Ryan Smyth was my favorite Oiler. He was the heart and soul of the team, and the incredible leader that had the capability of scoring a goal when you needed it the most, and sparking your team in other ways as well. He was the very definition of an Oiler, and he will be missed by me and other Oiler fanatics.
Now, let's be clear on something. While I am disappointed to see Smytty leave, it was in the best interest of this franchise. Many people need to remove their Ryan Smyth sunglasses and realize that this team was not making the playoffs this season with Smyth in the lineup. With a deal not yet reached, there was no choice for Kevin Lowe but to deal him rather than to risk losing him in the free agent market. Various reports have come out regarding the logistics of the deal in terms of dollar amounts, but that's beside the point. Ultimately, the deal was not reached because of a difference of several hundred thousand dollars. With Ryan Smyth and his agent Don Meehan set on their stance, Lowe was forced to increase his proposal over time. When it comes down to it, the amount was far too great for the Oilers to offer.
Over this past week I've heard several comments regarding this deal which downright piss me off. Things that included people who know relatively nothing about the business side of the NHL. Everyone is entitled to their opinion for sure, but when you don't understand the business side of hockey, you let your heart decide your opinion. Oiler fans need to use their brains, not their hearts. For example, what if the Oilers had signed Ryan Smyth to a five-year contract worth approximately $5.8 million per season? Well, I'll describe it in one word: Mediocre. The status quo, the same old, same old. That's exactly what the Oilers have been for a decade, and would continue to be if the Oilers had signed a very good (not elite) player to a ridiculous sum of money. With that signing you leave yourself no room for player acquisitions - especially when the Edmonton Investors Group sets its budget too low, which they can easily afford to raise in order to compete with the NHL's salary cap. Which, by the way, I suggest they do so issues like this can be avoided in the future.
Anyway, as I was saying...
If you're an Oiler fan and you want the Oilers to be able to compete with the NHL's best year after year, and have no issues making the playoffs and contending on a regular basis, think how the Oilers would be able to accomplish this with the current lineup. Sure, they have a great young defense core that has potential, but over the course of their 2-4 year development as NHL veterans, the need for a supreme puck moving defenseman is immense. With such drastic amounts of cash tied up in Ryan Smyth, where does the money come from to make such an acquisition? Trust me on this Oiler fans, money doesn't grow on trees, just ask the EIG - especially now in the cap era.
What does this deal do? We acquired two great young prospects in Robert Nilsson and Ryan O'Marra, whom I believe will fit in with the Oilers' system beautifully. While O'Marra is still in the Ontario Hockey League, Nilsson has seemingly developed instant chemistry with Oiler prospect, Rob Schremp. In two games with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, Nilsson has recorded 5 points, while also igniting the struggling offensive production of Schremp.
Nilsson, O'Marra, a first round pick - there you have it, three first round picks to build for the future. Best of all, we don't have to pay Ryan Smyth anything come next season. Couple that with some other roster moves, the Oilers will have a great amount of assets and cash to deal with acquisitions; may these be through trades, or the UFA market which I expect the Oilers to play a prominent role in. I would suspect that the Oilers will use one of their available first round picks to make a trade at the draft, while using their other two first rounders to draft players. Heck, if the Oilers continue to slide this season, perhaps we'll snag Esposito, Alzner, or Turris!
So if you want to financially cripple the team long term and continue to watch mediocre hockey, in which they struggle to make the playoffs year after year, then sign Ryan Smyth to that ludicrous contract. Go ahead. Tie up insane amounts of cash for a very good player (again, not elite) only to continue to struggle on the ice.
The fact is simple. This deal was made for the betterment of the franchise. It may hurt now, seeing our franchise player leave, but wait until this deal plays dividends. For those that disagree, we'll talk next year when the Oilers are battling it out for the division title.
This deal was done to make us better next season and seasons beyond. Period.
Now, let's be clear on something. While I am disappointed to see Smytty leave, it was in the best interest of this franchise. Many people need to remove their Ryan Smyth sunglasses and realize that this team was not making the playoffs this season with Smyth in the lineup. With a deal not yet reached, there was no choice for Kevin Lowe but to deal him rather than to risk losing him in the free agent market. Various reports have come out regarding the logistics of the deal in terms of dollar amounts, but that's beside the point. Ultimately, the deal was not reached because of a difference of several hundred thousand dollars. With Ryan Smyth and his agent Don Meehan set on their stance, Lowe was forced to increase his proposal over time. When it comes down to it, the amount was far too great for the Oilers to offer.
Over this past week I've heard several comments regarding this deal which downright piss me off. Things that included people who know relatively nothing about the business side of the NHL. Everyone is entitled to their opinion for sure, but when you don't understand the business side of hockey, you let your heart decide your opinion. Oiler fans need to use their brains, not their hearts. For example, what if the Oilers had signed Ryan Smyth to a five-year contract worth approximately $5.8 million per season? Well, I'll describe it in one word: Mediocre. The status quo, the same old, same old. That's exactly what the Oilers have been for a decade, and would continue to be if the Oilers had signed a very good (not elite) player to a ridiculous sum of money. With that signing you leave yourself no room for player acquisitions - especially when the Edmonton Investors Group sets its budget too low, which they can easily afford to raise in order to compete with the NHL's salary cap. Which, by the way, I suggest they do so issues like this can be avoided in the future.
Anyway, as I was saying...
If you're an Oiler fan and you want the Oilers to be able to compete with the NHL's best year after year, and have no issues making the playoffs and contending on a regular basis, think how the Oilers would be able to accomplish this with the current lineup. Sure, they have a great young defense core that has potential, but over the course of their 2-4 year development as NHL veterans, the need for a supreme puck moving defenseman is immense. With such drastic amounts of cash tied up in Ryan Smyth, where does the money come from to make such an acquisition? Trust me on this Oiler fans, money doesn't grow on trees, just ask the EIG - especially now in the cap era.
What does this deal do? We acquired two great young prospects in Robert Nilsson and Ryan O'Marra, whom I believe will fit in with the Oilers' system beautifully. While O'Marra is still in the Ontario Hockey League, Nilsson has seemingly developed instant chemistry with Oiler prospect, Rob Schremp. In two games with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins, Nilsson has recorded 5 points, while also igniting the struggling offensive production of Schremp.
Nilsson, O'Marra, a first round pick - there you have it, three first round picks to build for the future. Best of all, we don't have to pay Ryan Smyth anything come next season. Couple that with some other roster moves, the Oilers will have a great amount of assets and cash to deal with acquisitions; may these be through trades, or the UFA market which I expect the Oilers to play a prominent role in. I would suspect that the Oilers will use one of their available first round picks to make a trade at the draft, while using their other two first rounders to draft players. Heck, if the Oilers continue to slide this season, perhaps we'll snag Esposito, Alzner, or Turris!
So if you want to financially cripple the team long term and continue to watch mediocre hockey, in which they struggle to make the playoffs year after year, then sign Ryan Smyth to that ludicrous contract. Go ahead. Tie up insane amounts of cash for a very good player (again, not elite) only to continue to struggle on the ice.
The fact is simple. This deal was made for the betterment of the franchise. It may hurt now, seeing our franchise player leave, but wait until this deal plays dividends. For those that disagree, we'll talk next year when the Oilers are battling it out for the division title.
This deal was done to make us better next season and seasons beyond. Period.
2 comments:
Awesome article Ryan, I couldn't agree with you more!
I applauded this move and as you know I was a advocate of this move being made as I do not:
1.) See Smyth as a 5.5 million dollar player for 5 years
2.) Hated the thought of paying Smyth over 4.5 million in year 3, more that 4 million in year 4 and more than 3.5 million in year 5
A move that had to be made and in the end I must thank Meehan for saying no to Lowe's proposal.
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