As I do every morning, I check my phone as soon as I come downstairs. I usually have a few alerts from sources like CBC News and The Score on my lock screen. This morning was no different and The Score app had a quick blurb about Jeff Petry being traded to the Montreal Canadiens. Was I shocked at the return? Nope. Was I impressed with the return? Not even close, especially when 82 year-old Kimmo Timonen nets a very similar return.
However, over the past few months my concern for the state of the Edmonton Oilers has given way to humor and sarcasm. These have become my defense mechanisms as a cynical fan. So true to my recent form, I went on a fishing expedition via text message and sent the following to a few buddies who are die-hard fans:
I didn’t expect much of a reaction; I couldn’t have been more wrong. @danoilersaddict was in a surly mood and wasn’t impressed and certainly didn’t feel it was matter to joke about. @McIntyres_Remax simply responded with a screen capture of an exchange he had with former NHLer (and brief Oiler) Bobby Dollas:
I go on these fishing expeditions with the hope of eliciting a reaction and hopefully spurring a debate. I will admit the Twitter exchange between Brody and Bobby Dollas made me pause. As Dollas states, “Cmon top 4 oilers what does that mean?” I read that to mean that top-four on the Edmonton Oilers was basically akin to being the starting point guard for the Washington Generals.
Let me clear, I am not defending MacT. He has made enough questionable moves that he deserves the criticism he receives. However, it is very possible (if not likely) as fans of the Oilers, we were expecting too much. I have read many a blog and comment today lamenting the return MacT received for Petry, but what if that was all he was worth?
MacT likely spoke to several teams about his “best defenseman” and a second round plus a conditional pick was the deal he took. It seems reasonable to assume that was the best deal he had on the table. Granted, maybe if he waited a few hours the conditional pick maybe turns into a guaranteed third rounder or 2nd tier prospect, but what if this was the best deal presented? What does that say about the state of the Oilers organization? In a post from earlier today at Oilers Nation, Robin Brownlee gives two scenarios for what this trade may mean. I found the second option interesting, if not depressing:
Or, MacTavish’s best guy really wasn’t that good and the value he received in return is fair market value, given how Petry is perceived by the managers of other teams in the NHL. That speaks volumes, none of them positive, about the quality and depth of the blue line corps MacTavish has assembled in Edmonton
Being the best of the worst doesn’t mean very much. Do I believe Petry is a legitimate NHL defenseman? Absolutely. The problem is that he has played for really bad team for his entire career and it is near impossible to tell if would be a decent bottom pairing guy on a good team or a guy who could push players on a well constructed blueline for top 4 minutes.
I wrote this post to play the role of Devil’s advocate, but wow, it may be worse than we thought here in Edmonton.
Really Long Run for MS
As a person living with Multiple Sclerosis I am very fortunate. I still play hockey, run, and do most everything I was able to do before I was diagnosed. For me the worst symptoms are fatigue (sometimes extreme), issues with my balance, and constant numbness in my hands and feet. However, I am one of the lucky ones and many with this disease find simple things like walking next to impossible and there are many who can’t walk at all. Every spring my wife and I ride in the MS Bike from Leduc to Camrose. This year I have decided to run the 85 KM (one leg of the MS Bike) in a single day two weeks prior to the big ride to raise money and awareness. On May 23rd, 2015 I will begin the run in the wee hours of the morning and be met during the day by others who will run portions with me (and hopefully keep me sane and motivated). All money raised will go to the MS Society of Canada. If you would like to know more, donate, volunteer, or even join me for a portion of the run you can get more information by clicking here.
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