Pretty amazing how the Lightning can buy out a former 1st overall, at stretches the most dominant player they've ever had, their captain and leader, who helped them hoist their first cup, all over a matter of him being about 2 million overpaid (really long term, granted) and Edmonton faces harsh media criticism for turfing Sheldon (frank)ing Souray

About Eric Belanger...

Anyone know what's going on here? the assumption would be trade, buyout or bury, but that's based in part on the declining relationship he had with coach and management. Now that both are gone, and only Gagner ahead of him on the depth chart, might he stick around for this last year as a 3/4C? I don't think he sucks, but I do think he's sucked in this system and was unwilling to buy into it. Maybe he fits better with the Eakins/MacT style? or has he burned too many bridges?
- Morris

The question is what system did we/he have to follow- as on most nights we know there was hardly a system being followed...

Pretty amazing how the Lightning can buy out a former 1st overall, at stretches the most dominant player they've ever had, their captain and leader, who helped them hoist their first cup, all over a matter of him being about 2 million overpaid (really long term, granted) and Edmonton faces harsh media criticism for turfing Sheldon (frank)ing Souray


- Morris

so true

I wonder who we can poach from the leafs should they end up with Letang- as they will have too much money and dmen - I would not mind any of them really

About Eric Belanger...

Anyone know what's going on here? the assumption would be trade, buyout or bury, but that's based in part on the declining relationship he had with coach and management. Now that both are gone, and only Gagner ahead of him on the depth chart, might he stick around for this last year as a 3/4C? I don't think he sucks, but I do think he's sucked in this system and was unwilling to buy into it. Maybe he fits better with the Eakins/MacT style? or has he burned too many bridges?
- Morris

Belanger was a locker room issue as well, doubtful he sticks around.

I wonder who we can poach from the leafs should they end up with Letang- as they will have too much money and dmen - I would not mind any of them really
- saskoil21

Apparently Letang's agent said no chance to TOR. Have then seen that he will sign a 7mil contract in PIT.

But lets just say he did go to TOR. Depending which insider you listen to they have a different guy. Spec said as much on Gregor's show, said one day its Phaneuf, next day Franson, next day Gardiner.

I still have to think Liles for Horcoff is a possibility at some point as well.

I wonder who we can poach from the leafs should they end up with Letang- as they will have too much money and dmen - I would not mind any of them really
- saskoil21

Gunnarsson and Kulemin. They probably wouldn't give up JVR or frankly Jay McClement and everything else they have we have a version of in one way or another.

Belanger was a locker room issue as well, doubtful he sticks around.
- Lahey

It's funny, at the beginning of the year Yakupov said Belanger was his favourite vet. Things soured quickly I think. But yeah, at least Horcoff is apparently beloved in the locker room.

Apparently Letang's agent said no chance to TOR. Have then seen that he will sign a 7mil contract in PIT.

But lets just say he did go to TOR. Depending which insider you listen to they have a different guy. Spec said as much on Gregor's show, said one day its Phaneuf, next day Franson, next day Gardiner.

I still have to think Liles for Horcoff is a possibility at some point as well.
- Lahey

I would not mind Liles... I would like Gardiner or Franson but those guys are cheap... they would need to send some salary if they got Letang- I would be happy with Phaneuf... at least Edmonton would end up with a hottie in the stands for home games

Apparently Letang's agent said no chance to TOR. Have then seen that he will sign a 7mil contract in PIT.

But lets just say he did go to TOR. Depending which insider you listen to they have a different guy. Spec said as much on Gregor's show, said one day its Phaneuf, next day Franson, next day Gardiner.

I still have to think Liles for Horcoff is a possibility at some point as well.
- Lahey

Liles is probably about the best we'd get for Horcoff in a 1 for 1 trade, but he's pretty addled at this point. He's about as broken as Whitney imo.

And you wonder whether the Maple leafs would rather just pay the money to have Liles sit at home and pay Tyler "young Horcoff" Bozak less money to remain as their 3C

It's funny, at the beginning of the year Yakupov said Belanger was his favourite vet. Things soured quickly I think. But yeah, at least Horcoff is apparently beloved in the locker room.
- Morris

From what I've heard from my insider and what Gregor/Spec/other guys that are around the team has had to say about him his just not a team player.

What's the time frame for rnh to return from surgery ?

I would not mind Liles... I would like Gardiner or Franson but those guys are cheap... they would need to send some salary if they got Letang- I would be happy with Phaneuf... at least Edmonton would end up with a hottie in the stands for home games
- saskoil21

They have options there that's for sure.

What's the time frame for rnh to return from surgery ?
- Snagglepuss

Last I heard which was a few weeks ago, was that he was suppose to be ready for the start of the year.

Couple problems though

1. He's young and has money. Setbacks can happen at anytime

2. He's already a guy that needs to add mass and strength. Even if the shoulder is 100%, is the Nuge going to be 100% game shape?

Minus the 4 almost locks To be the top 4 picked on Sunday. Who would u like the oilers to take. Lindholm, monahan, nurse, nichuskin or ristolainen?

Here's the thing: Everyone who says the Oilers will draft defense are stupid.

The Oilers have a number of quality D prospects. At forward, however, there's no one worth considering. They must draft forwards, or else.
- Maxbone

Maybe you're the stupid one. Seemingly you are the only one thinking Oilers will pick a forward...

Maybe you're the stupid one. Seemingly you are the only one thinking Oilers will pick a forward...
- Oilers4Life14

I don't know the real Edmonton media sure suggests a center. As does MacT himself.

Edmonton Journal saying you guys are after Stafford again. I think this is the 4th or 5th year in a row now.

I don't know the real Edmonton media sure suggests a center. As does MacT himself.
- Lahey

I can See edmonton trading out of that spot for immediate D help. Say Winnepeg sends one of Bogosian/Buff + the 13th for the 7th. As groundwork.

Just a thought I had whilst laying in bed last night.

I can See edmonton trading out of that spot for immediate D help. Say Winnepeg sends one of Bogosian/Buff + the 13th for the 7th. As groundwork.

Just a thought I had whilst laying in bed last night.
- ImThatGuy

I'd go for this. I'd much rather have immediate help on the backend and move down than simply drafting at #7

Lebrun saying Bolland being shopped.
- Lahey

Wonder what is asking price. Still like clutterbuck too.

wow aren't you the smart one, so it will go down every year from here on out? well that's pretty poopty.
- SpoiledByOil

It's going down for one year. Already said for 14-15 that it's going to be damn near back to 70mil. Not hard when they have a dozen outdoors games.

Buyouts are happening because teams want out of horrible contracts that can bite them after.
- Lahey

They re-asses the cap every year, so no, it is most definitely not "for sure" going back up that high in 14-15.

Is it going back up? Probably. Is it DEFINITELY going up to 70 million? Not definitely, no.

Bolland and Nick Leddy are available?

7th overall and Paajarvi? I do that every day of the week

Bolland and Nick Leddy are available?

7th overall and Paajarvi? I do that every day of the week
- mochoson

Must be nice to help a team win a cup then be told you are not wanted anymore.

Must be nice to help a team win a cup then be told you are not wanted anymore.
- heh49314

It's not that there no wanted. Realistically, they can't afford to keep either of them.