Is Phil Kessel worth two lottery picks
- Starbuck

Don't even go there.... I have said from the get go... bad trade. We still don't know how bad, watching Seguin develop is painfull. He will be better the Kessel with 2 - 3 years. And the answer to your next question, NO, I am not happy with the progress in Toronto. Were stocking the minors with talent, but the stop gap efforts at the NHL level is embarrassing, I have to say.

The Oilers at least are doing a proper tear down and rebuild. They will certainly be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the upcoming years.

Since when does anything a fan think matter. They can spew anything they want because they aren't in a position to back anything up.
- Sabata

Speak nicely to HockeyInsiderr...Only he knows how much GMs think SG is worth.

Since when does anything a fan think matter. They can spew anything they want because they aren't in a position to back anything up.
- Sabata

Unless you are Katz

As a Leaf fan, you would know all about delusions.
- Al Hacker

You are very correct, most do live in a complete delusional world. Since the days of Howard Ballard, Leafs fans have towed the line, wearing their loyalty on their chest like a badge of honor, no matter how bad they finish. Leafs fans have not demanded any accountability AT ALL in the teams for 40 years. The Leafs fans are the problem with the team.....

I sir do not hold such grand illusions though, I am a realist, and because of all the politics surrounding the team, my loyalty is slipping.

Learn how to spell Gretzky properly.
- Starbuck

My bad... must add to spell check... lol

Richard Cloutier: Signing Sammy
- Maxbone

From my perspective, there's very little cap juggling to do when it comes to Sam Gagner. He's going to be under 5 million no matter how long you sign him, and probably under 4. We're not committed to anyone but Shawn Horcoff past 2013-2014. Even then, we can probably trade his 1 year, 5.5 million contract that summer.

Personally, I like Sam, and was hoping that the 3 year, 11 million contract that was rumoured was correct. 3.6 cap hit doesn't break the bank, and three years is neither an eternity nor an insult. It shows Sam the Oilers are committed to having him around past the 2014 contract apocalyspe.

From my perspective, there's very little cap juggling to do when it comes to Sam Gagner. He's going to be under 5 million no matter how long you sign him, and probably under 4. We're not committed to anyone but Shawn Horcoff past 2013-2014. Even then, we can probably trade his 1 year, 5.5 million contract that summer.

Personally, I like Sam, and was hoping that the 3 year, 11 million contract that was rumoured was correct. 3.6 cap hit doesn't break the bank, and three years is neither an eternity nor an insult. It shows Sam the Oilers are committed to having him around past the 2014 contract apocalyspe.
- Morris

Well put, and if they can get him signed for a few years at 3.6/year, good move to fill that #2 C slot. It's long enough for Gagner to show what he was supposed to have the potential for, and short enough to cut him loose if / when he doesn't.

Problem is you can't convince anybody that matters that this interpretation has any practical reality. No GM would ever give up Turris for Gagner. On the other hand Turris is probably the second line center that the Oilers need.
- spatso

Well you also thought Bowmester as a rental would return the Panthers Carter + Giroux + Lupul + 1st rouder.... so I don't think anyone should really take your interpretations of what GM's would do overly serious.

Yeah Yeah Yeah, we went through that the other day...... and in the end, some great players had slow starts, but we all know Gagner is not destined to be a great player.

It's like saying because Gretsky took the first penalty in franchise history for the Oilers, that he was going to get allot of penalties.

- gstrandberg

Can't even be bothered to spell Gretzky correctly = zero credibility in an Oilers thread. Go home

Well you also thought Bowmester as a rental would return the Panthers Carter + Giroux + Lupul + 1st rouder.... so I don't think anyone should really take your interpretations of what GM's would do overly serious.
- Zombie

Wooo. Now that's going back quite awhile now in history.

Well you also thought Bowmester as a rental would return the Panthers Carter + Giroux + Lupul + 1st rouder.... so I don't think anyone should really take your interpretations of what GM's would do overly serious.
- Zombie

Can't even be bothered to spell Gretzky correctly = zero credibility in an Oilers thread. Go home
- BigDre

Already dealt with this once..... said my bit, so bite me.

Wooo. Now that's going back quite awhile now in history.

- gstrandberg

Hard to forget the stupidest thought in Hockeybuzz history, especially when it was posted daily for months.

Hard to forget the stupidest thought in Hockeybuzz history, especially when it was posted daily for months.
- Zombie

Wow, I guess that was before my time here at Hockeybuzz.Too bad, I would have had fun with that too.

Hard to forget the stupidest thought in Hockeybuzz history, especially when it was posted daily for months.
- Zombie

I don't know, I've heard so much stupid poop that I can't keep track of it anymore.

I have a hard time seeing him get that at UFA.
- prock

David Jones is older, less accomplished, and doesn't have a ton to offer outside of scoring, and he just got 4 years, 4 million. With that in mind and teams trying to reach the floor, Gagner could easily fetch 4-per.

David Jones is older, less accomplished, and doesn't have a ton to offer outside of scoring, and he just got 4 years, 4 million. With that in mind and teams trying to reach the floor, Gagner could easily fetch 4-per.
- Morris

3.25 - 4 seems to be the current going rate for high end 2nd line players with pedegree signing as RFA's.

David Jones is older, less accomplished, and doesn't have a ton to offer outside of scoring, and he just got 4 years, 4 million. With that in mind and teams trying to reach the floor, Gagner could easily fetch 4-per.
- Morris

Call me crazy, but doesn’t David Jones play a much more physical role, along with being one of the Oilers better defensive forwards, and STILL scores nearly as much as Gagner.

Unless I’m way out in left field, that seems like a totally bizarre comparison. My perception of him was that the things he offers PRIMARILY are those other than scoring. Scoring at a rate near Gagner is more a bonus.

I never said Turris will improve, I said he benefited from a trade, and Gagner might as well.
- gstrandberg

Or maybe he can improve by playing with skilled team mates on a good team? He has so far played on a low scoring bottom feeding team, maybe, just maybe he will improve as the team does.

I personally like Gagner, the kid is 22! Yes, he's had some time in the NHL and he hasn't broke the 50pts mark, but I am going to be optimistic about this upcoming season as another year of experience on the club and having some healthy bodies can improve his stats. I am not sure I am a fan of his salary jumping over $3.5M. I think of what Duchene got in COL 2YR $7M, Gagner is not Duchene's caliber.

Yeah Yeah Yeah, we went through that the other day...... and in the end, some great players had slow starts, but we all know Gagner is not destined to be a great player.

It's like saying because Gretsky took the first penalty in franchise history for the Oilers, that he was going to get allot of penalties.

- gstrandberg

And how do you know that? Do you actually watch the guy play?

Call me crazy, but doesn’t David Jones play a much more physical role, along with being one of the Oilers better defensive forwards, and STILL scores nearly as much as Gagner.

Unless I’m way out in left field, that seems like a totally bizarre comparison. My perception of him was that the things he offers PRIMARILY are those other than scoring. Scoring at a rate near Gagner is more a bonus.
- prock

considering David Jones doesn't play for the Oilers, I'd say it's safe to call you crazy.

considering David Jones doesn't play for the Oilers, I'd say it's safe to call you crazy.
- Zombie

Ryan Jones. You know what I mean. The pretty boy with the long hair. Not sure why I remembered his first name being David.

ps - wait, that's the Avs guy.

Ryan Jones. You know what I mean. The pretty boy with the long hair. Not sure why I remembered his first name being David.
- prock

"The Flow" please refer to it as such