"Don't expect us to do much." That's what Edmonton Oilers head coach Craig MacTavish said on Monday.
And he wasn't talking about his team’s chase for a playoff spot, of course. Instead, he was referring to the club’s anticipations going into the trade deadline.
What does Edmonton need? The answer would be Marian Hossa but I think every team in the NHL could use that kind of forward. The Oilers would like to add a little more scoring depth up front. On the blueline, they have enough players in the system to get them through.
In net is where the Oilers might like to add by subtracting. I'm talking about Dwayne Roloson. He has lost his No. 1 job and will make $3 million next year. If another team needs some backup between the pipes, the Oilers would be game to make Roloson the man.
This won't be like last year when Ryan Smyth's impending unrestricted free agent status made for a deadline splash. Only Geoff Sanderson and Marty Reasoner are UFAs this year. The biggest restricted free agents the Oilers need to sign are Jarrtt Stoll, Joni Pitkanen and Tom Gilbert.
They could sign one, two or maybe all three but that won't be a concern until after Tuesday’s deadline passes. By then, we will all know how different the Oilers roster will look.
The Oilers aren't going to make a move, except pure salary dump type moves. They can not afford the type of goal scorer they need, and nobody wants the players they'd be willing to part with - that includes Roloson and his large contract.
Like it or not, the Oilers will be forced to either waive him or buy out Roloson's contract next year if they want to free up that roster spot, but even then the salary cap hit will remain the same. If they were smart, they'd do the same thing for a couple other overpriced veterans too - Captain Glass, and the Italian Stallion.
Well it goes to prove that Lowe is one of the best GMs in the league.... when your paying a 38 year old bench warmer 3 million that they had to give a first rounder for.
I don't agree with everyone saying that the Oilers need to add a scorer up-front. Unlike many other Canadian teams, most notably the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Edmonton Oilers know how to re-build. Lets look at the roster..... 15 players are 25 years old or younger. 4 of which are 22 or younger. The average age of the Edmonton Oilers is 26 years old. Thats including Dwayne Roloson, 38, Steve Staios, 34, and Geoff Sanderson, 36.
Now in my opinion Roloson should go tommorow, Garon is outplaying him anyway so why not give yourself some money to nail down your youngsters long-term? Sanderson, well his stats speak for themselves. However, I think Steve Staios has to stay. He's a very solid defencemen.
So that said, if you get rid of Roloson and Sanderson that knocks your average age down to 25. So in saying all that, I believe going out and getting some big time goal scorer and spending top dollar on him, why not keep the money in the team and lock up the young guys for years to come. If the Oilers do this, I believe they will be a very stong team in the near future and will contend for top spot in the North West Division. The other alternative is to do what everyone else is doing, most notably the Leafs, and hold off rebuilding. But in my opinion thats the WRONG thing to do.
I am inclined to agree that roli might be on his way too gene, he hasnt had the greatest form off late, you could argue it hasnt always been his fault though, he has been magical for us in the past but its been another tough season for us with stability, especially with our injury situation.
That said, Garron has shown to be a great asset to our 'rebuilding' if you will, i personally believe Garron to be the #1 goalie in the NHL very very soon.
Tomorrow's the big day so we will just have to see what unfolds around the league. I just this moment got off you tube and had a great time looking at the vifdeo's they have of you, i loved Craig's dig at you over that jacket, so funny!
Finally, i just wanted to bid our captain Ethan the very best recovery, i cant wait to see him lead us again when he's okay, if there was a way for you to convey that to him from gary in winnipeg, it would mean the world to me, thanx Gene.
I'd be surprised if the Oil did much of anything. Yeah there sellers but who are they going to sell? This season the Oilers were continually mentioned as a "rebuilding team" so for one they're not going to trade away their young talent for different unproven young talent. That wouldn't make sense when soo many of the rookies had impressive first years.
If there's a taker for Roli's contract you can bet he's gone. I think Stoll will also be on the move for more young talent, possibly draft picks. Many teams would love a key face off guy like Stoll in the playoffs.
As an Oiler fan I want to see Gilbert stay so I hope I don't see him moved. Pitkanen is a hard call. Good player but injury prone so we'll see what happens there. I won't be surprised to see him moved. Staois I'm sure will garner some attention but I'd surprised to see him moved. Every team needs some veteran leadership on the blue line so I'd hate to see the Oilers get rid of that key aspect they have.
Injuries have taken away 20 points from this oiler team...we r stacked with prospects and youth we dont need anymore picks(thats why we tookpenner)...what we need r vets to help out the young top prospects and calm them down in games...and a bit more muscle that can play hockey...
Injuries have taken away 20 points from this oiler team...we r stacked with prospects and youth we dont need anymore picks(thats why we took penner)...what we need r vets to help out the young top prospects and calm them down in games...and a bit more muscle that can play hockey...
Hey hookedshaft..... that first rounder didn't take you to the cup finals.
Well said TylerK, I pretty much agree with everything you said! I think KLowe's moves will come to fruitation 1 or 2 years down the road & patience is the order of the day! The Oil have a very solid core of young talent & others are on the way as well.
i think once roli goes and frees up some room that will give the oil enough money to sign the youngsters on defense that are rfa's...
if they can get rid of pisani for a pick of a bag of pucks that would be great too.
i see stoll going to a playoff team to help out and leaving the oil with another young prospect in return.
if we can dump those 2 thats another 4 million in space for a decent player this summer or money to sign cogs and gags long term.
its my belief that those 2 players are not needed anymore at the price they are at when brodziak and others are coming behind them to fill their roles for cheaper.
When you look at the oilers rebuilding they are almost there...tho they will keep stocking prospects for the future just in case as they always do.
The fact is to be a contender for the cup you need a number one guy...and as horcoff is was not doing to bad filling that role he is still a number 2 centre and the kids still have alot of growing to do...if the oilers can land a number one guy for the time being until the kids mature it will at least help them into the playoffs and slowly to the top of the league which is bound to come sooner than later.
the one thing im disappointed in is that schremp is not getting a fair crack at proving himself...but hopefully will sooner than later as well.
I cant believe the Oilers didnt do a damn thing today. At least get rid of something for a draft pick or a half a** defenceman. The Oilers arent making the playoffs this season and they got nothing happening for next season.
And again i am gonna preach about what a waste of money it was to sign Souray. I said it from the first day they signed him and where the hell is he now?
MacT and Kevin Lowe have ran out of gas with this team. And when your car or truck dies out on you you go out and get a better one. Ship those two Fords to the used car lot and get something in there that works.
K Lowe has to make a splash July 1st!!! by going hard affter Hossa!
You can not rely on young guys coming through with NO ONE TO LEAD THEM! Get a guy like Hossa and watch the whole team improve! Gagner, Hemmer, Horcs, will all become much better players with a REAL snipper on the team. untill then they are bottum dwellers.
They need to buy Roli out, and dump stoll in the off season... but it is K lowe so Stoll will get 4 million a year. because you know he has potential like Pisani and Torres.
the Oilers need to dump a lot of garbage to get better.
Here is why Robbie Schremp has not been brought up.....And trust me in this...Anyone remember a little whiny spoiled brat named Mike Comrie? Well Schremp is the same egotistical player that has bought into his own press clippings. Mac T and Kevin Lowe won't bring him up until he loses the poor attitude...That kind of poison in the dressing room far outweighs the points he COULD put up.
Oh yeah so the Oilers give up what looks to be a top 3 if not the 1st overall pick. and don't trade Stoll, who will probably get a 4 million contract, for anything. Roli is still sucking up cap room?(I think they have to buy him out) and K Lowe and Mac T still have jobs when the 6th highest payroll in the leauge with no superstars is going to be one of the worset teams in the NHL this year...
and don't try to say it's because of injurys, Vancouver has had injurys and are in the thick of things, Colorado has had injurys and are still in the thick of it!
this team has NO HOPE in the imedeate future... and Oiler fans can't even get excited about the drive for a lottery pick as it goes straight to the ducks...
The issue is not the willingness of management to make big offers to players. The issue is enticing players to go to Edmonton. The Comrie, Pronger, and possibly Roloson situations have created a serious PR hurdle for the Oilers.
That is why you have garbage players making loads of money, because it is hard to attract people to go there, as opposed to San Jose, Anaheim, or heck, even Calgary and Vancouver!
I'm glad K-Lowe did nothing this team can make the playoffs,but afraid we are too young to go all the way!
But Hey never know Hockey Gods Love Oil Country!
Get's well soon Gator that's 2 bad you know! Gene please tell our C to get well soon if you read this!
Go Oilers