Bryan Murdyk Cancer Fundraiser weekend here in the area, so I'm up to my ears in reportin' stuff. I do love my new profession dearly, but it keeps me hoping. Muddy and Co. expect to go over $1mil in donations this year, so I, like the rest of his community, heart him.

Don't be surprised if I post a picture of me with Fernando Pisani, who will be at the event. Why? Because in 2006, he was Bryan Bickell.

Here's some random thoughts for today:

- It sounds like authorities in Latvia have recovered a body that is thought to be Kristians Pelss. My continued thoughts go out to the player and his family. This is sad news indeed.

- The Oilers signed 24 year-old forward Mark Arcobello to a one-year contract extension. 5'9", 165lbs Arcobello put up solid numbers all season (68pts during the regular season, and 12g and 8a in 17 playoff games). I'm not sure if his re-signing will mean he'll see any time in the NHL next season, but the Oilers have certainly noticed his hard work and success. With Shawn Horcoff destined to leave the organization this summer, Arcobello just might have an opportunity to crack the Oilers roster.

- There is still no news regarding who will work with Oilers Head Coach Dallas Eakins as his assistants. Not only is there no word, but there aren't even decent rumors to share with you.

- NHL Awards are being announced as I write this. It's absolutely moronic that Nail Yakupov wasn't even nominated for rookie of the year. He'll make the entire NHL look stoopid next season when he scores 40+ goals.

- Reading dumb fake rumors daily that the Oilers should trade Ryan Nugent-Hopkins this summer in an effort to draft a "sturdier" center. Look, Nuge wasn't only the baby of his draft class, but he was more or less the same age as Yakkers this season. Remember Gretzky looking like a baby when he was 17 playing for the Oilers in the WHA? Give Nuge a break.

The Oilers aren't going to deal him. Knock it off.

- Continuing to read/hear other ridiculous suggestions. Jordan Eberle isn't going to be dealt. Neither Oscar Klefbom. Please stop.

Even names like Nick Schultz are coming up. I could see him as being possible, I suppose, but he seems like Eakins kind of guy.

The Oilers want to move a stack of players out, as you know. I am naming the specific guys...leaving out "good" players that have a roster spot, but could be moved as part of a big deal (Gagner, Smid, NSchultz are examples of these):

1. Shawn Horcoff (value debatable)
2. Ales Hemsky (pick + mid-level prospect or 3rd line winger)
3. Eric Belanger (bad draft pick)
4. Ben Eager (bad draft pick)
5. Rights to Linus Omark (bad draft pick)
6. Theo Peckham (bad draft pick)
7. Colten Teubert (bad draft pick)
8. Ryan Martindale (bad draft pick)
9. Curtis Hamilton (bad draft pick)
10. Phillippe Cornet (bad draft pick)
11. Alex Plante (really bad draft pick)

These eleven players/prospects have more or less soured to the organization in one way or another. Don't be surprised if some of these guys are dealt for failed projects from other teams, just because some of these players have negative trade value, and the Oilers will need someone to play in Stockton and Oklahoma City next season.

For those of you keeping track of players who won't be here...

1. Teemu Hartikainen has signed a two-year deal in the KHL
2. Darcy Hordichuk is a UFA and won't be re-signed
3. Garret Stafford is gone to Europe
4. I can't see Tanner House being brought back
5. Ditto Chris Vandevelde
6. Antti Tyrvainen will be playing in Europe next season
7. I thought I heard Niko Hovinen is gone too
8. Jerred Smithson won't be brought back
9. Ryan Whitney...LOL
10. Mark Fistric...Double-LOL
11. Nikolai Khabibulin...King of the LOL
12 + 13. Still no word as to the potential fate of Ryan Jones and Lennart Petrell

Don't be surprised if the Oilers go low-end UFA signing crazy in July, because they'll have minor league roster spots-a-plenty. Looking at the current Oilers contract list, they don't have many guys signed from the 2012 draft...not that doing so would help them in the AHL or ECHL next season. The Oilers have signed pretty much everyone they took in 2011 (they dealt Tobias Rieder, so he's not signed, and goalie Samu Perhonen won't be signed. I don't think they need to sign Dillion Simpson yet, as he's in college).

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