With three significant players heading to free agency – including their number one goaltender – the Oilers have made decisions on each of them, and those decisions have been made public. Terry Jones reports that free agent goaltender Dwayne Roloson has been offered a one-year contract in the same range as his previous deal. It also appears that Steve Tambellini has wisely chosen to make this his line in the sand:
In the event the 39-year-old Roloson decides to test the waters of free agency, Oilers GM Steve Tambellini told Sun Media, the Oilers will make replacing him their top priority at 10:01 a.m. Wednesday, when the free-agent action begins.
The outlook is even bleaker for winger Ales Kotalik, who Rob Tychowski reports has not recieved an offer from the Oilers. Despite this, Assistant GM Rick Olczyk made concilliatory noises:
“Players have signed with their respective clubs after July 1. Either the team steps up or the player realizes there’s not as much interest out there as I thought, I want to talk again.”
That’s a funny comment given that the Oilers haven’t made an offer; my take on it is that the team has decided that Kotalik isn’t a good fit on the top line, but that they aren’t opposed to talking to him later in the summer if a) their other options don’t work out and b) Kotalik is still available.
Finally, in the same article Tychowski confirms something which has been pretty much common knowledge for a while – that the Oilers wish to retain Jason Strudwick. He quotes Olczyk:
“He’s definitely on the radar to get done. If it gets done before July 1, great, if we don’t, we’ll make sure it gets done shortly thereafter.”
I’m assuming that Strudwick isn’t the priority, but he isn’t going to be in demand everywhere either, so the Oilers should be able to sign him to a modest contract to play the 7th defenseman/14th forward role on the team.
This weather has me going crazy. Anyone else?
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Exacly!
@ Wanye Gretz:
lol no problem. I like Roli, but I also want to see whats out there
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Rainy day sun. That means Dustin Penner will need 6 weeks to get in shape rather than 4.
Wanye Gretz wrote:
It's beautiful here in Vancouver. : P
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Ditto, but I'd also probably be complaining if we were in a 10 straight day run of 30 degree plus days. Guess I'm your typical fickle Oiler fan. Nothing is ever good enough. 🙂
@ dyckster:
Hahaha. "And I remember back in the 80s, it was sunny every day!"
Sound familiar?
Librarian Mike wrote:
Definately, only difference was, in the 80's I was a Wpg Jet fan dying for something good to happen. We had our sunny moments, but more often then not it was cloudy with showers. DOH.
@ Wanye Gretz:
Familiar with Martin Lawrence AKA Sheneneh and Jamie Foxx AKA Wanda?
SKANK ROBBERS
hXXp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGbLl8K13Oc
Why does TSN figure calgary can get both heatley AND Bouwmeister and we aren't in for getting either?
Jorge wrote:
Well they may figure they can do it, BUT only if they trade Phaneuf for Heatley. At this point in time, Ottawa takes that trade in a heartbeat. From a Flames perspective, if the get Bouwmeester signed, some feel they should move Dion for a scoring forward to replace Cammalleri. Not sure what that would mean for a Olli Jokinen (who should be able to replace a chunk of Cammalleri's goals) or Daymond Langkow, but it could mean 1 of them also gets moved.
Alon wrote:
+1
I agree that Roli wasn't the problem the last couple years, but now we have an opportunity to possibly upgrade, which I would look at in every position on the team. I don't dislike Roli, but if there is a better option, we should explore it.
I don't know what everyone's problem with Rolo is, that is some damn good ice cream……..oh, Roli. My bad. (Stupid lack of summer.)
ScubaSteve wrote:
IMO the upgrade needs to be on the offensive side of the line-up. The Oil need to spend more time on the attack and less time on the defensive.
on a side note,
hxxp://www.hockeyoutsiders.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=104:calgary-set-to-play-with-16-man-roster&catid=47:northwest-division&Itemid=70
heres to watching calgary get screwed over by injuries if this is true
@ RossCreek:
I loved seeing Jamie Foxx roll out that old character again. It used to slay me on in living color. Mind you I was about 11 when I used to watch that show and I was excited to see all 48 Wayans Brothers working together and I was even more excited just to be awake at 11 PM.
Lofty wrote:
I agree, but still feel that a defenseman will have to be moved in order to to upgrade the offense with quality.
Also, on a side note, I find it somewhat worrying that Roli has been moved off the Roster Page on the official site! Suppose it could be nothing though 😉
NW UK OIler wrote:
I noticed that too. Kotalik isn't on there either. But Smid is, though he is an RFA….
HMMMMM
*insert dramatic music here*
@ Wanye Gretz:
Lol, the tension mounts!
@ JF:
It's funny, but not true.
NW UK OIler wrote:
Wanye Gretz wrote:
Well the question is, is Jason Strudwick still there?
Did you guys know this – "Oilers unsuccessfully offered defenceman Tom Gilbert to move up at the draft"
(from Sportsnet http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2009/06/30/nhl_freeagent_spector/ )
I didn't, I don't think I've been sleeping in a cave since last Friday?
Ducey wrote:
TOUCHE' It's about time someone, other than me, got off the GAA bandwagon.
Your are sooo correct that GAA is a TEAM stat!
When Dustin Schwartz was pulling down sub 1.2 GAA's, do you think his defence had anything to do with it? Hell, he was only getting 12 shots a game!!
Meanwhile Jamie McCaig was getting 40 or 50 a game at Lethbridge.