headpushslap writes "Oilers re-sign Smith, lose Swanson. Smyth to arbitration, Salo moving?
All the Oiler news fit to print...including UFA's, trades, RFA's and arbitrations.
Jason Smith, the Oilers Captain and powerhouse of masculinity, signed a qualifying offer on friday for $2.3M US, the same amount he earned last season.
The remaining RFA's to be signed by the Oilers are Mike Comrie, Shawn Horcoff, Brad Isbister, Georges Laraque, Ethan Moreau, Fernando Pisani, and Marty Reasoner. All of the RFA's have recieved qualifying offers from the club and must respond by July 31st, 2003. Ryan Smyth has filed for arbitration and his case goes before the NHL next month.
Ryan Smyth will get a raise and the Oilers will trade someone to afford it (see 'Tommy Salo'). Good for Ryan, but he will have to earn his money this season and break the 40 goal mark.
Brian Swanson, fifth line centre and equipment mule, has signed with the Atlanta Thrashers. His 12 points in 44 games last season will be missed greatly by the Oilers, but his departure opens up another spot on the roster for an Edmonton team which is very deep at centre.
If I were K-Lowe...
Reasoner-Keeper
Comrie-Keeper, but not for more that $3M US
Horcoff-Keeper
Isbister-Keeper
Moreau-sign and trade ($1.5M US 2003)
Pisani-Keeper (26 years old and peaking this year)
Laraque-Are you kidding? This guy is the premier heavyweight in the NHL making ~$1.4M US a season. Not really worth the money, except that the fans love him, and he is a true professional. Shows up at every event he can, helps out good causes, and is very community minded. That $1.4M salary of his should come from the Oilers PR budget.
Ty Conklin, the Oilers next starting goaltender, will be backing up Tommy Salo next year, until a good enough offer is made to trade Salo. Sorry, but Salo has been too inconsistent over the past two years and Conklin needs to play now before the Oilers overdevelop him and he warms the bench for the rest of his career. Also, Salo makes almost $4.0M US, this money can do more good elsewhere. Conklin is ready, he just needs a backup who can help him along (I heard Steve Shields at one point)
Expect to see Salo go for Cash and an older backup. Also, Salo is a Russian smoked or pickled fish eaten as a snack.
The Oilers star goaltending prospect, Jeff Deslauriers, will not be ready for the show for at least one more year, but we might see him in preseason action.
So, quickly, my feelings on the Oilers. Once again the Oilers struggle with money to bring together a team of young talent who can hope to go seven games in the first round before bowing out to the first or second seed in the west.
LATER THIS WEEK-OILER PREDICTIONS FOR THE YEAR (if anyone cares)
The previous information was gathered from numerous sources, including the Edmonton Journal and edmontonoilers.com"
PLAYER NEWS
Nikolai Khabibulin, G
2010/08/31: Nikolai Khabibulin has appealed his drunk driving conviction. Khabibulin was sentenced to a month in prison, but he won't have to serve it as long as the process is ongoing. Khabibulin plans to attend Edmonton's training camp, which starts on September 17th. "Nik and his lawyers exercised their right to an appeal," said Oilers GM Steve Tambellini. "This obviously means the process continues. It doesn't allow me unfortunately to comment on behalf of the team as we thought we'd be able to do but that's Nik's right to be able to do that. As far as any discussion of further discipline or actions taken (by the) league, ourselves, obviously that all has to wait." The appeals process could take months, so it might be a while before this matter is resolved. (Source: Edmonton Journal)
Nikolai Khabibulin, G
2010/08/31: Nikolai Khabibulin will spend a month in prison for speeding and driving under the influence. In addition to the jail time, Khabibulin will also be forced to pay $1,507.60 in fines and surcharges, and complete an alcohol program. Khabibulin was caught driving with a blood alcohol content of .164, which is more than twice the legal limit. Anything above a blood alcohol content of .15 is considered an extreme DUI and comes with a minimum jail sentence of 30 days. (Source: Edmonton Journal)
Sam Gagner, C
2010/08/29: The Edmonton Oilers have signed center Sam Gagner to a two-year/$4.55 million contract. Gagner was drafted sixth overall in the 2007 Entry Draft and has played the last three seasons with the Oilers, scoring 44 goals and 131 points in 223 games. "Sam is a key part of our organization moving forward," GM Steve Tambellini said in a statement. "We are looking forward to him taking on a larger role with our club." Players usually take a big leap in their fourth season in the NHL and Gagner is poised to do the same. Do not forget about him on draft day. (Source: TSN.ca)
Nikolai Khabibulin, G
2010/08/29: If sentenced to jail for drunk driving and excessive speeding, Nikolai Khabiboulin will miss at least a portion of the Oilers' training camp. The minimum jail sentence is 30 days. However Arizona law enforcement is tough on drunk drivers and may seek a longer term in court Tuesday. No doubt what little fantasy value Khabiboulin has is being threatened by this ongoing matter. It is becoming more likely that Jeff Deslauriers will begin the season as the Edmonton starter. (Source: Edmonton Journal)
Nikolai Khabibulin, G
2010/08/27: Nikolai Khabibulin has been found guilty of drunk driving. He was convicted on three counts, including driving with a blood alcohol content that is twice the legal limit in Arizona and excessive speeding, but had one count tossed out. Khabibulin's sentencing will be handed down at a date to be determined, but he could spend a minimum of 30 days or a maximum of six months in jail. Stay tuned. (Source: TSN.ca)
Sheldon Souray, D
2010/08/27: Sheldon Souray could end up being assigned to the minors if GM Steve Tambellini is unable to find a trading partner prior to training camp. Souray has already cleared waivers so the process would not be difficult, but for now that would likely be a last-resort move. Tambellini would not comment on the hypothetical situation, but the distraction of having the unhappy defender attend camp is not something he wants hanging over the team. Souray's contract and injury concerns are stumbling blocks that he will have to overcome to make any trade happen. (Source: Edmonton Journal)
Nikolai Khabibulin, G
2010/08/27: Nikolai Khabibulin will appear in Scottsdale Municipal Court in Arizona Friday afternoon. The Edmonton goalie will face charges of driving under the influence and speeding after being arrested back on Feb. 8. If he's found guilty, Khabibulin could be sentenced to spend a minimum of 30 days in jail for the misdemeanor or a maximum of six months. We'll pass along any information when it becomes available. (Source: Edmonton Journal)
Andrew Cogliano, C/W
2010/08/24: The Oilers have not held "extensive" contract talks with restricted free agent Andrew Cogliano. "We've had some communications with Edmonton ... to be quite honest, not extensive," said Cogliano's agent Anton Thun. "When it comes to getting a contract done, it's money. We are not in agreement over the dollars." Cogliano has taken a step back in each of his three seasons in the NHL and is coming off a 28-point campaign in which he earned $850,000. He has also been the source of a few trade rumors during this off-season. (Source: Edmonton Journal)
Sheldon Souray, D
2010/08/24: Edmonton GM Steve Tambellini is finding it hard to trade disgruntled defenseman Sheldon Souray. He has two years remaining on his current contract with a cap hit of $5.4 million and he has injury concerns as well, so trying to find a suitable trading partner has not been easy. A recent rumor had Souray heading to the Washington Capitals in exchange for forward Tomas Fleischman, but the Capitals are also among a handful of teams trying to sign hard-nosed blueliner Willie Mitchell. The Oilers may wait until training camp opens and see if they can deal him to a team in need if injuries occur. Tambellini said he will be working hard to try to get something done in the next couple of weeks. If Souray does end up attending camp it could be a distraction that neither side wants. Stay tuned. (Source: Edmonton Journal)
Taylor Hall, LW
2010/08/14: The Edmonton Oilers will be sending three young prospects to the Youngstars tournament held in Penticton, British Columbia. The Oilers are sending their prized prospects Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, and Magnus Paajarvi-Svenssen. The eight-game tournament will host 16 former first-round draft picks and seven players from the 2010 world junior championship final. It will start September 12, 2010. (Source: Edmonton Journal)
Re: Oiler News and Views (Score: 1) by Kewl on Saturday, July 26 (User Info | Send a Message)
I'm not thinking of Comrie as a keeper. He does show promise, but he seems to only want the money. Once he gets all his bonuses he stops playing his best. Trade him off.
Re: Oiler News and Views (Score: 1) by aaron on Saturday, July 26 (User Info | Send a Message)
Salo has the potential to seriously screw things up for the Wings' Cujo dumping hopes...(any chance you guys want him, btw? no? didn't think so).
Re: Oiler News and Views (Score: 1) by Octopus on Saturday, July 26 (User Info | Send a Message)
Sure we care - especially if you are the first, who got notice of a trade gets worked out!
Are you the only EDM-fan left out there after all those winnings seasons in the 80's?
Thanks anyway!
Re: Oiler News and Views (Score: 1) by vendre20 on Saturday, July 26 (User Info | Send a Message)
I think sooner or later Ryan Smyth will be "too good" (read:expensive) for the Oilers. He will be a perfect fit in red wings second line. Except another center Detroit really need to land a goalscorer. I can see Dandenault and a prospect (Williams?) or perhaps even Legace (if Salo moves) in Edmonton.
to Red wings: Smyth
to Oilers: Dandenault, Legace, draftpick/Williams
to Bruins: Salo, draftpick
to Oilers: Huml/Hilbert/Girard, draftpick
This probably won't happen unless Smyth moves. But if the Oilers need to move him, I think this is a possible scenario were they can get something good in return, get rid of inconsistent Salo and make their team deeper.
Re: Oiler News and Views (Score: 1) by MossRocks on Saturday, July 26 (User Info | Send a Message)
Laraque made $1.0million last year. He'll be looking for more whether he deserves it or not. I can't see Lowe giving him more than $1.2M that's for sure.
Moreau made $1.45M last year and he was qualified at $1.6M, so he won't get paid any less than that.
This might sound like nitpicking but we are talking about a team that gave away Markkanen because they were paying him $400K and didn't want to qualify him at $760K. Every $100K counts. They're throwing nickels around like manhole covers.
No way Lowe pays Comrie more than $2M/yr base salary. The kid has no arbitration rights, played like crap last year and was even worse in the playoffs. Comrie has NO leverage. Zero. He played hardball with Lowe on his first contract, this time Mikey gets bent over. (no word on the hole filling d-strate)
Smith is going to steal another $2M out of the Oilers' pockets. He's a good captain and a solid d-man, but the Oilers could do better and younger for cheaper.
Salo might be expensive and I agree the Oilers should trade him, but Conklin?!?!?!? As the starter!?!??!?! You are nuts. The Oilers are going to have to deal Salo for a young d-man and then they will have to deal some left wing depth and a prospect for a younger, cheaper starter like Biron or Noronen.
