Oil bust recession hits Edmonton, Oilers cut costs

[Sylvanfan]

With the economy of Alberta ruined forever the Edmonton Oilers have been forced into cutting costs in order to continue operating.

Todays cost cutting victim is defenceman Willy Mitchell the veteran stay at home defencmen. Earning a salary of 6 million and in line for as much as 7 million next year on a 3 year one way deal. With both Mitchel and Bieksa inline for salary's at this level it was not going to be possible for the Oilers to keep both of these players. So the call was made to move out the older player and transfer the salary space to the Avalanche who are not experiencing an Oil bust which has left all the local people without jobs. The move does go against a core phillosophy I have about not trading better rated defenceman, but when money and age factor in I figured I better bite the bullet.

Coming back to Edmonton is Patrick O'Sullivan, Shane Hnidy, and a 2011 2nd round pick. With O'Sullivan we do get a young forward who is pretty good defensively and did put up 53 points in the NHL 2 seasons ago. Unfortunately he's now with the NHL Oilers, but hopefully that will change, or Pat Quinn will let him play with Hemsky. Hnidy is a decent servicable defenceman who'll be usefull for this season, and getting back draft picks for future years will help us address our depleted prospect base.

We thank the Avalanche for the deal, and hope it's not the move that forces us into 9th place.

[Swayze11]

This deal was made because I needed help on D really bad, when you can add a 67OVR D-man to your team you do it. I really like O'Sullivan but had to ship him out because the UFA pool for d-men was very thin. Hnidy was going to be a rental for me anyways.

I want to thank Chad for the VERY easy talks, it only took 1 offer for this deal to get done.

The deal breaksdown like this:

To Colorado:
Willie Mitchell
3.1 million (conditional 600k pending UFA signings)
To Edmonton:
Patrick O'Sullivan
Shane Hnidy
2011 2nd (col)

[Da_Chief]

CPHL Oilers have a thing for NHL Oilers. This is not gonna end well for you Syl.

[simmer2]

This move makes sense for both clubs. The Avs desperately needed some defensive help and Mitchell immediately becomes their #1 d-man. O'Sullivan is a guy who has potential but has shown he could become a flop too, so the value of him and Mitchell is about even.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

CPHL Oilers have a thing for NHL Oilers. This is not gonna end well for you Syl.

Mark my words, O'Sullivan will break out with 30 goals, 70 points, and Hemsky will finally get over the 90 point mark this coming year. Oilers in the top half of the Western Conference of the NHL....Book it!

[Da_Chief]

oh boy....

[simmer2]

Eric Francis: "With the Oilers claiming they are in a recession and cutting costs, why would you go and offer the highest price tag to all the free agents only for them to all snuff you? And why am I such a ######bag?"

[Prototype]

Any interest in Schremp?

[flambers]

Originally Posted by Prototype

Any interest in Schremp?

Who?

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by flambers

Who?

Isn't he the future hall of famer?

[Sylvanfan]

To address Eric Francis

1.)We can make all the offers we like and so long as no one accepts them, it costs us nothing. Talk is cheap, we are cheap. So put two and two together.....we like to talk.

2.) Something to do with a night of incredibly regretful indiscretions by your mother. Apparently booze and qualudes in the 1970's had this affect on women.