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Penner?

July 8, 2013, 3:39 PM ET [227 Comments]
Richard Cloutier
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
I didn't listen to today's Oilers Now show, so I'll admit I'm speaking a bit out of my ass here. I'm going by what people are emailing me and sending me on Twitter.

Apparently, Tyler Dellow was on again. You know, MC79Hockey? He's great on-air, BTW. He needs his own show.

Dellow and host Bob Stauffer were discussing advanced stats and Dustin Penner. Then, according to my readership, "half the show" was about Penner. Preparing Oilers fans for a Penner signing, perhaps?

I really, really doubt it. It's not impossible. It just don't make any sense.

The Oilers came up empty trying to sign a big-name UFA to act as their new 2nd line LW. The team still has yet to make a deal to bring in "that player". Doing so would require giving up assets the Oilers don't want to lose. We know for-sure the team is trying to deal Ales Hemsky, but we have no real other knowledge of other players being made available. Rumors are all over the place that guys like Magnus Paajarvi, Ladislav Smid and Nick Schultz COULD be available, but that's just could. Not "are".

Theoretically, everyone is available, with the exception of Andrew Ference, who has a no movement clause. And even with that, he could be dealt, if he wanted to be.

Here's reasons why Penner to the Oilers makes absolutely no sense, even if the team needs a 2nd line center and no decent options are jumping off the page:

1. Craig MacTavish does not like Penner. Everyone knows this.

2. Dustin Penner said when he left he would not ever return to the Oilers.

3. When MacT hired Dallas Eakins to be the new Head Coach, he more or less hired himself. Very similar type of guy. Oh, but Eakins values fitness levels perhaps more than any other coach. Think Penner wants that?

4. And just what exactly do the Oilers pay Penner? If he doesn't work on the 2nd line, where do you place him on the roster? And if he doesn't work out, can the Oilers move him at the deadline for anything of value? So many questions.

5. And are there really no better options out there? I can think of three: Jaromir Jagr, Brenden Morrow and Mason Raymond. Yes, I'd even rank Raymond ahead of Penner. Are the Oilers out on all three?

My guess is the Oilers Now people owed Penner's agent a favor, so they pumped his tires the same way they did for Brzygalov. Or, the Oilers Now people know how to give the public a story worthy of debate. Neither scenario ends in Penner being signed by the Oilers.

More later.
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