I must say I wouldn't have been surprised if Andrew Cogliano had been a little bitter over what nearly happened on June 30.
Cogliano, who was almost sent to Ottawa as part of the deal that Dany Heatley nixed, finally broke his silence on the deal Tuesday. The 22-year-old admitted to being disappointed but who wouldn't be? He admitted to being in shock but again, who wouldn't be? But Cogliano stopped short of blaming the Oilers, because, stop me if you have heard this before: It is a business.
That's true but it becomes personal when you're the one being traded. Steve Tambellini called and spoke to Cogliano after the deal became a no-deal and the two paesan seem to have that issue settled. Tambellini apologized for word getting out and that the names were leaked... even though it wasn't from the Oilers side.
In fact, I got the distinct feeling on Tuesday that Cogliano is going to spin this into a positive. That's how he should look at it from the point of who was coming to Edmonton. It would be a form of flattery to be the centrepiece in a deal for a 50-goal scorer.
I also got the sense Cogliano wants to show the Oilers even more than they have seen in his first two pro seasons. His attitude appears to be 'watch me now and you'll never consider trading me again'.
Ethan Moreau, the Oilers captain, may have said it best when he explained, "He was disappointed and pissed off but instead of pouting he worked his ass off and he's going to show everyone that he won't be put in any trades again."
Sounds like a plan on the part of the NHL's fastest skater. He specifically spoke about wanting to be in Edmonton and stay an Oiler. I think it's better to have an 18-goal scorer who feels like that than a former 50-goal scorer who doesn't.
