Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Luongo an Oiler?...and Other Rumors

April 27, 2012, 12:46 AM ET [203 Comments]
Richard Cloutier
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
So I get a Twitter message today saying Roberto Luongo has made a short-list of teams he's willing to go to, and the Oilers were on the list. There are all sorts of problems with this last sentence:

1. Roberto Luongo has not submitted a list yet.

2. The Canucks are denying that they've asked Luongo to submit a list.

3. Even if Luongo did make a list, it's doubtful the Oilers would be on it.

4. Even if Luongo listed the Oilers, it's doubtful the Canucks would deal him here.

More explanation, perhaps?

1. Luongo just now asked for a trade. Unless he's the most pro-active person in the world, he didn't have a list ready at the time of his exit interview with Canucks management. It's doubtful he'd inform them that he wants to be moved and would provide a list at the same time. Perhaps his agent emailed a list over after the discussion. You never know. TSN seems to think Luongo would be open to going to the Lightning, Hawks or Leafs. No mention of the Oilers anywhere.

2. I suppose the Canucks denying the existence of a list means nothing, as teams BS the media all the time. But when you think about how open GM Mike Gillis was about the Cody Hodgson situation, you'd think he'd be just as open about Luongo submitting a list.

3. As I mentioned, TSN says Chicago, Toronto and Tampa Bay are all possible, with Toronto being the preferred destination. Only Roberto knows where Roberto wants to goes. I have a hard time seeing him, as his age, saying he wants to go to a team that is likely a season away from the playoffs, and at least two seasons away from legitimacy. Plus Luongo has got to know the last thing the Canucks would do is deal him to a division rival.

4. As mentioned above, the Canucks aren't dealing Luongo to the Oilers. Keep in mind the Oilers are only a few players away from being a very, very good hockey club, and Luongo is a very, very good hockey player. Give the Oilers a year or two, a new top pairing defenseman, solid goaltending and a bigger Bottom 6, and they are contenders. The last thing the Canucks are going to do is give Luongo a chance to beat them in conference playoff series. When Luongo gets shipped, it will be to an Eastern Conference team.

Rumors. We've Got Rumors...

- I like the Hemsky-to-Boston rumors I've been fabricating, but I still can't top the Yakupov to Boston for Milan Lucic, Dougie Hamilton and a draft pick story. The Bruins aren't going anywhere until they find some scoring for the right side. Lucic annoyed Bruins management severely in the playoffs this season, and there are rumors he could be moved. Oilers would love this guy. He's everything their Top 6 is currently missing.

- Whenever I mention a possible Yakupov deal, I get all sorts of messages saying I'm over-valuing him. Nope. 1st overall picks don't get dealt, keep that in mind. If Yakupov (the 1st overall pick, I should say) is moved, the Oilers will want several quality assets in return. Lucic, Hamilton and a 1st round pick is not a ridiculous estimate of what the Oilers will ask for. I'm not saying Yakupov is worth this much. I'm saying this is what the Oilers will ask for. Big difference.

- Oilers have yet to offer Lennart Petrell a new deal. I think the concern is, management need to find room for Teemu Hartikainen and Magnus Paajarvi on the Oilers roster next season.

- There were rumors that the Ducks signed free agent goalie Viktor Fasth to a contract, which would be a big deal. He was the best goalie in the SEL this season, and was league MVP. The rumor is just a rumor, still. There is no actual confirmation from the team or anyone else that Fasth has signed. Apparently, he wants a one-way deal, and is holding out until an NHL team offers one up. If he's still up for grabs, and considering the Oilers situation in goal going into next season, Steve Tambellini should make Fasth an offer he can't refuse.

- There have been plenty of comments on how Tom Renney is still yet to be re-signed by Tambellini. Is it possible Tambi hasn't signed him because he has yet to be re-signed himself? It's not likely, but it's not impossible either that the Oilers might have some big changes coming up on the management/coaching end. Maybe Tambi hasn't signed Renney because Lowe/Katz aren't letting him.

- Oilers have four decent prospects unsigned: Defensemen Brandon Davidson and Jeremie Blain, plus forwards Kristians Pelss and Drew Czerwonka. All four could go back into the Entry Draft in June if the Oilers don't hurry up and sign them. The problem? The Oilers currently have 48 contracts, and 50 is the cap. I believe the Oilers definitely want to keep Davidson and Pelss (who is playing lights-out in the WHL playoffs right now), so they will be signed no matter what. If the Oil can move Omark, they'll sign Blain. Czerwonka could be the odd man out if the Oil can't free up another spot before the draft.

- Stu MacGregor is a pretty incredible Head Scout. We learned earlier in the season that he stole defensive prospect Martin Gernat at the 2011 draft. Right now, another 2011 steal is emerging: Forward Tobias Rieder. German-born Rieder is currently the leading scorer in the OHL playoffs, with 13 goals and 27pts in 16 games for the Kitchener Rangers. The 5' 11", 190lbs right winger put up solid numbers in the regular season as well, scoring 42 goals in 60 games, which was good for 5th best in the league.

- Speaking of great work from Oilers scouts, prospect Tyler Pitlick had a tough 1st regular season in the AHL, but he's looking brilliant in the AHL playoffs. Pitlick, who played both the right wing and center in Junior, started to find his pro game once the Barons moved him to the right side. Perhaps he's the 3rd line right winger in Edmonton in 2013/2014? Next season, he'll play Top 6 minutes in OKC to continue his development.
Join the Discussion: » 203 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Richard Cloutier
» Goodbye and Good Luck
» Ranking Top 5 Roster Groups - Blog #1
» Mods and Rockers
» The Reverse Psychology Blog
» The 10 Least Interesting Teams in the NHL