A "lowe one" for Cogliano

One for the Ladies

The Oilers, not known for great contracts, "Lowe" balled Andrew Cogliano and came out on top with a 1 year, 1 million dollar deal.
This is below what I was predicting, considering Brule received 1.85 million with only 1 full year under his belt. It was expected that Cogliano would receive a similar number to Brule's, maybe a bit less, certainly not 0.85 million less. A 1 year contract is no surprise as Kevin Lowe  publicly stated that it would be best for both parties to agree on a 1 year term. Fair or not, the Oilers certainly won this deal and it will only help motivate the young Cogliano to prove he is deserving of a far better contract the next go around.

This season you can expect a different aspect to Cogliano's game. He is going to be relied upon to play 3rd line centre and to become a reliable defensive player. He now seems to understand what he needs to contribute to a team that has too many smallish skilled forwards, "It's been a process over a few years, but I've now figured out what kind of player I want to be -- that's a two-way hockey player, strong two-ways, could score, could do offensive things, and then also play hard in the defensive side of the puck, and I think that's what we're really going to need. Guys like Horc (are) going to need help in those situations, and I want to be a player who can do all of them."

"I want to be someone (known to) play hard, play gritty, can hit, could score and play both ends of the rink."

"This summer, I've done my physical training but, more so, I've worked on my mental training. I've tried to figure out who and what I want to be. I want to be a guy like Horc (Shawn Horcoff). He plays hard offensively and defensively. He can score and make plays. In college and junior, I was relied on for just offence, but in the NHL my game's been exposed because I wasn't playing hard defensively.
"I've worked on faceoffs (43-per-cent success rate last year) tremendously this summer, working on timing. I got video and studied good players in the league and looked at their technique. Until I did that, I was only studying my own technique and it was completely awful. If I win more faceoffs, I'll get more ice time.

"This was the earliest I've ever started skating this summer, too. I was on the ice in May. Usually, it's early August. My whole outlook has changed. I've always been inclined to go on offence, go to the net, shoot. But I'm focused on the defence now. Mentally, I'm in a way better place than I've ever been in."

If Cogliano can live up to his words he may prove he isn't a player the Oilers have to many of.  It would be nice to see this kid put the trade rumours to rest and be a bargain player for the Oilers.

PS: I will be taking my new Mitsubishi Outlander XLS on it's first trip tomorrow morning. Penticton, Hall, Eberle, Paajarvi and the rest of the Oilers prospects here I come. Stay glued to Etownhockey, as updates will be following during the tournament. Anything you want me to analyze, players to keep an eye on...leave a comment and I will be sure to do so.