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A Day in the Life of a Different Oilers Rumor Person |
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I got bored, and I can't fall asleep, so I'm writing another blog. Hope that's okay.
There's a blogger I know where the hipsters go called "Bedrock". Twitch twitch. You have to be inside my brain to know why this statement is hilarious. You also need to be old. Anyway...
We all know about last summer's Oilers Twitter sensation @treenasoil. Remember all the buzz? Is "she" an Insider? Is she fake? Is she a she? Who used the candlestick in the conservatory on Professor Plum? Whatever happened to Jimmy Hoffa's body? Why can't your wife open the peanut butter jar without help? Are you really the off-spring of the milkman like your momma says? Why do I keep asking random questions?
A quick recap of the Tracy Lane phenomenon for those of you late to the party: During the summer...right around July 1, 2011 to be exact, a person using a Twitter account going by the name of Tracy Lane (@treenasoil) predicted with freakish accuracy a number of moves the Oilers were going to make. I don't have the exact info right in front of me, and I'm too lazy to look things up at this time of day...but I'm pretty sure she predicted Belanger, Eager, Sutton, and Hordichuk. Might be more than that too. Tracy, who uses the profile picture of retired glamour model Emma O'Neill (and insists she IS Emma O'Neill, using a different name now), quotes a mysterious source for her info. A cat, or at least, a person with a cat nickname. "Garfield". In case you wondered, I've heard Oilers Commentator Bob Stauffer was given the nickname of "Garfield" in the past, but he denies that he knows who "Lane" is, or that he, himself, is Lane.
@treenasoil is still around, but her predictions haven't went so well in recent months. In fairness to her, she says things like, "the Oilers have inquired about __________". Brill strategy, actually. It's almost impossible to prove either way who the Oilers have inquired about. If they actually made a deal, she looks like Karnac. If they don't, no harm no foul.
No one knows who she is. I've heard numerous theories from it being a member of the Oilers broadcast team, to it being an actual member of the organization, to being a journalist from the Edmonton Journal, to it being just some random jerk like me. Heck, I've even been asked if I'm Tracy Lane, which I'm not. She's a size 4/5 at best, and I would never fit into her gear (though I'm completely up to trying it on). The best and most probable speculation I have heard is that Tracy is a member of the crew who films Oil Change. If so, she'd have access and the ability to overhear conversations between Oilers management and other teams.
So why am I bringing all of this up now? Because, Oiler fans, your Twitter, email, newspapers, blogs of choice...they are about to explode with rumors from now until the trade deadline. And why not? The Oilers have been a disappointment this season, and there are several significant roster questions as this team moves forward. We know they have decent D prospects, but they have very little immediate help. This team is damned for the next two or three seasons if they don't get a couple actual, right now Top 4 defensemen. The goaltending has been absolutely questionable most of the season. The Oilers top line seems to be sorted, but there are questions about the personnel for all three other forward lines. To many paying fans, this team looks more like one on the decline than one about to start winning championships. Steve Tambellini's job might be on the line if he can't turn things around, and quickly.
Oh rumors are going to be coming. Some could be made up; some could be real. Tonight on Twitter, @treensoil got a jump on the rest of the rumor world, who were too distracted by their All-Star snooze. I'm thinking good ol' Tracy won't mine me discussing her late-night rumor goodness...Tweets are not exactly copy written, and all of this is in the name of fun, anyway. If she's an attention addict like I am, she'll like me promoting her on Twitter.
One last thing before I get into this: Some of her stuff tonight sounds okay, and some sounds way off. But please don't misunderstand the spirit of my comments. She does good work; way more successful than I am, actually. If she's a fraud, she's an awesome fraud.
Rumor #1: Canucks have interest in Petrell and Sutton, Blues have also shown interest in Sutton as per Garfield
My thoughts: Wouldn't be surprised at all. The Canucks could use a Bottom 6 player like Petrell who can also kill penalties, and Sutton would be great as a 5/6/7 guy. Blues too for Sutton. I don't know why a team heading for the playoffs wouldn't want to add a guy like Sutton to the mix. Big, solid shutdown guy who is well liked by fans and teammates. My only complaint here is the if Sutton is moved, the Oilers wouldn't be re-signing him immediately. I was debating on Twitter earlier, is Sutton worth a 2nd or a 3rd round pick? If I am Tambi, asking price is a 2nd.
Rumor #2: Tampa still interested in Khabibulin, but want the Oilers to take Rolison back...as per Garfiled
My Thoughts: I don't believe any of this. Why? Because if someone offered me Roloson for Khabibulin, I would take it immediately, no questions asked. Khabby has negative trade value as does Rolly, but Rolly's deal ends this summer and Khabby's doesn't. The idea that any team would deal for Khabibulin is not remotely believable.
Rumor #3: Kings also have interest in Hemsky, Tambelini wants Bernier.
My Thoughts: Sorry, Matt Barry...It's a Hemsky-to-the-Kings conspiracy. I have no doubt Tambellini would want Bernier, but there is no chance this one happens unless the Oil throw in another quality prospect or player. Hemsky and Tyler Bunz for Bernier I could almost believe. Hemsky for Bernier? Not a chance. If the Kings ever deal Bernier, I doubt they will move him to a team in the same conference. Type of deal that comes back to haunt you.
Rumor #4: Tambelini has inquired about PK Subban, willing to deal Gagner as per Garfiled
My Thoughts: I love the "inquired" bit. Of course Tambi inquired about Subban. All teams in the NHL, and maybe some in the KHL, have called the Habs to see if Subban is available. Would you do Gagner for Subban? Absolutely. The question is, like the Bernier deal; so what else would the Oilers need to throw in to make this happen? If the Oil had a 2nd lower 1st round pick, I'd say that. Maybe Gagner and Paajarvi, and I'm not sure even that gets it done. Subban is a top pairing defenseman who is young. Big, big sticker price on guys like that.
Rumor #5: #Oilers and #Rangers in talks Rangers like Hemsky and Peckham Oilers want Ryan McDonagh as per Garfield
My Thoughts: I sorta could see it. Sorta of. The Rangers are serious cup threats this season, and Hemsky could help with that. Peckham...Oilers would move him just to dump his contract. I think very quickly, Colten Teubert and Alex Plante will move up the depth chart past Peckham. However, Peckham is the type of guy Glen Sather would likely appreciate. But the Rangers giving up McDonagh? Yikes. I can see what the Oilers are getting from this deal, but I'm not sure why the Rangers would do it. McDonagh is a very solid defenseman.
Final Thoughts: I love that rumor season is here, and congrats to Tracy/Treena/Whoever on the fine work. Do I believe any of these? I could see a few, but I'm not sure of who's actually available in Edmonton. Heck, even Ales Hemsky could be re-signed instead of dealt. His play is certainly improving as the season continues.
I don't actually believe the Oilers will be actively making deals until immediately before the deadline. Tambi probably has a deal for Hemsky lined-up as a fall-back position if no better deal comes. If you believe what you read, as many as 10 teams are interested in Hemsky, so his trade value is going up and with that, offers will increase in size too.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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