Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

[dabs eye]

That's why I read here. If anything'll pick you up on a Wednesday, it's reading about Souray's career slipping just a little closer to oblivion.

Enjoy what's left of the paydays, Shelly.

"but the puck kept hopping over my blade"

~ I'm pretty sure you were using Horcoff's stick. ~

Then don't.

Why should Lowetide change his writing style to accomodate the petty sensibilities of Death Metal Nightmare?

That said, whatever happens happens and I'm prepared for the worst. If Tambellini has done anything for me it's instill a sense that things can always get worse.

Another defenceman with the habit of asking for trades? And he's only 20? Buyer beware.

No, but they may have been there for the cheap beer and high flying entertainment that are the Oilers' Octane!

Basically, what Im getting at is with Bogosian your paying for the name and the pedigree. I look at what he's done so far and I'm not falling in love with the player. Declining stats and questionable attitude (not even 21 and he wants out already?) and my own personal distrust of his potential. Those things combine to make me think the guy is just a tad overrated.

So what if instead of the Oilers shipping out their best vet for 1 guy with a questionable future they get multiple players with questionable futures.

If a Hemsky for Bogosian deal is made on July 5th after 4 days of the Oil failing to convince Hemmer to re-up then it's different. But you aren't just giving up 1 year of Ales, you're also giving up your opportunity to negotiate.

I'm sorry, what has Bogosian done to suggest he's more valuable than the Oilers highest scoring Centre?

He isn't scoring, he isn't a stalwart defensively, and he's fallen down their depth chart to the point being scratched at times this season.

Just outline for me all the reasons Bogosian has been a better NHL player than 89 and don't mention the future since both players are relatively the same age.

totally over the "this is" intro. i almost cant read the articles anymore.

Agree with Chris.

Nobody is here to read your intros, which so far have included such creative comments as 'like, totally'.

Holy crap! Mention the word "trade" in a subject heading around here and everybody acts like Fred Flintstone with a gambling addiction...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N57SxyxUhTQ

As someone who watched this guy play in Junior let me say don't do it. He's got a crazy attitude problem the last thing we need. We need character guys more than tallent. If we get Schenn then yes. But don't give up picks and def not Pitlick are you kidding me? and all the management bashing has to stop they have built the best prospect pool in the league and thats not homer talk its a fact the 2010 draft has is looking to be the best in rescent history for any team I can think of (1 L9, 2 L8's 5! L7's + other promising developement peices their is a chance 10 of our picks make it to the NHL!!!) its early but almost EVERYONE we took this past year has exceeded all expectations ala Hamilton at the WJC. Have faith people!! Lets be patient and build a winner and not be the the Toronto Maple Leafs!!!

The majority of our best d-man have always been from a trade, so I'm on board with making a play for Bogosian.

I agree and I think we can buy low... i.e. no hemsky.

What?? Dude go ahead and check out behindthenet stats for all defensemen. Gilbert is worth his cap hit.

I'd love to get Bogosian on this team. The only question is, do we have an Alexei Zhitnik to send the other way?

Put me in the trade Hemsky for Bogosion. But i wouldn't be adding to much more. Hemmer is a proven asset and can be the tipping point for a few teams out there. We need a top end dman. End of story. We'll win more games with a better defense then we Will with hemsky. We have players that can step into Hemsky's roll. We have no one that can step into a top minutes hard nose shutdown defensemen role. And if you think Larsson is the second coming of Lidstrom, ask yourself if you're willing to gamble on A) him being available if we don't draft first and B) hint actually turning into a top dman. Im willing ti take the safer route abduction trade for someone that is further in their development.

Down with the dangle!!!

Would love to have Gudbranson here, and Florida is another team that is in the need of offence. There is a possible trade there, it would be costly though. But Gudbranson is got the potential to be better then any defenseman available in this years draft.

Absolutely correct! We should completely trade our best player and second pairing D for a young player with only a couple years behind him playing in a hockey market that doesn't care. Young studs always love the pressure of playing in Edmonton and rise up to meet it. This strategy was wonderful when we aquired Lupul.

Best player: Hemsky. Not for long, he's got 1 year left and Oilers can't afford him AND Penner in 3 years after HPE get their 2nd contracts. Why not maximize value.

Smid: Nice player, not going above 4th best Dman on a playoff team. Not dime-a-dozen, but close.

Comparing Lupul and Bogosian? RIDICULOUS, give your head a shake.

If young studs can't handle Edmonton we better trade Hall and Eberle now...When was the last time we had a young stud on defense anyway? I can't think of any.

You've got to understand asset value and what will help when the Oilers are going to contend.

In fairness, he didn't say that Seguin was a bust, he said that "Alot [sic] of Boston fans consider Seguin a bust". Since I see no reason to assume that Boston fans are smarter than Edmonton fans, I have no trouble believing that that's true.

I am curious how Gagner is trending downward....

this post echoes my thoughts exactly.... bogosian is a tough, stay at home dman, sure... hell, he might even be a *good* tough, stay at home dman in a few years (he's not good right now by any means)... but these are the types of players you fill out your roster with - guys you pick up in the 2nd round... guys like peckham in a few years

you DO NOT trade career 0.8 PPG forwards who are 28 years old for these types of players (hemsky)... i don't run away from a hemsky for bogosian deal, i run away screaming at the top of my lungs and waving my arms

He also doesn't hold his stick right.

Any deal that starts at Hemsky +high pick and/or cheap solid developing prospect for Bogs is a deal I wouldn't be that excited to make.

You give me Bogs and I give you an even strength outscoring 1st line RW on a brilliant contract for two years - should be the end of that conversation.

I could see adding Smid if you were in turn recieving a decent forward prospect or 2nd round pick back. (buffers their win now defensive depth chart and RW) There could be a deal for Hemsky+ but that deal is a pretty big favour going ATL's way and needs a really solid repayment.

Can we slam Brian Burke for a while one day ? To me he is so overated as a GM. It looks like he is trying to undo his blatant mistakes somehow.

I have next to zero interest in trading Hemsky, but Bogosian is one of the few players I'd be willing to move him for. I'd much rather have one Zach Bogosian than another package of picks and prospects like the one we got for Smyth.

Hemsky + Peckham(Another bro for Atlanta) or Smid. For Bogosian and Atl 1st rnd pick. Seems fairly even?

The thing is, with some smarter management they could have that cup win and the majority of the team they had last year.

LT: this heavy lifting thing, what does that mean exactly?

I mean;) we all know 77 does the same thing for the Oilers and we all know that guy is the worst kind of junk!

Gags omark and paajarvi has 18 games together, 2 rookies and a 21 year old kid.Do you really watch the games?, your comparison with Nilsson is pretty lame!

I am not sure if I would trade Hemsky (as close to a PPG player as we have had here since Weight) straight across for Bogosian. I love the way Bogosian plays, and all the tools he has, but players like Hemsky are quite rare. There are less than 30 players in the league with his offensive skill, and he's only 27, just hitting his prime. Injury is concern with him, but his lift you out of your chair entertainment capability is worth a lot.

Having said all that. I would love to see Bogosian in an Oiler Uniform. I could be convinced.

As far as untouchables: I believe the untouchables on the Oilers roster should be: Hall, Eberle, Petry, Paajarvi, Gagner, Whitney, Peckham, Dubnyk, and Penner.

I like Hemsky too, but sadly I've come to realize that "lift (me) out of (my) chair" has little to do with results and solid hockey players. These sentimental feelings definitely get in the way of good analysis of players by us as fans, and I can only hope it doesn't cloud the GM's judgment too.

Case in point, I'd take Horcoff, Penner, and Gilbert over Hemsky, Peckham, and Linus Omark. The former aren't flashy, but they are effective more games than not. Hemsky and Omark are certainly flashy, but they aren't giving you the solid hockey you need every game. Though most wouldn't call Teddy Peckham flashy, his ability to deliver big hits gives him that wow-factor that fans love, but he's no Gilbert . . . yet.

I guess my point is that most fans would take my latter group over the first one, but I think they'd be wrong.

I'm just not sure you trade either Penner or Hemsky unless you KNOW you can't resign them.

Both are better NOW than a top 5 pick and both will be better in the next 5 years than a 4-30 pick for sure. Barring winning the lottery, pigs flying, etc.

I just look at all the teams on the cusp, who we will want to compete against over the next 2-4 years for the playoffs and if they are so desperate for the talent we have in 2 players... If we make this trade today, what will stop us mortgaging our future in a few years to try and get the same types of players back?

It's funny, because you tell somebody to get over himself, then immediately post that. The unintentional humour: it's why I come here. Well, that and the trolling. And Willis (and LT, though I get plenty of him elsewhere).

My issue with trading Gagner for Bogo is essentially stealing from Peter to pay Paul.

Sure we are starved for NHL caliber young dmen, but you could say the same about the center position.

To me anyways, it makes alot more sense to deal from our one position of strength rather then another position of weakness.

Crackenbury, RossCreek - which one of you guys helped Al Gore invent the internet?

Well I guess this thread has come to a screeching halt now that 2 WINNERS are going back and forth over who was first to start a rumour. How about this: You guys are both Super-Smart Hockey Insiders!!

Disagree

The early returns are that he is not what the Oil need. If going high trade cost, it needs to be a playmaker D or centre or goalie.

Shea Weber material? Don't think so.

Is Atlanta still happy with Oduya? I know some fans didn't really like him earlier in the year. Maybe we try shore up our defense with more than just a young Bogosian.

Start negotiations with Sam Gagner for Bogosian. (might have to throw in a Petry)

Since the rumor first popped up regarding Bogosian, I have been thinking of ways to acquire him. He is perfect for the current Oilers and could be an anchor for the defense for years to come

@ Oilcruzer

What was Shea Weber at 20?

Bogosian? Sure.

What's it cost?

(PS: I like Hemsky. A lot.)

At only $1Mill/ year until summer, he will need re-signing, likely costing $2.5/ per....

Tempting to skip a couple development years, as long as we don't have to throw him Gilbert money to stay.

What would be the modern equivalent of Roman Hamrlik? Ryan Whitney?

I think Bogosian is the only player that has come up in the rumors so far that may be worthwhile trading Hemsky for. Hemsky and Smid for Bogosian?