Busy Week

First off, let me start by saying sorry to all those bloggers out there who missed reading my earth-shattering insights...(cricket..cricket)
It's been a busy week in Oilerland, and even busier in PikeyLand.
Let me start with a story from the weekend.
It was Friday July21. I was still awash in the "I'm so happy we re-signed Jarret Stoll" glow. I was leaving for a camping trip to Kananaskis with Mrs. Pikey. Once we get out there, I decide to go for a swim in Lower Kananaskis Lake (only after I had determined that I would not get beaver fever from swimming in the water).
Now, I don't know how many of you have spent a few seconds in a mountain lake, but let me assure you, things that are supposed to be outside your body very quickly go back in in these temperatures.
So I'm in to my knees when I decide, it's all or nothing. So I fall backwards into the water, thinking the only way to adjust to the coldness is just get right in there. Smart move Pikey. Smart move. No sooner had I fallen in the water, my glasses fell off of my face. I'm pretty blind without my glasses. I dove back into the water several times, without finding my eyes. That was Saturday. We left K-Country on Monday. That was 2 days without sight. I will definitely be making a donation to the CNIB this year!
Anyways, now on to hockey.
Over the weekend, I tried to make a bet with a buddy (atypical albertan) that the Oilers would either make a big signing or trade while I was away.
He asked if Hemsky counted. I said yes. He said no bet.
Sure enough, I get back and the next day Ales Hemsky had signed a multi-year deal with the club.
Not just a 3 or 4 year agreement.
Hemmer signed for 6 years! 6 YEARS!!! (He's not married right, and can keep it in his pants?)
The Oilers have not had such a pure offensive talent in the lineup since the days of #99.
And at a bargain price of $24.6 million dollars!! I could hardly control my glee when I found out. Hemsky has made a commitment to Edmonton and Edmonton has made a commitment to Hemsky.
Obviously money isn't the issue for Hemsky, as he is foregoing 3 years of UFA eligibility in order for the security of a long term deal.
Glad to see that one didn't have to go to arbitration.
Now that Hemsky, Stoll and Horcs are out of the way, one would assume that Kevin Lowe's focus will now be on Joffrey Lupul, who I'm sure you all remember was the key part of the Chris Pronger to Anaheim deal.
How much will Lupul command? He scored 28 goals while playing 3rd line minutes in Anaheim. I'll go out on a limb here and say that he will sign a 4 year/8-10 million dollar deal.
Hopefully, K-Lowe is keeping an eye out for a top 2 d-man, but my feeling is that he is happy with his team right now, and will hold off on pressing the panic button (something some Oiler fans should do as well)
I think one of Smid/Hejda or Syvret will make the club out of training camp, and if the situation gets bad, then Lowe may consider using a draft pick to plug a hole on the blue line. Don't forget, Lowesy is still negotiating with Tarnstrom, who could easily put up top 4 minutes.
And why is everyone so sure that Robbie Schremp is a saviour?
Sure, I love the kid. He put up a mind boggling number of points in a limited amount of games, but please remember that NHL is not the OHL.
Remember Schremp last pre-season? He was great for the first half, but when real NHLers started showing up, he tallied just one more goal the rest of the way. Not that I could score more, but I think Schremp needs at least half a season in the AHL, and he'll be better for it.
One thing I love about the new NHL off-season is that the rumour mill is in full swing. We're talking 3 shifts, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
I've heard about deals ranging from Edmonton getting Gomez from NJ, to Ryan Smyth being shipped off to Philly for Simon Gagne.
A lot of people criticize those who post rumours, content in the knowledge that they know what is going on behind closed GM doors.
Isn't that why they are called rumours? Because they contain maybe only a grain of truth, and a lot of fantasy.
But it's how rabid hockey fans make it through the offseason.
Anybody who puts too much stock in rumours should give me a call...I'll give you the inside track on a new company called Bre-X (too young to get that one...how about Enron? still too young...go ask yer mom)
The latest one is a doozy....It has the Edmonton Oilers dealing with the much-hated Vancouver Canucks, as well as Buffalo.

To EDM - B.Morrison and D.Kalinin
To BUF - J.Markkanen and EDM 1st rd
To VAN - M.Afinigenov and B.Winchester

See, this is the stuff that I love to read. It will never happen, but it keeps my head in the clouds until Training Camp.

Thanks for the Memories, Prongs!

The longer I sit here, the more I like the trade that Kevin Lowe pulled off today with Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke.
Chris Pronger for Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Smid, a 2007 1st rounder, a 2008 2nd rounder and a conditional 1st rounder in 2008.
Alot of people I have talked to today don't think this is the best deal. But I think Lowesy has definitely bested Burke on this one.
If I was running the Ducks, I wouldn't have given up 5 potential players for Pronger...unless he was just turning 26....(I think he'll be 32 this year).
I have always like Lupul from watching him play in Medicine Hat, and at the ripe age of 22, his stock can only climb.
I think Smid will be able to crack the line up this year, and while he won't be a Pronger right away, he'll get the job done.
But with Lupul in the line-up, I think the time is now to re-sign Sergei Samsonov. With that kind of offensive talent, someone like Raffi Torres might find himself playing third line minutes.
Now all that's left is for Lowe to go out and get a veteran blue-liner (trade Bergeron if you have to....sorry still haven't forgiven him for the playoffs), re-sign Jaroslav Spacek and maybe find some scoring (Sammy).
I think the Oil can still make 'er deep in the playoffs this year, given the pure offensive talent on the roster.

And I wish all the best to Chris Pronger....thanks for what you did while here.
Hopefully your family will feel more at home in Anaheim!!

Pronger to Anaheim

TSN.ca is reporting that defenceman Chris Pronger has been dealt to the Anaheim Ducks...
Check out this link for more....
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=170401&hubname=
I'll wait to see who the Oilers are getting back before passing judgement.

Day 2 of Free Agency

I think NHL fans will come to enjoy the off-season, almost as much as the regular season.
Free agency opened with a bang yesterday, with the big winner being Boston.
The Bruin's signed behemoth Slovak blueliner Zdeno Chara, then turned around and inked speedy centre Marc Savard.
The one move I don't get is the Ottawa Senators signing Martin Gerber.
How does this help address post-season goaltending for the Sens? We all know the Sens walk through the regular season, throwing away opponents on most nights like rag dolls.
But Gerber lost his starting job in the playoffs to 22 year old rookie (and former Red Deer Rebel netminder) Cam Ward, because of inconsistent play.
Is this something Ottawa really needs to add to its line-up...a great regular season performer, but performs a disappearing act in the playoffs...sounds a bit like Joe Thornton to me.
As for the Oilers, I'm on the fence on their re-signings.
I love the Pisani deal...as long as he can put up bigger numbers in the regular season.
The thing about Pisani is that with every year he gets better and better (career high 37 reg season points last year).
My official prediction is that Pisani will score 30 goals and tally 62 points next year.
That'll make him worth $2.5m/yr.
For Dwayne Roloson, I'm still a little skeptical.
11 million over 3 years? For a guy who's career record stands at 97-123?
Granted, he did step up his game in the playoffs, but can he do it again?
If he can, he'll make Kevin Lowe look like a genius.
And if he can, he'll make a believer out of me once again.
Now let's flip over to New Jersey.
Patrik Elias won't have to worry about money ever again, signing a 7 year/42 million dollar deal with Lou Lamirello's Devils yesterday.
With the signing though, Lou might have some tough decisions to make.
The Devils have 16 players under contract and about 39 million committed to the cap.
They still haven't re-signed guys like Scotty Gomez or Brian Gionta (both RFA's), and are in need of a serious upgrade on the blueline. (maybe a destination for Pronger??)
My money is on Mogilny getting the buyout (3.5m/yr)
And it's good to see Jason Arnott landing in the Music City.
I loved Arnie from the first time he put on an Oiler jersey, and still love him, despite him being run out of town by rabid Oil fans.

Now, just to turn my attention to the World Cup momentarily.
How can you not feel for England? This is the second time Portugal has knocked them out of a major tournament on penalties.
Maybe they can finally win one day if they can ever solve Portuguese keeper Ricardo, or learn to keep a shorter leash on striker Wayne Rooney.

Oilers Re-Sign Pair

As I'm sure the Oiler fans have heard, Fernando Pisani and Dwayne Roloson have re-signed with the club.
Pisani's deal is said to be a 4year/10million dollar deal, while Roli signed a 3 year/11 million dollar deal.
From sources I've spoken to, talks with Spacek are going well.
Spacek would be a good return, as he makes Staios a better player.

Oilers Free Agent Tracker

I know that this won't be the first site Oil fans check to see who's staying and who's going, but what the hell.
Here's a good link to check out the status of Edmonton's Free Agents.

http://www.edmontonoilers.com/features/tracker/index.php

Why Oiler Fans Why?

Over the last week or so, my emotions have gone on the ultimate rollercoast ride.
Let me take you back.
June.14/2006 - Fernando Pisani scores first short-handed breakaway OT goal in Stanley Cup final history....Gives Oiler fans renewed confidence.
June.17/2006 - Oilers run roughshod over Carolina...even Stanley Cup final series at 3 games apiece.
June.19/2006 - Offense disappears...Carolina takes Cup (although it was nice to see Dougie Weight try and lift the cup with his shoulder dangling from the socket)
June.22/2006 - Rumour surfaces about Chris Pronger trade request.
June.23/2006 - Trade request confirmed by Pat Morris, agent for Pronger.

Now since then, the rumours have been flying about why Pronger wants to leave...and if you've heard some of them...I would want to leave too.
Why is it that Oiler fans refuse to accept the fact that Pronger may have an immediate family need that must be dealt with?
Why must people start rumours that drag the reputations of good honest people through the mud?
Then again, these are the same Oiler fans that BOOED Doug Weight upon his return to Alberta's capital.
I'll admit I was disappointed when the trade request was confirmed, but to rush to judgement seems a bit much to me.
Pronger gave us a hell of a good year, and, sure he'll be missed.
But Kevin Lowe is too smart to allow this situation to drag down the talent level of the Oilers.
Thanks for the great year Prongs, and hopefully whatever situation you are dealing with gets resolved.
PS: As a NAIT graduate myself, I can say without hesitation that the name connected to the Pronger rumours is soooo far away from the truth it's almost funny. She doesn't deserve to be treated like this.
Oh, and you heard it here first......Oilers win Cup in 2007!!