wow.

so he's just gotta wait till NJ terminates the contract (which is a given) and then he can go sign in russia
- hugefemale dog77

What does NJ gain by doing that? They still lose the 1st and they lose cap space although minor.

Terminating the deal just looks like something that could make them look like real idiots in 2 years.

"cheat to win"

EG
- hugefemale dog77

Kovlachuck is just sticking it to the man!

#TeamKovy

THey've lost Kovalchuck, Parise, Clarkson, and who else am I missing here?
- Pilgor09

Reinhart/Ekblad/Nylander

THey've lost Kovalchuck, Parise, Clarkson, and who else am I missing here?
- Pilgor09

2 7th rounders when you look at the Brodeur situation.

haha true.... personally, if i'm a GM, I don't draft another Russian ever again.
- The-O-G

Yeah, this is huge. Might make some other russians think twice. How pissed must Lou be tho. He could of kept Clarkson if he knew this earlier.

Yeah, this is huge. Might make some other russians think twice. How pissed must Lou be tho. He could of kept Clarkson if he knew this earlier.
- Oilfan19

Sounds like Lou has know for a year.

I seem to recall you being awfully critical of MacT and his non-moves just a few weeks back. Cloutier, you are hot and cold dude. Pick a side will ya!

You state that Oilers won the Horcoff trade.......not if he ends up with a 50-60 pt. season they don't (and don't count him out....he did it before).

If Hemsky had any real value, they would have dealt him already. I'm afraid to say I think they are stuck with him.

All of what you write sounds good but when Tambo was hired there was lot's of hope and promise then too. The Oilers will only be better if they are better. On that we will have to wait and see.

Yeah, this is huge. Might make some other russians think twice. How pissed must Lou be tho. He could of kept Clarkson if he knew this earlier.
- Oilfan19

I'm not so sure.....I think Clarkson was keen on T.O. all along.

Yeah, this is huge. Might make some other russians think twice. How pissed must Lou be tho. He could of kept Clarkson if he knew this earlier.
- Oilfan19

Ya the Russian factor just got turned up a bit IMO. Its just not worth the risk.

Sounds like Lou has know for a year.
- Lahey

I don't think Lou believed him tho, Im sure he would of kept Clarkson if he knew he would have the cap space. NJ tanking for a high 2nd rounder?

Eric Macramalla ‏@EricOnSportsLaw 11s
If for example #Kovalchuk had retired with 2 years left on his deal, cap recapture hit for Devils would have been $4 million and not $250K

I'm not so sure.....I think Clarkson was keen on T.O. all along.
- MadManPaddy

This may be true I guess.

I don't think Lou believed him tho, Im sure he would of kept Clarkson if he knew he would have the cap space. NJ tanking for a high 2nd rounder?
- Oilfan19

I don't know. Lou overall is pretty smart. He never wanted the Kovi deal from the start. I don't think he wanted to pay Clarkson the long-term money. It's almost as bad as the Kovi deal.

If you aren't cheatin, you aren't tryin!
- Pilgor09

Tell that to my ex wife.

I don't know. Lou overall is pretty smart. He never wanted the Kovi deal from the start. I don't think he wanted to pay Clarkson the long-term money. It's almost as bad as the Kovi deal.
- Lahey

Yeah, idk. This team is going to be in real trouble this year.

What does NJ gain by doing that? They still lose the 1st and they lose cap space although minor.

Terminating the deal just looks like something that could make them look like real idiots in 2 years.
- Lahey

what are the alternatives?

Ya the Russian factor just got turned up a bit IMO. Its just not worth the risk.
- The-O-G

Except yak, he's as North American as they get.

Now that Kovy has retired (IMO ridiculous), does MacT approach them and dangle Hemmer? If I was him, I'd be targeting Steve Bernier... Now that seems like a huge overpayment, admittedly, but I'm thinking organizational need. 3rd line checking winger who has put up decent point numbers in the past, would be a French speaking companion to Perron (Bernier is from Quebec City I believe), and would at the very least offer an alternative to Ben Eager. Maybe if EDM goes hemsky and a 5/6th to NJ for Bernier and a 2/3rd? Just an idea on how to fill the roster holes.

Throw in Gagner and go for broke with Zajac!

Except yak, he's as North American as they get.
- HouseArrest187

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight........personally I don't trust any of them any more.

what are the alternatives?
- hugefemale dog77

Suspend him without pay, if that isn't an option whatever they do don't terminate the deal.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight........personally I don't trust any of them any more.
- The-O-G

datysuk.

just signed a contract at 35 on a team that's probably regressing abit. (people been saying that for awhile though..)

Suspend him without pay, if that isn't an option whatever they do don't terminate the deal.
- Lahey

so that he cant play elsewhere?
is this what you're getting at?

I read that link to lawtons tweet u posted and he seems to think it was a given. (the termination)

I don't think 3rd line needs to be a shut down line. The first line played toughest comp this year and succeeded. Also, Gordon and Hemsky have played and are capable of playing toughs anyways. Jones belongs the farthest thing from a shut down line.

Gilbert's an upgrade on the bottom pairing. He's a #4 D man IMO. Was more when he played for EDM. I'll take Gilbert over Potter, N Schultz, Ference.
- TheNugeIsHuge

I like gilbert, but lets not get crazy.

oh boy

- Morris

I still have a feeling the Oilers are going to go after Bogosian.

Let me rephase this in Cloutier terms:

" I've had many annonymous tips left in my facebook messages. The Oilers are actively pursuing Zack Bogosian from the Jets." The Oilers have about 16 untouchables on this team that WILL NOT BE TRADED NO MATTER WHAT.
- Pilgor09