No Fast Times, But Slow, Steady Progress
Lowetide
July 28 2010 06:02PM
Steve Tambellini (and the Oilers management group) are staying the course. It might not be spectacular but it will be effective if they make good decisions on the kids and resist a quick fix.
Let's review the major transactions of this calendar year:
- March 1: Oilers trade D Denis Grebeshkov to Nashville for the Predators 2nd round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft. That picked ended up being WHL forward Curtis Hamilton. This trade looks good already, with the Oilers cashing an rfa they didn't plan on signing and perhaps picking up a draft sleeper who fell due to injury.
- March 3: Oilers claim LW Ryan Jones from Nashville. Picked up a depth player who may help in a 4line role without giving up an asset.
- March 3: Oilers trade D Lubomir Visnovsky to Anaheim for D Ryan Whitney and 2010 6th round draft pick. That player ended up being WHL defenseman Brandon Davidson. Traded a more talented offensive defenseman for a younger one with a nice range of skills. The prospect is a flier, may or may not turn out.
- March 3: Oilers trade D Steve Staios to Calgary Flames for D Aaron Johnson and a 2011 3rd round draft pick. This is music! Dealing Staios (a good solder but a spent force) and his contract (he was not a UFA) in exchange for a reasonable pick and a depth defender was a nice move.
- June 23: Oilers acquire C Colin Fraser from Chicago for Oilers 6th round draft pick in 2010. That player ended up being German C Mikro Hofflin. No lose deal for a 4th line C on a deep team. He could end up being that 2-way center the Oilers have been searching for over the last few years (from the Reasoner/Brodziak tree) and at the very least brings energy and grit.
- June 25: Drafted Taylor Hall. Amen.
- June 26: Had a nice draft beyond round one. A lot of interesting pieces added.
- June 26: Oilers trade C Riley Nash to Carolina for a 2010 2nd rd draft pick. That player ended up being Slovak defenseman Martin Marincin. Gave up on a young player, which is not in the rebuild handbook.
- June 30: Ethan Moreau is claimed off waivers by Columbus. Good times.
- June 30: Oilers trade forward Patrick O'Sullivan to Phoenix for D Jim Vandermeer. A depth move to be sure, although the Oilers might have picked up a better player on the free agent wire. Hard to argue with what was a "get out of Jail free" card, though.
- June 30: Oilers buy out contract of forward Robert Nilsson. Good luck, Row-bert. And tell your Dad he was a helluva Oiler.
- July 1: Oilers sign defenseman Kurtis Foster to a 2-year contract ($1.8M per season). A nice signing, better than that if he can emerge as a legit top 4 defender.
- July 2: Oilers sign D Jason Strudwick to a 1-year contract ($725,000 per season). The term is fine, but the number is too much.
- July 2: Oilers sign defenseman Richard Petioit to a 1-year contract ($550,000 per season). Good depth for the farm, and maybe he's this year's Arsene (only with quicker feet).
- July 2: Oilers sign L Steve MacIntyre to a 1-year contract ($500,000 per season). Serves a role the coach clearly wanted filled this summer.
- July 3: Oilers sign L Alexandre Giroux to a 1-year contract ($500,000 per season). Possibly the best AHL free agent available this summer.
- July 7: Oilers sign C Brad Moran to a 1-year contract ($500,000 per season). Under the radar, he could be an NHL player on this team.
- July 9: Oilers sign R Ben Ondrus to a 1-year contract ($550,000 per season). AHL toughness.
- July 13: Oilers sign G Devan Dubnyk to a 2-year contract ($800,000 per season). He'll get more playing time this season and we should know by the summer.
- July 13: Oilers sign D Shawn Belle to a 1-year contract ($600,000 per season). Good AHL signing and maybe he can push the kids. If he wins an NHL job, even better.
- July 16: Oilers sign L Greg Stewart to a 1-year contract ($500,000 per season). More AHL toughness.
- July 27: Oilers sign R Gilberrt Brule to a 2-year contract ($1.85M per season). Every chance to be a value contract.
This is a much better summer. Adding some nice items and then some depth on the blue (Whitney, Foster, Strudwick, Belle), culling the herd up front to make room for the kids and then adding draft picks for Stu (Magnificent Bastard) MacGregor.
The omissions are even more heartening. No trading Penner, Cogliano and Smid for the latest Hockey Jesus, and no Jagr rumors or stories about Nylander's wife. Yes, the Oilers have some holes (veteran center, a winger who can mentor the kids, the goaltending is askew) but there is a plan and a direction.
We're not going to like some things in the new Oilers order. They may end up trading Hemsky or Penner because they'll be UFA by the time this bunch is any good; they're going to play Horcoff in a role most Oilers fans will hate (unless Tom Renney is off his nut); they don't appear to be in any hurry to give this roster veteran balance despite useful (and well priced) free agents still being available.
Some will complain the Oilers haven't addressed the major issues, but there's no hurry. There are more contracts to burn off, there are kids to develop and their are roles to be decided on merit. This is the beginning.
I find all these highly judgmental statements about Khabby to be disgusting. No one can claim that they haven't done something stupid in their life, and no one can claim that they didn't appreciate a little grace to help them overcome it.
A long time ago the Oilers gave a little grace to MacT and that seemed to turn out pretty well. I'm sure that they will do the same for Khabby. That's what a class organization does.
All this talk about "role models" is utter bunk. Parents are too quick to release themselves from their obligation to be their own children's role model. And then they're too quick to tear down others for not being the paragon that they want them to be.
Enough is enough. Time to give Khabby the grace that we would expect if things ever went belly-up for us. /rant
Eve Stambellini really should not be stealing from her employer's time in the first place.
Then there are important issues such as the freedom of the press (or the blogger) and artistic licence.
Lastly it is my view that men have been simply getting pushed around too much since about 1970.
Are you suggesting that IF the Oilers void the contract of a player who misses games due to being incarcerated we might have a problem signing UFA's?
I would suggest that is a bogus argument.
1) It's already difficult to sign free agents here in E-Town. Note the disgusting winters and ugly city. Losing out on the 5-6 members who think its unfair to lose your job just because you went to jail probably wont change much.
2) The NHLPA is not a United front. They cant even keep an Executive Director for more than 10 minutes without a small faction of Chelios led freedom fighters starting a revolutionary militia. Expecting all the members to turn down multi-million dollar contracts because Drunky McDrivekov got thrown in the clink is giving them too much credit.
3) Hockey players are largely functioning retards. Expecting them to remember that one of their own was wronged by the big bad Oilers is also giving them too much credit. If this team ever starts to win consistently I guarantee that players will come here even if Rekhabibulin is turfed. New Jersey has made a habit of sending NHL talent to the AHL in order to skirt the Cap. The NHLPA hasnt blackballed the Devils because members are being marooned in nowheresville.
Ummmmmmmm, if it's an issue, don't access the sight at work.
PLEASE ADD MORE CHEESY ART.
I changed the photo because it wasn't a really good picture of Phoebe Cates. So, we have a new one.
However, I do reserve the right to post photos that fit the theme.
I COMPLETELY agree Eve. This can be an evil place with all the cheesy pictures and smutty articles.
You might want to check out the wonderful, uplifting site below. They have daily gospel readings and the readers contribute uplifting and inspirational comments that make your heart skip a beat with their sincerity. There's no other site out there that gives you such a positive spiritual boost every day. You will NOT be disappointed.
http://www.jeanshortsandbaggedmilk.com/
screw first,
nice read btw, good to look back on the year and see some good has come out of such a crappy season
Never has an NHL team used that conduct clause to void a players contract. If the Oilers were to be the first team to pull the rug out from under Khabibulins feet, we'd be blackballed as far as the NHLPA is concerned. If you thought it was difficult to draw players to Edmonton before.....wait and see what would happen if the Oilers pulled a stunt like terminating this contract.
A New Jersey media guy says we're talking to Maddden... he may not be what he once was, but he's a smart vet and would be good help for Horcoff on that PK.
But I like that list of moves so far, especially all the AHL stuff they've done. As far as the NHL moves, well, the addition by subtraction is what made me the most happy.
Ya, I'm not going to apologize for it... he drunk drove and could have killed someone and was 2x over the limit AND was speeding. He didn't have a glass of wine and just stumble his way home. I don't feel sorry for him at all.
That said, I hope he can get his act together. I'm not looking for the guy's career to be destroyed, but at the same time, I'm not looking for the guy to get the typical slap on the wrist that star's seem to often get. He deserves to be prosecuted like any other guy. And well, if he can learn from his mistake, like MacTavish presumably had, then great.
@magisterrex
I have no sympathy for Khabby. Things didn't go belly up for him, its not like he lost his job or had his arm cut off in an accident. The MAN drank a load of alcohol and proceeded to risk the lives of other people by driving. He is wealthy and certainly could afford to find some other way home.
How have you and Khabby both missed the message out there - Drunk driving kills (frequently). Its not like the guy did something relatively harmless that just turned out bad by some fluke accident.
I have no more sympathy for him than I do for someone who gets drunk and rapes someone or someone who gets angry and hits someone over the head with a brick 'accidentally' killing them. I understand that he didn't kill anyone, but remember, he wasn't home yet.
How you can have sympathy for him is beyond me. I have sympathy for victims. Maybe if he were 16 years old, I might say "stupid kid" and think he deserves a second chance.
I could care less that he is role model. ANYONE who drinks and drives is an utter fool and deserves our contempt.
Yes, we have all done stupid things, but as an adult, I have never done anything near as stupid as drunk driving. If you have, perhaps its time to grow up.
@book¡e
I hope to heck that, as a 'grownup', you never crane your neck to the back seat to see if your infant's choking sound was something serious, change lanes without shoulder checking, or drive while overly tired or do anything else that could be considered stupid that could lead to someone else's death.
Khabby will pay for his crime, and is likely thanking his lucky stars he isn't up on vehicular manslaughter charges.
@Mitch
So you believe that to earn a 3 million dollar contract Gagner needs to crack 70 points?
Do you know how many players had 70 or more points last year?
30.
Guess how many were paid under 4 million last year?
5.
Stamkos Kane Parise Koivu Kesler
Of the 5 only Stamkos and Parise are not already signed to large new deals. Stamkos still has a year left on his ELC and Parise will be looking at a significant raise as well.
In other words, 70 point players are earning significantly more than 3 million or will soon.
How can you seriously claim that a 3 million dollar contract calls for at least 70 points? This sort of expectation is severely out of line with reality and needs to be tempered.
I think everyone is getting a little too worked up over Rehabibulin's situation here. I think before you guys get all bent out of shape because an Oiler was caught drunk driving, you should go take a peak at other sports where people bring GUNS into the locker room, or have serious steroid scandals, or are involved in gang fights.
This stuff happens on a daily basis. And before the MADD group on this board attacks me for condoning what Drunky McDrivekov (nice one Arch) did, I think everyone needs to take a step back and realize these mistakes are made in sports. These are athletes, they all have the IQ similar to your sisters Chihuahua's.
No, we are not going to just be able to abolish his contract, dream on people. He will be an Oiler this year, whether he is in jail, sitting on IR, or possibly even...wait for it....playing.
Better then letting him walk away after his final year of NCAA.
@Eve Stambellini
You know you could just scroll down and avoid the whole picture.
hey wait a minute, what about the people at my work place that are offended by a box of pizza............
BRING BACK THE CLASSY ART!!!
Awwww, c'mon LT don't let @Eve Stambellini get in the way of the ON Right of Passage.
Next thing you know Ice Girls of the week will be replaced with Hairy Backed Men of the week.
*Goes home, shaves back.*
The difference between the Dany Heatley case and the Khabibulin case is the possibility of going to jail. If memory serves me correct then Heatley did not serve jail time. If Khabibulin has to go to prison then he will have put the Oilers in a different position than the Thrashers were in.
This isnt about life/death/misdemeanor/felony. This is about Prison time and the possibility of having serious Visa problems. This is about an inability to play because of self-inflicted legal woes.
IF the Oilers void Nik's contract it wont be because he drove while drunk, it will be because he is unable to honour his contract.
heh heh.
Yeah LT stop bringing down this formerly reputable site with all of your Grade A analysis and sexy pictures.
NOTE TO EVE TAMBELLINI
Just you wait till I write my next article. My singular goal is to get you fired by my choice of picture. Now bear in mind I am on Vacation so it might take me awhile to get around to it, what with beer being sold in 30 packs now.
*looks at liver with disdain*
Clearly you don't equate drinking and driving to something serious otherwise you would not have done it.
I consider it very serious and thus have not. In fact, it is actually a fairly small minority who have done it (less than one in five) and I would bet that only the smallest minority of people have ever been stupid enough to drink and drive when they are so clearly over the limit (Khabbi was double the limit and was speeding).
It could be that because its common in your peer group, you think it is the norm. It is not. If you drink and drive you are an idiot. It's not just 'not ok', burping at a wedding is 'not ok', drinking and driving kills people and wrecks lives. Lots of people. Seriously, I can understand how someone in 1970 was so stupid, but isn't the message today clear enough?
With Khabby doing jail time can they void his contract and maybe sign Turco?
Third Fist?
Sandra: I don't know the CBA well enough to comment. If they CAN get out of the Khabibulin deal, one would hope Tambellini would attempt to sign a veteran to a reasonable contract with the idea of dealing it at the deadline for picks.
A long term deal (which I assume someone like Turco would want to come here) would be a bad plan.
It's unfortunate that the proverbial ball and chain isn't on the aptly named SOS list.....must make the top three for all time worst Oiler contracts. I guess 5 more years will eventually have to come to an end.
If they can get rid of Khabibulin and sign a guy like Turco for a cheap one or two year deal. Then trade Deslauriers which might prove extremely difficult at this point. I doubt many teams are looking for a back up at this point so moving him on a 1 way deal which he'll get from the arbitrator. And I doubt Khabby will have gone to court by then. So the Oilers will have to have JDD for Security. As I think they've made it clear for the immediate future Dubnyk is the future not JDD by signing him first.
The 2010 off season has been an overwhelming success!
Added depth and dumping the duds gives me hope there is a plan in place and less to hate. :(
Will Tambellini achknowledge Daum's checklist as Brownlee mentioned?
Good post LT
Lowetide,
What did you expect the Oilers to do with Nash? All indications were that he wanted no part of the organization, so moving him and getting something while they still could was the only option.
@Quicksilver ballet
A lot of kids look up to NHL players, my own son loves Garon who buffed him at the Oilers game this year and my son still loves him. So not being able to be punished by an NHL team by voiding his contract tells the kids it's ok to drink and drive, you will still make millions. No one would sign Khabby if he was a UFA anyways. His first game as an Oiler showed his worth. When Khabby was pulled over he said he had a glass of wine? What did he tell the officer? "Whats seems to be the officer, problem"
GSC: Nash forced the issue, but logic dictates something happened in those three seasons to create a rift. He didn't sign for millions in Carolina.
Well said!
Adorable hockey Fight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzhkPfZwk20&feature=player_embedded
I would offer to drive Khabiboozin to the Airport if the Oilers were to terminate him, but this isn't a wise business decision long term.
It's unfortunate your son had a little bit of bad timing when he crossed paths with Mathieu but we all need our space from time to time.......Garon probably wishes he would have taken that 4 yr 12 mill the Oilers offered midway through the season three years ago.....we must know now there really is a God.
Maybe Deslauriers agent was fighting for more ? Thinks he is the real deal. Is Robin his agent ?
I don't have a problem with any roster move Tambi has made so far, I thought Brule was signed to a fair contract. I get worried with Gagner that he may command near 3 million, if this is the case he must perform to at least a 70-75 point season, in my estamation Gagner has went backwards in development. But I feel that Steve is on the right track. We still need to be bad enough to acquire a top 3 pick.
*fap, fap, fap*
DOESN'T ANYBODY F*&*@#G KNOCK ANYMORE?!?!?
Even one more vet forward is sorely needed.
Waiting until Souray gets dealt before holding my breath on that one.
As you have said LT, its all low(e) hanging fruit.
How v3.0 spends the money going forward will determine if he really knows what he's doing.
So far so good though....except for resigning JFJ
@magisterrex
Point taken Matisterrex,
But a quick question, how old was MacT when he had his accident? Now my memory is a bit foggy but was he not in his early twenties? That's a far cry from being in your late 30's when you should know better about drinking and driving....
Great summary LT. I wouldn't worry about Bulin, I am sure his lawyer isn't a legal aid type.
Again, I'll point out that NJ media is saying the Oil are talking to John Madden (specifically stated "as their 3rd center")... good vet, and can PK like the dickens. Would love that, even if he's lost a step.
Well said LT. Its been pretty positive this year. The first time in a while we've seen a direction for the team and one that I agree with. The next couple months will go a long way to tell if the Oilers are going to try for the playoffs or allow another season to pass with hopes of a lottery. There are still useful vets available and my hope is that they don't flush another year. At some point you gotta learn how to win.
There is no defending Khabby for being unbelievably stupid. But I do find quite a bit of hypocrisy in some of the comments. If it was someone we "wanted" I suspect there would be a different stance taken by some. Can't have it both ways.
Rob, any action we take could potentially kill someone, it is the level of irresponsibility and lack of respect for others that causes me to lose all respect for Khabibulin. I equate my scorn for an individual to the level of stupidity that they undertake. It only seems logical to do so.
Driving a little tired is a risk, and is perhaps a bit stupid. It increases the risk to yourself and others a bit. Driving without sleeping for 50 hours is a high risk and extremely stupid. I think that what Khabi did was more akin to the latter.
Similarly, I am not really offended by someone speeding by 10kms/hr, but I think that anyone speeding by 100kms/hr should probably be locked up.
I would personally like to see much more severe penalties for drunk driving.
I should mention that I am fine with drinking and enjoy it myself.
Lastly, did you just equate a momentary check to see if your infant is choking to driving at double the legal limit while speeding? Are you sober?
@book¡e
Actually my wife's aunt was killed by someone doing just that... she was checking on the kid in the back seat and ended up driving onto the sidewalk and taking her out.
Good thing the woman hadn't had anything to drink or we would really have a reason to be angry.
Though I will back you up on massive penalties for repeat drunk drivers that would start at lifetime suspension of your license and if caught again driving drunk without a license land you in jail long term.
quicksilver,
You may be correct about that clause not being used, but I offer the following.
I believe that Bob Probert was released by Detroit after his suspension for one year from the league an offense under their substance abuse policy. I do not know if his contract was up at the time or if he was still under contract. Granted it was under a different CBA.
[LT, do you remember if the details were in Hockeytown ? I haven't finished reading it yet.]
Further to that thought, what rights do you think the Oilers have from a contract obligation if Khabi loses his court case and is required to spend 30 days in jail that would jeopardize his attending camp and say missing the first 5 games of the NHL season.
It seams to me that Tambo wants Khabi back, but that was before the DUI charge.
Does the organization feel different if he is sitting in jail to start the season ?
i.e. he cannot report to work
That could be grounds for dismissal in most work places - i.e. unless leave is granted.
Who knows what the Oilers legal team is thinking ?
I don't have any answers, but it is food for thought.
Turco 'wants' to play for a contender and likely will be signed before the end of august (The Trial)..
http://www.defendingbigd.com/2010/7/28/1592506/marty-turco-could-sign-within-a
Nice Madden Rumour,.. more useful player than an 'Asham', to fill a void in the bottom six...
I usually just lurk around here, but I had to comment that # 3 is possibly the greatest true-ism I've ever read.
Mad props
Further to the Khabi situation, it would be further complicated if he is not fit to play. I've seen comments out there where he was on schedule with his recovery and then others what claim he's not even working out yet.
Wonder what the truth really is ?
LT Strudwick actually took a paycut!!
.7/56.2 > .725/59.4
Nice Coles Notes of Oilers 2010. I'm gonna get a A+ when I write my Oilers final.
Driving while twice the legal limit is as stupid as can get. Fine if he kills himself, but what about the other people he can hurt, or worse kill? He got lucky that he was stopped. How many times has he done this? He was supposed to be rehabbing his back. When your making the money he was, there should be respect for your employer. MacT did learn a lesson, but it cost a tragidy. With Khabby, I really think he won't learn a thing if his contract does not get void. If it's not void, at least he can be punished in the minors after he gets out of jail, to get into shape. Lowes worst contract is Horcoff, Tambi is Khabby's. Ofcourse they say they feel like they are worth every penny.