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Oilers poised to create some magic? |
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Call me crazy, but I "smell it". I've got that feeling in my belly, nothing more, nothing less. No inside info; no leaks.
The Edmonton Oilers are preparing to venture out on their annual UFA shopping excursion on July 1st, and their list is short, albeit expensive – a pure goal-scoring sniper.
For the record, I firmly believe the Oilers' brass is finally going to deliver the goods this year.
Note: goal-scoring sniper, not another second line set-up man.
Oilers GM Steve Tambellini is faced with the task of luring, through trade or the UFA market, a lay-your-money-down, sure bet, thoroughbred twine rippler.
Currently, with only $2.7M available under the league’s (2009) $56M salary cap to work with, Houdini, and not Tambellini, would be better suited to pull off this magic trick.
Indeed, Tambellini would have to pull off a disappearing act with some of the team’s present talent in order to make room under the cap for a stud the likes of Dany Heatley, Mike Cammalleri or Marion Hossa.
With Heatley, under contract at $7.5M through to 2013-14, the potential exists for trading salary east. Speculation of Ottawa’s disgruntled star left winger possibly heading out west has undoubtedly left many Oiler fans salivating. Without question Tambellini is faced with the unenviable task of luring a first-line offensive star either via trade or free agency.
Once again, take a number Tambellini.
With a forward such as Cammalleri, a 39-goal man with Calgary last season, the freight wouldn’t be nearly as high, though the task of shedding current salary could prove difficult, as it would with Hossa, a UFA who earned $7.4M in Detroit last season. Equally as important for Tambellini, however, is finding a scorer with size, capable of imposing his will on opponents in the slot.
Arguably, at 5’, 9” and 180 pounds, Cammalleri wouldn’t fit the bill.
As Oilers ownership has stated in the past, if it makes sense, money is no option. That being said, this team needs a player with hands, size and equally as important, leadership qualities.
For my money, and hopefully Darryl Katz’s, Tampa Bay Lightning centre Vincent Lecavalier @ $7.7M through 2015-16 fits the bill better than most. He’s a huge ticket, no question, but with economics being what they are south of the 49th, the Bolts’ grip on their 6’, 4”, 223-pound superstar may be loosening.
A package including a puck-moving D man such as Gilbert or Grebeshkov (if he can be signed), Cogliano, or dare I say, Hemsky, and the club’s 10th overall pick in Friday’s draft, may be enough of a ransom to pique the interest of the Lightning’s ownership.
The Oilers’ front office seems to have an appetite for the “dramatic deal”. Obtaining a player of Lecavalier’s pedigree would certainly take this team to the next plateau.
I wouldn’t necessarily write off Vancouver’s Sedin twins as well, though Tambellini would be tasked with shedding major salary to pull off that trick.
They missed the post-season again this year, yet if they're able to attract a bona fide sniper, all will be forgotten by the Oilers faithful.
Hope springs eternal, as they say. and has a way of shortening the collective memory of a fan base.
Magical times in the Heartland of Hockey? We shall see, if my "Spidey Senses" are right.
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