Happy Canada Day and happy free agent frenzy day as well. There has been a trade already involving our Oilers, even before the frenzy has begun.
Raffi Torres has been traded to Columbus for Gilbert Brule. This looks like a salary dump or they’re clearing the decks for some free agent signings. According to Dan Barnes at the Journal, the Oilers plan to get into the Hossa sweepstakes big time and offer at least 9 million dollars a year. I’m torn on this since I truly believe Hossa is the type of player our Ales Hemsky needs to play with. But 9 million? I don’t like that at all.
But with the trades of Stoll, Torres, Greene and of course Pitkanen will be gone soon, there might be cap room for a move like that. The bigger issue is does Hossa even want to come here? Even during Visnovsky’s conference call yesterday, he mentioned the cold and winter of Edmonton. Maybe we should tell everyone that we’re in a major heat wave right now?
Anyways, let the frenzy begin!!!
Update: Pitkanen is off to Carolina for winger Erik Cole (4 million cap hit who has one year left on his deal. I hope there is an extension coming too. One year of Cole against several of Pitkanen is NOT a good deal).
9 million is too much, but how freaking cool would it be to have him here!? It would be nice to have someone with a recognizable name.
I remain optimistic!
Can you imagine the Oilers actually signing a big name free agent? I can’t remember the last time that happened.
$50 to anyone able to convince Lowe to trade Captain Glass!
I’ll get working on that one D.
Definitely with you on the Cole extension point, providing he gels well with the team. I don’t want to be attempting to justify this trade down the road if Cole leaves us.
TSN is reporting a rumor that the Oilers and Pens are the only 2 teams in the running to acquire Jagr’s services; if he doesn’t get swayed to go play in Russia that is. I’m sure Hemsky could talk him into coming to e-town! Sure Jagr is on the decline in his career, but he would do wonders for Hemsky.
Hemmer and Jagr could be fantastic together. Although, is this another case of the Oilers being played? I don’t like these players using the Oilers to drive up the value if they have no serious intention of coming here.
I guess we’ll find out.