Note: If you're not a hockey fan, this post will most likely read in Sudanese. Ok. You've been warned.
Well - Special K has done the unthinkable. He's poached a penner from Walt's team. I'm sure some of you (Mark, Steve, Nick, Todd, Tim, Benj) are awaiting my reaction. Await no longer.
If I'm honest, which I am as long as it insures my happiness, most likely I'd be critical of any manager if he pulled off what Lowe just did. For one, it does reek of desperation. Nobody wants to come to Deadmonton (sigh) so Lowe is forced to beg, plead and yes even poach players from any and all teams. Although I say forced, I don't believe his job is in jeopardy, as many critics have said, if anything, he's just trying to keep his team from it. Note: Not jeopardy the popular game show. What is my game show? Shut up Alex.
Personally, I think Lowe should be admired for having the cajungas to do the unpopular thing in order to help his team. Make no mistakes, by signing Penner, Edmonton is a better team. Is it a much better team? Only time will tell. This time next year, we'll either be hailing Lowe as a tremendous success or a fantastic failture. Still, I do realize that some of you think that Lowe should be fired or at least made fun of every day till Christmas. If you must, go ahead and throw the pies, just so you know - Kevin couldn't care less.
For one thing, he's done nothing wrong. Thanks to the new CBA, offer sheets are completely legitimate. There's nothing illegal or wrong about it. The problem everyone has with this is by doing it, Kevin has opened Pandora's box and as we all know, similar things are likely to follow. Kevin knows this but doesn't care. As he's said, he's not in the business to make bff's with the other managers, but rather defeat them come playoff time.
The other issue everyone has, especially Burke, is that Kevin has offered an inflated contract to an unproven player. 4.5 million/5yrs. He may be right, although as I've said, time will tell. While we're on this though, who is Brian to talk, he just signed Break your neck Bertuzzi to a 4 million/yr contract even though Todd's 31 and definitely on the downward slope. Plus, he's no where near the same player pre-Moore. Meanwhile, Penner is only 23 and just won a Stanley Cup. Plus he just scored 29 goals to Bertuzzi's 2. Yes Bert was hurt but still. . .
If you ask me, Burke's only hot because when Lowe called, all he had was a pair of 3's.
Would I be angry if someone did this to the Oilers? Yeah, probably. But lets cross that bridge when we come to it.
In the meantime, if its ok with you, I'm gonna go ahead and enjoy this knowing the Oilers are better off and Burke's temper will eventually subside - as it always does.
Besides, all that counts is next year's W's and that is much too far away to even think about.
Loving the hockey talk amidst the heat wave.
John
Thursday, August 02, 2007
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4 comments:
I remember the talk about how "Lupul" would flourish offensively in Edmonton when he was traded becasue he would be a "number one or two liner". That worked out well too.......ahem.....
Lowe used the rules to get a player he wanted, and he did it successfully, good for him. But yeah, 109 NHL games = $4+ million?! hmmmm.....as you said only time will see this as brilliant or dumbfounded. Let's just hope he doesn't have a wife yet.....if not, that lady from Edmonton's A-Channel might be available. Perhaps Pronger can introduce them?
Your birthday is coming soon too I think....31? Sooooo OLD!
Steve
Pennner is going to hate it in Edmonton so much, he is going to go Chris Benoit on all of his teammates.
first decent thing lowe has done in about twelve years.
still on the fence about this one. like you said...time will tell if it works out. hopefully penner isn't another lupul.
I'm with you, buddy...excited about Penner...yes..still planning to make fun of Lowe until Christmas...likely...praying our boys in blue will show us something to be proud of...absolutely!
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