[News] Smid done for the season. UPD: Douglas Murray's tryout expires.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Conroy on 960:

tried to get depth on D at the deadline, but time ran out... tried to get some guys to waive NTC
prices were too high on some guys too
Brad decided to think outside the box to add to D depth

if Wotherspoon or Cundari get called up they would have no problem with it, but would hate it if they just sat around and not played

want to see Wotherspoon play with more urgency, has gotten better as the season went along
just hasn't gotten the opportunity to play in the NHL this season

I wonder who the jackpot was who wouldn't waive the no trade?

[AC]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

I wonder who the jackpot was who wouldn't waive the no trade?

My money is on Michalek given Treliving's connection and the fact that he was traded to St Louis at the end of the day.

[browna]

In regards to Smid, as with all things Oilers, you have to wonder about the care and advice that the Oilers gave him back when. Ask Sheldon Souray about the medical (mis) diagnosis he got which made the issue worse with his hand (and then the lack of communication with the team, who then thought he was milking it), or the two trades the Oilers tried to dump players that the Oilers didn't deem as injured, until they took the Kings' physical.

Here's an article from when Smid had neck surgery last time, 5 years ago to the month:

http://www.faceoff.com/story.html?id...c-156b007ba727

Mentions in there he took a big hit back when he was 16....but it got to the point with the Oilers where he lost feeling in his hands, was dropping his stick of all things, then took another hit from Raymond, which lead him to losing half his strength...sounds like that went un-diagnosed far too long for a player to not have enough feeling or strength to hold a stick on multiple occasions...no one else noticed that with the Oilers organization that they guy was dropping his stick randomly?

(Add an obligatory "I can't believe they let this guy go" line, and its a typical Oilers article)

Scary stuff, and being a new dad etc, that makes it that much more dicey, now with 2 neck surgeries in a contact sport like hockey, has to make a guy think...

Hope he returns; a pretty tough guy in general and acquitted himself well here, however unsung or unspectacular.

Edit: Here's another article, and, dun dun dun, it gets better:

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/myo.../13141206.html

"My neck was always an issue, but it wasn't that big of an issue," he said. "But this year I was pretty sure that something was seriously wrong in there.

"Two months ago they found a bulge but they said it's not that bad, I should be able to play."

He did, but a few big hits over the course of the season forced him to take a step back.

"The last two months were kind of tough. I tried to play through it, but when I came back from the Olympic break it wasn't getting any better. So I requested an MRI and the MRI showed the bulge got worse and I needed surgery."

-"My neck was always and issue...but this year I was pretty sure there was something wrong" (but, was allowed to play anyways? Why...oh...)

- "...they found a bulge but they said it's not bad, I should be able to play" (A ha, that's why he's allowed to play...a bulge in your neck is normal...crack Oilers doctors at work again!)

- "So I requested an MRI..." (What? How was the first bulge deteched? A simple running the fingers over the neck? The PLAYER has to finally request an MRI when things get too unbearable and he can't hold his stick, and that MRI shows that things are serious?)

Unbelievable. The Oilers let a top defenseman play, who had complained about neck issues, had a bulge, but told him to rub dirt on it as he'll be fine. He starts taking more shots to the head, can't feel his hands, or hold his stick, and then he is the one that decides he should ask for an MRI (Lowe took the cost out of his salary too, I bet), and it shows that he needs spinal fusion surgery. Truly a disgrace of a franchise up north who could've had this guy paralyzed.

As soon as I heard that he previously had surgery on the neck today, I figured the Oilers loused this up...sure enough, looks like they were playing roulette with Smid's neck, and Smid, the tough guy he is, didn't want to rock the boat. Disgraceful franchise.

[Tyler]

Find it really hard to believe that Murray will be in good enough shape to make this team, but good luck if he can

[AC]

Worst cast the Flames may just bring him onto the team to be another good locker room presence.

Treliving's additions haven't all been brilliant so far, but at the very least he focuses on players with playoff experience and good reputations as character guys.

[Phanuthier]

wow browna..... crazy find.... holy crap, the oilers should really be kicked out of the NHL.

how embarassing

[Locke]

Holy crap....they always find a new level.

[Street Pharmacist]

There's gotta be some liability there

[Sylvanfan]

Typical that a team owned by Katz would think some second rate generic drugs can fix a medical problem that requires actual care. Sam Bennett is lucky the Oilers passed on him. They would have told him to take a pill and it would be fine.

[bob-loblaw]

Oilers Team Doctor, Nick Riviera.

[Locke]

So we lose Smid because of some half-assed Oilers medical team? We should get some compensation for that.

[browna]

Originally Posted by Locke

So we lose Smid because of some half-assed Oilers medical team? We should get some compensation for that.

Who knows to what extent the damage was made worse by Smid playing an extra 2-3 months (or more; most players ignore bumps and bruises for a while) in 2010 with borderline intolerable neck pain, before the Oilers used an ounce of common sense....actually no, they didn't, Smid himself had to request the MRI, and Smid got the surgery.

But, the hit from Depres was pretty standard.

A combo of Smid trying to play through it for months, and the Oilers either unaware,, and when they became aware of a potential issue, not really caring to investigate further, telling the player "you're probably ok", for a starting defenseman's health.

Given Lowe and his antics, he probably played his part in guilting Smid into playing, regaling old man stories about how in his day, Lee Fogolin played with a charley horse for 6 months and Kevin McLelland played with a dislocated shoulder (and no brain) for his entire career.

Surprised the NHLPA wouldn't have been all over this at the time...as I said, sounds as if the Oilers were deliberately negligent when it came to a players health condition.

And Dr. Nick Riviera is giving the Oilers too much credit....to continue the Simpson's reference, it's more akin to the time Lisa (who drank the water at the amusement park) was given a bunch of pills.

"Thank you doctor"
"Oh, I'm not a doctor"

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by bob-loblaw

Oilers Team Doctor, Nick Riviera.

You've tried the best. Now try the rest!

I love the Simpsons.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by AC

Worst cast the Flames may just bring him onto the team to be another good locker room presence.

Treliving's additions haven't all been brilliant so far, but at the very least he focuses on players with playoff experience and good reputations as character guys.

Yes, but good character guys are required, and the biggest reason, imo, why this Flames teams is so much better than the sum of its parts (not specifically the additions, per se, but the entire character of this team).

[ben voyonsdonc]

Wow. Hope things go well for Laddy. Jeez...that is a scary article.

[SeeGeeWhy]

I'm glad you brought this up Browna, was the first thing I wondered when I heard Treliving's interview and noticed Smid's condition was being lost in all the Murray talk. Great finds, confirms what a disaster organization the Oilers are - no wonder no quality players want to go there. I'm also very glad the Flames are giving Smid another shot to get healthy, neck issues are obviously scary but if Crosby and a guy like Gary Roberts can come back from some pretty serious neck injuries I am hopeful Smid can extend his career with proper treatment and rehab.

Also bonus points for the "oh I'm not a doctor" comparison. hilariously accurate!

[IgiTang]

Really unfortunate about Smid. I really like the cut of his jib.

Has there been any update on Murray?

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by IgiTang

Really unfortunate about Smid. I really like the cut of his jib.

Has there been any update on Murray?

Still waiting on it. It's coming in extremely slow.

[sureLoss]

Insights from Murray as he is being bag skated daily by the Flames staff:

http://calgaryherald.com/sports/hock...gns-in-calgary

“From what I’ve seen around here, they’ve got a really good veteran presence,” said Murray. “From what I’ve seen, too, the young guys don’t act like young guys and they don’t play like young guys. You don’t see a lot of unnecessary turnovers (from them) — they play a simple game, which comes a lot with experience at this time of year. Because usually it’s mistakes that cost you.

“Hopefully, I can contribute if I get the chance, but I think this team is playing pretty mature for its age.”

per the article Murray and Hartley is still waiting on a decision from management as to whether he gets a contract

[N-E-B]

Totally forgot about Murray