IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES UPDATE! TRADED
By Lowetide
10 years ago
It could happen as soon as today (the trade deadline is tonight at midnight, after that no deals until Christmas past), but it’s clear Linus Omark is once again hell bent on bolting the Oilers organization. A marriage that has always been uneasy appears to have reached the point where reconciliation is impossible.
An article by Michael Baldwin in the Oklahoman spells things out with so many specifics the mind boggles. After reading his entry on Omark I am convinced this deal may come down tonight. An example:
- Edmonton isn’t a good fit for Omark. The Oilers have several young, highly skilled forwards. But his stock could be on the rise. A couple of teams reportedly are interested. The past two months with the Barons, he’s shown noticeable improvement on the defensive end.
If the story is true, we might be hearing something in the next few hours. Mr. Baldwin suggests the return expected might be an AHL player or a pick, which makes sense. I also think there’s a chance Edmonton might take back a useful player with a bad contract if that player addressed a current need (two-way winger, defense) if it was necessary. It is extremely likely Edmonton would prefer to lose the contract and further reduce the number of the 50-man list (now at 48).
HE HAS NO VALUE, FOOL!
Well, there certainly has been a lot of disagreement about Omark, but he’s played in the league and there may be a window of opportunity for him. Elliotte Friedman framed the issue nicely in this week’s 30 Thoughts:
- Edmonton is trying to trade AHLer Linus Omark, who deserves a shot at the NHL level and isn’t going to get it with the Oilers. This is pure speculation on my part, but Buffalo makes sense. The Sabres are on a pace to score 137 goals. The last time a team scored fewer? Chicago in 1953-54, with 133 in 70 games. Twelve teams bettered that in lockout-shortened 1995. Last year? Eight. Omark’s not a cure, but it’s a sensible gamble, no?
Now, we’ll see, but at least someone is talking about it being possible aside from Jon Willis and me. I think Omark has the ability to play in the NHL, but other clubs have their own prospects lined up and I’m not certain how many would be willing to take a chance on him. It only takes one, and chances are his agent has been working hard to make it happen.
WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?
Omark needs an expansion draft, but he’ll have to make do with a trade. Which could come down tonight.
(Omark photo by Rob Ferguson, all rights reserved)
Update! Edmonton Oilers have traded Linus Omark to the Buffalo Sabres for a conditional 6th round pick in the 2014 draft. Sail on, Linus. Godspeed.
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