Oilers – Almost time to strike up the band

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Are happy days returning to the great white north? Are we seeing the birth of another possible great Edmonton team? All things considered that may be the case. However, before we jump the gun and eat the food condemned at Rexall Place be aware there is some serious work and very tough decisions ahead for Tambellini and company.

Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson (I hope he loves shortened versions of his name) are all signed and set to have some fun on the pond that Gretz, Mess and the boys on the bus played on some years ago. Although it will take some time and development, they will soon enough have that fun. They find themselves surrounded by the beginnings of a very good supporting cast.

The Defence has been rebuilt for a season without Souray. The additions of Whitney, Vandermeer and Foster ensure the Oilers will be solid on the Blue. Souray will be very tough to pawn off on somebody until he proves he is back from last year’s season ending injury and that he is able to be that top three defenseman that can control the power play. A great preseason may be enough to get somebody excited enough to take a chance on him. If that is the case, his contract is manageable, as the Oilers owe him nine million over the next two years.

Although, they may be able to package him along with an assortment of forwards they have that are expendable. If we can all agree the Oilers will not win the Stanley Cup this coming year and most likely not the next year either then moving a few of the following pieces makes perfect sense.

Horcoff is 31, his production is on the decline and his big contract was an overpayment. He is owed 6.5 million for the next two years then six million then four in the last year. Although the Oilers should move the veteran, the contract means they probably will not find a taker.

Penner is 27 and has a manageable contract. He is big but does not play big as well as he is very inconsistent year to year. Coming off a real good year, the time to trade the winger for max value is right now. He is a player the Oilers could turn into a solid prospect(s) and or a late first round draft pick from a contender.

Hemsky, yes you are reading this right. Hemsky is a player that has more value than his numbers and play to this point warrant. His window to be the go to guy on the Oilers is over and with his age, the Oilers need to max out his return value.  Hockey people love to be in love. Many in the league will still fall in love with the ‘potential’ of the 26-year-old winger slash center. However, for the Oilers he is worth far more in a trade to acquire future assets. Many will still see him, as a front line superstar waiting to happen and for that reason will gamble the farm on him. If Phil Kessel was worth two first round picks and a second then Hemsky is worth a first and a second. Talent wise Hemsky is better than Kessel but he has been with a smallish Oilers team these past few years that had little support.

Both Gagner and Andrew Cogliano have yet to prove they belong in the NHL. Both of these players have blazing speed and show glimpses of what might be. They tease the hockey sense, which may again be exactly what the Oilers can use to their advantage in a couple sign and trades that fetch higher than deserved value. Both are RFAs that will not break the bank for any team thinking they can give them that needed outside speed.

The decisions that the Oiler management have to make this year are crucial. These decisions will go a long way in dictating the success or failure of this present rebuilding attempt. They have to realize they are a few years and a few good assets away from being a true contender. Making the right sacrifices now will certainly bring about happy days once again in Oiler land.

Posted by Bagger on Jul 28 2010. Filed under Edmonton Oilers, NHL News/Commentary, Northwest. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry