 | HTR Feature Article: Stalled Souray situation holds up other deals |
With Edmonton Oilers training camp less than a month away, disgruntled defenceman Sheldon Souray still doesn't have a change of address while free-agent centres Sam Gagner and Andrew Cogliano don't have contracts.
Needless to say, there is a gulf between what the Oilers and best buddies Gagner and Cogliano feel they are worth after three seasons of playing in the NHL.
They would have been signed long ago, but the Souray soap opera is a pricklier situation. It would not be a sound idea to have the veteran blue-liner on the ice at training camp, even if he has two years left with the Oilers at $5.4 million US per season. That's because he would likely be a major distraction, just as Dany Heatley was last summer with the Senators in Ottawa.
Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini said there has been no line drawn in the sand with Souray or his agent Paul Theofanous.
"We're still trying hard to make a deal ... I don't want to go there yet," said Tambellini, who hasn't had a lineup of suitors chasing Souray mainly because he has two years left on his hefty contract, plus there are nagging injury concerns.
Tambellini certainly is not in a position of strength, trying to move a guy who doesn't want to be here.
"I don't know if this is a similar situation to Ottawa's with Heatley ... all I know is it's not the best possible position to be in."
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Gagner+Cogliano+Souray+still+limbo+with+Oilers/3433862/story.html#ixzz0xYx5I32L
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| "Stalled Souray situation holds up other deals" | Login/Create an Account | 17 comments |
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Re: Stalled Souray situation holds up other deals (Score: 1)
by Kramer on Wednesday, August 25
(User Info | Send a Message) | All the deals are stalled because Exelby hasn't signed. When Exelby signs, then we're gonna see the floodgates open on big trades.
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Re: Stalled Souray situation holds up other deals (Score: 1)
by frankinboltonleafs on Wednesday, August 25
(User Info | Send a Message) | | Maybe I misread this. Maybe this'll sound overly negative....but...are you kidding me comparing this with the Heatley thing? Souray doesn't have a trade option, (or Tambellini for him I should say), because in his 13 yr career he's only played three at +70 games. Two of those he posted decent numbers albeit. He's old and beaten down now at 10mill for the next two years....man....what would you give up for him. Maybe someone can correct me...I'm OK with that...but anything I've ever read about the desire of GM's to acquire Gagne or Cogliano has been pretty light as well. Is there anyone on the Oilers anyone wants? These guys need to wake up and smell the roses. I really respect and feel for Tambellini here. |
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Re: Stalled Souray situation holds up other deals (Score: 1)
by reinjosh on Wednesday, August 25
(User Info | Send a Message) | Still quite a few top notch RFA's out there. Ryan, Neal, Bergfors, Price, Mueller, Stewart and even Cogliano and Gagner. Its interesting to say the least.
Even some lesser known guys who still have some really nice potential. Guys like Hanzal, Franson even Niskanen.
Could be some nice offer sheet grabs closer to October 1st if the right team makes the right offer. Personally I'm a huge fan of Franson and although I'd love for the Preds to keep him, he could be a mighty fine addition as a future top 4 guy for the right team. Hanzal at 6 foot 6 might make a nice center addition to some teams too. I expect the bigger name guys to stay but maybe this year we get some smaller name guys moving through offer sheets.
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Re: Stalled Souray situation holds up other deals (Score: 1)
by Kramer on Wednesday, August 25
(User Info | Send a Message) | Burke wants to sit down with Kaberle and play poker.
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