By All Means, Let's Dump Some of These Stale Veterans

by Jonathan Willis on Sep 12, 2008 5:35 PM MDT

This post comes after a fun comment made by Kevin Lowe in a recent interview with Dan Tencer. Here's David Staples rendition of it:

If Schremp or fellow prospect Gilbert Brule have a great camp, it could mean a vet is out the door, Lowe said. "If these guys play really well we might have to move a veteran hockey player and we're not opposed to doing that at all."

Here are the Oilers current list of forwards with NHL experience, by games played:

Ethan Moreau: 710
Shawn Horcoff: 480
Erik Cole: 418
Ales Hemsky: 349
Fernando Pisani: 324
Dustin Penner: 183
Gilbert Brule: 146
Robert Nilsson: 128
Kyle Brodziak: 96
Zach Stortini: 95
Andrew Cogliano: 82
Sam Gagner: 79
Marc Pouliot: 78
Ryan Potulny: 44
Rob Schremp: 3
Liam Reddox: 1

Given that Lowe cites Gilbert Brule as a kid, let's use his 146 NHL games as a cutoff point. This leaves six players (six!) eligible for trade. Of these, I think it's reasonable to assume Shawn Horcoff (new contract), Erik Cole (just signed) and Ales Hemsky (ridiculous bargain contract) aren't going anywhere. That leaves Moreau, Pisani and Penner as possibilities.

My personal belief? Lowe's making stuff up. Of those three players, Moreau's the captain and has a unique (to this roster) skillset, Pisani really isn't replaceable, and Dustin Penner was a pain to acquire and it would look really bad to dump him.

If Lowe isn't making stuff up, it needs to be hoped that he's looking squarely at Ethan Moreau, because the possibilities stink.

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When Moreau is hurt I am a firm believer we should trade him at the end of the season when he is California working out and looks great. And when he is healthy I always surprised at his speed and love his checking presence.

I don't care if he is the captain (was he leading from the pressbox): Trade Moreau now while he is healthy and has some value. I'd be happy with a failed prospect (like Moreau was) with grit or a second/third round draft pick.

Or Schemp or Brule could just wait 18 games and someone will get hurt.

by B.C.B. on Sep 12, 2008 6:43 PM MDT reply actions

I agree with ya. If a vet gets traded I cringe. Really though, its a kid who gets replace if anyone. Kinds include Nilsson, Cogliano, Brodziak, Stortini and Pouliot - Gagners not an option even with a horrible camp. If Schremp or Brule takes one of these guys jobs so be it. Not an easy tasks given the contracts (Nilsson, Stortini, Pouliot) and potential (Cogliano, Brodziak).

In a recent post by LT, a guy mentioned Smolinski as a possible camp invite for a tryout. As much as I dont really like Smolinski, an higher calibre TC would help the Oilers with their difficult early schedule.

by Sean on Sep 12, 2008 8:50 PM MDT reply actions

Maybe Lowe was speaking off-the-cuff, or trying to light a fire under the traditionally undermotivated Schremp and Brule by telling them "you can make this team!" even if they can't.

That said, if Brule impresses I wouldn't oppose an Ethan Moreau trade, not that you could get anything for him.

by Lord Bob on Sep 12, 2008 10:16 PM MDT reply actions

Maybe its purely a motivational move.

by Kyle on Sep 13, 2008 12:50 AM MDT reply actions

Lord Bob: Moreau must have some trade value. Maybe my suggestion of a second/third was too high based on what MTL trade to get Lang. McGratton was traded for a fifth round pick: I would believe Moreau is worth at least a fifth round. Maybe we could trade Moreau for an McGratton-like-enforcer or another failed prospect (like another JFJ)

by B.C.B. on Sep 13, 2008 9:22 AM MDT reply actions

Every year Kevin Lowe says "no job is guaranteed," but we all know better.

by mike w on Sep 13, 2008 12:01 PM MDT reply actions

I think they would look at trading Moreau. As good as he is for this team, the injuries are distracting, and they're ready for a player who has a history of being more healthy to captain this team. A player like, say, Horcoff. Or Hemsky.

by Paper Designer on Sep 13, 2008 1:45 PM MDT reply actions

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