Smyth and Oilers closing in on a two-year deal

After weeks of negotiations the Oilers have reportedly offered Ryan Smyth a two-year deal. Dollars and additional contract perks haven’t been leaked but nothing has been agreed upon either. The two parties will be looking at the Bertuzzi contract which was signed last off-season:

Todd Bertuzzi

LENGTH: 2 YEAR(S) VALUE: $4,150,000 TYPE: 35-PLUS EXPIRY STATUS: UFA

Year 2012-13 Salary $1,975,000 Bonus $200,000 Cap Hit$2,075,000
Year 2013-14 Salary $2,175,000 Bonus $0 Cap Hit $2,075,000

KNOWN CLAUSES (note: if player has been traded, clauses may no longer apply): Modified NTC

A fair deal for Bertuzzi but what is a fair deal for Ryan Smyth. Is this a good negotiating point for the Oilers?

Keep in mind Ryan Smyth doesn’t exactly hold the cards after forcing the Kings to trade him back to Edmonton. Smyth has also made it very clear he wishes to retire an Oiler. Do the Oilers give Smyth the respect he deserves and offer him fair market value or do they take advantage of the situation and give a low ball offer?

Either way, it appears Ryan Smyth will be an Oiler for the foreseeable future. This time last year, who would of thunk?

Smyth to waive his no trade clause for the Rangers?

A well-placed source told the The New York Post that Ryan Smyth is seriously considering waiving his no trade clause for the New York Rangers. Ryan Smyth was drafted by then Oilers GM Glen Rather in 1994 and played under Sather for five year. This past off-season Smyth forced a trade to go back to Edmonton for family reasons. His desire to retire as an Oiler is unquestionable. However, if Smyth and the Oilers management group could come to terms that was built on trust Smyth could make a run for the cup this spring and re-sign in Edmonton during the offseason. A win-win situation for both parties.

Do you think Smyth will waive his no-trade clause for the Rangers or will he remain with the Oilers?

Leafs and Oilers talking trade

The Edmonton Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly involved in trade discussions, as the two clubs have been keeping an eye on each other lately.

Oilers scouts have attended several of the Leafs most recent games as it is believe the Oilers are eyeing the Leafs defensive corps. Where as the Leafs are said to have interest in a playmaking forward to help the line of Lupul and Kessel. 

The Oilers have apparently been dangling Sam Gagner and Ales Hemsky for the better part of the season. Tambellini and staff could make a pitch for Corey Franson for one of Sam Ganger and/or Ales Hemsky.

Could Voynov be traded to the Oilers?

Dean Lombardi publicly apologizes to the Edmonton Oilers for how he handled the Ryan Smyth situation. Lombardi appeared on the Mark Spector show this afternoon on Team 1260.

“I apologize to Edmonton, and the NHL. I was wrong, the way I handled that,” Lombardi told Spector.

Later that evening young defender Slava Voynov was back in the Kings line up. Alec Martinez will be scratched to make room for Voynov. Jan 12 – 5:37 PM. Is this just a coincidence or is there something going on with the two teams. An apology to the Oilers on the same day Voynov is back in the line up?

Don’t be surprised to see a potential deal between the two teams in the coming days or weeks. They’re is a perfect situation where the Oilers are in need of defensive help and the Kings could use a player like Hemsky to fill the void of an injured SImon Gagne.

Ales Hemsky on the block

“Do I want to be a lottery pick again? No. I’ve said that from the beginning,” says Steve Tambellini.

“I think trade possibilities might heat up the middle of this month,” said Tambellini. “Lots of teams were calling around prior to Christmas to get a sense of where people thought they were or where they might go. I’m not giving up our future, for sure, but if I can help us now, I will do it.”

Given the words from Steve Tambellini he isn’t willing to give up his future. This means the young core players who will be apart of the Oilers for years to come are off the market. Players on this team who Steve doesn’t see as being Oilers in the times ahead will be on the trade block. Is Ales Hemsky one of these players?

According to Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal, teams are inquiring about Ales Hemsky.

“How are his shoulders?” an NHL executive asked.

“Where are the points? Is it just because he’s not on the first power play anymore? I saw him on TV the other night and he didn’t look good,” said another NHL team official.

Words from Matheson:

“If Hemsky is traded to any team, it’ll definitely be to a contender or a team that has to make the playoffs, even for only one round to make some money for the owner.

The Red Wings, for sure, are in the picture (Hemsky has 17 points in 27 games and some sterling work against Detroit in the 2006 playoffs). I suspect the Predators, dying for some offence (19 points in 25 career games), the Penguins, always looking for a top-six winger, and New York Rangers are in the mix, too.”

This article was posted December 24th. Recently Eklund has echoed Matheson’s exact same thoughts. Eklund has a tendency to take others material and put a spin on it to make it his own. He’s the least legitimate source in the business and his rumours will never be found here.

Leafs were offered player and 2nd round pick for Franson

According to Darren Dreger's twitter account "Leafs offered a player and 2nd round pick from undisclosed team for Franson. Evidently, depth on D is highly valued in Toronto."

Some were quick to assume this could have only meant the Oilers offered Linus Omark and a 2nd round pick. However, this was never stated by anyone in the know.

BigMAC0918 questioned Darren Dreger on twitter, "People are saying u said it was Linus Omark 2nd round pick for franson. I don't remember u saying this.

Where Darren Dreger replied, "Nope. Didn't say that."

It wouldn't be a poor assumption to think the Oilers are in the market for a defenseman. With Barker and Whitney both still out of the line up it wouldn't be surprising to see the Oilers calling Toronto expressing interest.

With Omark still toiling in the minors and has expressed displeasure playing for OKC, he is a hot topic when it comes to trade rumours.

Multiple teams have scouts viewing Oilers games

Bucky Gleason of the News reports: Scouts from several teams have been keeping close watch on Edmonton. Don’t be surprised if Sam Gagner winds up elsewhere — St. Louis? — before the trade deadline.”

New Jersey looking at Gagner?

With Travis Zajac sidelined until Christmas, the Devils are missing their right handed centre man. It is said the Devils have contacted the Oilers asking about Gagner's availability. With the Oilers crowded at centre and with the return of Hemsky, the Oilers look like a team who may be interested in making a deal. Mark Everson of the Post reports: “The chances for a deal for the righty Gagner depended on the Oilers keeping Nugent-Hopkins. That shot likely now is stalled with Tom Renney’s team on a five-game winning streak. It was said the Oilers would want young defensive prospects from New Jersey, probably defenseman Matt Taormina, whose No. 20 is now worn by Ryan Carter, and huge Alexander Urbom, both currently in Albany. It would seem they probably also would require a roster winger and draft pick.”