Right or wrong, I feel this has been Lombardi's intention
Bingo.
I think DL is some what handcuffed in this fiasco and is trying to force ST's hand by leaking to the press, knowing full well how Oiler fans would react. And then getting Calgary involved to boot. Which in turn handcuffs ST some what too.
Tambo does not like playing games through the media, especially when specific players names are mentioned. We know that. You could see the anger on his face when Duthie asked him about it.
I think DL is some what handcuffed in this fiasco and is trying to force ST's hand by leaking to the press, knowing full well how Oiler fans would react. And then getting Calgary involved to boot. Which in turn handcuffs ST some what too.
Tambo does not like playing games through the media, especially when specific players names are mentioned. We know that. You could see the anger on his face when Duthie asked him about it.
Do you think they are hearing much from fans (or even care what a few fanatics are saying). I sure hope that they are not sitting around their office browsing hf forums and thinking about caving in because a handfull of fans are impatient.
People in the 'loop' can't figure it out so i'm not sure how we can.
You can have a opinion or take a guess as to what happenned, but do we REALLY know whats going on behind the scenes? Posters are eating up whats coming out of LA and believing it as fact. Why? IMO, because its just easier to throw Tambo under the bus. He isnt the best at communicating for sure, so he makes himself a easy target.
If Brule is healthy they need to get the original deal through. This must be tough on Smyth and Brule. Wow can't even imagine.
There are a lot of Smyth fans who really want to see his return, and I've been convinced that it makes sense to have him on our team again even for a little while to end his career, provide leadership, and he's still productive enough to contribute. But it's probably better for everyone if we walk away right now and reconsider Smyth next summer.
Tambo's press conference can just tell the fans that we were hoping to bring Smyth home, but were unable to reach an agreement that worked for both teams. No blame, just an even .. it didn't work for either of us type of statement. It's bad press for either team the longer they stay in negotiations. Of course this would be much better if it had stayed out of the media, but it didn't. so..
Do you think they are hearing much from fans (or even care what a few fanatics are saying). I sure hope that they are not sitting around their office browsing hf forums and thinking about caving in because a handfull of fans are impatient.
I think they have to be some what cognizant of what the fans are thinking. But no, I don't think they make desicions based on that, gawd I hope not anyway. But this Ryan Smyth, not Mike Comrie.
That being said, the Oilers have to make sure this works well for them. I guess at the end of the day, its a negotiation that the Oilers are trying to win. This probably goes on with most trades, which is why a lot of them don't get completed. Problem with this one is someone leaked it early to the media.
I'm not the biggest tambo fan, but I give him full credit in this situation. He has not mislead anyone. That's been DL + the media.
Also, emotion is left on the ice, this guy needs to be pure business where emotion is left out of it. When you have a plan, you cannot let your emotions sidetrack you. Just because it would be a nice emotional return for Smyth... he wasn't in the plans, and we're not going to move anyone who was in the plans to acquire him.
I have faith in Tambo that if the deal can get done using assets that aren't in the plan, it will get done. But he's not going to give up a propsect that Stu likes. Plain and simple. There will be other veteran options to help the kids, that won't cost us any assets.
I really want this to happen, don't get me wrong, but I don't think I'd even give Martindale for Smyth as some have suggested.
People in the 'loop' can't figure it out so i'm not sure how we can.
You can have a opinion or take a guess as to what happenned, but do we REALLY know whats going on behind the scenes? Posters are eating up whats coming out of LA and believing it as fact. Why? IMO, because its just easier to throw Tambo under the bus. He isnt the best at communicating for sure, so he makes himself a easy target.
Exactly. All we "know" is that someone leaked the trade to the media and Tambellini denied it, twice.
We also have Lombardi's side of the story via the LA times, but since there's no rebuttal from Tambellini, I'm not putting a lot of weight into it..Not saying he's lying but it could very easily just be his interpretation of the events.
My guess at what happened? The trade was agreed to in principal, LA checked to see about buying out Brule (no way they were trading him, if it was that easy, the Oilers would've done it already), the NHL wanted some paperwork to confirm Brule's health status for the buyout (a reporter is quoted as saying he saw Tambellini and Lombardi meeting with league officials). The Oilers felt as though he's been healthy for months and haven't done any (this part is all on the Oilers). Trades on hold.
It's really that simple.
Every quote, media site, or twitter account that says "my sources" should be ignored.
One or two minor additions at the deadline and they are easily top contenders in the West.
I cant understand why we as Oiler fans are so happy to give Lombardi the cap space needed to sign a free agent so they can be even better. Smitty will not make us that much better. Lets pretend he never played for us before, would this be a good trade for us? I dont think so. Tambo is doing his job for the best interests of our team. He might be the only one thinking with his head and not his heart. Why do the Kings any favors? I would love to see Smitty back but the deal has to make sense for us too.
As a kings fan I don't buy the "DL wanted Smyth to retire" argument. Smyth is still a legit NHL winger. He still has great board work and is a consummate professional and leader. He is overpayed at his age but is contract is only for one more year.
On top of that there is not much available via free agency to replace him. (Laich, Jokinen, Upshall, Leino, ???) All pretty unlikely to move. I don't believe Brad Richards has any interest in LA. The kings have very little in the way of LWs in the system. Holloway and Kozun are RWs and Loktionov is more comfortable playing center. A trade is possible as LA is stacked on the D end in prospects but even so, it seems to be slim pickings on the market.
Lombardi is in a bad spot. We wont get fair value and IF Edmonton wants us to take on salary is does limit our chances to acquire a replacement for smyth. I don't blame DL for backing out if their is even the slightest hint of Brule not being healthy. The solution is simple enough if Edmonton really wants to add Smyth, throw in some healthy reject and be done with it. LA fans would and should flog DL for taking back any immovable salary. I actually hope Smyth stays in LA as it was shocking to hear he was going to be moved. LA is better with him than without.
