I think "Signs" are telling us that Ales Hemsky won't be here a year from now and I feel another "ugh" coming on.
In Fluto Shinzawa's latest column (always a great read) there's a quote about the Bruins and David Krejci:
- The Bruins and David Krejci have initiated talks regarding a contract extension. If recent history is a benchmark, he should be signing a new deal before the start of the season. Last fall, the Bruins locked up Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron during camp
I think the signs show Hemsky will start the season as an Oiler, get every chance to post high boxcars and be sent away any time after November 15th. They might have traded him earlier but he's been injured so much other teams probably want to see at least 10 games before making an offer.
I think the future at RW for the Oilers belongs to Jordan Eberle, Linus Omark and possibly Magnus Paajarvi.
I think Ales Hemsky's Oiler career is in its final days. The signs tell us as much.
Like you LT, I don't know what the Oilers plan on doing with Hemsky. His situation (and Whitney's, to an extent) is interesting because he is is a player that, unless you can get him at a salary significantly lower than I think he'll likely receive as a UFA, one could argue a team should think about staying away from signing long term, given the potential injury concerns.
ReplyDelete/blows dust off old material.
ReplyDelete// old material still unsuprinsingly relevant.
I'm really not worried about an 83 trade because anytime the Oilers deal an established player they always manage to get excellent players in return.
When the Oilers dealt Pronger they didn't settle for a shiny bauble like Lupul, for instance. They dug in their heels and said Perry or Getzlaf or bust.
and to screw the Ducks further they even managed to get Smid thrown in the deal!
when the Oilers soured on 94, did they screw themselves by only advertising his availability to a few teams and taking suspects like Nilsson and Omarra? No siree bobb! They let everyone know he could be hard and they wound up with a great return.
so, you know, I'm sure the Oilers will be fine when they deal off 83 because they have all kinds of youth to replace him and if there's anything we've learned since June of 2006 it's that a bird in the hand is overrated junk and the birds in the bush really can't be judged until 6 or 7 years time so you can never go wrong by banking on them.
speeds: I think that's a good question. What WOULD he get as a free agent? If Hemsky is healthy for 41 games this coming season, what is his value?
ReplyDeleteI am torn. Agree with Speeds that his shoulder issues are a concern. But Dennis is bang on that our pro scouting department is one of the reasons we had to rebuild. It's not that we aren't winning the high end talent trade, it's the degree to which we lose them.
ReplyDeleteLove Hemsky and would love to keep him. Bigger fear for me would be if Hemsky has a great season 20+ goals and 65 assists. With managements history I could easily see them sign him to an overpay ala Horcoff, Pisani, Nilsson, Brule and Jones
Surprised at the number of players coming off ELC are unsigned today
I don't think this applies to 6 because he's a great interview and Robin Brownlee really likes him but, yes, 83 does have durability issues going forward and there is a price at which you walk away.
ReplyDeletedo I trust the Oilers to do that due diligence?
absolutely not.
TOJ: This is old news, but the Smyth trade was full value. You've decided to offload Smyth (for whatever reason) the previous summer when he wanted to talk deal and you were signing everyone under the sun.
ReplyDeleteFor a few weeks work, they got a 1st rd pick (15th overall), Nilsson and O'Marra.
I don't think anyone will ever convince me it was a bad deal. The PROBLEM wasn't the deal, it was the process that got the Oilers to the point where not signing Smyth long term made sense.
In terms of the Pronger deal, Lowe didn't do a thing to address the defense for that season once Pronger was gone. Aside from the UFA's (especially Spacek) the Pronger minutes were supposed to be gobbled up by Smid, Tjarnqvist and Hejda.
He needed to sign Spacek + but didn't get it done.
I consider myself fortunate, in that the Oilers are approaching the point in my head where one more series of disasters and I'll simply forget all about them.
ReplyDeleteI did it in the 90's, so know it's easily done.
LT
ReplyDeleteWe traded our first line LW for someone who is a career AHLer (O'Marra),someone in Europe who we first signed to a 2 year overpay (Nilsson) and a mid level draft pick. The draft pick is the only thing that does not leave you pulling your hair out.
Compare that with the level of prospects that Doug Wilson gave up to get Burns. Plus not sure we planned to make the trade
How in Gord's name can we compare the Burns and the Smyth trades. Smyth was a rental.
ReplyDeleteTOJ: A signed Burns. Smyth was a rental, made so by the decision in summer 2006 to pass over the idea that Smyth was a priority.
ReplyDeleteIf you look at trade deadline deals for rentals, the Smyth trade is a good one. I know the issue has been framed (and convincingly) another way, but the crime wasn't the deal and the return.
The crime was going through spring 2006 and deciding Smyth was wanting and not a priority.
I don't know what his value is, but I know* that there is always one team out there in a position where they feel willing to gamble on health.
ReplyDeleteTomas Fleischmann has one 50 point season (his only season with more than 40 points), got a 4 year, 4.5 mil per season deal and supposedly there are teams that were somewhat concerned about signing the guy at all due to his blood clot issues.
Marion Gaborik signed a 5 year, 7.5 mil per year deal in a lower cap environment 2 years ago, coming off a season where he played 17 games, having played 77, 48, and 65 games the 3 seasons prior to that.
I think there's a good chance Hemsky will get significantly more than he's worth next July 1 if he goes UFA. I really enjoy watching Hemsky play, but barring some new information, if EDM decides to move him before the trade deadline, it may well be the best play for the Oilers even though I understand exactly where Dennis is coming from.
* know = strongly suspect
Although I like "Signs" a lot, both the original and the Tesla cover, "I'm a Stranger Here" will always be my favorite 5 Man Electrical Band song. There must have been times during the 5 year suck that Hemmer has felt like a complete stranger on this team of bozos being run as haphazardly as the Planet Earth.
ReplyDeleteIf we think of the cluster being 3 years away, which considering RNH's youth and the state of the goaltending and defense, seems to be a minimum, does it make sense to keep Hemsky on your team?
I think so, because we will still want to be competitive and improving during those years.
I'd offer him a 3 year deal (unless he wants to lock in long term for cheap). That way he's still got some good years to offer to some other team if the Oil aren't contenders in a timely fashion. One way or another he would then have a better idea of what he wants from his career 4 years from now, and we wouldn't be locked in long term to an expensive but oft-injured star.
I think Havlat is a good comparable: 6 x $5,000,000. Havlat actually put up a full season in his contract year, after several very shortened campaigns.
ReplyDeletespOILer: I'd sign him too. 4 years, 5.5M. I wonder if he'd take it?
ReplyDeleteId love to see the Oilers resign hemsky but how are the oilers gonna address the D without dealing something of value?
ReplyDeleteThe defense is really really bad, need to trade hemsky for a young defensman.
boopronger: well, it is perhaps wise to spend up front (high draft picks and dollars) and then count on the procurement department (pro and amateur) to uncover gems.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Moneyball, but that's kind of moneyball. Right?
I think speeds has been thinking along those lines for some time now.
It might be trite to say it depends on the price point, because it always does for the team and every player, but that's really what we're talking about - acceptable risk at a reasonable price. Because even if he's a guy you can only expect 60 games from, there's obviously some price where that's worth it.
ReplyDeleteEven without a big season, I don't have much trouble imagining that Hemsky can get 24 mil, 4 year deal from someone next summer, given even a small cap increase and the 2012 UFA crop.
I hope he stays, but he's averaged 56 games and 50 points a season over the last 5 seasons. It would be negligent management to just ignore that fact and pay Hemsky as if he's been healthy for the last 5 years.
ReplyDeleteThe injuries have to be a concern. Few players are going to want to give a discount for this because no one plans on getting injured.
ReplyDeleteIf Hall, Eberle and RNH are keepers then one of the following has to go by next year:
Horcoff, Smyth, Hemsky, Omark, MPs, Belanger, Gagner.
Those are all top 9 guys and there are only 6 spots for 7 of them.
There continues to be little grit there and if Pitlick or Hamilton emerge as third liners then that puts even more pressure on that group.
Who is going to be sent away? If I was Tambo, I'd want to see how much tread is left on Smyth's tires, what I have in MPs and Omark, whether Gagner is finally going to break out, and whether Hemsky can stay healthy.
Its likely to come down to one or two of Gagner, Omark or Hemsky.
With his injury history, potential expense and the fact he can bring back the best package - it would seem likely that by the trade deadline Hemmer is the best choice to go.
Boopronger:
ReplyDeleteI don't agree that the defence is really, really bad. This is often stated, and perhaps generally accepted, but I think the problem is that the forwards were bad, and the goaltending last year was also bad. I think that if the Oilers don't change anything on D, people will talk about how much they are improving over the next year or two when the root cause of the apparent D improvement will be the improvement in the F's and, hopefully, the goaltending.
I certainly don't think it's one of the best in the league or anything, but it wasn't the weak link on the Oilers last season IMO.
If Hall, Eberle and RNH are keepers then one of the following has to go by next year:
ReplyDeleteHorcoff, Smyth, Hemsky, Omark, MPs, Belanger, Gagner.
Those are all top 9 guys and there are only 6 spots for 7 of them.
It's like the concept of depth is so foreign to Oilers fans that they want to get rid of it before it's even been established!
speeds: I think part of the problem Oiler fans will have (and I include myself here) is the idea that the Oilers will be able to:
ReplyDelete1. Control their contracts (specifically Hall, RNH but also Eberle and other high level performers)
2. identify the right players to keep and the right ones to throw away.
I think Omark will be the first test.
Lowetide said...
ReplyDelete"speeds: I think part of the problem Oiler fans will have (and I include myself here) is the idea that the Oilers will be able to:
1. Control their contracts (specifically Hall, RNH but also Eberle and other high level performers)
2. identify the right players to keep and the right ones to throw away."
LT, something interesting to keep an eye on here.
Marchand, Drew Doughty, Luke Schenn and Josh Bailey are all unsigned going into camp.
All four are coming off entry level contracts.
Another thing they all have is common?
Their agent is Don Meehan of Newport Sports Management.
Another of his clients is Jordan Eberle.
Meehan really plays hardball.
I'd offer Hemsky a long term,heavily front-loaded deal in exchange for lower dollars, and thus a substantially lower cap hit.
ReplyDeleteHemsky has to remember his career could end either from a single monster injury or just from multiple injuries making him less effective and less sign-able.
He's 28 now. Give him a deal till he's around 40. (He'll neve play the last 3 years, I would bet, but the tail isn't ridiculous.)
Let's call that a 11 year deal. (That only takes him to 39.)
10, 10, 8, 7, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 2,
That's 64Mm over 11 years for a cap hit of 5.8MM,
That's a winning deal for both sides.
Hemsky gets:
1. Lots of money during years he's likely to be productive. (Indeed, he gets seasons of 10, 10, 8, 7, and 7 to put him with the upper echelion of the league)
2. The option to play for decent dollars laterin his career. Granted, he might make more in these years if he signs a series of shorter deals, but that assumes he can stay healthy.
Oilers get:
1. A low-ish cap hit given the increasing cap.
2. A first line player signed long term.
3. The option of trading Hemsky to a team looking to pay few dollars later in his career but to bump up their cap towards the floor.
I agree there is a risk for the Oilers. Having a 6MM cap hit guy means you have to not have other star players. And if Hemsky is only playing 50 games, he's not worth as much as healthier, lesser players.
But really, 6MM is about to be the new 4MM given the rising cap. You can afford to have an awesome 4MM guy who is underpaid cap wise who can help with a cup run if he's healthy. That's how it will be with Hemsky, too.
LT: You think the Oilers will look at managing the ice time and/or controlling the contracts, in terms of forcing Omark and Gagner to really earn their PP time before giving it to them when they are RFA's next summer?
ReplyDeletespeeds: No. I think Renney will use both on the PP this coming season (possibly the 2nd PP at times).
ReplyDeleteI think both are primed for good seasons. Lots of good arrows.
just listed to the fantastic Skip Krake interview...he should be in regular. guest rotation
ReplyDeleteSo I took off my hat and said imagine that, me, working for you!
ReplyDeleteHemsky's career high remains the 77 points he put up in his contract year last time, in what was an overscoring year for the league as a whole. Five (5) years into the "new" deal, he still has never once finished in the top 30 NHL scorers. Yes, he plays on a bad team, yes he's been unlucky with injuries, yes this, yes that. But this talk of giving him $64 MM or whatever huge dollars over huge term, has me shaking my head. The performance - which to me is total production, not just per-game and per-60 stuff but actual integers - has always fallen well short of projections, every single year.
So we're going to give him another huge contract based on projections?
I have always thought he is better suited to be a second-line hammer on a better club, and who knows, that could happen here now that some top talent is finally bubbling under, but if I were paying the bills I'm not sure I'd be willing to wager $6 MM a year long-term on it. One of Oilers big problems all along has been paying a huge percentage of their salary cap to guys on injured reserve.
Hey Bruce,
ReplyDeleteMy deal is on the high side. You could probably know the 10MM years to 8.5 s and make the tail less. (I also made an arithmetic mistake.) But the core idea is good. You could maybe get the cap hit to 5.25 or something.
2. The other options are worse. Much worse, IMO.
A.) Let Hemsky go to free agency for nothing. (Also hurts our rep. with other free agents...)
B.) Signing Hesmky to a shorter term deal close to what he could get on the UFA market. This could be 7MM for three years. (When we compete on the UFA market for big ticket guys, we usually have to pay not just as much as better teams in nicer cities, but MORE than they offer.) This sucks because Hall and Eberle will need deals during the years that Hesmky's cap hit is there. You want to keep your vets cap hits down and a tail, i.e. a long term deal is the only way to do it with a pending UFA.
C.) trading Hemsky for, hopefully, something around what we got for Penner: a middling prospect and a mid-high round first who is likely to turn into Pouliot, Plante, Hamilton, Grebeshkov, etc.)
It sounds to me like you're for a trade. I think that sets the rebuild back a long way and makes it harder to pick up Belanger's and Hannans for cheap to fill in the lineup. So e it. (This means putting off winning for another chance at being dominant later, or something. This is the Islamders-Thrashers-Blackhaws-Penguins model.)
But can we agree the worst case scenario is the high cap hit, short term deal? (Or rather losing him for nothing is worst, and this is second worst.)
Please excuse my messy writing while I return to lurking.
ReplyDeleteSpeeds,
ReplyDeleteOkay maybe not really bad x2 but pretty bad. No depth, one injury to Gilbert and Whitney and the oilers are done again. Only 2 top 4 defenders (Gilbert, Whitney), no prospect that looks like hes gonna be a #1. From my point of view it looks like too many holes. Also, if we are relying on development in the system, the timelines dont add up too well either.
On another note, the TV guide is saying Sportsnet is playing the Young Stars Tourney at 6. Does this mean the oilers game will be televised? Anyone know?
Management is in tough as although all the young guys are being touted as the real deals I have been jaded by to many top prospect hockey cards to buy into it. Other than Hall, Hemsky is the only first line player I would put money on at this time. We need Hemsky for 2-3 years to verify the promise. Would Hemsky take a 2-3 year contract with his injuries I say no. I propose we try to sign him for 6 years for an average of 5.5. I think the average is a little low but if we front end the contract say (9,9,6,3,3,3) maybe he takes a discount. With a contract structured like this we will know where the current group stands after three years. His contract at that time would be appealing to the low budget teams ("Nashville, Florida") who will struggle to be reaching the salary and even if he is injury prone I think you get an asset for this kind of contract.
ReplyDeleteboo: The Rogers schedule has it on Sportsnet Pacific and West at 8:30. I'll check it out but won't be surprised if it isn't on.
ReplyDeleteSN is quite awful at this sort of thing.
It looks like Tambellini is sort of sticking to his guns regarding Hemsky. A team will have to pay dearly to get him. If he was being shopped, he probably would have gone by the draft. Maybe that's a sign that he stays.
ReplyDeleteThank god the someone hasn't taken him. This is an elite hockey player.
I have no idea what makes people think that letting a player go UFA then walk for nothing is a bad thing.
ReplyDeleteWhat I can argue, is the shitebag terror of worrying over every single half assed player for years in advance, 'just in case' the previous scenario occurs.
It seems perfectly reasonable to let the odd player walk. Not only it lets douchebag agents know the team isn't going to be held to ransom, but those players who actually leave can do so without grief.
And that is a good thing.
boopronger:
ReplyDeleteThe Oilers missed 50 combined GP between Gilbert and Whitney last season, and still finished 21st in shots against per game last season. I think that is a strange stat for a D as oft-maligned as Edmonton's. I know this always brings about the shot quality argument/debate*, but it's kind of interesting anyways
I also think that a guy like Gilbert is probably underrated because of his role on this particular team. Now, before anyone says I'm saying Gilbert is as good as Keith, that is not what I'm saying. But I do think that if Keith were playing Gilbert's role in EDM, and Gilbert were playing Keith's in CHI, the general perception of each player would be affected.
* My understanding is that the difference in shot quality, from team to team, over the course of a season is far less than most seem to imagine, but I've got to admit it sure "feels" like that might explain some part of the difference between EDM and BOS's save percentages. EDM (31.7) actually allowed 1 shot less per game than BOS (32.7) last season, while BOS had a 0.930 sv% and EDM had a 0.900 sv%. FWIW, Rask had a 0.918 sv% vs. Dubnyk's 0.916
I'm wondering if anyone knows of some articles/posts on that topic? I've seen Vic's articles, but I'm curious is someone has some others a guy can read? If so, thanks in advance!
If the Oilers deal Hemsky, it's akin to what perpetual rebuilders do: Deal a solid established veteran in the hopes that one of their kids could be like him some day.
ReplyDeleteConsidering he wants to stay here and at least a fair contract could be agreed to, I'd rather the Oilers keep him and let the kids sort themselves out, as they always do.
While the kids look good after their rookie years, 3-4 years from now, we could still be waiting for a new Hemsky.
Rick:
ReplyDeleteI think Hemsky's injuries make this a bit of different story.
The concerns about this entering a perpetual rebuild are not without some merit. Hemsky and Smyth are UFA summer 2012, Whitney, Dubnyk, and Smid the summer 2013, Gilbert, Gagner, and Omark 2014, and each year you don't get competitive is a better chance you move those guys at their deadline prior to UFA, or they are inclined to leave via UFA on this own.
But the specific circumstances involved in this case do need to be considered, IMO.
From behind the net 5v5 production from guys that played half the season expressed per 60 minutes:
ReplyDeleteAles Hemsky
G/60 - 1.11 (30th in NHL)
A1 - 1.30 (5th, and on this hockey team!)
A2 - 0.46 (whatever)
Daniel Sedin (up for Hart trophy)
G - 1.18
A1 - 1.28
A2 - 0.66
Alex Ovechkin (pretty damn good)
G - 0.99
A1 - 1.08
A2 - 0.52
Brad Richards (Calgary/NYC/LA's wetdream)
G - 1.09
A1 - 0.93
A2 - 0.49
Sure this is cherrypicking stats, but it is meant to show that Hemsky is as good statistically as he looks to me on the ice. I can't digest some of the advanced stats, but I know a plus player on a shitty team is good, and I know Hemsky always draws the best Dmen or they get undressed. This opens up things for Eberle and Omark 5 on 5 so they don't have to face the Regehrs of the league all the time.
Even nicked up, Hemsky is a 5 on 5 assassin on a team that can't score goals. Trading is foolish, paying him too much or too long is foolish too, but maybe less so.
If Hemsky is open to resigning as Brownlee suggests from interviews, Tambellini should do it.
On the other side, Hemsky has had both shoulder's repaired. That is a concern, but injuries happen to most players over time (except Penner and Cogliano, and look what happened to them. Is there a sign on Gilbert's lawn?) Sign Hemsky. More upside to the rebuild than downside unless the trade return is a superb (for sure, not potential) defenseman that plays the right side and is signed for the medium to long term.
If this player was on a decent powerplay, and a better squad, he'd put up huge numbers which would get Tambi fired waiting for the magic beans to develop.
Hemsky is a rare talent, a special player. If he was made of stronger stuff I think he may have had an HOF career.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I care about playoffs, and winning in them. Not that anyone is immune to injury, there is a higher risk factor in hitching your wagon to top players that are easily and often hurt.
It seems logical to me that the chances they are hurt for the playoffs are higher as well after a long season.
It's too risky for me to keep Whitney and Hemsky, unless they stay at rock bottom contracts so extra talent can be carried to cover the inevitable roster hole.
That being said, if they aren't kept, they need to be replaced by similar NHL players. Especially Whitney. If they are traded for futures, we won't see a winning playoff team for an extra few years, and that is completely unnecessary.
Great points speeds.
ReplyDeleteAlright I concede, the oilers d is not really really bad, hell its not even really bad, can we agree then that its just bad?
Please don't trade Hemsky.
ReplyDeleteI have the feeling that he will sign for less to stick around again and once the kids start to really get rolling he's bound to gel with one or more of them. A friendly two year deal would be nice.
@hunter1909,
ReplyDeleteI hate Brian Burke and think he's an arrogant ass. However, he does think outside the box and has a unique view vs other GM's
Here's an article about how he prepared for the salary cap era and directly addresses your comment about getting something for an exiting UFA.
Burke on Cap
I would offer him 3 years at 5.5 and see if he'll give us a home town discount.
ReplyDeleteHe did an interview with Brownlee a couple of months ago and his comments certainly indicate he wants to stay.
I never really like to change places," Hemsky said. "I'm really confident here, like I say. I've met a lot of great people here. I've got a lot of good friends here. I have a girlfriend from here.
"I can't complain, you know? I don't mind the city. Everybody is nice to me. I can't complain
Sign Hemsky and then look at trimming someone from the wing(MPS,Omark) to get a quality D man.
My issue isn't with Hemsky, it's with Hemsky's injuries.
ReplyDeleteFive years into his "bargain" contract, he's averaged 15 goals and 51 points. While he has inarguably been Oilers' best player throughout this period, fact remains Edmonton has made the playoffs zero times. I blame the injury gods more than I do Ales himself, but for all the many glimpses we get of an elite talent, those are not elite results.
Last year at 27 he missed significant time with groin issues, concussion issues, shoulder issues - it's not like it's an isolated thing here and there.
Would I re-sign "an" Ales Hemsky who could be relied on to play 75 games a year? In a New York minute. Unfortunately, "the" Ales Hemsky gets nicked up year after depressing year.
The funny thing about "Signs" is that the Long haired freaky people sold out to The Man and are all Millionaire Rock Stars now.
ReplyDeleteHemsky is an enigma, I've always thought of him as a finishing piece on a contending team, if for just his playing style.
The team needs a plan for the future, Hall, Eberle and Paajarvi are RFA in TWO YEARS. Teams will be coveting these guys. Calgary, for instance. Iginla's 7 Million dollar contract will be over, and a bunch of other contracts expire in the previous year. They could solve alot of their problems by signing Hall to a 10+ Million contract.
And that's just Calgary. There are alot of teams that will be sniffing around. Even if the Oilers match the offers it will eat into their payroll.
Lowe and company have generated some pretty bad karma with their offer sheets in the past and get prepared for some teams to exact some revenge. Add in the usual over spenders like the Leafs, Rangers, Wings, and its going to be ugly.
The team will have to pick and choose, I don't think they will be able to keep everyone.
Here's an article about how he prepared for the salary cap era and directly addresses your comment about getting something for an exiting UFA.
ReplyDeleteA few problems with that:
a)its the Toronto Star - nuf said
b)the title - "The Secret of the Leaf's Success" - huh?
c) Burke spouts off about how he doesn't need to trade Kaberle - sure Brian.
There only way that you don't trade a FA in his walk year is if you are going deep in the playoffs. This sure is not applicable to the Oilers this year.
Further, the Leafs at least of the chance of resigning their FA's. The Oiler have not - historically.
It would be insane to let Hemsky walk for nothing just to show a few agents they won't overpay. It would be like the LA Clippers putting their foot down. The laughter wouldn't stop for months.
I think it's OK - and also more accurate to - to say that not only did the Oilers make a wrong move by deciding to move 94, they also got nothing real for him in return.
ReplyDeleteAs for the Pronger deal, you Could - and LT attempted as much - to frame it as Lowe not adequately filling the TOI that was left vacated but I'd just as well peg the trade as you deal a Norris winner on a value contract to a team with Perry and Getzlaf and in return you get Lupul and Smid,
Maybe it hurts some people too much to acknowledge that truth,
LT The 5 Man Electrical Band was popular in Ottawa back in the day. Original name was The Staccatos.
ReplyDeleteAs for the hockey options, I would bet on Hemsky being offered but no deal made before yet another injury makes it moot. Then we lose him for nothing. Murphy was an optimist...
Dennis: I'd agree with all that you wrote. The return didn't amount to a hill of beans.
ReplyDeleteAs for our Pronger discussion, there was a 5 man Electrical Band hit after Signs that sums it up.
But I'm not going to sing it and you're to young to know it. :-)
I'd also love to see Hemsky and RNH play together. Whoever is the other winger, pencil them in for 30+ goals.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see
ReplyDeleteEberle Hall Hemsky
as a line, with Hemsky crossing over to the off wing on offense (with Eberle) like he does pretty much evrytime he rushes anyway. Might as well stay over there in the Ozone. This way he's got gunners to feed.
Because you called me young I will call off the dogs:)
ReplyDelete@Dennis: The Pronger trade was five years ago. His contract expired a year ago, and he moved teams before he signed a new one. When does the statute of limitations run out?
ReplyDeleteWhen Lowe is gone and the team recovers from the horrible state that these bad trades left them in and when Lowe's successor shows competence?
ReplyDeleteI guess I should reopen the book on whining about the Gretzky trade then. (Just the second one, of course.)
ReplyDeleteIt's not like it's been talked to death or anything.
The NFL sure ain't a bunch of dummies when it comes to marketing, placing the Sunday night primetime matchup across the river from the WTC light beams on the anniversary of 9-11.
ReplyDeleteGretzky wasn't traded by Lowe. The team was good after that, bad again, and good again.
ReplyDeletePronger, Heatley, Smyth, Nylander, the many years of sucking, etc. Is all on the current management group, which is why it's relevant to debates on the present.
Kris: thank you:)
ReplyDeleteBruce: suck on that:)
Kris: seriously, though, I believe Lowe is our Sinden and Clarke as in a guy who never really has his hands off the operation.
ReplyDeleteso, yeah, as long as he's kicking around and we keep losing these trades I think it's relevant to bring up all those old trades.
As long as we keep cherry-picking the second Pronger trade and not the first one, yeah, Lowe is an idiot. And as long as we keep cherry-picking the first Smyth trade and not the second one, Lowebellini is/are (an) idiot(s).
ReplyDeleteFor all the lectures I've received about sunk costs, I wonder when TF we start treating some of these ancient trades the same way. Five years on, it's gotten kind of old.
That band would be Tesla, Lowetide. 5 Man was the name of the cd.
ReplyDeleteGo Oilers!