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Hemsky Might Be the Bruins Consolation Prize |
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What an insane night of hockey rumors and speculation. The entire evening ended in spectacular fashion: TSN amongst others reporting that Jarome Iginla was dealt to the Boston Bruins, only to find out that Jay Feaster fooled us all and moved Iginla to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Apparently, the deal was a last-minute thing that occurred between Feaster and the Penguins during the Flames/Avalanche game.
It's a horrifying deal for the Flames. Two NCAA players no one has ever heard of and a 1st round pick that will likely be 30th overall. Jay Feaster is, without question, the worst General Manager in the history of hockey. Flames fans are going to eat him alive on Thursday.
You have to feel for the Bruins in all of this. The entire situation reminds me of when Michael Nylander and his agent completely screwed over the Edmonton Oilers. Yet another one of those "best deals I never made" situations for Edmonton, when Nylander's career came to a crashing halt soon after Washington signed him. I'm certain the Bruins thought they had a deal tonight, only to find out at the last minute that they didn't.
You know how things work between the Flames and Oilers. It's the Calgary vs. Edmonton thing. Now that Calgary has rejected the Bruins like a 35 year-old chain smoking grandmother from the trailer park, the Bruins will turn to the Oilers for solace. I'm encouraging a deal to occur, just because it would be hilarious to see the Bruins load up with talent and knock the bloated Penguins on their can during the playoffs. Rule #57 in life: Always cheer for the underdog.
So here's how it works: We know that the Bruins have all sorts of interest in Ryan Whitney. They were checking on his health today. As Bob McKenzie worded it, they've done their due diligence. Whitney to the Bruins is a natch, but that's not exactly a earth-moving situation. Maybe the Oilers get a 3rd round pick out of the deal if it works out just being Whitney going.
The Bruins though could use a skilled forward like Ales Hemsky for their playoff run. Hemsky is not a player the Oilers won't move...In saying this, I'm not suggesting the Oilers are shopping him either. They'll pick up the phone and listen to offers if and when they occur. The question here is, what can the Bruins offer for Hemsky + Whitney?
Well, it won't be Milan Lucic. My earlier rumor regarding Lucic was dependant on Iggy going to the Bruins. Since that didn't happen, Lucic is going nowhere.
Excuse me for a second, as I think I need to reboot my computer. I think Twitter just broke.
I'm back. Where was I? Okay, what could the Oilers get from the Bruins that would be worth Hemsky + Whitney? Not as much as you'd think.
The Bruins top prospect, apparently, is Alexander Khokhlachev...who happens to be 5' 10" and 172lbs. Nope, that ain't gonna work. Next! The Oilers don't need another small skilled guy.
I'd say Malcolm Subban, but Peter Chiarelli has said he's untouchable, so he's out too.
Here's the name I'm going to throw at you: Nathan Horton.
Of course, this is not as simple as the Oilers dealing Hemsky + Whitney for Horton. Horton has a NTC, so he can kill a deal to any team if he wants to. Also, Horton is in the last year of his contract, so the only way the Oilers deal is if he re-signs with them immediately.
While Horton is not Lucic, he's a big Top 6 forward, and he'd bring something different to the Oilers roster. He's perhaps under-performing this season, and he's had a concussion history that scares me. But still, if he's healthy...and he has been all season...he brings size to the Oilers Top 6 that is desperately needed.
Before any of you get your panties in a bunch, I'll make it clear that this is SPECULATION, not a rumor based on any solid information. It's a hunch. If the Bruins want to keep pace with the Penguins, they need to get more skill up front. Hemsky is more skilled than Horton. The Bruins don't lack size, and Horton is likely a Who at the end of this season anyway. So if you can turn him into a Hemsky and a Whitney, why not do it?
A few random notes for you:
- Mike Crosby is a beautiful human being. Gave me tickets again. God love him. So I guess I'll be at the game again, Row 8, Section 116, Seats 7 + 8. And why I'm telling you this is because it would be terrific if you all send me free drinks throughout the game. Oh, I don't drink beer, just so you know. Dark rum and Diet Coke, please. Seriously though, I'm bringing my friend Ryan to the game, and it will make me look like a big shot if at least some of you come over to say hi, so please do so. And I'll give the first person who asks to take a picture with me $5. In Canadian funds. Thanks again Mike; you're a beauty!
- I'm hearing Danny DeKeyser won't announce which team he wants to hang with until Friday. This being said, the decision could come sooner if there is a clear #1 choice. I'm hearing Detroit is still the most-likely choice, but the Leafs and Oilers are still in the running. His agent Don Meehan is also Justin Schultz's agent, and it makes sense for Meehan to advise his client to sign on to a young team with talent 'o plenty.
- For those of you unfamiliar with DeKeyser, he's more of a defensive-defenseman than an offensive-defenseman. He's likely a 3/4 pairing guy, so if he comes to Edmonton consider the future Top 4 to be Schultz, Klefbom, DeKeyser and Petry.
- Oilers against Columbus tomorrow and my Spidey Sense is telling me the Oilers are going to get clobbered. Don't ask me why, but it just is. The problem with the Oilers is scoring depth...that's what makes the non-acquisition of Jussi Jokinen so confusing to me. If Jokinen can do one thing it's that he brings the offense. It sounds like Hall/Nugent-Hopkins/Eberle will be kept together tomorrow, so I'm expecting them to do all the heavy lifting. If the Oilers don't start Khabibulin in net after how he played last game, they're stupid.
More in the AM. Peace out.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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