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Tambellini: "Let's Get This Party Started!"

February 16, 2012, 7:19 PM ET [87 Comments]
Richard Cloutier
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Oilers completed a blockbuster deal today when they sent center Ryan O'Marra to the Anaheim Ducks for some guy. Seriously, I need to look this up. Give me a second. Bryan Rodney. Defenseman Bryan Rodney. As one person on Twitter put it, the Oilers had too many players named Ryan, so they moved one for a Bryan. Oh well, at least this deal confirms that Oilers GM Steve Tambellini actually has a pulse.

It was a depth deal because the Oilers AHL D is banged up. After the Oilers season officially dies, they can send up to four players down to the AHL. This likely means Paajarvi and Lander will go, so OKC will have enough forwards. O'Marra was expendable for a defenseman to assist with the playoff run of the Barons.

So is that the end or the beginning of Oilers activity at the trade deadline? As my brother says, "when you get to the fork in the road, take it." It could be either.

- Forget about Hemsky re-signing in Edmonton. Hemsky wants a four or more year deal, and the Oilers are offering one or two. Sounds like the money is all wrong too, as the Hemsky camp wants $5mil+ per season.

- Keep hearing Nikolai Khabibulin's name coming up in rumors, which makes me happy. Surprised too. I wouldn't deal a pile of laundry for him.

- People keep asking things like, "why is Khabibulin in net again," and, "why are the vets getting so much ice time"? Because you can't deal them if they aren't playing. Cam Barker sucks and Theo Peckham still has a way to go before he's back from injury...only reason Barker is playing is in hopes he has a good game and the right scout happens to be watching. Khabby is the exact same deal.

- The following Oilers are not being shopped: Hall, Eberle, Nuge, Gagner, Paajarvi, Lander, Smyth, Jones, Eager, Whitney, Petry, Gilbert, Smid, Sutton, Potter and Dubnyk.

- The following players are available if the Oilers could move them: Horcoff and Belanger

- The following players are clearly being shopped: Hemsky, Khabibulin, Hordichuk, Barker

- Players who may or may not be available: Omark, Pitlick, Vandevelde, Petrell, Peckham

- The closer we get to the end of the season, the more it becomes obvious that the Oilers will finish in 29th place, and will be drafting somewhere between 1st and 3rd in June. So the chance that the Oilers move their 1st pick...very small. It would need to be an incredible player coming back for that to happen.

- I got asked this today, so I feel the need to comment on it: "What is the Oilers asking price for Hemsky?" I still believe the asking price is a 1st round pick and a prospect, although there are market conditions that could alter the return on Hemsky (either up or down).

The Rick Nash sweepstakes are going to have a huge impact on a Hemsky deal, as for the teams interested in Nash, Hemsky is quickly becoming the consolation prize. This means Hemsky might only be moved at the last minute, and for the best deal available at that last minute. Problem that creates is, teams have plenty of time to attempt to find a better option, and this could drive down his trade value. There is plenty of speculation right now that Columbus won't even deal Nash until the summer, so teams could be waiting around to make something happen that can't possibly happen. Somehow, GM Scott Howson's future is tied to a Nash deal, and Howson might not have the green light from ownership to move Nash at all. Word is, the task of deciding what to do with Nash will be given to the new GM over the summer.

Other element to consider is the Oilers immediate needs. Going into next season, the defense still looks like a weak group, there is a clear roster hole on the second line, and the Oilers definitely need a goaltender; perhaps a starter, as the jury is still out on Dubnyk. There must be an absolute tempation by management to attempt to turn Hemsky into an immediate asset that can suitably address a roster hole. I've heard lots of "Luke Schenn to Edmonton" comments...I don't see how that happens, but it would be great for the Oilers if it happened. I could also see things like Bernier to Edmonton for Hemsky, or Schneider, or...well, you get the idea. I don't want to say any of these are actual "rumors" because they aren't. All I am saying is, if the Oilers can turn Hemsky and maybe a 2nd round pick into a 22 year-old up-and-coming player that the team knows will make the NHL and fill a need on the team, they'll do it.
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