I think the Oilers are right on Hemsky. Looking at the UFA pool and the teams looking to add a top 6 guy, I am thinking Hemsky will be affordable option for teams that aren't afraid of his injury history. I think waiting will get us the largest return for him. A desperate GM will go for him just like MacT is desperate to add size to the bottom 6 and a dman with some value people know of. As opposed to Belov who is a question mark. I expect Hemsky will bring us in someone good.
- Hall Fan

I hope your right...

Well TBH not much- just doubtful that Cleary comes back here- then again I have no idea how Eakins system will work with this team... as for Nystrom with Eager, Brown and Smyth all fighting over 4th line minutes is he that much of an improvement?
- saskoil21

Nystrom is a big improvement on all of those for sure. I think people need to look at his numbers. He is a big guy that hits a lot. He is a big improvement. Plus I don't like Smyth and Eager at all. I am hoping smyth is our extra and not a full time roster spot. Also I hope that Eager gets picked up on waivers or we can trade him for anything. Even future considerations would work for me.

I hope your right...
- saskoil21

Worst case scenario we keep him and trade him at the deadline for a pick. I consider last year as a full season played. We were the ones that chose to sit him with the broken foot. Hemsky would have played through it. I think this might have been the case with some of his other injuries. We chose to not play him hurt because we weren't in a playoff run. Hemsky also played a bunch of games during the lockout. I think he has definite value for teams in need of a winger. Plus with a one year contract he is less of a risk. I think the player we get back will also be on a small contract or an RFA that won't sign for the amount the team is offering.

Nystrom is a big improvement on all of those for sure. I think people need to look at his numbers. He is a big guy that hits a lot. He is a big improvement. Plus I don't like Smyth and Eager at all. I am hoping smyth is our extra and not a full time roster spot. Also I hope that Eager gets picked up on waivers or we can trade him for anything. Even future considerations would work for me.
- Hall Fan

Very true... but we have yet to experience a healthy Eager...but yeah Smyth can ride the pine for the year and then retire... I wont be surprised if we dont maintain our incestual ways and keep him in a position after this year...

Did he really? I dont know, I just dont see cleary coming back here. Wasn't the biggest fan.
- Oilfan19

Yep. Talked about how he was immature and didn't want to buy into what MacT was selling. Then he went to PHX for a year and the lockout hit. He realized if he wanted to last much longer in the NHL he'd have to start playing smarter and listen to the those small things MacT told him to do.

Well TBH not much- just doubtful that Cleary comes back here- then again I have no idea how Eakins system will work with this team... as for Nystrom with Eager, Brown and Smyth all fighting over 4th line minutes is he that much of an improvement?
- saskoil21

Nystrom is a fairly decent two-way player though. Eager probably is in OKC IMO.

Nystrom I also would pencil into a 3rd line role if need be.

I hope your right...
- saskoil21

Need to talk to Jagr's agent and find out who was in on Jagr. Boom plan B.

Very true... but we have yet to experience a healthy Eager...but yeah Smyth can ride the pine for the year and then retire... I wont be surprised if we dont maintain our incestual ways and keep him in a position after this year...
- saskoil21

I would. I'd actually hire him to go to all Katz teams and be a spokes person for players with little to no (frank)ing talent, but finds a way to play 1000 games.

Very true... but we have yet to experience a healthy Eager...but yeah Smyth can ride the pine for the year and then retire... I wont be surprised if we dont maintain our incestual ways and keep him in a position after this year...
- saskoil21

I agree about Smyth. As for a healthy Eager, he is definitely a back up plan if MacT turns out to be as busy as Tambellini was in the off season. If we think of things technically, we don't need to fill any spots. Our team would suck but we have the players to make up a team right now. Hemsky could stay. Third line: Paajarvi, Horcoff, Eager. Fourth line: Brown, Smyth and Lander. Leaving us Belanger as an extra and someone who can play until RNH comes back. As for a back up goalie they COULD put Bunz in.

With this said, I would be really mad if that is the way our team looked. The point is that we have the players to make up a team right now. Plus I still think the oilers are hopeful of Rajala/Acrobella becoming NHL ready this year or next. I think that is what MacT meant by getting players not just based on size but "with a high level of compete." A back track from his original statements of the back 6 needing bigger players only. I think at 5'9-5"10 (depending on website) these guys bring talent to the roster. I expect one of them to make the team (probably rajala) in two years but he should have a good preseason with the Oil this year. The weaker of the two will probably be show cased and traded.

I also think the Oil will sign Omark for the AHL. They recalled him for a reason.

I agree about Smyth. As for a healthy Eager, he is definitely a back up plan if MacT turns out to be as busy as Tambellini was in the off season. If we think of things technically, we don't need to fill any spots. Our team would suck but we have the players to make up a team right now. Hemsky could stay. Third line: Paajarvi, Horcoff, Eager. Fourth line: Brown, Smyth and Lander. Leaving us Belanger as an extra and someone who can play until RNH comes back. As for a back up goalie they COULD put Bunz in.

With this said, I would be really mad if that is the way our team looked. The point is that we have the players to make up a team right now. Plus I still think the oilers are hopeful of Rajala/Acrobella becoming NHL ready this year or next. I think that is what MacT meant by getting players not just based on size but "with a high level of compete." A back track from his original statements of the back 6 needing bigger players only. I think at 5'9-5"10 (depending on website) these guys bring talent to the roster. I expect one of them to make the team (probably rajala) in two years but he should have a good preseason with the Oil this year. The weaker of the two will probably be show cased and traded.

I also think the Oil will sign Omark for the AHL. They recalled him for a reason.
- Hall Fan

What you mean they recalled him?

I would. I'd actually hire him to go to all Katz teams and be a spokes person for players with little to no (frank)ing talent, but finds a way to play 1000 games.
- Lahey

I think you are ignoring his two largest strengths. His ability to maintain the worlds dumbest looking mullet. Every team should have a guy with a mullet. Plus him being ucking fugly might get him a job sponsoring tinted masks so you can hardly see the players facial features. Two big options for him.

(frank)ing milhouse

Dan Tencer ‏@dantencer 28m
Craig MacTavish not seen at Development Camp today. I wonder if he might be traveling somewhere...hmm...
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Kyle Erickson ‏@kylerickson 18m
@dantencer I would assume he is in his office making phone calls.
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Dan Tencer ‏@dantencer 15m
@kylerickson Read between the lines. It wasn't a guess.
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Kyle Erickson ‏@kylerickson 10m
@dantencer He would still have to travel to his office,he probably doesnt live there.Maybe he is travelling somewhere bold,how am I to know.

What you mean they recalled him?
- Lahey

TSN posting from a while back used that term. I believe they plan on having him at camp but that was just the article I read. I thought it would be for a trade but then I forgot who we were talking about. I think they did or will try to put him to a contract to fill an AHL position. Show case him in hopes he is worth something at the deadline.

Scuderi told the kings he's going to test the waters. I'd rather him then (frank)ing Gilbert. Won't cost any assets either.

Don't blame the leafs for buying out Grabo. Although a good player, not worth $5.5 million.

Scuderi told the kings he's going to test the waters. I'd rather him then (frank)ing Gilbert. Won't cost any assets either.
- Iggysbff

I agree.

Don't blame the leafs for buying out Grabo. Although a good player, not worth $5.5 million.
- ystoil

Yeah, I don't think he will have trouble finding a team to sign him.

Don't blame the leafs for buying out Grabo. Although a good player, not worth $5.5 million.
- ystoil

Except he's 2x the player Bozak is, who's probably going to get damn near close to 5.5 million. Nonis is a rehtard.

UFA Market value for a player of Grabovski's ilk is pretty much 5.5 anyways.

I would. I'd actually hire him to go to all Katz teams and be a spokes person for players with little to no (frank)ing talent, but finds a way to play 1000 games.
- Lahey

To be fair, he pretty much invented standing in front of the net, and he at least has a bit of hand eye to deflect a puck here and there. I'd hire him as a consultant on those skills alone, as it's not something that anyone other than our dearly departed Hartikainen got.

Devils sign elias to a 3 year deal with a 5.5 cap hit

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=426934

That is good money. Messes up the value of other players as Elias is pretty old.

Oh well its progress... buh bye Belanger... thanks for that epic faceoff win leading to the YAKUPOVVVVVVVINNNNNGGGG craze... which evidently was the highlight of 2012-13 season

(frank) it- someone post the gif
- saskoil21

Devils sign elias to a 3 year deal with a 5.5 cap hit

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=426934

That is good money. Messes up the value of other players as Elias is pretty old.
- Hall Fan

If we're lucky enough to get to the point where Taylor Hall is 37, has played his entire career with us, has hoisted 2 cups with us, wears a letter and is still posting near ppg seasons, you better believe we'd sign him to a sweet retirement package.

Makes total sense to me.

Except he's 2x the player Bozak is, who's probably going to get damn near close to 5.5 million. Nonis is a rehtard.

UFA Market value for a player of Grabovski's ilk is pretty much 5.5 anyways.
- Jack-artist

Oil would be silly to not kick tires on Grabo, Bozak, or Weiss. I could definitely see Weiss here.

Great 2-way player, tons of speed to keep up with young kids, great mentor. If I'm spending 5 mill on someone, it's Weiss or Ribiero. Oil definitely need Weiss more than they need a dumb downed version of what RNH will hopefully eventually be.

Oil would be silly to not kick tires on Grabo, Bozak, or Weiss. I could definitely see Weiss here.

Great 2-way player, tons of speed to keep up with young kids, great mentor. If I'm spending 5 mill on someone, it's Weiss or Ribiero. Oil definitely need Weiss more than they need a dumb downed version of what RNH will hopefully eventually be.
- mochoson

Grabo yes. Bozak no. Weiss maybe if we're moving Gagner.

Oil would be silly to not kick tires on Grabo, Bozak, or Weiss. I could definitely see Weiss here.

Great 2-way player, tons of speed to keep up with young kids, great mentor. If I'm spending 5 mill on someone, it's Weiss or Ribiero. Oil definitely need Weiss more than they need a dumb downed version of what RNH will hopefully eventually be.
- mochoson

yeah? I thought he was fed up with losing in Florida and really quite sour. I dunno, that's what I heard.