Oiler snid bits

Steve Yzerman and the Tampa Bay Lightning continue to make news. It has been a long time since we've heard so much buzz coming from this organization. The lightning snagged two ex-Oilers in Marc-Antoine Pouliot and last years assistant coach Wayne Fleming. Pouliot will add depth to the forwards and Fleming brings 30 years of experience to the Bolts. Pouliot signed a 1 year, 2 way contract. Terms of salary hasn't been released, but I can't see it being much more or less than his 825,000 NHL salary that he was signed to last year.

The fact that the Oilers signed JF Jacques over Pouliot
still boggles my mind. Given how well Pouliot came on near the end of the season, I was expecting to see one last audition. I didn't see what JF Jacques offered the Oilers last year, he started the season making big hits - but it begins and ends at that. With Macintyre re-upping with the Oilers, is there really room for an oft-injured plugger who can make the odd hit?

In other news regarding ex-Oilers, Robert Nilsson has found work in the KHL with Salavat Yulaef . His father Kent Nilsson soon followed his son Robert out the door. He quit as the Oilers European scout and will look for work elsewhere. Given the timing of Kent's departure, it should come as no surprise that he didn't agree with the buyout of Robert.

In an article by Jim Matheson, there was mention that the Colorado Avalanche are "sniffing around" in regards to Andrew Cogliano's availability. As I have stated previously, it is quite possible that the Oilers would be dangling a player like Cogliano along side Sheldon Souray. It would be in their best interest to try and coax a team interested in Cogliano to also take on Souray - especially a team like the Avs who have the cap room to take on that type of contract. It's interesting to note that John-Michael Liles was in the rumour mill for much of last season. He carries a 4.2 million cap hit for the next 2 years. John-Michael Liles for Cogliano and Souray fits the bill.

I will be keeping an eye on the Cogliano and Avalanche talk and any other Oilers news that may develop. Come back soon.