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Eakins, Hemsky, Horcoff, Etc.

June 10, 2013, 12:26 PM ET [229 Comments]
Richard Cloutier
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
I can't believe Hockeybuzz left that "MacT the Knife" thing up for a while.

Here...I'll save you folks from it by offering some real topics to discuss. I'll offer a few thoughts; you folks go to town in the comments section telling me what you think will happen.

1.. Is there an actual trade out there for Shawn Horcoff?
He's sold his house and he's helping Oilers management identify teams that he's willing to go to and would welcome him. My money is still on him being bought out.

If Horcoff can go anywhere, it's a team needing to make the cap floor. His cap amount is higher than his actual pay; meaning, a team like Phoenix that is broke could use his contract as a way to inflate their cap number while spending less.

I'd be shocked if the Oilers get anything for him, though. A 5th round pick or something.

2. Where does Ales Hemsky go?
Likely to a team that wants to unload a salary in the process. Maybe a team like Florida, who has plenty of under-achieving guys earning $3mil+ per season. I'm nervous about both the Hemsky and Horcoff deals, because there's a strong likelihood the Oilers will get a different headache back in return.

3. A Goalie
MacT let it slip that the team is wandering around Europe trying to find a decent potential back-up to Dubnyk. If that's the case, Yann Danis will be extended, so he can provide insurance for whatever kooky goalie the Oilers bring in.

4. Ben and Belly
What would the buyouts be for these two under the new CBA? I think under the old system, the Oilers would be stuck for the next two seasons with a $955K cap hit just for the privilege of buying these two out. If the Oilers decided to buyout Ryan Smyth, they'd need to pay him 100% of his remaining $2.25mil, because he's old. I have no idea if Smyth is going to be here or gone next season.

5. Re-signing Defenseman
Some clown tried to tell me Ryan Whitney could be re-signed. Not in a million years. The Oilers hate his attitude. As far as Mark Fistric goes, he's too slow. The Oilers need mobility and puck-moving still on D. I could completely see the team going into the year with their seven D being Belov, JSchultz, NSchultz, Smid, Petry, Klefbom and Potter.

6. Who Goes on D?
This means Whitney, Fistric, Sutton, Teubert, Plante and Peckham are all likely not returning to the organization next season. Teubert is perhaps the one with the best chance to return, but he's looking more and more like a career AHL'er. The 2013/2014 Oilers will have on the farm Marincin, Fedun, Gernat, Musil, and Davidson, so there isn't much room to spare. If the Oilers sign a UFA of significance (like Mark Streit), you could easily see Klefbom's name added to the AHL roster for a season. Rushing defenseman is usually a bad idea.

7. Coaches
Hearing plenty of names being thrown around as possible Associate Head Coaches for Dallas Eakins. I'm sticking with my bet on Paul Maurice.
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