Allen on his Way to San Jose

[RT14]

The Sharks and Oilers have hooked up for a deal which sees strong defensive defenseman Bryan Allen now in teal. After realizing some depth was needed on D, GM RT decided he might as well add something to the top of the chart and let the depth trickle down so when coming to the conclusion that a stud defender was needed, Allen's name was near the top of the list of guys that were attainable at a relatively good price.

To SJ
Bryan Allen D, 26y 77ov 76DF
Tony Amonte RW, 36y 71ov
2nd round pick (Edm)

To Edm:
Alex Kotalik RW, 28y 75ov
Andy Hilbert RW, 26y 71ov
3rd round pick (Cgy)

Mr. Amonte was basically thrown in to ensure we don't lose too much depth at forward for the time being and the pick exchange helps make up for the loss of youth in the deal overall. Our defense, while lacking a true #1, is quite solid throughout the pairings and is well rounded with defensive and offensive Dmen. Team now looks like this:

Parise 77ov - Erat 77ov - Tucker 77ov
Horcoff 76ov - Koivu 75ov - Vrbata 74ov
Afanasenkov 72ov - McAmmond 73ov - Mayers 73ov
Sutherby 70ov - Svitov 70ov - Amonte 71ov

Allen 77ov - Klesla 76ov
Suter 75ov - Sarich 74ov
Greene 73ov - Campoli 72ov
Mezei 71ov

Budaj 77ov
Toivonen 73ov

Obviously we're in need of some top tier talent but we're going to be patient with this team as we think we've built up some great young talent that should get nice raises next year. Parise, Koivu, Suter, Sarich, Klesla, Erat, Vrbata are all at great ages for taking that next step into stardom as well as having blue chip prospects like Cogliano who's one of the Oilers few bright spots in his first season as well as Voracek, Couture, Ramo among others.

We'd like to thank the Oilers new GM for the relatively easy and well thought out negotiations. We look forward to dealing with him in the future!

[Flickered Flame]

Another fairly even deal. Great job turning around the Sharks.

[icarus]

From the Oilers' perspective this deal is all about plugging holes on LW, which was made all the more urgent by yesterday's injury to Eric Perrin. Both Kotalik and Hilbert will be moved from RW to their natural LW positions. Henrik Zetterberg will be moved from LW to C so that his playmaking abilities can be fully taken advantage of.

The loss of Allen does create a hole in the Oilers' D, which is still awaiting the return of Roman Hamrlik from injury, and in the meantime Anton Babchuk has been recalled from the AHL.

The Oilers continue to seek another LW and D, as well as injury depth and draft picks.