Great deal. With Smyth in place again, I have to wonder if we might see the Oilers make a serious pitch for Doan by the 8th. He'd have the chance to come home for his last couple years and play with friends in front of family.
Smyth-Horcoff-Doan would be a heckuva third-line...
Where does he fit long term? Maybe he's the bait for a dman
I'd be more concerned if I was Gagner and I heard the new coach say he wanted to try Hall at center. I think they are penciling MPS in. Sam is probably pretty worried and/or resigned to the idea that he'll be moved.
Not really. Tambellini always leaves things till the last minute. If Smyth was all about the bucks he never would have signed this deal. The TD last year was evidence that there is still a demand for Smyth. Im sure he could have got 3-4mill on the open market if he chose to do so.
All one has to do is look at the Gaustad deal to know your right on this one. ****ing Lee Stempniak makes more on his two year deal.
It's guys at the end of their careers who took less (I have no doubt another team would have given him more) that probably deserve NTC's. I'd be okay with giving Smyth one.
Not really. Tambellini always leaves things till the last minute. If Smyth was all about the bucks he never would have signed this deal. The TD last year was evidence that there is still a demand for Smyth. Im sure he could have got 3-4mill on the open market if he chose to do so.
Not on a two year though. Maybe. I don't know. I just think we have to start one hearing these over 35 contracts. Especially when a guy is as brutal second half as Smytty was.
Hopefully Krueger puts him back in front of the net on the first PP. Never understood why the heck Horcoff was doing that when we had the best of his generation watching from the bench.
Where does he fit long term? Maybe he's the bait for a dman
That certainly makes me wonder as well. But after seeing how he played last season, I'm not expecting more than a Dvorak-like career trajectory. Which is alright to me, but for a 3rd liner he's just so tentative in his play, still afraid to get dirty (not part of his repertoire anyways). We need that abrasiveness on the bottom 6.
With or without Smyth, I don't see where Paajarvi fits in long term.
If you're going to go out and get that upgrade on D, maybe moving him is something to actually consider.
I disagree. Even with Hemsky likely moving over to LW, there are no long term solutions after Hall and Hemsky might very well get moved at some point.
Also, Paajarvi is our biggest skilled forward who has some defensive awareness and a very good skillset, these guys don't grow on trees.
It would be the worst possible time to move him with his value at an all time low, it would be a big mistake. Way too early to give up on him.
I would say this is a better move than the contract and player involved.
We gave him a deadline, price and length. Smyth caved.
Tambellini hardball. It gives him full availability as soon as free agents are available as well.
Smyth caved to stay here. Even better. I just wish it wasn't a two year deal.
Probably a fixture on the PK and against top opponents on the road. 2nd unit PP is likely too, possibly with Gagner and Hemsky (if one isn't dealt today).
His minutes need to come down to 16-18 though. And probaby no 4 on 4 time.
They need a top 6 LW with some size, especially if Hall switches to center. Paajarvi could easily end up being that guy.
Unfortunate that his hands and head aren't looking like they will catch up to his feet anytime soon. He doesn't play like a guy who is 200 lbs. Interesting experiment but I'm not sure he will stick on a top line.
Not quite. Maybe reality hit him. I'm sure the Oilers had an ultimatum, since they would need to move on to look at other options that would disappear quickly. A contract on the morning of July 1 speaks volumes...
Or maybe he was excersizing his right to negotiate...
They need a top 6 LW with some size, especially if Hall switches to center. Paajarvi could easily end up being that guy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CupofOil
I disagree. Even with Hemsky likely moving over to LW, there are no long term solutions after Hall and Hemsky might very well get moved at some point.
Also, Paajarvi is our biggest skilled forward who has some defensive awareness and a very good skillset, these guys don't grow on trees.
It would be the worst possible time to move him with his value at an all time low, it would be a big mistake. Way too early to give up on him.
You make some good points.
My feeling here is that Paajarvi still has good value, that you need to give up something to get something, and that I don't think he's a better option for the NHL roster spot than Hartikainen right now.
Krueger is already paying dividends. I wasn't a big fan of the hiring but i have always liked the guy, he could be a real coup for us. Exciting offseason so far.
