Agreed Gags isnt worth Staal.
The oil were offered a 1st for Hemsky but demanded Brayden Schenn and Lombardi told them to beat it.
- Ihatebrianburke

If I were Lombardi, I would have told him to beat it as well.

Especially knowing the chance he could be winning the draft lottery and getting another rw, Tambo looks pretty stupid to have re-signed Hemsky instead of getting some sort of asset for him.
- james

Yeah, signing a guy capable of 70 points if healthy to a short term deal is just so stupid, cause Yakupov is guaranteed to step right into the NHL and be a huge point producer.

I guess depth and options are over-rated.

Hemsky is a guy that should only be given a year to year deal. With his injury resume, he can't be trusted. How a guy that had a not so good year gets rewarded to a two-million dollar raise is beyond me. Two years isn't four - you are right. However, that is alot of jack to shell out for uncertainty. Add in the Horcoff deal - 5.5 million per over the next three years? Yikes.
- Oneonta Penguin

900k per year raise... I think it was just a way to reward his loyalty -- Which I don't agree with. Loyalty should work both ways.

Horcoff's contract was complete garbage... Definitely agree. Luckily those contracts won't hurt our ability to sign the players that matter.

Yeah, signing a guy capable of 70 points if healthy to a short term deal is just so stupid, cause Yakupov is guaranteed to step right into the NHL and be a huge point producer.

I guess depth and options are over-rated.
- mochoson

It is stupid when you consider they have to sign Hall and Eberle next year. Depth and options aren't over rated, but spending more money then a player is worth is.

Yeah, signing a guy capable of 70 points if healthy to a short term deal is just so stupid, cause Yakupov is guaranteed to step right into the NHL and be a huge point producer.

I guess depth and options are over-rated.
- mochoson

IF healthy is the key. He has only put up 70 point seasons twice in his career - 07-08 being the last.

Hemsky is the quintessential example of high risk, high reward - except the high reward tag is starting to go by the wayside. He is skilled and talented, but there is something missing outside of his ailments.

Case in point ... this year he played 22 more games in 11-12 than in 10-11, but scored six less points. Care to explain that?

900k per year raise... I think it was just a way to reward his loyalty -- Which I don't agree with. Loyalty should work both ways.

Horcoff's contract was complete garbage... Definitely agree. Luckily those contracts won't hurt our ability to sign the players that matter.
- laughs2907

Lowe thought Horcoff would be a Doug weight, and he didnt want to lose him, so I understand why he offer him that. Past is the past, if they get a free buyout I think they should use it on him. Give the roster spot to Lander.

ill take a pass on the nash trade

900k per year raise... I think it was just a way to reward his loyalty -- Which I don't agree with. Loyalty should work both ways.

Horcoff's contract was complete garbage... Definitely agree. Luckily those contracts won't hurt our ability to sign the players that matter.
- laughs2907

Agree with this. I'm fine with rewarding for loyalty to a certain extent, but it does go both ways. I guess we will see what Ales' response to this extension next year. God knows the Oilers have been way too loyal to him for all of his warts - ailments and moodiness.

IF healthy is the key. He has only put up 70 point seasons twice in his career - 07-08 being the last.

Hemsky is the quintessential example of high risk, high reward - except the high reward tag is starting to go by the wayside. He is skilled and talented, but there is something missing outside of his ailments.

Case in point ... this year he played 22 more games in 11-12 than in 10-11, but scored six less points. Care to explain that?
- Oneonta Penguin

I think I will call it a bad year, hopefuly he comes back next year in better shape.

Lowe thought Horcoff would be a Doug weight, and he didnt want to lose him, so I understand why he offer him that. Past is the past, if they get a free buyout I think they should use it on him. Give the roster spot to Lander.
- FiretheGM

Doug Weight was one of my fav non-Penguins of all time. I in no way, shape or form saw Doug Weight in Horcoff.

Even with a paycut to stay, at the rate the first three are going, it's 5-6 million each on their next contracts, and that's only if they stay at the production rate they are at. What happens if Hall breaks out and scroes 50 next year...7+ million a year Stamkos money is what he or Eberle would be after. No team can afford three of them without sacrificing somewhere else. Add Yakupov and potentially there is 4 guys who could all be commanding huge money in 2-3 years.
- james

Worry about your own team troll. You guys had your moment and blew it. Now you can worry about
1) Diving
2) Lack of heart
3) Is it your franchise goalie
or whatever else us bottom teams worry about during the playoffs

It is stupid when you consider they have to sign Hall and Eberle next year. Depth and options aren't over rated, but spending more money then a player is worth is.
- james

And Hemsky's deal will not in anyway stop them from doing so.

IF healthy is the key. He has only put up 70 point seasons twice in his career - 07-08 being the last.

Hemsky is the quintessential example of high risk, high reward - except the high reward tag is starting to go by the wayside. He is skilled and talented, but there is something missing outside of his ailments.

Case in point ... this year he played 22 more games in 11-12 than in 10-11, but scored six less points. Care to explain that?
- Oneonta Penguin

No, I don't have to explain Richard. His skill level rivals some of the best in the league. Hockey isn't all about numbers and statistics.

If it were, Getzlaf would be gone for not even hitting the 15 (let alone 20) goal mark.

Hemsky is a first line talent. Every single GM after this years deadline said there was nothing available. Who's to say teams even wanted Hemsky? Who's to say they were offering even 3rd round picks?

Hemsky two years at that price tag is more then adequate. He's been given plenty of incentive to perform. If he plays well enough and wants to stay, he will stay. If it is decided that he has more value as an asset then being part of the team, he will be traded.

The points being brought up here couldn't be more irrelevant.

Doug Weight was one of my fav non-Penguins of all time. I in no way, shape or form saw Doug Weight in Horcoff.
- Oneonta Penguin

Well that is nice, but alot people did around that time. Im not talking 100pt season type of player, but a Blue collar gritty number one center who plays both ends of the ice. Horcoff just looks beat up now, like his 40 years old. I dont know what happen to him.

Doug Weight was one of my fav non-Penguins of all time. I in no way, shape or form saw Doug Weight in Horcoff.
- Oneonta Penguin

Thank God for that.

Well that is nice, but alot people did around that time. Im not talking 100pt season type of player, but a Blue collar gritty number one center who plays both ends of the ice. Horcoff just looks beat up now, like his 40 years old. I dont know what happen to him.
- FiretheGM

Horcoff was fine last season. People see his contract and expect impossible things from him. It's not his fault Oilers management had a brain fart and offered him a ridiculous amount of money.

Horcoff is a great 3rd line center. Doesn't belong anywhere near the Top 6 though. If he was played on the 3rd line and received 3rd line center money, everyone would be fine with Horcoff.

Doug Weight was one of my fav non-Penguins of all time. I in no way, shape or form saw Doug Weight in Horcoff.
- Oneonta Penguin

And Hemsky's deal will not in anyway stop them from doing so.


No, I don't have to explain Richard. His skill level rivals some of the best in the league. Hockey isn't all about numbers and statistics.

If it were, Getzlaf would be gone for not even hitting the 15 (let alone 20) goal mark.

Hemsky is a first line talent. Every single GM after this years deadline said there was nothing available. Who's to say teams even wanted Hemsky? Who's to say they were offering even 3rd round picks?


- mochoson

This argument is all about context, without knowing what was offered there is no way of evaluating the non-deal. I do think Hemsky is worth more than late first round picks, and no playoff teams had top 4 defense to give away. unless they got an offer like dougie hamilton the resign doesn't look like a bad move, there weren't any good UFAs to spend the money on anyway this year.

Agree with this. I'm fine with rewarding for loyalty to a certain extent, but it does go both ways. I guess we will see what Ales' response to this extension next year. God knows the Oilers have been way too loyal to him for all of his warts - ailments and moodiness.
- Oneonta Penguin

I don't really buy the moodiness thing. I certainly haven't seen any proof of it. Probably just media speculation, because he's no longer the top dog. He always seemed like a pretty relaxed no BS kinda guy to me though... At least that's my impression of him.

- GuyLaDouche

Brokeback Oilers.

Well that is nice, but alot people did around that time. Im not talking 100pt season type of player, but a Blue collar gritty number one center who plays both ends of the ice. Horcoff just looks beat up now, like his 40 years old. I dont know what happen to him.
- FiretheGM

Way to much on his shoulders for his abilities. Crosby couldn't have carried this team. Hopefully they haven't run his legs out. I think a rested Horcoff playing 12-14 mins a nite will be a great part of this team...contract aside.

And Hemsky's deal will not in anyway stop them from doing so.


No, I don't have to explain Richard. His skill level rivals some of the best in the league. Hockey isn't all about numbers and statistics.

If it were, Getzlaf would be gone for not even hitting the 15 (let alone 20) goal mark.

Hemsky is a first line talent. Every single GM after this years deadline said there was nothing available. Who's to say teams even wanted Hemsky? Who's to say they were offering even 3rd round picks?

Hemsky two years at that price tag is more then adequate. He's been given plenty of incentive to perform. If he plays well enough and wants to stay, he will stay. If it is decided that he has more value as an asset then being part of the team, he will be traded.

The points being brought up here couldn't be more irrelevant.
- mochoson

I think you are way, way, way off base here. Hemsky isn't a two-way forward. He doesn't play defense. His deal is to put up points. It's pretty worthless to have the skill he possesses and basically bomb. He isn't much of a point producer anymore. The 60-70 point seasons seem like a dream. If he is the player you are saying he is, there is NO EXCUSE for him to only put up 10 goals and 36 points in 69 games. In the last three years, he has only played 138 games. He is on the shelf alot.

It's bad business to give a player that hasn't shown he is capable of not only remaining healthy, but not producing when healthy and is on the ice the raise he got. Despite its length, you don't think players from around the league will look at that price tag for Hemsky and say if he is worth that, I'm worth this? I can tell you Jordan Staal's agent will use that price tag of Hemsky's as a starting point. If Hemsky is worth 5 million, the bar starts at 6 million for Staal.

This argument is all about context, without knowing what was offered there is no way of evaluating the non-deal. I do think Hemsky is worth more than late first round picks, and no playoff teams had top 4 defense to give away. unless they got an offer like dougie hamilton the resign doesn't look like a bad move, there weren't any good UFAs to spend the money on anyway this year.
- ky678468

A Maple Leafs fan....and a rational thought.

I might favorite this page.

edit: Kidding, kidding. Your not all retarded, I know.

I don't really buy the moodiness thing. I certainly haven't seen any proof of it. Probably just media speculation, because he's no longer the top dog. He always seemed like a pretty relaxed no BS kinda guy to me though... At least that's my impression of him.
- laughs2907

Never heard anything about Hemsky being moody. Only player I can remember recently being moody was Sheldon Sourgay.

I think you are way, way, way off base here. Hemsky isn't a two-way forward. He doesn't play defense. His deal is to put up points. It's pretty worthless to have the skill he possesses and basically bomb. He isn't much of a point producer anymore. The 60-70 point seasons seem like a dream. If he is the player you are saying he is, there is NO EXCUSE for him to only put up 10 goals and 36 points in 69 games. In the last three years, he has only played 138 games. He is on the shelf alot.

It's bad business to give a player that hasn't shown he is capable of not only remaining healthy, but not producing when healthy and is on the ice the raise he got. Despite its length, you don't think players from around the league will look at that price tag for Hemsky and say if he is worth that, I'm worth this? I can tell you Jordan Staal's agent will use that price tag of Hemsky's as a starting point. If Hemsky is worth 5 million, the bar starts at 6 million for Staal.
- Oneonta Penguin

Then Staal can stay put. He isn't worth that much.

you don't think players from around the league will look at that price tag for Hemsky and say if he is worth that, I'm worth this? I can tell you Jordan Staal's agent will use that price tag of Hemsky's as a starting point. If Hemsky is worth 5 million, the bar starts at 6 million for Staal.
- Oneonta Penguin

How many Defensemen will compare themselves to wade redden and jeff finger's contracts this summer? 5mill is not even that high, look what we had to pay grabo in TO