Displaying an astounding ability to turn something simple into something complicated, the Kings and Edmonton Oilers have still yet to finalize this Ryan Smyth trade. This recent blog post from TSN’s Darren Dreger sums it all up nicely. The teams agreed on the trade but apparently are now bickering about Gilbert Brule’s health. By all indications, the Kings don’t intend to keep Brule. The most-likely scenario is a buyout — as noted in an earlier post — but that can’t happen if Brule is considered injured (he had concussion issues last season).
Oilers GM Steve Tambellini was asked about the trade in today’s post-draft media scrum in Minnesota, but didn’t offer much, telling reporters, “I just don’t have anything, I’m afraid. It’s still out there. … I wish I could give you something new right now, but i honestly don’t have anything.” Asked specifically about Brule’s health being an issue, Tambellini said, “I’m not discussing it like that. He’s been cleared to play for a long time.”
So (once again), we wait. I’m hoping to have another update fairly soon.
Either he is cleared to play and will be bought out, or he isn’t… and the Kings don’t want him either way. This was an opportunity for the Oilers to move a contract they didn’t want out of their organization. At this point, there is no way Smyth should be on the Kings next year. It will be a distraction for everyone in the locker room, knowing he didn’t want to be here. Just get the trade completed for anything, we can use his cap space elsewhere.
[Reply]
brymaster1 Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@markisonfire, the reason he wanted to leave was because of family issues, he said himself it had nothing to do with hockey.
[Reply]
markisonfire Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@brymaster1, I have no problem with his reasons for leaving. He did a lot for this team and I thank him for that, he is a class act. The fact remains, he WANTS to leave. For that reason alone, the Kings should trade him and use his cap space elsewhere.
[Reply]
oilersfan Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 7:50 pm
@markisonfire, what’s wrong with making this deal? It’s a win-win situation because you guys get a lot of cap room and can sign another 20 goal scorer for much less money and you can buy out Brule and will have a draft pick. On the Oilers part, we get Ryan Smyth obviously and we get rid of brule who we don’t want and we get Ryan smyth once the heart&soul of the oilers and his 5mil contract won’t bug us because the oilers have so many of our top players with just entry level contracts that we have tons of cap room. If you were to sum it all up its basically you guys get a 4th rounder for free and at least 1mil of cap room cause I don’t think they’ll be many 20 goal FA’s that will be looking for more than 4 mil. and everyone thinks it’s because of family issues, it’s not, if you were an oilers fan you would understand why he would want to come back here not that he hates the kings or anything. He’s just following what many great oilers did, they started here and then they want to end here.
markisonfire Reply:
June 26th, 2011 at 11:22 am
@oilersfan, I’m not sure what you’re getting at. I said that having Smyth back on the Kings, after openly requesting a trade, would be a distraction. As such, the Kings would be much smarter trading Smyth for anything and using the cap to sign a free agent.
i know this might be dumb to ask but what do they mean buy out? if so that means he doesnt play for the Kings either way if they Buy him out??? cause i have no idea what they mean of buy out??
[Reply]
The Kings need to stop dealing with Edmonton. Steve Tambellini is trying to pull a fast one on Lombardi.
[Reply]
AZ King Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
@Gary,
Smyth only wants to go to Alberta. I assume the Flames are no longer interested after resigning Tanguay. So there’s no one else to deal with.
[Reply]
KH Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@AZ King, It was reported that the flames are trying to make room and our very serious web after the signing of Tanguay
https://twitter.com/#!/The4thPeriodDB/
[Reply]
Gary Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@AZ King, I realize that. My point was Smyth could shut his mouth and play here next year. Then he can go wherever he would like next off-season.
[Reply]
Sad to see him go he did very well as a king and i can see how we wants to do back to where he started. And thanks for keeping up with it and keeping us in the loop.
[Reply]
#1faninvegas Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:19 pm
@Jordan,
I agree, I am sad to see him go, but I look at it as it all makes sense. One huge example of who came home to retire… LUC ROBITAILLE!
[Reply]
If the deal with the Oilers falls by the wayside, do not diminish Smyth. He is the consummate pro who gives it his all in every game and has been an asset to the Kings. Who will take over his “office” in front of the net?
[Reply]
Kingsrule Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
@poe, I agree, this guy is a monster in front of the net he has balls of steel and takes a beating but he gets the job done.
[Reply]
#1faninvegas Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@poe,
I hear ya, but I do agree with some of the others that Smyth may now be a distraction in the locker room.
[Reply]
Scott Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
@poe,
I think Kopi should step into the office a bit more
[Reply]
why cant edmonton just move someone who isnt injured? its pretty clear the kings are just going to buy out who ever is sent over.. they should be welcoming smyth with open arms! that kind of verteran presence in the locker room would have a big impact on that young team, he can fill penners spot and it will probably be short term anyway. no reason it should be taking this long
[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 2:06 pm
@jonjon, if the intention is to just buy the player out, whats the point of including a player in the first place? why not just picks? I dont understand the logic. can anyone explain?
[Reply]
I still dont understand why Brule is in the trade if the Kings dont want him Trade Smyth for someone you want, or dont trade him. If Smyth insists on leaving buy him out.
[Reply]
David V Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:08 pm
@PaulHB, Because Oilers have an upper hand in this trade. Smyth want to go to Oilers and DL hands are tide up now.
[Reply]
DBking Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
@PaulHB, Because what the kings want is to free up cap space. And they’ll trade RS for a couple hockey stocks of they could.
[Reply]
DBking Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:12 pm
@DBking, sticks*
[Reply]
JWR Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
@PaulHB,
I would expect that the Oilers need to clear a contract which is why Brule was added. I would not be surprised if the real holdup is being caused by Brule’s agent claiming he is “damaged goods” so he can not be bought out at reduced $$$$. The Ranger’s & Drury are going thru that and I do not see DL aggreeing to get stuck that way.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@JWR, Exactly my take. This is Brule’s agent claiming the health issue no doubt to try and get Brule as much $ as possible.
[Reply]
No offense, I love Ryan Smyth, but this thing is becoming as ridiculous as Ilya Kovalchuk. I understand why Smyth wants to go home, but just get it done. I would ask for everything in draft picks, leave it simple. Or if you want to get a little more complex, trade Smyth and a draft pick to EDM, EDM than trades whatever to NJD, and in return NJD send Zach Parise to Kings.
[Reply]
Jordan Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@#1faninvegas, Amen to that!!!
[Reply]
fourtunato Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
@#1faninvegas, Someone get lou on the phone. This sounds like it can work!
[Reply]
#1faninvegas Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
@fourtunato,
Good way to save arbitration!
[Reply]
Smyth and Bernier and Hickey or Voynov for Jordan Eberle + 3rd + 4th 2012 picks………….?
wouldnt that be tastey…..
I’ll put down what i am smoking.
[Reply]
Jordan Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
@BobMillersHair, Lol
[Reply]
DBking Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@BobMillersHair, Please do
[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 2:09 pm
@BobMillersHair, why? puff, puff, then give…
[Reply]
Stop the trade for for for someone you want. Smyth is a class act, but has put Dean in a bad spot and both Edm and Calgary know it. I knew we overpaid Smyth 2 years ago to get him, but come on if your family want to go home vs $6M for one more year, what would you do? I do not like how Smitty handled this at all. I know getting rid of him would free up lots of cap room too. Trade Smitty for a couple 2nd round draft picks and call it a deal
[Reply]
#1faninvegas Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:26 pm
@Timbo from Canada,
I think he handled it the best way he could. And we waited patiently for them to get it done, now I think we just shoot out our ideas, that may or may not be listened too from the front office.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
@Timbo from Canada, It wasn’t Smyth who leaked this out, it was the Kings. Smyth even denied the rumor which was clearly a lie.
[Reply]
#1faninvegas Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
@KC23,
I dont think it was the Kings. I think it was EDM officials to make the fans more cheery!
[Reply]
Poor Smyty is goin to be crying again when the Kings lift the cup next year…/
[Reply]
#1faninvegas Reply:
June 25th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@iansez,
AMEN… thanks to some big positives with the acquistions of Mike Richards!
[Reply]
I think at this point DL wants just a late round pick just to move on, it’s Tambelini who insists on giving us back someone who he has problem with.
[Reply]
My biggest concern with all of this is that DL’s focus is turned away from the biggest issue: signing Doughty before he hits the market. I don’t want him on the phone to Edmonton trying to accommodate someone that doesn’t want to be here when he could be locking down our future. Keep your eye on the ball DL!
[Reply]
What about Smyth+Martinez+Hickey/Muzzin/Voynov/… for Paajarvi+2nd round pick in 2012?
[Reply]
I will be sad to see Smyth leaving as he his my favorite player. He was great for the team, but I respect him wanting to go back to Edmonton.
[Reply]
Sopunds like Tambellini really didn’t want to give the Kings anything for Smyth. He’s at least worth a third round pick because the Oilers will get some mileage out of him next season and beyond. Does Tambellini actually believe the Kings flecced the Oilers when they traded undermotivated/overweight Penner to the Kings!C’mon lets get this done and move on!!!
[Reply]
What I don’t understand is why didn’t Dean say no deal yesterday if he knew that Brule had injury problems?. He had all day yesterday to reject it, or at least change the terms.
[Reply]