to overpay by hundreds of thousands just to land another player.
ReplyDeleteCam Barker.
ReplyDeleteFinally a Dman.
barker 1 yr $2.25
ReplyDeletethere is the D depth, and an overkill of tough guys. I'm guessing either Eager or Hordichuk will be payed to play in the A, prolly Hordichuk.
ReplyDeleteThis team got functionally tough in a hurry. I like the moves.
2.25M to Barker. Only 1 year, but ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteOK we signed Barker...time to sign Huddy so he can turn him into a defenceman
ReplyDeleteJust because the Oilers want someone doesn't mean they'll sign him and Katz may not want to overpay by hundreds of thousands just to land another player.
ReplyDeleteYet, they'll overpay for depth defencemen (Smid, Barker).
Take it easy, Patrick LaForge.
Hordichuk 1 yr, 825 k
ReplyDeleteI am starting to think that the Oilers' due diligence before acquiring a player involves asking "How high was he drafted?" and not much else.
ReplyDeleteper Stauffer
ReplyDeleteand now stauffer is excited. just made them go to break early. i smell a trade.
ReplyDeleteBarker 1 year $2.25? :(
ReplyDeleteBad signing. First, if you're taking a chance on the guy that he'd live up to his post-draft hype, you don't sign a guy to a 1 year deal.
And $2.25M is too much for an iffy player.
We needed a defenseman, but I was hoping for someone more reliable, especially for those dollars.
Barker. Reclamation project. I quite likes it...
ReplyDeleteQuite a bit more than what Commie got but we do lack a certain cachet. Barker might have been getting more interest too.
ReplyDeleteWon't Huddy go with MacT?
ReplyDeleteI'm okay with the Barker signing. We needed an NHL defenseman.
ReplyDeleteMinnesota sucks so we bring back the Chicago version of the big Dman.
Our defense is still soft as shite, save for Teddy Peckman.
ReplyDeleteMove Foster and try and grab O'Brien or Vandermeer?
The signings today just seem to confirm the Oilers have no real intention of competing for the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteDidn't have to be that way.
We haz enuf goon nowz?!?
ReplyDeletemoose: actually Barker has been known to stick up for teammates. Maybe he gets his shiite together. We'l be more truculent to quote LT that is for sure
ReplyDeleteiirc Hordichuk can kill penalties. I like the sandpaper he brings too, bit of an agitator.
ReplyDeleteWe have the makings of a 4th line finally.
Barker does not seem like a good signing at all unless we're going to strap jets to him. Guy can't move any more.
Meh.
stauffer alluding to oil making another move for a dman.
ReplyDeleteObviously the plan is to have Taylor Hall practicing his Messianic glare this season in preparation for his future responsibilities.
ReplyDeleteEager needed to be moved to a team where he couldn't do much damage to the outcome of the season. For all his stupidity, he didn't look like a lot of fun to play against.
Fortunately, we've got some kids to keep an eye on things and help enforce discipline.
I like Barker as a reclamation project. Hordichuk is a bit of overkill, but nothing wrong with having too many tough guys if they can play and take a shift.
ReplyDeleteNeed some better C, a top4 Dman, and a kick in the ass for Habby.
I wonder which bodies the Oilers will have moving along.
I think I just heard KLowe say "whoa, we got a lot of bodies here".
Tracy Lane
ReplyDeleteTreenasOil Tracy Lane
Foster and a pick for Andy Sutton
36 seconds ago
At this point, we should just assume that every bit of "speculation" that Stauffer throws out on Oilers Lunch is something the Oilers are actually planning on doing.
ReplyDeleteHe speculated at both Barker and Hordichuk this week, and he speculated about Brule in the Smyth trade, and he speculated about Ryan wanting back in Edmonton last year, and he speculated about Comrie wanting another shot in Edmonton.... it just goes and on my friends.
the great part of all these signings is that it's a commitment to keep the youth in the minors for a year. no point rushing lander et al.
ReplyDeleteNHL hockey player in the NHL. Developing players in the A/europe/W
it's like a moment of clarity
TreenasOil
ReplyDeleteFoster and a pick for Andy Sutton
The bikini chick is really plugged in.
ReplyDeleteShe's been way out ahead today.
new thread
ReplyDeleteThat's a helluva trade if true.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBarker, Hordichuk..
ReplyDeleteWay better signings than cole.. didnt montreal pay attention to that year?!..
Good Day to be an Oiler Fan!..
(depending on term / dollars)
No doubt, wonder who she is... everything has been bang on.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the Cogs/Gilbert thing would have been with the Rangers...was originally the Oilers trying to push Cogs/Foster with Rangers not interested in Foster..
now he's gone for Sutton?
Thanks for the reply! I feel like I just interacted with a celebrity after many failed twitter attempts. The only reason I bring up omark is because it seems management doesn't like smallish players. Also we need to address our defence and I can't see the oilers being able to trade anyone with any value other than cogs, omark and maybe gagner.
ReplyDeleteSutton an Oiler...
ReplyDeleteWhere is a guy that wins faceoffs?
ReplyDeleteIts been a need for 4 years.
Why didn't they just claim Barker on re-entry waivers? Wouldn't it have cost them half as much?
ReplyDeleteSo Foster s traded? How injured is he?
ReplyDeleteWow, Oilers land Belanger. Wonder what the money and term is?
ReplyDeleteEager and Hordichuk I can get on board with, and the trade of Foster for Sutton is awesome depending on if and what the pick they sent was (saw no mention in TSN of a pick).
Cam Barker...I could have done without, especially at 2.25M, I mean that's Smid money we're talking about here!
3 year deal for Belanger, no word on cap hit yet.
ReplyDelete