"With the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Edmonton Oilers are proud to select Cam Fowler."

So... does Columbus' 4th overall pick interest anyone here? Drafting a cornerstone D-man may be of interest around these parts, no? Cam Fowler or Erik Gudbranson anyone? Give this guy (Gudbranson, 6-3, 195lbs, Zach Bogosian comparison's) a look...

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=65238

FIGHT CARD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMKrMcoYAhQ&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0TNag7Tmhs&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5ckYwvS2Jc&feature=player_embedded

And a character guy...

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Erik+Gudbranson+Beyond+years/2421429/story.html

@ Robin

Knowing Scott Howson...

a) would Geoff Ward be a likely coaching candidate in Columbus?

b) how interested would the BJ's be in Hemsky?

I assume likely and very ??

I like the idea, not sure howson would give it a lot of consideration. What the #4 pick costs would be an interesting discussion though.

Don't think #2 is available.....

No way, Nino Neiderreiter. You know how the Oilers love to go off the board for a Swiss guy that everyone overlooked.

For some reason I have a feeling that the Oilers are going to pick Fowler, its a gut feeling. But for some reason I can;t stop thinking about it.

From what they were saying on sports night live, it looks like Boston might want to move up. And they said that Boston doesn't want to trade the pick.

How can he be overlooked, if the Oilers are picking 1st?

Which of the following youngsters is more likely to get packaged along say Horcoff and/or Souray?

Magnus Paajarvi Svensson, Anton Lander, Linus Omark, Riley Nash, Taylor Chorney, Jeff Petry, Toni Rajala, Alex Plante, Teemu Hartikainen.

Damn!, why so many Scandans in the system?

Mr Brownlee, What is your problem? Let T. speak...you know he has to hear the complaint then react to minimize the negative. He's not there for your sound bites...or OIl Nation ... he has to look after the Oil.

I'm confused too.

When RB mentions joining the circus, I assume that means signing with Edmonton. And the dislocated spine thing shouldn't be an issue. As we all know, this managment team has a way of getting the most out of injured players.

If the Oilers did trade Hemsky for the 4th overall pick, I'd rather see them take Brett Connolly.

Or, if one of the top 3 choices isn't Cam Fowler, which is possible, considering his drop in the rankings, go with Fowler

Is this really a reason? Really look at all the childhood photos of Dion Phaneuf and Jarome Igninla in Oilers gear. IT DOESN'T MATTER.

Still I say Seguin.

I could see this happening -

Sheldon Souray straight up for.......gulp.......Wade Redden.

Imagine the carnage.

Stauffer was going on last night about a trade with the Blue Jackets. Hemsky & Tencer were in full sell mode for the rebuild, so us sheep tend to follow.

If we made that trade Hemsky fo #4 & a player, it would be interesting to see what we would pick. Connolly a talented big winger (if we don't pick Hall) or a Dman like Fowler, Gudbranson, Gormley, Pysyk or go off the board & pick Nino Neiderreiter.

Boston have already stated they have a player they like and if they trade their pick it will be to move up. Do you think it's possible to get their 2 first round picks to move up and would you want to do that?

As long as his no trade clause is expiring or he approves the move here. Think Rozsival @ 5mm & a contract that expires in 2012. At least we would have a dman with some sick shoot out skills.

I listened to Gregor's show yesterday and really thought Barnes needs to suck it up, so what Tambo didn't send you that email that said very little. What exactly does the media want to hear?

Then today McKenzie comes on the radio and says Tambo shouldn't say much because it will only add fuel to the fire and hurt himself.

Is it just me or are some of the media taking their personal problems with the Oilers management and making it cloud the actual story at hand.

The bickering amongst are media and with management is almost worse then how the Oilers performed this year.

On to the important stuff. Watching that lottery was the most intense moment of the year for me, I just wanted it to be over.

And Brownlee any word on what the apparent deal that was on the table for Souray at the deadline?

Problem found - now can Katz take steps to correct, or are we going to continue to suffer from players exodus on a worsening basis ? We are inundated with a managerial and coaching teams of old draconiian business management (from top to bottom )teams and practices trying to compete in the new corporate culture world that is vastly superior to it in every way . Oilers are a perfect example of the old draconian business model and how ineffective that style is in addressing todays workforce and place , the human element , communication lines , and speed and rapid adjustment to the rapid changing demands of it's employees . The new business models addresses the motivation , flexibilty and human elements of it's entire workforce and gives them the tools to succeed . Each problem , and especially feed back of it's employees is merely an opportunity for the company to improve itself either in it's business and / or addressing it's human issues . Old style simply fails in those areas . Yes our managerial and employee problems will only worsen if they do noyt adjust to the vastly superior culture that is taking the world by storm . They are probably aware of it , but still lack the ability to impliment it to any effective degree . Quinn's tirade was a perfect example of "old school" ! No matter how you slice it our problems will stay rear their ugly heads so long as we stay married to the old style business format . We will continue to stay at the bottom as the new style of business said would happen . Lets hope tey clean up the major problems with new business direction to fit into the demands of the new workforce , rather than put a "gag" order on it and further chase them and others away prematurely . That's it in a nutshell -we need to impliment and form a managerial and coaching team that is effective in implimenting the the new corporate culture out there to maximize any success in the future !

While it may or may not lessen the value I really can't see it helping anyting other then people outside of the organization feeling good about the situation.

Ummmm, eat what Bombay? That you will be pleased if the Oilers take Seguin? That Brownlee and Stauffer are leaning that way? What?

What is it I'm supposed to be eating here?

I don't begrudge anyone on who they prefer...you, Brownlee and Stauffer may like who you like...but if it's ok with you I'll like who I want to like and when the debates come up on the two I will make my points just as the Seguin backers make theirs...

Eat that Bombay :)

If Boston really wants Hall and they really do, because of Orr and the connection. I really wouldn't mind us trading the 1st overall to Boston for the 2nd overall pick and Boston's 17th. Plus if we want a scoring winger who has tons of talent but has an attitude then the Russian kid Kirill Kabanov might be available at 31st. Its going to be an interesting spring/summer, June 25 is only 72 days away!!

Better to draft adults rather than large children. The "new" culture is basically baby culture and will end up getting its clock cleaned by older more "eyes on the prize" cultures. Hockey is a team game, soothing the "I" hurts the team. Until the players learn team before "I", there is no team. Quinn is right, no matter how politically incorrect. Until the Oilers get players who understand team and the sacrifices needed for team, they will never win. I know "me first and only" is the current fashion but it is a loser fashion. Money and fame are wonderful things, I admit, but teams always beat individuals no matter how talented the individual. The team doesn't need "Souray" or any other individual. Even Gretzky, the best player who ever lived (so far) could not win cups all by himself. The team with the best player never wins a series, the team with the best third and fourth lines, and 5th & 6th defencemen win. The number one is an important piece, no doubt, but until the bottom half of the team is greatly improved the Oilers will win nothing.

double post, sorry.

Yes, it is just you. Bob can say whatever he wants because he's got 30 teams to cover and his gig is different than that of beat writers and those who cover a particular team in any given city.

You call it bickering, but having the GM of the team you cover sit silent without commenting on what Souray had to say when his comments referred specifically to management, then offering up a generic comment in a news release two days late doesn't give the local reporters much to work with, and that's our jobs.

Tambellini has not made himself available to the media on a timely basis this season. That's his call, but when it prevents reporters from doing their jobs, he's going to hear about it.

So then isn't it the media's job to find the info from other sources from within?

You know I don't here too many Gm's making too many statements. What has Gillis had to say this year? How about Sutter who calls conferences just for the heck of it. The only one that talks in Canada on an on going basis is Burke.

When did Tambo go to Toronto? Was that maybe not a reason why he didn't make himself available on this? I thought Tencer or someone mentioned on Monday that Tambo plans on having a presser Today?

And to go off topic, wow is there alot going on other then the playoffs. Atlanta cleaning the coaching staff out, Jerry Reinsdorf getting one step closer to buying the Yotes. Us getting that pick. TB cleaning house.

Have to agree with Mr. Brownlee, the Oilers are the authors of their own problems. I know what others say is unimportant as long as they spell your name right, but if the team will say nothing in their own defense, then they can't expect others to defend them. In the lack of giving out real information,or at least their spin on it, then the Oilers will have to live with speculation, like it or not.

I guess another thing is I can see where Tambo is coming from in terms of keeping a tight lip organization. After the Heatley debacle and others, something needed to be done so that we aren't hurting the players on this team by having their names tossed around like a salad.

And they call Horcoff's contract a bad one....

That said - if no money was involved I would take that trade as Redden is a Lloydminster boy and from all accounts a pretty good person and a decent defender. He's just a 2.5 million a year defender, not a 6.5 million dollar defender like he is being paid for the next four years.

Speaking of bad contracts. I was looking at the Rangers with their Seven million cap hit for Drury (gross). That is a way worse contract than Horcoff. He has never had Horc's production, and even this last season Horc outscored him.

The info from other sources? Souray's comments were in direct reference to Oilers management and Tambellini specifically. He's the GM. So, if Wanye calls you an as*hole, what's the best way to go? "Hey, Brownlee, what do you think about Wanye calling Ogden Brother Jr. an as*hole?" or "Hey, Ogden Brother Jr. Wanye called you an as*hole. What do you think?"

What has Gillis had to say this year? What Vancouver player has said, "Our management sucks and the GM doesn't know how to communicate?" Same with Sutter.

Tambellini had time to comment before he went to Toronto. And if you think meeting with us today, three days after Souray's comments, is timely and acceptable then you know nothing (or don't care) about the job we have to do.

Half the time people forget the junior so they would be calling the Orginal Ogden and arsehole. And if someone calls me an arsehole, I don't ask Orginal about it, I come on here and ask the person about it and go from there.

Don't get me wrong I care about the job you guys have, but I care about my Oilers alot and if Tambo decided to what a few days instead of making a knee jerk reaction then so be it.

Why would Tambo make that reaction before talking to Souray, which I believe he did yesterday?

Things are getting blown way out here and I think its obvious that in this instant the media is using their past relations with Tambo and slamming him for it.

So you think Tambellini should get into a media pissing match ? This may be good for you media guys but not the organization. Why have he ( Tambellini ) she ( Souray) said ?

Reading the story over at the Toronto Sports Network site, 95% of the comments are from Leaf fans. They fall into three categories:

-Those who are rushing out to buy a gun so they can shoot Brian Burke for "the worst trade of all time." (It's not, but if they finish in the lottery again next year there might be an argument...)

-Those who are rushing out to buy a gun and shoot themselves, realising that 2067 is going to be a 100th anniversary.

-Those who already shot themselves but, rather than dying, only got severe brain damage. They're out there claiming that Kessel will score 60 a year for the next 10 years, that Hall and Seguin will be busts, and that Bozak is the next Sid. Those ones are my favorites.

It's been a painful year, Oil fans, but we've always got "at least we're not the Leafs!"

Souray is all class. That's why he and Spector had their article released the day before the draft lottery. GET THE F out Souray, and stop bringing us fans down as a ploy to get your broken ass out of town. Shouldn't have gotten into a fight, and we could have moved you quietly, you self centered ass! MAN the f up Shelly!

Agree. I don't need to hear from Tambellini I heard enought from Sheldon.

Go to your room Jr.

Robin

I ask this, would you have preferred Tambo to have a press conference yesterday talking about the first overall pick before the lottery was done? Then having the Oilers end up losing the lottery making Tambo look like an idiot for jumping the gun?

Brownlee,

I think you are overlooking the fact that 44 hasn't been traded yet and may be tough to trade. He could be back in September and acknowledged that himself yesterday.

Coming out with a tough statement right off the bat is only going to:

a)further the "scandal" and create further play for a negative story;

b)make it even harder to trade Souray if he impeaches his credibility or character;

c)further erode the relationship the two have.

If 44 returns in the fall, or is traded, there are not a lot of good things that can come from an immediate tough response.

It seems to me that Lowe made some mistakes in this regard (fighting with Burke, the spat with Comrie way back among others) and I am glad Mr T plays things closer to the vest.

Robin;

It's a bit off topic but...

Do you know if it's standard practice for the GM to not participate in the exit interviews with the players?

I found it odd that Tambellini would be on his way to Toronto for some face time on TSN when the Oilers were going through their exit interviews. Particularily considering one of the accusations by Souray is that this management group falls short on communicating.

Not too mention that niggly little detail of Tambellini being the guy that has to make the call on what is to be done with this collection of players moving forward.

How much would it cost to buy out Souray ? Instead of taking a bad contract back. Would it be easier to move Nilsson or Patty O or Souray?

I don't think they need to do any buyouts. The players listed all have value, and Nilsson and O'Sullivan have youth as an upside and superior talents as well. Sure they won't fetch much, but soem GM's might take a chance if the price isn't too high.

Souray can be traded, the Oil will just have to take some salary coming back the other way.

My real concern is Tambellini overvaluing his players and waiting all summer to "assess". He needs to realize what he does and does not have and fill holes. If Phoenix can make the playoff with a well balanced roster and no stars to speak of, then so can the Oil.

I just don't want the Oilers to trade Souray and get a long bad contract. i.e Redden etc

I'd be happy with a late round draft pick.

There are plenty of others that can fill that spot. It just becomes does Tambo want to get lots of value or just anything that may have value.

The Coyotes might not have any star skaters, but their Goalie should be in the running for a Vezina, lets not forget that. So they do have 1 star player, and it's in the most important position.

""My real concern is Tambellini overvaluing his players and waiting all summer to "assess" ""

Valid concern but I did hear Renney during what I think was an intermission interview during one of the last 2 or 3 games where he quite confidently stated that there has been enough time to evaluate the players and got the impression they know exactly who is who going forward....just my impression of the interview.

I will concede that point. But we do have our "MVP"... phphphpt

I would assume they know what they need and what they have, but moving they guys you don't want and getting the guys you need back is easier said then done.

Spinal surgery doesnt sound like THAT big of a deal anyway...

Whitney for Captain! Who gives a Sh*t about Souray now...