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Win My Ryan Smyth Bobblehead!!! + A Trade Rumor

October 18, 2011, 3:34 AM ET [ Comments]
Richard Cloutier
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
I have a perfect record this year: I attend two games, the Oilers won both. Tonight, they dominated. It's been years since the Oilers have dominated a hockey game. Could the franchise finally be over the 2006 Stanley Cup Final/Chris Pronger curse?

Some numbskull decided to rip me on Twitter, specifically in regards to my bashing of Shawn Horcoff. If Horcoff wanted to get me to stop bashing him, he found the formula against the Preds. Three assists and a tremendous game in all zones on the ice. Actually, no one on the team played poorly. The top line of Hall/Nuge/Eberle was yet again ridiculous with the puck. They easily could have had three or four goals on the night.

Getting back to Horcoff, I think Head Coach Tom Renney might have solved the mystery when he reunited Horcs on a line with Ryan Smyth. He started the night playing with Magnus Paajarvi and Linus Omark, but the trio had no chemistry. Once Horcoff and Eric Belanger exchanged lines, both groups found offense. I think the Oil will keep Horcoff, Smyth and Jones together against the Flames on Tuesday.

I should explain the bobblehead give-away thing. Tonight was Ryan Smyth Bobblehead night. He's cute, but rather than keep it, I'd rather give it away to a deserving reader. So here's what you have to do to win it: Comment on this blog. Tell me your favorite Ryan Smyth story, or be a troll, or tell someone off, or say something really clever and funny. Tomorrow at this time I'll read all the comments and pick my favorite. That person will win the bobblehead. Here's a tip: Please don't write some stupid comment trying to butter me up saying how great my blogs are. I hate people who suck up. Just write something clever instead.

As I mentioned earlier, the Oilers next action is Tuesday against the Calgary Flames. Devan Dubnyk will start in goal, and the rest of the line-up should stay the same. Sam Gagner should be back on the weekend; Ryan Whitney I'd pencil in for Thursday. As far as Ales Hemsky goes...

Today's Trade Rumor de Jour:

As usual, I went to the hockey game with my nephew Tim. A bit about Tim: Aside from being a kick-ass Manager at the Sport Chek in West Edmonton Mall, he's also the bass player from Edmonton-area band Tanner Gordon and the Unfortunates. He gave me an advanced copy tonight of their new CD, which will get a release party in November. At the Starlight Room, perhaps? I think they also might be Sonic Radio's "Band of the Month" in November? Anyways, it's great to see his music stuff succeeding. They write neat tunes.

So anyway, there Tim and I are, killing time between the 1st and 2nd period, and Tanner Gordon shows up. He's a reader of this blog, and we talk hockey whenever we bump into each other. Tanner informed me of a Nick Kypreos comment, whereas he suggested the Oilers and Columbus Blue Jackets have been talking trade. Tanner offered me his theory: That the Oilers, Jackets and Senators would make a three-team deal. The player the Jackets have to move is Derick Brassard. Of course, the last thing the Oilers need is another forward. So Brassard would then be dealt by the Oilers to Senators for a defenseman. I hope I'm not screwing up Tanner's thoughts to much, but here's more or less what he suggested could happen:

To Edmonton: David Rundblad
To Columbus: Linus Omark + a draft pick
To Ottawa: Derick Brassard + a draft pick

I don't mind this trade idea, but I have a different take on it. My understanding is that Kyperos wasn't specific about who was in play; just that the Oilers and Jackets are talking? Here's what we know: The Jackets are off to a terrible start, in a season where they needed to make the playoffs. Jackets GM Scott Howson might need to press the panic button, or his job might be toast. I also happen to know that Howson might be the biggest Ales Hemsky fan on the planet. Linus Omark is fun to watch, but he isn't a game changer yet. Hemksy, when healthy, is a game changer.

Hemsky wouldn't automatically help the situation in Columbus because he's injured. But Howson might be in a gambling mood right now. Hemsky might be one of the only truly gifted offensive players available. Why is he available? Because the Oilers have too many forwards. He also could be available because moving him would make room to shift Sam Gagner to the right side, or it would open a roster spot for a more physical winger to be added (think Teemu Hartikainen).

Consider the following Oiler roster up-front:

L1: Hall - Nuge - Eberle
L2: Smyth - Horcoff - Paajarvi
L3: Omark - Gagner - Hartikainen
L4: Eager - Belanger - Jones

It's all fine and nice to talk about Hemsky being dealt, but what can the Oilers get for a hugely talented winger who's got constant injury problems and is going into UFA status this summer? Here's where the Oilers do a little gambling of their own.

The Jackets have a decent younger defenseman by the name of David Savard. He's been mentioned in the same sentence as the Oilers before. So what if the deal was something like Brassard, Savard and a conditional pick if Hemsky re-signs long-term? Then the Oilers would turn around and move Brassard and an other asset for Rundblad? Would Brassard and Omark get it done? It might. The Sens need offensive depth, and the Oilers would kill to have a puck-mover like Rundblad.

Of course, if these deals were completely, the Oilers would look more like:

L1: Hall - Nuge - Eberle
L2: Smyth - Horcoff - Gagner
L3: Paajarvi - Belanger - Hartikainen
L4: Eager - Lander - Jones

When you think about it, this seems like a much more balanced group. Two lines with solid offensive potential, and two lines that have size and can play two-way minutes.

The D really improves under this scenario, and with Ryan Whitney returning.

D1 - Whitney - Rundblad
D2 - Smid - Gilbert
D3 - Barker - Potter
extra: Sutton

Savard, Theo Peckham and Jeff Petry would get time in the minors.
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