The two most hyped days for NHL transactions are the first day of free agency, and the trade deadline. It’s been said that GM’s make the majority of their mistakes on these storied days, creating mountains and oceans of commentary, controversy and material for media members.
With the deadline approaching, many teams will give in to a team’s demands for a player that is not worth what they’re dealing in order to suppress the pressure of fans, quickly upgrade their roster, or one-up an opposing NHL club.
While it’s expected the Oilers will have a rather quiet deadline, likely only dealing Jeff Petry for a pick and a prospect, anything is possible, and that’s what keeps fans glued to their TV’s and Twitter.
The Oilers trade deadline history has also been intriguing. In the pre-salary-cap era, the Oilers found themselves more often than not on the bubble of making the playoffs, and they almost always acquired a player to get them to the playoffs knowing very well that the player would walk come July.
DEADLINE DEALS PRE-CAP
The 2002 deadline saw the Oilers flip a struggling Tom Poti and centre Rem Murray to the Rangers for a surging Mike York. York was part of the “FLY” line in the big apple with Theo Fleury and Eric Lindros and had put up an astounding 57 points in 69 games before the deal. He wouldn’t help the Oilers make the playoffs, but he would play two more seasons before being dealt to the New York Islanders for 2006 playoff hero Mike Peca. Poti would go on to star for the Rangers for the next three seasons, and he finished his career off with the Washington Capitals with 824 NHL game under his belt. Rem Murray wasn’t the same after leaving Edmonton and made his way back in time for the 2006 playoff run where he centred the 4th line.
Verdict: Win for both teams.
The 2003 deadline also involved a deal with the New York Rangers where Edmonton sent Anson Carter and Ales Pisa to the big apple for Radek Dvorak and Cory Cross. Carter was the Oiler’s top line winger and was in the middle of his best season with the Oilers. He struggled in New York and didn’t find steady NHL work until an out-of-body experience season playing with the Sedin twins in Vancouver in 2005-06. Radek Dvorak would be known for his work ethic and defensive game, making him an important piece of the 2006 playoff run. Cross never lived up to expectations and was eventually dealt in a deal to acquire Dick Tarnstrom, who was also a part of the 2006 team. At the time it looked like the Oilers had dealt the best player in the deal, but the overall contributions each player made to their team changed the verdict.
Verdict: Win
Prior to that deal with the Rangers, the Oilers made a deal with the other New York team sending enigmatic but reliable Janne Niinimaa along with a 2nd round pick for Brad Isbister and Raffi Torres. Niinimaa never improved his play following the deal and eventually spent the remain years of his career in Switzerland and Sweden. Isbister made an impact with his gritty game, but the steal of the deal was Raffi Torres, who ended up reaching his potential in a Oiler uniform.
Verdict: Win.
The 2004 deadline saw the Oilers hoping to make another playoff push, and they once again went to their old trading partners; the New York Rangers. The Oilers dealt 3rd string goalie Stephen Valiquette, prrospect Dwight Helminen and 2004 2nd round pick for Petr Nedved and recently departed Jussi Markkanen. Nedved was an offensive leader before the Oilers narrowly missed the playoffs and Nedved would leave in the summer and fizzled out a productive player immediately. Jussi Markkanen would prove to be a somewhat capable backup goalie one again. The deal was another huge win for the Oilers, giving that the departed players never made an impact.
Verdict: Win.
Two days later, the Oilers dealt struggling starting goalie Tommy Salo and a 2005 6th round pick to the Colorado Avalanche for a then unknown prospect defenseman in Tom Gilbert. Gilbert would be developed properly and eventually becoming the ice-team leader on the blueline.
Verdict: Win.
SUMMARY
While trades have become a much more difficult thing to win in the Salary Cap era, it’s astounding to know that the brain that is Kevin Lowe has a good track record when it comes to deadline deals. The man who knows a thing or two about winning has sure taken a lot of criticism and so he should about the team’s current troubles.
I didn’t realize his GM success in his early years, and he may be better suited as a transactionalist (yes I made that word up) rather than a business man.
OTHER NOTES
I am very excited to be going to Rexall Place tonight to watch the Oilers take on the St. Louis Blues. This season I have already been to two Oiler games live and I can honestly say i’m not a curse or a good luck charm. My girlfriend is a huge Canadiens fan so we went to watch them live and I was obliged to see the Oilers shut them out 3-0. I think went to watch my second favourite team, the Nashville Predators beat the Oilers 4-1 in what was an apparent shellacking and lack of compete.
I always sit in the nosebleeds, and I love the atmosphere. It may be a by product of the Rexall Place $8.50 beers, but I find myself in a discussion with various random strangers, because while wearing Oiler blue we are family.
When I lived in Calgary I caught the Oilers demolishing the Flames 8-2 on home ice and I made friends with everybody I could see in Oiler blue. Remember this fans, the true fans wear their heart on their sleeves and the crest should never be disrespected. Let’s give them hell and cheer loud and proud tonight. Win or lose, i’m still a fan.
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