View Full Version : Oilers eyeing free agents
Madferret
7-16-05, 6:31 PM
Oilers eyeing free agents
TheFourthPeriod.com
Once the free-agent season opens this August, the Oilers are expected to go after a first-line center and a top defenseman, the Edmonton Sun reports.
There are several possibilities in terms of unrestricted free agents and players who could be available after buy outs by teams with salary cap issues.
According to the Sun, the Oilers are expected to take a long look at center's Peter Forsberg and Jason Allison, in addition to St. Louis' Doug Weight and Anaheim's Petr Sykora ? both of whom could be bought out by their respected clubs. On the blueline, Brian Rafalski, Scott Niedermayer, Adam Foote and Sergei Zubov are on their radar, as is Colorado's Rob Blake, who could be bought out as he's scheduled to make just over $6.3 million next season.
The Oilers could also target Derek Morris, of the Phoenix Coyotes, who is a restricted free agent.
Prior to the lockout, the Oilers were courting Allison, according to TFP's David Pagnotta, and will continue their attempts to woo him this August.
Allison, 30, hasn't played an NHL game since the 2002-03 season after being sidelined with post-traumatic migraines.
Holy ****.
If we add Forsberg to this lineup, we're cup contenders. I won't sell my hopes on it.. but man. Not only would we take away Colorado's best player, we'd add (IMO) the best player in the league to our team. Of the names there, the realsitic ones I'd like to see are Weight and Zubov.. they'd both at the least keep the team the same as far as 5x5 is concerned, and they'd make the PP lethal.
It's certainly refreshing to read that. Oiler fans are definitely sick of seeing their talent walking away from the team as unrestricted free agents. Perhaps with this new CBA, things will sway into the Oilers favour to allow them to actually spend money on FAs now. Hopefully that will be the case.
slapshot™
7-16-05, 11:17 PM
Holy ****.
If we add Forsberg to this lineup, we're cup contenders.
You sure? You need heart.....and a spleen.
The Fourth Period?
Now there is a joke of a site...............Dev your slipping man, must be the tea!
The Fourth Period?
Now there is a joke of a site...............Dev your slipping man, must be the tea!
:laughing:
Terry Jones of the Edmonton Sun was the original source. Not a great source, but not a bad one either.
Madferret
7-17-05, 1:08 AM
The Fourth Period?
Now there is a joke of a site...............Dev your slipping man, must be the tea!
Slipping? I'm just posting up articles for my Oiler friends that they might be interested in. Slipping from what? I know, I know, 4thperiod.com. You usually get your Leaf rumours from leafdude22 or Deebo at the PenatlyBox right? Get in the garage you chicken...
I haven't posted at PB for years! And I rarely use them as a "source".............
Moose is loose, open to offers
Could Messier be heading back to Edmonton?
Jim Matheson
The Edmonton Journal
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
EDMONTON - Mark Messier is hoping to put retirement on hold and says he'd consider returning to the Edmonton Oilers.
"I've learned to never say never," said Messier, who at 44 is the second-leading scorer in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky. "There's no better place, although I hear the general manager drives a hard bargain."
Cue the laugh track.
"Geez, he must be going on reputation because we've never done any negotiations, unless it was who was going to do the dishes back in our early days," responded Oilers GM Kevin Lowe.
Lowe can't talk about whether he'd like Messier on his team today.
"He's technically not a free-agent until August 1 and I don't want to get my wrist slapped. So, I guess I'll say no comment."
Messier left the impression his career was over following his last game with the New York Rangers on March 31, 2004, even taking a victory lap around Madison Square Garden. However, no formal retirement announcement has since been made by the six-time Stanley Cup champion.
Lowe, who played 11 years with Messier in Edmonton and New York, did sound out Messier several years ago about completing the circle and finishing his career in Edmonton. But the conversation never got too far. Now? Lowe wouldn't do it as a PR exercise, only if Messier can come in and still contribute in a reduced role in his 26th NHL season. Messier played 16 minutes a game in New York in 2003-2004 but wouldn't likely get that kind of playing time here.
Still, Messier racked up 43 points in 76 games for the Rangers the last year there was NHL hockey. To put that in perspective, Mike Modano accumulated 44 points. Only two Oilers, Ryan Smyth and Mike York, scored more points than Messier in the 2003-2004 season. So maybe he does have a little gas left in his tank.
Messier says he's not sure how his body will react from being away from the rink for so long.
"I don't think a year off does anybody any good," he offered. "This is a long time off for somebody my age."
Messier didn't go stir-crazy with no NHL last year though. He watched his son Lyon, 18, play junior B hockey in Ontario. Lyon will be playing junior hockey for the Texas Tornadoes this winter.
Messier also spent considerable time with his two-year-old boy Douglas at his Hilton Head, S.C., home, where he and girlfriend Kim Clark are awaiting the imminent birth of their second child. He was also in the Bahamas a lot, where he owns a hotel.
Working against Messier getting another playing gig in the NHL are the sheer numbers of free agents who are about to become available early next month. He says he'd consider coaching, although he has some reservations.
"I think there's gratification that comes from coaching a team to a championship but there's a lot of time and work and responsiblity that goes into it, and you have to be prepared for that. I wouldn't coach this year," he said.
:D
Messier will finaly retire when he's 55 and playing 30 seconds per game but he'll still be on the Oilers' first line. :laughing:
Is Messier trying to become the Jerry Rice of the NHL, by hanging on too long?:laughing:
:D
Messier will finaly retire when he's 55 and playing 30 seconds per game but he'll still be on the Oilers' first line. :laughing:
Because he is right now?
That was pretty weak Teabag.
I don't really want Messier back here.. on the bottom two lines we have Reasoner/Stoll, with MAP ready to shoot into there soon... no real need for him. Harvey can play C as well.
Newfie John
7-20-05, 8:47 PM
Because he is right now?
That was pretty weak Teabag.
I don't really want Messier back here.. on the bottom two lines we have Reasoner/Stoll, with MAP ready to shoot into there soon... no real need for him. Harvey can play C as well.
I think the motive behind bringing Mess back would be to put butts in the seats.
I think the motive behind bringing Mess back would be to put butts in the seats.
True, but that should not be a problem being our season tickets are over 15,000 (can't remember exact figure..). There's a lot of alternatives to Messier who put just as many butts in seats and help the team. Example would be Mr. Pavol Demitra :). Doug Weight would even be a better option. While not amazing 5x5, he's passable, and he improves the PP drastically.
slapshot™
7-21-05, 3:13 PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/stopthebiscuit/Messier2.jpg
Today's (July 21) editorial cartoon from the Edmonton Journal. I think Mayes hit it on the Mark.
Newfie John
7-21-05, 3:49 PM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v176/stopthebiscuit/Messier2.jpg
Today's (July 21) editorial cartoon from the Edmonton Journal. I think Mayes hit it on the Mark.
Beautiful use of pun there. :laughing:
TimmyTabasco
7-21-05, 7:56 PM
Oilers eyeing free agents
TheFourthPeriod.com
Once the free-agent season opens this August, the Oilers are expected to go after a first-line center and a top defenseman, the Edmonton Sun reports..
Two of the names off the list, would be Sykora and Rafalski. Both seem to fit the Oilers needs
Zubov is alright, but VERY soft
Newfie John
7-21-05, 8:17 PM
Two of the names off the list, would be Sykora and Rafalski. Both seem to fit the Oilers needs
Zubov is alright, but VERY soft
VERY reliable defensively though at the same time. Hardly ever makes mistakes.
VERY reliable defensively though at the same time. Hardly ever makes mistakes.
And he's an reknowned Oiler Killer.. I'd love to never have to play against him again.
As far as him being soft.. not a problem. Smith and Staios are both tough, Semenov has shown flashes of being the next Chara (and remember, Chara was called soft as well), Brewer has McCabe syndrome, but asides from that isn't a softie either; and MAB will hold his own even if he can't handle anyone over 6'. Through in Matt Greene comign up the pipe and I'd be just fine with Zubov even if he is a bit of a softie :thumb:
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