Ales Hemsky's Final Run With The Edmonton Oilers

by Derek Zona on Feb 12, 2012 8:44 AM MST in News and Notes

Ales Hemsky has six games remaining as a member of the Edmonton Oilers. Like many fine men who've gone before him, he is being ushered out of town on a rail, fingered by the media as the reason for the current state of the team, celebrated by the fans as the move that will land the lynchpin of the turnaround.

His experience prior to his departure matches that of a long list of very good players, including Jason Arnott, Kyle Brodziak, Mike Comrie, Janne Niinimaa, Dustin Penner, Joni Pitkanen, Miroslav Satan, Ryan Smyth Sheldon Souray and many more. The only difference in Hemsky's ride out of town is that it took so long to get to this point.

Hemsky will move on to a team who will better appreciate his skill and better appreciate that acquiring and keeping good players is the only way to leave the wilderness. The Oilers will celebrate their return of some combination of young players and draft picks who, if blessed with a tremendous amount of luck, will have some small percentage of a chance to turn out as good as Ales Hemsky. In the future, fans will decry their rotten luck that yet another bum traded away has become a good player and will screech when he scores a game-winner, or posts a multi-point game against the Oilers.

The man who grew from slick-passing, jaw-droppingly skilled offensive winger into a tough minutes beater in front of our eyes has 15 days left as an Oiler. Six games. Enjoy them.

Que Sera Sera - Oil On Whyte
But what if this team moves Ales Hemsky: a pretty damn good hockey player (and a guy on the last year of his contract which screams Rental Player), for a pick? That’s a side salad with imitation bacon bits. IMITATION BACON BITS HERE, PEOPLE.

Eleven Years of Pestilence - mc79hockey.com
It seems pretty likely that we are seeing the last days of Ales Hemsky in an Oilers jersey. The whole thing is playing out as it always does, with increasingly emboldened media members smelling blood and getting their shots in on Hemsky. Just like they did with Sheldon Souray. Just like they did with Ryan Smyth. Just like they did with Anson Carter. We aren’t even back into the 20th century yet, but you get the idea. Long time Oilers leaving town has certain rituals that must be observed. It’s Northern Alberta’s version of seppuku, only with generally honourable people being disembowelled.

Eleven Years of Pestilence, II - mc79hockey.com
The complete list of Czech players who have a higher pts/gm than Ales Hemsky’s 0.79 in the last three years, minimum 100 GP: Patrik Elias.

Sure, Oilers should trade Hemsky, Gagner, and replace them with...magic beans? - Cult of Hockey
Make no mistake, the 28-year-old Hemsky is having a rotten season in 2011-12 as he attempts to bounce back from another major shoulder surgery. His scoring rates, which have consistently hovered around 0.9 points per (healthy) game since the lockout, have plummeted to barely a point every other game, while his plus/minus has taken a bashing after three years in the black. He’s sulking, some say, unhappy playing second banana behind the Young Gunz who have replaced him on the first powerplay unit and in the hearts of fans.

Chaos - Black Dog Hates Skunks
In any case they will soon get their wish and its probable that Hemsky, freed from the sinkhole that this franchise has become, goes on to star for another half dozen years. The team will be weaker, again, because no prospect or pick is going to be better than Hemsky is right now and may never be.

G54 Oilers at Red Wings - Lowetide
I look forward to watching this team, mostly because Eberle and Hall do things other Oiler phenoms couldn’t do over the years. Sam Gagner has either turned a corner or peaked, and these are the last days of the Hemsky era and when it ends it’ll be forever. I know he’s the first off the ice at practice, but for me the actual games are what counts and since his arrival the Pardubice Prince has entertained and amazed.

Say goodbye to Hemsky Oil fans - Jeanshorts And Baggedmilk
From what my source told me "There is absolutely no way he will be an Oiler after the deadline."

Tambellini Botched the Hemsky Situation - Oil Acumen
In the past I've been quick to point out that not all of the problems with the Oilers are the result of Tambellini's work in Edmonton, but the way Ales Hemsky has been handled is unquestionably a glaring wart on the General Manager's resume. Hemsky's play of late hasn't made things easy, but regardless of that there were better options.

Ales Hemsky: Get What You Can - OilersNation
I'm going to resist the urge to kick a player when he's down and pile on Hemsky with the people who are willing to drive him city limits just to get him gone. People, including those in the media, have a habit of turning on players when they're on the way out. Not fair.

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It's hard to be a Saint in the City

Springsteen… nice choice!

I felt like I should have read this while pouring out a glass for Ales.

“Everything dies, baby, that’s a fact, but maybe everything that dies someday ”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3eu1gW-bQ8&ob=av2e" >comes back."

I imagine Ales’ come back in foreign silks will put many in Oilerdom to shame.

by Romulus' Apotheosis on Feb 12, 2012 9:01 AM MST reply actions 1 recs

Well that looks horrible.

quote: "Everything dies, baby, that’s a fact, but maybe everything that dies someday comes back."

and link

much better

by Romulus' Apotheosis on Feb 12, 2012 9:04 AM MST up reply actions

The master plan says drafting one of the G’s at centre and the new blue line anchor from the first they get in the trade > Hemsky.

Of course it’s unlikely the brass know the odds of the D working out, what is it a 25% chance of even being a good NHL’er? Don’t go to the casino with L or T unless you are playing against them.

And this being the Oilers, they’ll take Galchenyuk who really isn’t a Russian and whose name makes him sound like he could be from Edmonton, and has the bonus of coming with a built in major injury! For those that like a good thriller, the Oilers do deliver tension for involved fans this time of year, waiting for something bad to happen. That actually strikes me as kind of funny – probably not a good sign is it?

Love Hurts - Performed by your Edmonton Oilers

by FastOil on Feb 12, 2012 9:49 AM MST reply actions 2 recs

Of course it’s unlikely the brass know the odds of the D working out, what is it a 25% chance of even being a good NHL’er? Don’t go to the casino with L or T unless you are playing against them.

Opening a casino in Edmonton’s World-Class™ arena district and having Oilers management patronize it sounds like a sure thing to me. Where can a guy get some funding?

I’m not even an Oilers fan and this is depressing. So much written about management’s mismanagement of the situation, so easy to understand why, and they don’t have a clue. The Oilers are lucky they don’t have to operate against actual competition in their market.

by Roke on Feb 12, 2012 10:23 AM MST up reply actions

You forgot Joffery Lupul in your list of pretty decent players that Oilers management has messed up hendling.

by BillHK on Feb 12, 2012 10:18 AM MST reply actions

Lupul is an interesting case. It seemed really hard to imagine him returning to form, let alone vastly improving, with his back trouble. And yet, there he is 5th in the league in scoring and hasn’t missed a game yet this year.

But… five years ago when the Oilers had him is a world, a back injury, a blood infection, 3 other NHL teams and a massive career turn around away.

What you might take away, though, is that returning from injury isn’t impossible (and that bodes well for Hemsky) and that Lupul still had a lot of hockey left in him when the Oilers walked away from him (i.e., they probably miss-read his upside… and did so before his back injury).

by Romulus' Apotheosis on Feb 12, 2012 10:58 AM MST up reply actions

Yeah, but Lupul actually was shit while he was in Edmonton. Whether that was due to a lingering/nascent injury or what is unclear, but he was one guy that no one was sad to see leave.

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Robertson's Rants - Exceedingly occasional, lengthy ramblings on hockey topics, hosted at Puck Podcast. And no, my name's not Doug.

by Doogie2K on Feb 12, 2012 1:53 PM MST up reply actions

Carter, Penner and Comrie

I’ve been reading a lot of arguments about trading Hemsky. Mine is clear… sign him and keep him. Maybe he is overvalued? Anson Carter went on to mediocrity after leaving us. Dusting Penner is certainly not doing well. Mike Comrie also didn’t light the world on fire either. Maybe he is overrated and we need to sell high.

This seems to be the other argument. The Leafs did have a similar problem with Czech Tomas Kaberle – the whole ’we’ll need him when we’re good’ but it is looking like Kaberle is done now. Maybe it isn’t just injuries?

I don’t but it personally. These ’wouldn’t be a top 6 forward somewhere else’ arguments seem trivial to me as I can’t picture a top 6 where he wouldn’t contribute.

I am still trying to figure out how being the second highest point producing Czech means anything. We are a nation in rebuild (or painful decline… time will tell but we do have 3 first rounders potentially coming up and some solid young goalies right now).

by Czechboy on Feb 12, 2012 11:09 AM MST reply actions

Dusting Penner is certainly not doing well.

As dawgbone pointed out, Penner, like Hemsky, is shooting at half of his career shooting percentage right now.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 12, 2012 11:52 AM MST up reply actions

The Leafs did have a similar problem with Czech Tomas Kaberle – the whole ’we’ll need him when we’re good’ but it is looking like Kaberle is done now.

They got a pretty solid return for Kaberle (Colbourne has a lot of upside), but at the same time they were able to parlay lesser assets (in fact, it was the second rounder they got from Boston in the Kaberle trade) into John Michael Liles, who is basically Tomas Kaberle.

Which, of course, begs the question: Why didn’t the Bruins just move a 2nd for John Michael Liles? Whatever, they won and Kabby was okay for them.

by samspade on Feb 12, 2012 11:58 AM MST up reply actions

sign him and keep him

what is the last time in an exchange something useful come out? A young team needs experienced players. If Hall, RNH and Eberle experienced and become more expensive, are a Oilwechsel is still sufficient. I do not expect many goals, but with a new contract, he will again be successful. Then again he can concentrate on hockey.

bring Sheldon Souray back!

by Screaming69 on Feb 13, 2012 2:53 AM MST up reply actions

hhhhhhmmmmmmmm?????

Wasn’t Ray Whitney here as well?

by 2FLIP on Feb 12, 2012 11:22 AM MST reply actions

For like five minutes. I don’t remember him getting railroaded out of the city, though.

by Doogie2K on Feb 12, 2012 1:55 PM MST up reply actions

Here’s a wild trade idea- Hemsky to Carolina for Ruutu. One UFA RW for another.

The idea being that we convince Ruutu to sign a 4 year pact for 16M or thereabouts to fill the need for a durable veteran RW to play on one of our top 2 lines. Carolina gets to see how Hemsky meshes with Skinner or Staal and does the same thing.

Hemsky is a more skilled player, but Ruutu is more physical and durable.

by John Chambers on Feb 12, 2012 11:40 AM MST reply actions

Ruutu? Durable? He’s been on the injury list for 11 different ailments over his career. He’s Martin Straka-ish in finding new ways to get injured. He’s been healthy since last season but who knows how long that’ll last.

by Double DD on Feb 12, 2012 12:49 PM MST up reply actions

Ruutu was so injury-prone in his early career I used to call him “Tumour” Ruutu. His brother, of course, was “Jerkko”. Described them both to a T.

Oilers fan through thick, thin and anorexic. Writer for The Cult of Hockey.

by Bruce McCurdy on Feb 12, 2012 2:21 PM MST up reply actions

And Ruutu’s out for 3 weeks. Clearly being called durable for the first time in his career jinxed him.

by Double DD on Feb 14, 2012 10:51 PM MST up reply actions

I actually really want the Leafs to try and get Ales Hemsky. We have a serious need for guys who can actually move play in the right direction.

Don’t want to pay too high a price though.

by samspade on Feb 12, 2012 11:59 AM MST reply actions

Humour me… name the last European Burke traded for?

by Czechboy on Feb 12, 2012 6:45 PM MST up reply actions

Hmmmmm...

… Well he didn’t trade for Selanne, he signed him. He also signed 3 european FA goalies (Gustavsson, Owuya, Rynnas) and one european forward (Mueller) while in Toronto.

He most definitely traded for the Sedins, and thats the only one I know (but I can only think of two other trades from before his time in Toronto).

I should also note that, of what IIRC are only 3 guys who he has kept that were actually on the Leafs when he got here, two of those are European (Grabovski and Kulemin), and he has gone through the process of resigning them both.

Fair question with Burke’s rep, but I don’t think its Hemsky being European that will get in the way of a trade. I also think Burke’s rep is overblown, but I could be wrong.

by samspade on Feb 12, 2012 8:03 PM MST up reply actions

He also went after Brunnstrom, both when he was hot shit, and then when he wasn’t.

by Doogie2K on Feb 13, 2012 11:25 AM MST up reply actions

It’s bullshit that any fanbase has to put up with this level of managerial incompetence but especially unfair that it’s a fanbase as intelligent (at least in this corner of the internet) as Edmonton’s.

But man, would Hemsky look good on a line with Couture and Clowe…

by The Neutral on Feb 12, 2012 12:15 PM MST reply actions

I’ve considered that as well, but Wilson doesn’t have much more to give after the Burns / Havlat trade(s). It would make the Sharks forward depth the best in the league.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 12, 2012 3:08 PM MST up reply actions

So, given that Hemsky’s going away, what’s a trade that wouldn’t suck too much?

Derek, you mentioned in another thread to “keep Simon Despres, Adam Almqvist, Roman Josi and Alex Urbom in mind.” (Not that this came with an endorsement.)

They all look like they have promise, but I’m not sure I’d be terribly thrilled with getting a young D-man with promise, but that might not mature for – what, 4 years? – and might not turn out to be top 4.

What’s the wisdom of those with better knowledge of trade valuation than I?

by eddy the lip on Feb 12, 2012 12:44 PM MST reply actions

The Oilers don’t need any more draft picks. They need players, and they need defensemen. Despres looks like he might be ready for the NHL next year. Almqvist is very highly regarded. Josi has at least been in the NHL and Urbom might be about ready to take on the bottom pair next year.

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by Triumph44 on Feb 13, 2012 11:44 AM MST up reply actions

Draft picks? Dear, lord, no. We’ve done enough of that, and I’m pretty sure we (should have) figured out that doesn’t work.

I’m a little uneasy about getting something back that may “show promise” in four or five years. If we’re trading away an NHL top 50 forward, I’d like to get a little more back than hope.

by eddy the lip on Feb 13, 2012 11:31 PM MST up reply actions

His experience prior to his departure matches that of a long list of very good players, including Jason Arnott, Kyle Brodziak, Mike Comrie, Janne Niinimaa, Dustin Penner, Joni Pitkanen, Miroslav Satan, Ryan Smyth Sheldon Souray and many more. The only difference in Hemsky’s ride out of town is that it took so long to get to this point.

And of course, the originator of the trend: Paul Coffey.

by Doogie2K on Feb 12, 2012 1:45 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

Kurri too.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 12, 2012 1:56 PM MST up reply actions

Was he run out of town? I was a wee lad at the time, so I have no knowledge. I only know of Coffey because it was detailed in part in one of Al Strachan’s books.

by Doogie2K on Feb 12, 2012 2:04 PM MST up reply actions

Kurri run out of town? Now that is a narrative with no basis in reality.

That was strictly about $$$. Other than by a tiny group of anti-Euros, Kurri was beloved until his last game as an Oiler (after which he lifted his fifth Cup), but his contract was done and Pocklington was broke. He went to Italy for a year, then got traded for Scott Mellanby, a decent player although still clearly a loss. When Kurri returned to town wearing black he was welcomed warmly as I recall. There was some lingering resentment towards McNall and Pocklington, but little to none towards Jari. He just played out his contract, is all. Lived up to it first, in spades.

Oilers fan through thick, thin and anorexic. Writer for The Cult of Hockey.

by Bruce McCurdy on Feb 12, 2012 2:20 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs

No, he wasn’t run out of town, or at least not by the fanbase. If anything chased Kurri out, it was the increasingly grim state of Peter Pocklington’s bank account. I do remember some mildly hurt puzzlement that he decided to go to Italy, but Kurri was deeply beloved in Edmonton.

by Chunklets on Feb 12, 2012 2:22 PM MST up reply actions

I remember a bit more anger over his time in Milan than both Chunklets and Bruce. Perhaps time has blurred the edges of my picture.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Feb 12, 2012 3:08 PM MST up reply actions

There may have been more anger about it than I recall as well. However, whatever there was was of fairly short duration and low intensity. There certainly wasn’t the situation that we have with Hemmer, where there’s a vocal element out there that actually wants him gone.

To go back to your original list, I’d say that the Hemsky situation is probably closest to that of Arnott – another very useful player who drew fan criticism for perceived level of effort, and then was gone before he had a chance to win people back.

by Chunklets on Feb 12, 2012 3:29 PM MST up reply actions

The anger was more directed toward Pocklington, although there was the usual “greedy player” element in the lower echelons of the fan base. If ever there was a player who deserved to be paid market value, it was Jari Kurri after ten years, 566 goals, and five Stanleys.

It only ever came to a head after Jari had fulfilled his last contract and won that last Cup, though. The contract impasse was apparent before then, but during his time as an Oiler there was nobody greasing the skids for Kurri to leave in the manner of [some of] the other guys you name. His departure compares more closely to Cujo’s than anyone, who as I recall fans (and media) loved right through the ’98 playoffs even as his departure seemed imminent. But fans were more resigned and sad than angry at the player.

Oilers fan through thick, thin and anorexic. Writer for The Cult of Hockey.

by Bruce McCurdy on Feb 13, 2012 11:30 AM MST up reply actions

I remember my dad saying he lost his game after he went to Europe for a year, but that wasn’t resentment, so much as resignation.

by Doogie2K on Feb 13, 2012 11:26 AM MST up reply actions

Also, thanks for posting that video of the series-winner over Detroit. I’m going to go cry into my Pisani Cup-run jersey now.

by Doogie2K on Feb 12, 2012 1:51 PM MST reply actions

“Fingered by the media.” “ushered out of town on a rail.”

Wow, what drama.

Not sure it’s rooted in reality.

More like two sides not coming together on a new deal, for various reasons, inluding injury risk, performance questions, time-on-ice issues, money, term.

Hardly dramatic stuff to trade off a UFA-to-be at the deadline.

It happens in many an NHL city.

by David Staples @ The Cult of Hockey on Feb 12, 2012 4:37 PM MST reply actions

Peeping Tom Not!

I haven’t heard anything bad said about Hemsky either
No Body Language references
No minus fours
No first off the ices

Of course, I haven’t listened to sports radio since New Years

by Mr DeBakey on Feb 12, 2012 8:37 PM MST up reply actions 3 recs

We’ve always been at war with Eastasia.

by Doogie2K on Feb 13, 2012 11:28 AM MST up reply actions

I would have thought the “two sides not coming together on a new deal” canard would have been pocketed as an emergency narrative in case contract negotiations actually broke down. I am surprised to see it used in the absence of good faith attempts to reach any kind of deal whatsoever.

I can see the pre-emptive use of this emergency narrative put to good use by:

divorce lawyers; invading countries; all manner of employers; manufacturers of faulty goods; anyone involved in the trading of assets, bonds, stocks and derivatives or the real estate market; add your own!

by Romulus' Apotheosis on Feb 12, 2012 10:18 PM MST up reply actions

Come on, David. You’ve read the same articles we have. Whitney gets a pass for playing like dog shit while recovering from injury but Hemsky doesn’t? The media harps on a bunch of shit that doesn’t matter – first off the ice at practice, telling off the media, the unearned -4, etc. – and fosters the notion that Hemsky is a past-his-prime bum who’s bad in the room and hates playing hockey instead of a high-end offensive talent having an off year due to lingering injury effects/bad bounces, and who’s probably done dealing with the idiots in the Edmonton MSM after ten years.

by Doogie2K on Feb 13, 2012 11:30 AM MST up reply actions

Remember What Thumpers Mother Said!!

Hemsky? Things appear to have soured in step with Hemsky’s diminished performance. (David Staples 02/04/12)

Given their 29th-place standing, the Oilers will be sellers on Feb. 27, particularly with wingers Ales Hem-sky and Ryan Smyth, along with defenceman Andy Sutton, (Joanne Ireland 01/31/12)

Maybe that’s because he’s coming off back-to-back shoulder surgeries …Maybe it’s because his role has changed since the lottery picks arrived….In seasons past, it was Hemsky who would, and could, turn games around. (Joanne Ireland 12/12/11)

My Favourite
And what happens if Ales Hemsky, 28, also in his last contract year, has peaked without ever having that career year? (Terry Jones 12/08/11)

In addition to moving Ales Hemsky and Khabibulin for whatever draft picks they might bring, you can now add any of Tambellini’s failed five from July 1. (Terry Jones 01/15/12)

Hemsky is another story.
You have to wonder if the series of injuries he’s had, his looming unrestricted free agency and his sudden loss of status as the star of the squad…has negatively affected his play. (Terry Jones 12/08/11)

Not really drama David just comments about a franchise player who has struggled, the guy that got the team to the 2006 Final!!

by Oilerfan-atic on Feb 12, 2012 9:07 PM MST reply actions 2 recs

Just A Thought

Hemsky won’t sign a long term contract if he has a good agent – in a crap year he is at his lowest value as an UFA and therefore is likely only going to sign a 1 or 2 year contract at most, so that he can build his value and get more value in a long term contact. That is unless someone overpays him.

So it doesn’t make any sense to sign him until after the trade deadline – see if you can get someone to overpay for him, hold your cards close until you have to play them. If not, they will sign him for 1 year, we’ll be in a similar position next year.

It’s good asset management if that is what they are doing…

…if however, Tambo is as bad as everyone here thinks… we’ll get a 2nd Rd pick and a 3rd pair D at the deadline.

by curcro on Feb 12, 2012 10:57 PM MST reply actions

I find it cute that the holier than thou side of this event seems to have no question that Hemsky would even bother re-signing in the first place.

I hope they don’t trade him and then he walks at the start of July.

by zys on Feb 13, 2012 4:47 PM MST reply actions

Gotta wonder with the Horton situation if Dubnyk and Hemsky and a mid-tier prosect would get the Oilers Tuukka Rask?

by gcw_rocks on Feb 14, 2012 5:53 PM MST reply actions

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