Mike Brophy on the Sportsnet website posted an article tonight stating Sheldon Souray has been informed he will not be allowed to attend the Oilers training camp next week. At first, I was shocked by this news...I didn't think a team could ban a player from camp if they are under contract and healthy enough to play. I'd like to know what the NHLPA's thinks of this.

The news came a few hours after a very compelling Souray interview was posted on the TSN website. In the report, Souray indicated that his health was great, and that he couldn't wait to get to training camp, in an effort to move forward, and to improve the Oilers. In his mind, the harsh words from five months ago were now irrelevant history...At this time, the team is moving in a new positive direction, and he was ready and willing to be part of it.

Eklund speculated tonight that there may be a deal in the next few days to move Souray. Keeping him safe and off the ice is one way to ensure the deal will occur. The New York Rangers and Washington Capitals are two teams of interest in respect to a potential Souray deal, and those teams have been linked to Souray for over a year. It is impossible to know for sure what other players would be involved in a deal, but it's fair to assume the Oilers will be seeking a young star prospect in return; most likely a defenseman. Also, it's fair to assume the Oilers will receive a painful contract from whatever team they dance with, and will need to give up a second player or a draft pick in order for the deal to occur. I sure hope the rumors stating Wade Redden coming to Edmonton are false, as his contract is even worse than Souray's (over $1mil per season more, with four years left to go on it).

So what does this all mean? Are the Oilers protecting Souray to keep him from shattering, or are they trying to prove a point to their players by uninviting him? It might be both, but I'd bet on the latter. It's hard to imagine the Oilers willingly accepting a train wreck for Souray at this point, and the fact he is still an Oiler tells me a potential deal still requires work. Souray might look ready to play, but the trust factor in respect to what he can bring a team is pretty low.

Oilers GM Steve Tambellini is aware that his team isn't as far out of the playoffs as many "experts" seem to think. True, "Ebjarall" - The trio known as Taylor Hall, Magnus Paajarvi and Jordan Eberle - Have yet to prove anything in respect to how the Oilers will change with their involvement. Make no mistake: The Oilers braintrust feels confidence that they have changed for the positive the climate of the team, from players to coaches. They also feel the defensive group they have gathered, Sheldon Souray not included, is much better than people realize. Oilers management do not feel pressure to immediately make a massive deal, nor do they feel it's necessary to bring Souray to camp when he could potentially taint the line-up.

I suppose I should provide an educated guess as to what could occur trade-wise. Here goes:

If it is Washington - Sheldon Souray and Andrew Cogliano for Tom Poti and Tomas Fleischmann.

If it is the New York Rangers - Sheldon Souray, Linus Omark and Andrew Cogliano for Marc Staal and Michal Rozsival.

If it is the New York Islanders - Sheldon Souray and Andrew Cogliano for Andrew MacDonald and a draft pick.

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