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KLowe busy trolling the UFA waters for a big fish? |
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The drama continues to mount for Oilers Nation!
On the heels of a curiously quiet 2008 NHL draft day for the league’s most northern outpost, Edmonton Oilers’ GM Kevin Lowe could very well be lurking in the weeds, preparing to pounce on a UFA big fish come July 1st.
Especiallly given the recent moves made by the Oilers’ conference foes, Phoenix and Calgary.
KLowe is no stranger to pulling off the dramatic. A year removed from dipping into the RFA market and poaching Dustin Penner from Brian Burke and the Anaheim Ducks, fans of the copper and blue will think twice about heading off to the cottage this Canada Day long weekend (July 1) without their wind-up pocket radios or laptops.
Edmonton, however, is an interesting franchise -– a team that is slowly but surely beginning to find its feet again, after the untimely and devastating loss of defensive pillar, Chris Pronger, following its 2006 Stanley Cup run.
Stability, one could argue, is returning to a team that was forced into acts of trade desperation the last few seasons, as its front office was thrown under the bus by an dubious stigma created by a few players.
Forced to run with a youth-heavy lineup last year, the result of several key injuries, the team’s future was front-and-centre.
And they delivered, under the glare of the NHL spotlight, in a big way; Gagner, Cogliano, Nilsson, Grebeshkov and Gilbert.
Fast-forward 12 months, and KLowe, MacT and company are, once again, operating from a position of confidence.
And why not…the future looks bright – it always looks promising during the off-season, especially on the heels of a year where there’s no where to go but up in the standings.
Presciption for Success?
The 2008 UFA party is made increasingly interesting for the copper and blue with a new owner at the helm.
A press conference is scheduled take place 24 hours after UFA Day, where the Oilers’ new owner Daryl Katz will announce the status of his purchase of the team.
It’s expected he’ll announce the cheques have been signed and delivered to his predecessors, the Edmonton Investors Group, and the deal is done, or close to being complete.
Oiler fans are hoping Katz has saved a few cheques in his thick book to extend an offer for a top-six UFA forward with scoring prowess, and possibly a role player with muscle.
What better way to write the next chapter in this illustrious sports franchise’s history, then to have its proud new owner introducing his club’s first UFA signing under his tenure.
It’s storybook stuff – cross your fingers Oilers Nation!
Dialed In
I’m working the phones, talking with a few credible sources this weekend. Thus far, I’m hearing there are a couple of players KLowe is sniffing around, both impact forwards, but more scuttlebutt then concrete, at this point in time. As mentioned earlier, KLowe’s agenda has always targeted July 1st. Nonetheless, the Oilers’ front office is working from a structured plan now, which still allows KLowe to work from spontaneity, but less out of desperation. Stay tuned.
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