I'm not a huge fan of putting players on there off wing unless they've spent significant time there. I'd just put Hemsky in the minors then, somebody will is bound to pick him up on waivers.
- rathagor

Really, Hemsky in the minors?? I can't believe this is even mentioned. As it sits right now Hemsky is you 3rd best winger in town. Hall and Ebs come in ahead at the moment. Hemsky plays tougher minutes allowing the kids to take the ice in more favorable spots.
This crap of Hemsky being no good is retarded! Considering he played on the left side at the WHC and put up better than a point a game, there could be a good chance you will see him there.

Hemsky's shoulder is fine and with some of the hits he took last season, it should be a positive that he did not break. He started to get his game going as the season was ending and with playing so well at the WHC it will be interesting to see how things start for him next season.

Really, Hemsky in the minors?? I can't believe this is even mentioned. As it sits right now Hemsky is you 3rd best winger in town. Hall and Ebs come in ahead at the moment. Hemsky plays tougher minutes allowing the kids to take the ice in more favorable spots.
This crap of Hemsky being no good is retarded! Considering he played on the left side at the WHC and put up better than a point a game, there could be a good chance you will see him there.

Hemsky's shoulder is fine and with some of the hits he took last season, it should be a positive that he did not break. He started to get his game going as the season was ending and with playing so well at the WHC it will be interesting to see how things start for him next season.
- Tapdog

I'd also mention that Hall has been slow to start each year and is coming off major surgery, so Hemsky could very well be #2 winger as of today.

Really, Hemsky in the minors?? I can't believe this is even mentioned. As it sits right now Hemsky is you 3rd best winger in town. Hall and Ebs come in ahead at the moment. Hemsky plays tougher minutes allowing the kids to take the ice in more favorable spots.
This crap of Hemsky being no good is retarded! Considering he played on the left side at the WHC and put up better than a point a game, there could be a good chance you will see him there.

Hemsky's shoulder is fine and with some of the hits he took last season, it should be a positive that he did not break. He started to get his game going as the season was ending and with playing so well at the WHC it will be interesting to see how things start for him next season.
- Tapdog

Honestly Hemsky may have been the 3rd best winger skill wise on the team last year but to me his play during the season didn't indicate it. Last season i'd put Smyth and Jones ahead of him for usefulness last year. Jones was more productive with the time given to him then Hemsky and he played the second most short handed time of any forward.

I'd also mention that Hall has been slow to start each year and is coming off major surgery, so Hemsky could very well be #2 winger as of today.
- Lahey

Nice add on! Very true.

I'd also mention that Hall has been slow to start each year and is coming off major surgery, so Hemsky could very well be #2 winger as of today.
- Lahey

I see it most likely, that Tambs will try and deal Hemsky this summer but if the right return isn't there he will stay. Put Yakupov on the off wing or even start him on the third line. Then let Hemsky play and let his value increase (hopefully) from there.

Honestly Hemsky may have been the 3rd best winger skill wise on the team last year but to me his play during the season didn't indicate it. Last season i'd put Smyth and Jones ahead of him for usefulness last year. Jones was more productive with the time given to him that Hemsky and he played the second most short handed time of any forward.
- rathagor

Regardless EDM can't afford to put Hemsky in the AHL. Very poor asset management. EDM couldn't get much for him last trade deadline, so resigned him and hope he turn it around. PRV and Omark are some more examples where assets may have been under utilized. From what I see, Hemsky will be the 2LW with Gagner and Yakupov as 2RW, unless Yakupov can't NAIL a roster spot and PRV is a stud in camp and pre-season, then Hemsky is 2RW, and PRV is 2LW. Yakupov starts in OKC.

Honestly Hemsky may have been the 3rd best winger skill wise on the team last year but to me his play during the season didn't indicate it. Last season i'd put Smyth and Jones ahead of him for usefulness last year. Jones was more productive with the time given to him that Hemsky and he played the second most short handed time of any forward.
- rathagor

If guys like Hemsky, Smyth and Jones are not playing the tougher minutes, the young guys aren't producing as much. Hemsky has a lot of value to this team still. Hey I am not against trading him and there would be many teams interested but unless you want to finish bottom 5 again this year this team still needs the experienced players with skill.
Also you can say bye bye to Jones, he won't finish the season here.

Regardless EDM can't afford to put Hemsky in the AHL. Very poor asset management. EDM couldn't get much for him last trade deadline, so resigned him and hope he turn it around. PRV and Omark are some more examples where assets may have been under utilized. From what I see, Hemsky will be the 2LW with Gagner and Yakupov as 2RW, unless Yakupov can't NAIL a roster spot and PRV is a stud in camp and pre-season, then Hemsky is 2RW, and PRV is 2LW. Yakupov starts in OKC.
- deks1

Thank you! good post, I can see the top two lines setting up this way as well. Jeez with both Gag's and Hemsky setting up Yak, he should have 50 by Christmas...lol

Regardless EDM can't afford to put Hemsky in the AHL. Very poor asset management. EDM couldn't get much for him last trade deadline, so resigned him and hope he turn it around. PRV and Omark are some more examples where assets may have been under utilized. From what I see, Hemsky will be the 2LW with Gagner and Yakupov as 2RW, unless Yakupov can't NAIL a roster spot and PRV is a stud in camp and pre-season, then Hemsky is 2RW, and PRV is 2LW. Yakupov starts in OKC.
- deks1

Poor asset management was signing to Hemsky to a 2 year 5 million per contract for doing nothing.

Regardless EDM can't afford to put Hemsky in the AHL. Very poor asset management. EDM couldn't get much for him last trade deadline, so resigned him and hope he turn it around. PRV and Omark are some more examples where assets may have been under utilized. From what I see, Hemsky will be the 2LW with Gagner and Yakupov as 2RW, unless Yakupov can't NAIL a roster spot and PRV is a stud in camp and pre-season, then Hemsky is 2RW, and PRV is 2LW. Yakupov starts in OKC.
- deks1

Put Yakupov on the off wing. He shoots left.

If guys like Hemsky, Smyth and Jones are not playing the tougher minutes, the young guys aren't producing as much. Hemsky has a lot of value to this team still. Hey I am not against trading him and there would be many teams interested but unless you want to finish bottom 5 again this year this team still needs the experienced players with skill.
Also you can say bye bye to Jones, he won't finish the season here.
- Tapdog

Maybe Jones fetch EDM a 2nd rounder in 2013.

Poor asset management was signing to Hemsky to a 2 year 5 million per contract for doing nothing.
- rathagor

Wuh? So what would you have done? Let him walk UFA and EDM won't get anything back? Like someone said above Hemsky faces tough opposition minutes and he's worthy to stick around for 2 more years to prove himself and then EDM decides. Hemsky wants to stick around, EDM signed him to two years, not like 5-10 years. 2 years is a good term for both sides to adapt and maybe part ways afterwards. The guy isn't hitting the later of his career, he is going into prime and off shoulder surgery, having a good WC, he has potential and talent. Letting Hemsky walk this summer UFA is even worst asset management.

Wuh? So what would you have done? Let him walk UFA and EDM won't get anything back? Like someone said above Hemsky faces tough opposition minutes and he's worthy to stick around for 2 more years to prove himself and then EDM decides. Hemsky wants to stick around, EDM signed him to two years, not like 5-10 years. 2 years is a good term for both sides to adapt and maybe part ways afterwards. Letting Hemsky walk this summer UFA is even worst asset management.
- deks1

I'm not suggesting resigning him was a bad idea especially at the time. Its the dollar amount that was the mistake. It was an overpayment for what he has given to the oilers the last 3 seasons. A 3 to 3.5 million dollar contract is much more reasonable for what he has done lately.

I see it most likely, that Tambs will try and deal Hemsky this summer but if the right return isn't there he will stay. Put Yakupov on the off wing or even start him on the third line. Then let Hemsky play and let his value increase (hopefully) from there.
- freelancer

I don't see them moving him just yet. Not unless they get a deal they can't refuse. With that being said I don't see a team giving up that type of deal until they see Hemmer play a solid 20-30 games healthy.

Hemsky to off wing could be an option as well. I'm not a fan of putting a 18 year old rookie in a position he isn't comfortable with.

Honestly Hemsky may have been the 3rd best winger skill wise on the team last year but to me his play during the season didn't indicate it. Last season i'd put Smyth and Jones ahead of him for usefulness last year. Jones was more productive with the time given to him then Hemsky and he played the second most short handed time of any forward.
- rathagor

One down season, doesn't make a career.

The guy is still likely to be a first liner on most teams.

Don't be suprised if he leads the team in scoring this year.

One down season, doesn't make a career.

The guy is still likely to be a first liner on most teams.

Don't be suprised if he leads the team in scoring this year.
- Zombie

With Hall, Ebs and Nuge a year older? I dunno about that, but I agree a healthy Hesmky should still produce at a high level.

I'm not suggesting resigning him was a bad idea especially at the time. Its the dollar amount that was the mistake. It was an overpayment for what he has given to the oilers the last 3 seasons. A 3 to 3.5 million dollar contract is much more reasonable for has he has done lately.
- rathagor

Well, I think some of us can agree on that. I think what EDM won on was the term, Hemsky camp won the $$$ of the new deal.

I'm not suggesting resigning him was a bad idea especially at the time. Its the dollar amount that was the mistake. It was an overpayment for what he has given to the oilers the last 3 seasons. A 3 to 3.5 million dollar contract is much more reasonable for has he has done lately.
- rathagor

Considering he wanted 4-5 years we ended up doing well.

Considering he wanted 4-5 years we ended up doing well.
- Lahey

Love watching Hemsky when he is playing healthy, great player with the puck .You guys are spoiled in Edmonton with all the up and coming young players in your system.

What about Hemsky for Jaybo deal?????

Love watching Hemsky when he is playing healthy, great player with the puck .You guys are spoiled in Edmonton with all the up and coming young players in your system.

What about Hemsky for Jaybo deal?????
- bradjc

Horcoff for JayBo you say? Done.

With Hall, Ebs and Nuge a year older? I dunno about that, but I agree a healthy Hesmky should still produce at a high level.
- GuyLaDouche

Eberle is the only one that has actually put up Hemsky type numbers, and that was with all world shooting % for both he and his linemates as well as incredibly shelterd minutes.

Guys production goes up and down, wouldn't suprise me in the least to see Eberle put up 60 points with Hemsky at 70+

Love watching Hemsky when he is playing healthy, great player with the puck .You guys are spoiled in Edmonton with all the up and coming young players in your system.

What about Hemsky for Jaybo deal?????
- bradjc

I think something could be worked out there.

Eberle is the only one that has actually put up Hemsky type numbers, and that was with all world shooting % for both he and his linemates as well as incredibly shelterd minutes.

Guys production goes up and down, wouldn't suprise me in the least to see Eberle put up 60 points with Hemsky at 70+
- Zombie

The sheltered minutes are overblown. But we will see. IMO, any one of Hall,Ebs, or even Nuge could outscore Hemmer.

The sheltered minutes are overblown. But we will see. IMO, any one of Hall,Ebs, or even Nuge could outscore Hemmer.
- GuyLaDouche

My money is on RNH. Of the 4 young guys, I think he will be the best.

The sheltered minutes are overblown. But we will see. IMO, any one of Hall,Ebs, or even Nuge could outscore Hemmer.
- GuyLaDouche

I don't really think it's that overblown, he started in the O zone 60%+ and had the easiest opposition of all the guys that regularly played top 9 minutes.

And ya, any of Hall/Ebs/Nuge could outscore Hemsky, I don't debate that in the slightest, I'm saying it's pretty much just as probably that Hemsky outscores any/all of them.