The Biggest Deal of the Day
Stunning.
That there was speculation that the Edmonton Oilers might part ways with Captain Canada, Ryan Smyth, was one thing.
That Oilers GM Kevin Lowe pulled the trigger, however, was quite another.
Lowe must have figured if he couldn't sign Smyth now he wouldn't be able to sign him in July. The Maple Leafs and Phoenix Coyotes, respectively, had to make that kind of decision when it came to Darcy Tucker and Shane Doan, and managed to sign both.
Still . . .this deal is going to go over in Edmonton like a lead balloon.
The new collective bargaining agreement, after all, was supposed to allow teams like the Oilers to keep their stars after losing them for years.
That this would happen on Mark Messier Day in Edmonton has to bring back all those memories of having and then losing players like Wayne Gretzky, Messier, Kevin Lowe, Doug Weight and Chris Pronger.
The New York Islanders, meanwhile, are suddenly back in the big leagues after acquiring Smyth, the epitome of a heart-and-soul player. Moreover, after picking up Marc-Andre Bergeron, Richard Zednik and now Smyth, the Isles are looking like a sure-fire playoff team after teetering on the edge all season.
Which makes the Smyth deal, which came down at the last minute, very bad news for the Maple Leafs.
great trade by the Oilers, if the so called 'expert' bothered to check what kind of prospects (plus a 1st rounder) the Oilers got, they won't be praising Islanders all over the place. And who says Smyth won't resign with the Oilers at the end of the season?
Posted by: Charles | February 27, 2007 at 07:18 PM
As a Leafs fan and an Oilers fan, this is the worst news ever. I'm going to start watching only the Raptors - who I do love. So sad.
Posted by: Mike | February 27, 2007 at 07:30 PM
As soon as I heard of the deal at work, I instantly thought, "Lowe put Smyth out as a rental - to give Ryan a chance in the playoffs". He'll cut a deal in the summer to bring him back...since it sounds like they're not too far apart.
Posted by: Geoff | February 28, 2007 at 01:22 AM
I told you all year who Raycroft was and who Maurice was and in fact who Ferguson was?
Anybody can win when there's no pressure. Winning under pressure however as an altogether different matter.
I don't quite understand why I can see these things inadvance and the executives and the reporters cannot.
Mind boggling.
Posted by: Rico | February 28, 2007 at 03:06 AM
It is a shame to see a team lose a premier player simply because of basic human greed.
I would love to see a General Manager try this as an experiment.
Tell all of the players on his team that if they make the team, they will all have an equal share of the total salary allowed under the cap.
For example, if the cap is $44 million and he signs 22 players, then each one gets $2 million. This way each player on the team feels that his role is equally valued as a member of the team.
What do you think this would do to team chemistry?
Posted by: Dave Stacey | February 28, 2007 at 10:13 AM