It had been reported by some questionable sources that the Oilers were relatively close to signing veteran and former Captain Shawn Horcoff to a PTO. At the same time those questionable sources also suggest that Gryba was close to signing a PTO with the team. Both of these have been refuted by journalists like Mark Spector, and Oiler employees like Bob Stauffer. It sounds like Horcoff especially is nowhere close to returning.
A name I was generally unfamiliar with on Twitter first threw out the rumour that both Gryba and Horcoff were close to signing PTOs with the Oil. I make an effort not to “Break” news unless I have very good reason to believe I have good information. To date, it has happened once. It was Jeff Petry’s contract negotiation status. That’s it. I write lots of opinion stuff, some stats stuff, and some speculation. But I wouldn’t even consider stating that Horcoff and Gryba were close to signing PTOs without having heard that from a legitimate source.
In any event, it appears that there is absolutely nothing to those rumours as these are the responses we’ve had in recent hours:
For those asking. Rumours of Shawn Horcoff attending Oilers camp on a PTO are greatly exaggerated! I'd be stunned if this were to happen
That’s a lot of Edmonton’s heavy hitters crushing whatever reports said otherwise.
With regards to whether it would make any sense to do these things that are not happening, yes and no.
Yes to Gryba and No to Horcoff.
Gryba is a decent 6th defenseman. He was just fine in that role last year and there’s even some underlying numbers that suggest he was good in his role. He’s still relatively young, big, mean, has a right-shot, and knows the team. Nevermind a PTO, the Oilers should simply consider offering him a 1 year deal to be the 6/7 guy.
Horcoff required performance enhancing drugs to have one of the worst offensive seasons of his career, is 38 years old, and was a drag on possession last season. He lost a step before the Oilers traded him. Why on Earth would they want him back? Edmonton would be better off hoping Lander’s offense returns to him. I know there’s a love-in with Horcoff because a younger version helped the Oilers in the 2006 run, but that was a decade ago. If you want to travel through time then check this out instead.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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