By Dan Moser
On Thursday it was reported by Dan Tencer that, at some point last season, Edmonton Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini was offered Philadelphia Flyers power forward in exchange for currently upset Oilers defenceman Sheldon Souray.
So far this sounds like the yearly Oilers rumour of a player the team almost landed. For a change though, this time the player coming back has apparently agreed to waive his no trade clause. When its said and done it doesn't really make that much of a difference, but you have to admit that it is nice for once to hear the magical "has agreed to waive" words.
Taken at face value this looks like another D'oh moment for the Edmonton Oilers. To think Oiler fans, a line featuring Dustin Penner AND Scott Hartnell; the damage they could create, the goalies they would crash into.
Digging a little deeper though, this is a trade that would have sent Oil Country into a frenzy last summer. Given Souray's salary, it is fair to assume that this trade was negotiated before the Flyers landed Chris Pronger at the Entry Draft in 2009.
Souray was probably viewed by Flyers GM Paul Holmgren as a much cheaper trade option than Pronger, considering that Pronger cost them Joffery Lupul, Luca Sbisa, and 2 first round draft picks. The rumoured deal for Souray was a package of Gilbert Brule, Souray, and a 2nd (Anton Lander) for Hartnell and a mid-range prospect.
Still sounds like a great trade in the present, Souray is basically dead weight to Oiler fans right now and Hartnell, coming off a Stanley Cup final appearance, is a better player than Brule.
At that point in time though Souray had yet to publicly ask for a trade, he was coming off his best season as an Oiler. With 23 goals and 30 assists in 81 games, the defenceman had only a marginally less offensive year than the power forward Hartnell who had a 30 and 30 season and has been known for his Ethan Moreau moments.
So, would it be nice to have Scott Hartnell on the team today? No question the answer the yes. Would I have traded the teams number one defenceman, coming off a solid year, and a player with the draft pedigree of Brule for him? Absolutely not. And if you disagree, keep in mind hindsight is 20/20.
Even though I wouldn't have made that trade either, and you and the Philadelphia Flyers are in full denial mode, I'd like to say thank you Scott Hartnell for not being afraid to play for the Edmonton Oilers.
On Thursday it was reported by Dan Tencer that, at some point last season, Edmonton Oilers General Manager Steve Tambellini was offered Philadelphia Flyers power forward in exchange for currently upset Oilers defenceman Sheldon Souray.
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| Souray making his 5 year "commitment" to the Oilers |
Tambellini reportedly nixed the trade.
Taken at face value this looks like another D'oh moment for the Edmonton Oilers. To think Oiler fans, a line featuring Dustin Penner AND Scott Hartnell; the damage they could create, the goalies they would crash into.
 |
| Scott Hartnell doing his best Ogie Oglethorpe impression |
Souray was probably viewed by Flyers GM Paul Holmgren as a much cheaper trade option than Pronger, considering that Pronger cost them Joffery Lupul, Luca Sbisa, and 2 first round draft picks. The rumoured deal for Souray was a package of Gilbert Brule, Souray, and a 2nd (Anton Lander) for Hartnell and a mid-range prospect.
Still sounds like a great trade in the present, Souray is basically dead weight to Oiler fans right now and Hartnell, coming off a Stanley Cup final appearance, is a better player than Brule.
At that point in time though Souray had yet to publicly ask for a trade, he was coming off his best season as an Oiler. With 23 goals and 30 assists in 81 games, the defenceman had only a marginally less offensive year than the power forward Hartnell who had a 30 and 30 season and has been known for his Ethan Moreau moments.
So, would it be nice to have Scott Hartnell on the team today? No question the answer the yes. Would I have traded the teams number one defenceman, coming off a solid year, and a player with the draft pedigree of Brule for him? Absolutely not. And if you disagree, keep in mind hindsight is 20/20.
Even though I wouldn't have made that trade either, and you and the Philadelphia Flyers are in full denial mode, I'd like to say thank you Scott Hartnell for not being afraid to play for the Edmonton Oilers.
