Comrie Signs for peanuts, Penner playing centre?

Comrie wanted to be an Oiler, he made that clear; but the Oilers didn't need him. The Penguins snagged Comrie for $500,000 and Comrie will be contending for a Stanley Cup in 2011. A terrific depth pick up by the Pens at a very low hit. We all saw what Comrie can do on a deeper team come playoff time when he was with the Senators. He was a gritty back checking machine who played like a savvy vet.


This path Comrie has set himself on looks very similar to the Manny Malhotra signing of last year. Malhotra signed with the Sharks for 1 year at $700,000, hoping to A) win a cup and B) market himself to other teams. This led to Malhotra signing with the Canucks for 3 years at 2.5 million per season.

Obviously Comrie was hoping to have proved himself last season, but a severe case of mono and other ailments kept him off the ice for a large chunk of the season. By the time he came back and was cleared to play, the Oilers were stinking up the league and Pat Quinn decided to use the remaining season to judge the younger players. Comrie didn't get quality ice time, but he did manage to net 13 goals and 8 assists in 43 games.

Was there room on the Oilers roster this season? Not really, given the names who can play centre: Horcoff, Gagner, Brule, Cogliano, Fraser and Tom Renney also suggested Penner may start the season at centre. Why put Penner at centre? The Oilers are loaded on the left wing and there may be urgency to find a more advanced player to centre the top line. This could also allow Cogliano to play the wing. Of course, Renney may be plotting this idea based on the performance of Horcoff last season and the thought that Gagner isn't ready for prime time. However, I believe that Horcoff will have a rebound year, and a newly slimmer Gagner will have his breakout season. So I don't think Penner playing centre is a necessary option; but I'm sure it will all sort itself out during training camp.