Clock ticks on Oilers' deadline plans

Steve Tambellini told the media and the public a lot in 11 minutes at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park of what they want to know when it comes to the team he general manages. It was his outlook and plan, which is subject to change, heading into the trade deadline.

Topic 1: Ales Hemsky

Tambellini didn't want to get too specific on the pending UFA, but he did say that he has talked to Hemsky's agent. The talks started last summer and have been on and off ever since. That the communication has been good and that it would continue through to deadline day.

For his part, Hemsky spoke quite candidly about him and the Edmonton Oilers. He likes the city, the people, the players and just about everything but the mosquitoes in the summer. However, he did say a few times, "this has to make sense for me." Can't blame him for that but it's clear that after being part of one organization since he was drafted 13th in 2001 that he has a chance to sell himself to the highest bidder.

What complicates this for the player, team and other teams is Hemsky's injury-plagued seasons and a drop in productivity. He wants security and cash but the 28-year-old doesn't come with a money back guarantee if he or his body fails the employer.

---

HOCKEY CENTRAL NHL TRADE DEADLINE 2012: Follow the frenzy with the sportsnet.ca live stream or tune in to the HOCKEY CENTRAL Trade Deadline show on Monday, Feb. 27 at 8 a.m. ET for complete coverage of hockey's biggest day | Follow the latest rumours here

---

Topic 2: Ryan Smyth

Tambellini was clear and concise: "I'm not looking to move Ryan Smyth." That doesn't leave a lot to play with going into the trade frenzy.

What could change this is Smyth himself. You see, he has a no movement clause, so if the winger wants to initiate a trade it's in his hands. The two-time Oiler admitted a Cup run would be great. "I'd be lying if I said it wasn't," was his response to the possibility of being traded to a contender and then potentially re-signing in Edmonton this summer.

However, as much as he came here for hockey, he came to Edmonton for family reasons. He asked to have his no movement clause be lifted in order to facilitate a move from Los Angeles to Edmonton. "I don't want to go against my word," is the way Smyth explained it if he once again went to another team, in this case Edmonton, and again asked to be moved.

Topics 3 and 4: Sam Gagner and Nikolai Khabibulin

"A part of the future" came at the end of the GM's answer about Gagner. Before it, he threw out the fact he was very happy to see Gagner have his eight-point game and follow that up with a three-point outing. It blasted Gagner out of mediocrity and into the spotlight. It has brought his tradeability to an all-time high. Tambellini would have to get his socks and shoes knocked off to swap Gagner with someone. With RNH showing potential durability issues the GM came across as someone who wanted Gagner to stay and not go anywhere.

As for his 39-year old-goaltender, to this point there have been no calls. Tambellini didn't express any feelings like he wanted to deal Khabibulin, albeit would anyone expect him to say, "Ya I'd love to deal him and the remaining year of his contract."

With Devan Dubnyk still in the proving stage, Khabibulin is a nice luxury to have. If you're Chicago and have lost eight in a row with Bad and Badder in net, Khabibulin looks like an upgrade. What is left to imagine is how much better would the "Bulin Wall" be in front of a much better team? We'll see if another GM wants to find out the answer to that question.

It will be an interesting time for Edmonton with less than two weeks to the deadline. Tick, tick, tick, tick...