Tambellini has his say... and, YES, Oilers pick first!!!
Robin Brownlee
April 13 2010 04:54PM
After taking two days to contemplate Sheldon Souray's public trade request and what can only be characterized as a scathing indictment of Edmonton Oilers management, GM Steve Tambellini had his say this afternoon.
Unavailable to media after Souray's inflammatory comments ran on Sportsnet.ca, Tambellini issued a statement via a news release at 4 p.m., saying very little and pre-empting his own availability with local media that's scheduled for Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Rexall Place.
As per the release:
“Sheldon’s comments are unfortunate and counterproductive, but we are going to manage through this in a responsible and professional manner.
"We understand Sheldon has had a tough year and he has a desire to play elsewhere. His additional comments regarding being 'forced to play' when injured are far more serious and my stance is that they are demonstrably untrue.”
Atta boy, Steve. You tell him.
THAT'S IT?
Given Souray's accusation the Oilers made him return from a shoulder injury before he was ready to play to start the 2007-08 season with a freshly inked $27-million contract in his hip pocket, you'd think that Tambellini might have fired back.
Considering Souray essentially called Tambellini a lousy communicator who never even bothered to talk to him while he was recovering from a broken hand this season, you'd think Tambellini might have served up something today that would disprove that. But no.
Perhaps a page from coach Pat Quinn, who offered this about Souray in his meeting with media this morning.
"It's been no secret here," Quinn said of Souray's discontent and desire to be traded. "He's made it clear for a long time.
"I'm one of those guys that if you don't want to play here, don't screw around. Get the hell out."
Added Quinn: "If you have one guy sitting over there who doesn't bloody well want to be here, how do you build trust? How do you have a team? You don't. Sheldon knows how I feel about that sort of thing."
UPDATE: OILERS PICK FIRST!!!!
As per Oilers news release:
The Oilers have been awarded the first overall selection in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, being held in Los Angeles June 25-26, 2010.
The Oilers received the right to pick first overall when they won the NHL’s Draft Lottery, held Tuesday night in New York City.
“This is a significant moment for the organization and its an important part of the process moving forward. We have the first overall pick in this year’s draft,” Tambellini said. “This is a very exciting time for our organization and our fans. Securing the first overall draft selection tonight provides a tremendous opportunity for the Oilers."
The 2010 NHL Entry Draft will mark the first time in franchise history the Oilers will select first overall.
The Draft Lottery is a weighted lottery system to determine the order of selection for the first 14 picks of the NHL Entry Draft. It gives the teams that finish with the fewest points during the regular season the greatest chance of winning the Draft Lottery.
Only the 14 teams that do not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, or clubs that acquired those clubs’ first-round draft picks, participate in the drawing.
Fourteen balls, numbered 1 to 14, are placed in a lottery machine. The machine expels four balls, forming a series of numbers. The four-digit series resulting from the expulsion of the balls is matched against a probability chart that divides the possible combinations among the 14 participating clubs. The Lottery was incorporated in 1995 by the NHL.
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The way I see that is the Flames found many of their better players from guys who were Edmontonians and changed them and their families into Flamers...
So turn about is fair play...we draft a Calgary born guy and turn his family into Oiler fans along with landing a superstar :)
Lucic+2nd overall for Cogliano+1st overall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too bad Hall and Seguin are'nt twins! Then we could trade to get the first two picks to keep them on the same team. Then they would blossom into gifted talented players who elevate their team to a consistant showing into the post season. Oh and then one of them could win the Art Ross trophy! Huh... wait man i just woke up from a strange dream about Twins playing for the Canucks... what? Wait a minute This is real!!!! Oh now what's next? The Oilers are gonna be owned by a drug dealer and miss the playoff three years in a row after going to game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.... Oh dear, I gotta go back to bed and dream about winning the lottery! Ah shoot the Oilers apperently just won a lottery!
@Crash
1) Hall is 6-0, 185, great speed, great shot and plays in the tough areas. Nothing to complain about, but we already have a prospect in MPS that is 6-1, 200, great speed, great shot and plays in the tough areas
2) The 70%-30% in favor of Hall is from the 10 scouts that Bob Mackenzie talked to, not a poll of the entire league. ISS and NHL Central Scouting have Seguin at #1
3) Hall scored 0.70 goals per game. Seguin scored 0.76 on a much weaker team. In this past season, Seguin is a better goal scorer.
I totally agree! Hey and let's get some E-town guys back home. Souray for Dionne P in Toronto! I'd love for him to come to Edmonton and beat the Sh*t out of Staios and Regher next year!
All we would get there is a bunch of hype and hope, no championships. We dont want better, we want the best.
Not to worry, the Oilganization* will deliver.
@Crash
WHo had more goals ??????
We sure could use some more guys that will play in the tough areas, not just one guy. It's been a big problem on this team for a long time and it has been pointed out by the current coaching staff and the past coaching staff.
It wasn't just the scouts that Bob talked to...Other analysts have found the same thing across the league.
I'll add you to the list of people who are judging this season alone as making Seguin a better goal scorer...but even looking at this season, the fact is that Hall played 6 less games in the regular season and has played one less game in the OHL playoffs than Seguin but he made up 6 games at the world junior championships....So on this entire season he has played one less game and has 3 more goals 56 to 53. But I'm not caught up in just this one season.
He also has 3 straight seasons of consistent production in the OHL to Seguin's 1 season. Plus Hall has shown consistently that he shows up when the games get bigger and they have more pressure.
Hall had more goals this season in one less game and he's going to add to the total I suspect before this season ends.
Very good point. I'm not sold on Seguin i like the idea of a true center. We do need a guy that plays like Hall so im going to pull my hair out now.
AAAAAAAnnndd it's already started.
I blame Crash and his unwavering love for that "Hall" kid, whoever that is.
I think Souray is going to be interviewed on 630ched. Any one know if thats true ? HELP HELP
Oops almost forgot to mention, lol...
What we really have lots of on this team already is guys who play soft....I'm not saying is soft but I suspect he plays a lot softer than Hall does given what the scouts are saying about both of their games.
So using your line...we already have tons of players who play soft and don't battle for pucks...we could use some of the other kind, especially when they also bring the skill of Hall.
LOL, actually this started awhile ago...just ask Arch :)
But I'll accept the blame ;)
OHL.com - 09/10 Regular Season Stats
Hall: 57GP 40G 66A 106P 56PIM Seguin: 63GP 48G 58A 106P 54PIM
Hall has higher Points per game, but Seguin has higher Goals per game.
The regular season in the OHL is over, Hall will not be adding to those totals.
EDIT: It should also be noted that Hall has been playing on an excellent team since the beginning of his OHL career. Seguin has not been as fortunate. I'm not sure if points are the best way to judge their relative skill level.
I will admit though that Hall has proven to be a big game player on multiple occasions. Seguin is still unproven that way.
I'm going against the grain
go with Hall because he's from Calgary
the Flamers have had 4-5 of their best players from here for how long, and how much has it pissed me off (oh right, lots)
let's just do it to spite those sister-loving freaks
If the rumblings from RB and Stauffer are correct, I'd start warming up to Seguin if I were you.
@Pajamah
I'd re-evaluate emulating the "success" of the Flames. Last I checked they've won next to nothing. Their model is uglier than Taylor Hall.
To borrow from gretzky of the HockeyBuzz forums, our future lines are looking like this:
Penner Seguin Hemsky / Paajarvi Gagner Eberle
or
Hall Gagner Hemsky / Penner Brule Eberle
*Engage fist pump*
Hahahha, yeah, he's a walking allergic reaction
But for me, it's less about team success, more about pissing off Calgarians. If our best player is from Calgary, we can start to forget about the traitors playing down south
typing that does make me realize that it is flawed logic, but short of burning down the Saddledome, it's all I got
*looks around, all shifty like*
I didn't say regular season, I said the whole hockey season...
You didn't factor in the 6 games Hall played at the world juniors or the 8 games he has played in the OHL playoffs and the 9 games that Tyler Seguin has played in the OHL playoffs. So yes Hall will likely be adding to his total for this season.
But for kicks here's some for you:
Hall: 3 OHL seasons Regular season 183GP 123G 280P - Playoffs 33GP so far 27G 58P
Seguin: 2 OHL seasons Regular season 124GP 69G 173P - Playoffs 20GP 10G 26P
Hall has both a higher goals and points per game and a longer history of consistency.
Rumblings?
I'd suggest that unless Seguin runs away to join the circus as the bearded lady or slips in the shower and dislocates his spine between now and draft day, he's the guy.
I think RB is trying to tell us something, but I cant tell what it is...
So you're now saying that you believe it's pretty much a given the Oilers are going with Seguin? Earlier you had reported that from what you were summizing that you figured the Oilers were leaning towards Hall...
Now I'm so confused :)
I'll warm up to Seguin when he arrives here until then I'm a Hall fan...
Just like RB has a feeling that Whitney will be a better d-man going forward than Visnovsky, I have the feeling that Hall will outshine Seguin...but if Seguin lands here I hope I'm wrong about it
I'll refer to my previous statement that points isn't the best way to judge these 2 due to the relative strength of their teams.
Interesting observation from the stats you posted though:
Hall's production increased from 1.53 Points per game in the regular season to 1.76 in the playoffs.
Seguin went from 1.39 in the regular season to 1.30 in the playoffs.
I'll give you this one. Hall can pick it up when the heat is on.
With all due respect RB, I hope you are incorrect, otherwise I think I might go join the circus.
Trade Hemsky's and Souray's bag of bones for Bostons Second Pick!
it certainly is interesting. Looking at their strengths, Hall has the size, speed and shot we need.
But what gets my vote is that a way higher percentage of Seguins goals came at even strength on a worse team. I particularly like the argument about how a center can be more of an impact player then a winger.
The beauty of it is no pick is a bad pick as there are many holes that need filling on the team. In my opinion the higher priority would be to try to trade for a second first round pick.
Totally agree that it can't be measured in just points and numbers, there's so much more and maybe that has something to do with RB switching from figuring on Hall to figuring on Seguin now.
hey boys and girls either way they will get something for the future unless they fumble the pick and (dare i say it) trade it away, who knows what will happen on the 25th of june, and like i said either way they WILL get SOMETHING for the future
@Crash
You're right. That was me reading between the lines with my angle being how Lowe should hand over his No. 4 to Hall. That was a month ago, March 14, and I wrote:
"Assuming the NHL draft lottery doesn't go sideways, the Oilers keep the No. 1 pick in June and they select Taylor Hall -- I believe he's the guy they want just a tick ahead of centre Tyler Seguin -- Lowe should tell equipment man Lyle Kulchisky to pull his No. 4 jersey out of mothballs."
Then, on March 31, I wrote: "I wrote not long ago I believed the Oilers were leaning toward Hall, a dynamic left winger who is less than three months older than Seguin, but has one full OHL season more on his resume. If the Oilers want the player who is most NHL ready now -- which doesn't preclude him from staying a tick ahead of Seguin five or seven years down the road -- then he's the guy. "But, if MacGregor and the Oilers scouting staff think Seguin, who fits an obvious need at centre, projects better beyond the next couple of training camps when, successful rebuild willing, this franchise is on the upswing, well, duh, he's the guy."
A case for both, or fence-sitting if you prefer, but that "tick" I talked about a month ago no longer exists, based on what I've been able to gather. I'm saying Seguin today and I won't be flip-flopping between now and draft day.
Just noticed the last canadian team to draft first overall was 1996 Ottawa. 13 straight picks to U.S. based clubs. Long time.
I think the Boston GM said they won't trade the 2nd pick and would only try to move up.
Show yourself conspiricy theorists!
REMEMBER STEVE KELLY.
That is all I have to say. You never know with Oilers Management...
Does anyone think we can move Sourey for a low first round or high second round pick?
I'm assume we'll have to receive some salary back, but as long as that new player is off the books in a couple of years, I say go for it.
Sourey to Colorado for Liles and a 2nd? Or at least something along those lines?
Even the Fans at the Draft that year were more competent than our Head Scout at the time. We have a much better group these days.
I suppose part of the choice will be made on how true the rumours and inferences that Mr. Hall's dad might be the second coming of Mr. Lindros, Eric's dad. I recall hearing an interview when Mr. Hall senior stated he hoped toronto (boston) would get the first pick and take his son. Just how serious he was, or how true his supposed attempts at influencing his son's current team, I do not know. Hopefully the Oilers do.
From what many learned tonight, that (hope for Boston to pick his son) may have been because of Bobby Orr (Hall is #4) and not necessarily anti-Oiler comment, just speculation however.
Maybe his dad needs a little over inflated herbal magic to clear that big head of his.
I'd do Souray for Liles straight across. It might have a chance, I'm not entirely sure how much Colorado covets Liles these days. I think the Oilers could use a Dman like Liles going into next season.
I swear that Hall reminds me of that little person you used to see running around on Monster Garage.
You honestly think that a injury prone 34 year old D man who's a defensive liability most nights and is a 5.4 million dollar cap hit next season is going to get us anywhere near the 1st or 2nd rounds?
I thought maybe a 4-5 Dman, a 3rd or 4th rounder and another bad contract.. Now that Souray's been a flapping though, we'll be lucky to get anything for him.
Yet people still think we can trade him to Boston for their 2nd overall.. Man I'd like to see what colour the sky in their world is, because thats not going to happen, EVER.
Hey ROBIN, do you think the Oilers could move some players/anything to acquire the second pick from Boston? What do you think the Oilers are gonna do on draft day? Also, can Hall be converted to a center?
@Jodes
I agree. We will be lucky to trade him. Getting anything would almost be a bonus. I'm guessing a bad contact swap we may have to give up picks to get the trade to work. If we find a trade at all.
Hey ROBIN, do you think the Oilers could move some players/anything to acquire the second pick from Boston? What do you think the Oilers are gonna do on draft day, besides Seguin in the first round? Also, can Hall be converted to a center?
Hall... More proven on a bigger stage... True Star potential, more marketable, a sit on the edge of your seat player. Maybe not the prettiest face, either was Messier. You don't have tyo be pretty to be the face of a franchise... Ask Ovechkin Who cares if he was a Flame fan... Ask, Jarome who he would rather have played for when he was drafted... Allegiences change with who signs your cheques. Seguin will probably be a big player but he's had one full great year in Jr.... Hall has excelled EVERY year and is more NHL ready. Watch the Oilers fleece everyone by selecting Thomas Tynan...
BTW- trade Sour(grapes)ay to Dallas straight up for Ribeiro a legit 1st line center, then draft Hall.
@Rusty Duggan
I wrote an entire story on this in the last two weeks. It's under my name in Voices of the Nation.