When we last checked in on Linus Omark via his Twitter feed, he asked the Edmonton Oilers for a trade:
@realoilfan I live to show that the "two" are wrong. But I really hope edm let me have a chance in another nhl team
— Linus Omark(@Limpanomark) April 11, 2012
In response, an Oilers fan named Mike Burns questioned Omark's actions, and Omark responded in turn:
@mikeburns18 I like the oilers but they dont have room for me .I dont think there is something strange that I want to try something else!?
— Linus Omark(@Limpanomark) April 14, 2012
For Omark, his words aren't extraordinary. He's being honest. Fans, however, are offended. Omark is not the typical North American athlete - he doesn't speak couched statements, he doesn't use cliches at every turn and he certainly doesn't speak with a head bowed towards management. He's honest and blunt and that's not something North American fans are used to.
Omark was recently cut from the Swedish World Championships team, the last cut from the final roster. That in itself might be news, but it was his response to the press and fans for things written and said about him that stands out:vad kul att läsa allt positivt som skrivs om en, helst dom som skriver att man är världelös. Jag kommer tillbaka, ni kan vara lugna #loosers
— Linus Omark(@Limpanomark) April 29, 2012
I went to our good friend Jimmy Hamrin to translate:
Nice to read what everyone writes about me, especially those who writes that I suck. I`ll be back, don´t worry. #loosers
His next Tweet was even more to the point:
Jag växer bara av allt skit som skrivs, men jag kommer ihåg (kuriren + alla andra jävla loosers) #endagtäpperjagtilltrutenpåer
— Linus Omark(@Limpanomark) April 29, 2012
Back to Hamrin for the translation:
I only grow the more crap that is written, but I remember (the courier + all the other fucking loosers) #onedayiwillshutyourmouth
The Kuriren is Omark's hometown newspaper. It's safe to say that there isn't a cozy relationship between the two.
The Oilers are likely going to trade Omark before or at the draft, giving him the chance he asked for. The team that gets Omark is getting a very honest and very motivated player.