[News] Ryan Smyth will retire after this season. 2pm press conference

[devo22]

if I ever had respect for an Oiler, it's Smyth. Decent guy.

[Buzzard]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

Ryan Smyth was the only Oiler I kind of liked I don't understand the hate for him. You have to respect the style he played and his performance at World Championships. It wasn't his fault the Oilers drafted him and he didn't play his entire career there. Also, some of his best years as an Oiler were when the Flames sucked so it's not like he really scored a lot of big goals against us.

I really don't think anyone hates him. It's called a rivalry....with this city's biggest rival.

I think fans around here are knowledgeable enough to respect the fact that Smyth was a good player, and was pretty valuable to Canada in the day. Nobody can deny that, nevertheless he still was a greasy Oiler, and for whatever reason loved it enough to go back a second time when it was debatable that he coulda/shoulda just packed it in.

Hell, half the freakin' Oilers team played on '87 Team Canada...Flames fans cheered them (and for a few minutes, quietly liked them maybe ) on at that time obviously, but when it was business as usual, the rivalry ("hate) was back to normal.

Some of you are confusing hate with rivalry....and in your eyes, I still "hate" Smyth, Fuhr, Messier, Gretzky Anderson, etc.

[KelVarnsen]

[Burke Salad]

Classy guy, I wish him nothing but the best.

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Hugh Jahrmes

Nobody could score goals off the ass/leg/torso/face quite like him

Less oiler stank than others and can't fault him for being a passionate team orientated guy who actually gave a f###

He was? Maybe in his first few years with the oilers, but he certainly didn't provide anything remotely close to veteran leadership during his last run.

Kids took over the team and he was a passenger.

[Enoch Root]

A good pro - solid career and always answered the bell for TC. Nothing but respect.

And when he retires, Edmonton will be even more no good.

[bubbsy]

Always thought he was a solid, heart & soul guy, but pretty overrated. His career has been a bit of a joke after he left for a measly 100k (or whatever), which is actually an equally ridiculous testament to the oiler management as it is smyth.

He should have retired a few years ago, but i suppose wanted to be "part of something special" but turns out was just part of perhaps the worst team iced by a franchise over a 5 year period in the history of the league. Of course, that probably means the oilers make him Assistant GM.

[CaptainCrunch]

Classy enough guy, but his retirement came about 2 years too late.

He was a guy who's results really outstripped his skills, but he worked hard all over the ice and it must have killed him this year when the younger players packed it in and started coasting pretty much in March.

Hopefully his final address to the media will be a scathing swear filled tirade towards the younger players on the Oilers being heartless floaters.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Classy enough guy, but his retirement came about 2 years too late.

He was a guy who's results really outstripped his skills, but he worked hard all over the ice and it must have killed him this year when the younger players packed it in and started coasting pretty much in March.

Hopefully his final address to the media will be a scathing swear filled tirade towards the younger players on the Oilers being heartless floaters.

lol, that would be awesome.

[Locke]

Oh man, are we going to have to watch him cry again?

Way to go out on top...well, not the very bottom at least.

[sureLoss]

Oilers have announced a 2pm press conference

[Locke]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Oilers have announced a 2pm press conference

I know they're good at quitting early, but they are aware that theres still another game left in the season right?

Is 'Ryan Smyth Retirement' night just a desperate ploy to try and sell tickets to their pathetic excuse of a final game?

[Muta]

I'm sure we'll see this.....



"The Oilers are still real to me, damnit!"

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by getbak

Is he the last guy in the NHL still using a wooden stick?

No. He doesn't use a wood stick. He uses a shaft/wood blade combo stretching back to his first stint as an Oiler.

[Oil Stain]

I'm not sure why he's retiring.

He hasn't been the old Smytty for awhile but he's still better then half of the crap that has played in the Oilers bottom six this season.

[H2SO4(aq)]

overrated. guy played hockey like he had a goddam shovel in his hands. i find him fun to watch from a comical point of view but the guy was truly a terrible hockey player. I never really understood why everyone says he's such a classy guy. I've never really seen anything that set him apart from others. Perhaps im biased, but he is nowhere near the class at as a Linden or someone IMO.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Oilers have announced a 2pm press conference

Smyth new President of the Oilers.

#unqualified

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

overrated. guy played hockey like he had a goddam shovel in his hands. i find him fun to watch from a comical point of view but the guy was truly a terrible hockey player. I never really understood why everyone says he's such a classy guy. I've never really seen anything that set him apart from others. Perhaps im biased, but he is nowhere near the class at as a Linden or someone IMO.

Damn wish I could score 350 goals and 850 points in the NHL while holding a shovel in my hands.

[Nsd1]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

overrated. guy played hockey like he had a goddam shovel in his hands. i find him fun to watch from a comical point of view but the guy was truly a terrible hockey player. I never really understood why everyone says he's such a classy guy. I've never really seen anything that set him apart from others. Perhaps im biased, but he is nowhere near the class at as a Linden or someone IMO.

You don't have to respect the man, but you have to respect the mullet.

[Puppet Guy]

Originally Posted by troutman

Smyth new President of the Oilers.

#unqualified

my money'd be on next head coach.