Thursday's Snow Bunny

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As per great request, Elishia is back...

Hanging out with miss liberty

I will be gone this week - I'm heading to NYC tomorrow! You won't be hearing from me, because I'm cheap and roaming charges are a crock (stupid crooked phone companies).

I will be checking out the hot spots, central park, statue of liberty, time's square, broadway, wall street, and someone mentioned yesterday that I was on crack; I hear Harlem is a good place for that...oh and I'm definitely hitting up Tom's Restaurant (the cafe that was in Seinfeld).

Before I go, I will leave one last post - because we can't miss this weeks Snow Bunny now can we? So come back tomorrow.

Brule signed for 2 years

Having just analyzed Gilbert Brule's situation, it comes to no surprise that the Oilers have signed him to a pretty decent, but reasonable, raise.

The Oilers avoid salary arbitration and awarded Brule a 2 year deal worth $1.85 million per year. It's likely the two parties met in the middle with this one. With the recent Canucks signing of Mason Raymond to 5.1 million over two years; it would have lowered Brule's asking price and allowed the Oilers to fast track this signing.

The Oilers should trade Hemsky.

 In all reality, the Oilers are not contending this upcoming season - nor is it likely they will be favorites in two seasons from now either. Ales Hemsky has two years left on his contract and will earn 4.5 million this season and 5 million the following season; he has a cap hit of 4.1 million. (And we say he's underpaid?)

Logically, the Oilers would be best off trading Hemsky while he is still desirable for other teams. He is at the point in his career where he is well into his prime, he will be 27 this upcoming season, he has an affordable cap hit for two more years and the Oilers aren't going

Is Brule worth 2.5 million?

As we wait for Gilbert Brule's arbitration hearing it's easy to think that Brule is going in with all the ammunition he needs. Brule's last year salary of $800,000 is sure to jump up considerably. Do I agree with it? Not at all; but since the arbitration hearing will

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

Thursday's Snow Bunny

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NHL rejects Kovalchuck's contract

Just hours after introducing Ilya Kovalchuck to the press the NHL has rejected Kovalchuck's 17 year, 102 million dollar contract. The NHL ruled that it circumvents the salary cap.

It makes sense to reject such contracts, but at the same time something needs to be written in stone explaining what can and what can not be accepted. Another issue I have are previous contracts which were obviously circumventing the cap. Hossa, Zetterberg and Pronger come to mind.

 I agree with the rejection, but the NHL just keeps proving that they are incredibly inconsistent on their rulings. Be it suspensions or in this case a free agent signing. They need to have clarity and they need to stand by them at all times.

Kovalchuck will appeal, this will be his only opportunity to reach this kind of money.

(see previous post for Kovalchuck's contract details)

Kovalchuck signs (contract details listed) and Gagne traded

A couple of events happened today, a big trade and a huge signing regarding the two biggest fish on the market. Kovalchuck finally signed on the dotted lines making his return to the Devils. Kovalchuck's contract is detailed to be 6 million for the first 2 years, then 5 years at 11.5, 10.5, 8.5, 6.5, 3.5, and finally 750, 550, 550, 550, 550, 550 (source: Star Tribute). An average of 6 million. Next was Simon Gagne being shipped to the Tampa Bay lightning, in return the Flyers received Matt Walker and a 4th round pick for the 2011 draft.
                                                                                   
Let's take a closer look at the Kovalchuck signing. Here we have a

Oilers week in a nutshell

This week proved to be a busy one for the Oilers as they made some minor tweaking within the organization. There was nothing too exciting for fans, but rather some added depth and the rounding off of the coaching staff. This leads us to believe the frame work of the Oilers is now established.

First off, welcome back Steve Smith to the Edmonton Oilers. He was brought on board as part of the coaching staff and will look after the defense. Steve played a lengthy NHL career and won 3 Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers. I know every apathetic fan is already calling out the old boys club is back in full force again, with Kelly Buchberger staying on board as well. However, I like the signing of Smith. He was a tough son-of-a-bitch back in his playing days and should bring that concept to the back end of a team that greatly needs it. Recently he was part of the Chicago Blackhawks championship as a pro scout and did spend the 1997season

WWW.ETOWNHOCKEY.COM

We're making some changes. No longer do you need to remember the ridiculously long www.etownhockey.blogspot.com; we are now simply known as www.etownhockey.com.

If you still use the blogspot url, no worries -- you will be forwarded to the new domain but be sure to bookmark the new url.

Thanks.

(PS: Unfortunately all of our comments have been lost since we brought the site over to the new domain. Nothing is stopping you from adding new comments though...)

This weeks Snow Bunny

 

Say Hello to our first local entry to Raine's Snow Bunnies. Elishia is a 21 year old local beauty with great style. She keeps busy with many hobbies. She's your true Albertan girl who likes Hockey, baseball, football, snowboarding, skateboarding, quading, dirt biking, fishing, hunting and partying.

Elishia has big dreams and hopes to accomplish many of them in the next few years. She's working towards getting herself a big home, a nice ride and a good career.

And her favorite team?

"The Oilers although they didn't do so hot this year." 

Well, we all hope they can turn that around for this coming season.

This is my hockey

This is hockey people. It pisses me off when I hear the whining and sniveling coming from the casual hockey fan about violence in Hockey. I found myself entering a conversation the other day about the re-acquiring of Steve Macintyre. A guy known for his fisticuffs, hard hits and nothing much there after. This conversation between these dimwits started off with them stating that the Oilers screwed up the team by getting rid of Nilsson and O'sullivan and then "replacing" them with guys like Macintyre and Vandermeer. "Goons who have no place in hockey." "It sends the wrong message." "I don't want my kids playing hockey because it's getting too violent."

Well, that's just

Eberle ready for stardom

The Oilers didn't screw this one up, they got it right all along. The development process with Jordan Eberle has been handled incredibly well. The 22nd pick of the 2008 draft is well on his way to NHL stardom.

Already Jordan's resume is a compilation of success at every level. Be it his 216 goals in 60 games as a