The Prodigal Son (and his dad) Return to Edmonton - Comrie is Back

Are you going to sit there and tell us that the Oilers can’t use a proven 20 – 30 goal scorer? How many did the Oilers have on their roster last year exactly?

Souray and Hemsky if memory serves me right. 1 lousy forward exceeded 20 goals. Our forwards couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat in the middle of the pacific last year.

Yes he’s small. So what. He wants to be an Oiler and he probably has a chip on his shoulder and has added motivation to prove people wrong.

I’m not expecting him to set the world on fire but he could actually lead the team in goals scored this season. After all this group didn’t exactly set the bar too high last year.

It’s not like he was brought in to be a checker so someone in the top 6 is going to lose their job if there is no subsequent trade to purge the extra bodies.

He fits…He probably fits better than some of the options that were already here.

I hear lots about Horcoff being overworked, maybe this move is designed to have Comrie pick up the offensive load and let Horcoff be more of a checker. Or maybe Quinn and Renney (if they are saying anything on this signing) aren’t over-estimating the development our young centers like Mac T and Tambo did last year.

I don’t think he is the missing peice of the puzzle, but I do think he is a step forward.

Nilsson scored all of 9 goals last year.

Whether or not he has a CHANCE to be better than Comrie is debatable. Has Nilsson at any point in his career shown anything that would suggest he could become a 30 goal scorer?

I haven’t seen it. Sure he’s got some offensive flair…so does Comrie.

Look Comrie is only 28 years old. He hasn’t suffered any career threatening injuries. Coming off hip surgery last off-season probably hampered his play a little last year. What was Nilsson’s excuse???? Oh right he had none.

Comrie is far from washed up and he’s a better bet in my books to pot 20 than Nilsson any day of the week.

I like Nilsson. Don’t get me wrong I see the same potential you do. However, his potential is probably right around what Mike Comrie has already achieved.

Also, what’s the problem with letting MAP prove his worth? I’m sure the message for the organization is that the checking line center position is his to lose. Even if he falters I could see O’Sullivan being moved to that spot between Moreau and Pisani.

If anything signing Comrie allows Tambellini and co. to be really selective as to who plays in the top 6 and who gets shipped out. If he had signed Malhotra to a $2 million/year contract we’d all be whining about how overpaid our 3rd line is.

Oh and I completely agree with what SNNEnder just posted as well.

Well it all depends on Comrie’s health and how he’s used. His history is that he’s a classic bottom six killer. I dunno, I find it hard to hate at the price – it’s a small bet and it doesn’t take much to outperform that number. He does have a knack around the net and if he’s on a line with some guys that can do the work, he can pot some goals. Can the linemates make this a net positive though? Tough call.

With the exception of Malhotra, I don’t see another FA that is a slam dunk to have more impact than Comrie anyway.

After Tambellini came out and declared his lack of interest when the rumors first sprang up I can’t believe he’s a very happy guy right now. Let’s hope they can swing a deal.

The thing is DZ is that he’s not more of what the Oilers don’t need. If he makes the team out of camp he will most likely be replacing someone in the top 6.

It also gives Quinn and co. the chance to maybe even try Horc or O’Sullivan as a third line center. I know Horc would be a grossly overpaid option as a 3rd line center but if let’s say Penner and Hemsky show great chemistry with Comrie why not take the offensive responsibility away from Horc and allow him to do what he does best… win faceoffs and play against the other team’s best.

It gives the Oilers options. That’s not a bad thing.