The Ryan Smyth Trade
February 27, 2007 by Tyler
Filed under Hockey Columns
By now we all know that the Edmonton Oilers have traded veteran Ryan Smyth to the New York Islanders in exchange for right wing Robert Nilsson, centre Ryan O’Marra and the Islanders’ first round choice in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.With the addition of the Islanders’ first round choice, the Oilers now have three first round selections in the upcoming 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
“I want to be very clear that making this trade today is a hockey decision. It was not financial. The CBA we operate with in the NHL today means you need to have a sound hockey strategy and stick to it. Today we turned a page for sure – but this is not as much about the Oilers today, but what we continue to do as part of an overall plan.
Our decision is about the direction we want to take and the opportunities we have today and tomorrow with the brilliant young players we have acquired and those we have in the organization…”
Oilers President and Chief Executive Officer, Patrick LaForge added:
“While on the one hand some Oilers fans might be distressed that this trade was made today, I want those same fans to be assured that the Oilers will use these excellent young players and our own deep pool of young talent in a new plan for this team. We can afford to spend the money necessary to have the kind of elite players expected. This was about the Oilers staying true to a plan. I know our hockey strategy is sound.”
Nilsson, 22, iscurrently in his second pro season, leads the Bridgeport Sound Tigers in scoring with 12-33-45 in 50 American Hockey League games and has 34 penalty minutes this season. He tops the Islanders affiliate in assists and is fifth in goals. The 5’11”, 185 pound forward made his professional debut in 2005-06, splitting the season between the Islanders and Bridgeport. He scored 6-14-20 with 26 PIM in 53 games with New York in his NHL rookie season.
O’Marra, 19, is in his fourth season in the Ontario Hockey League and has scored 21-18-39 with 63 penalty minutes in 39 games with the Saginaw Spirit and Erie Otters. The 6’2”, 207 pound centre,began the season with Erie and scored 8-6-14 in 13 games for the Otters before joining Saginaw. He has sascored 13-12-25 in 26 games for the Spirit.
bLiNdLuCk on Thu, 1st Mar 2007 9:14 am
This is a smart trade by the Oilers, they might have been able to get a little more for Ryan Smyth from other teams but all the buzz states that the Oilers had around 20 minutes to make the deal after contract talks with Smyth went nowhere.
Not a bad trade deadline for the Oilers, they end up with 4 first round draft picks in different stages of development.
Now if the Toronto Maple Leafs had just done the same thing with Tucker.
Would have been nice to see a Blake for Tucker swap.
Mel on Thu, 1st Mar 2007 10:33 am
I’m not as postive as you about this trade. I agree with MacT in an interview I saw last night, he said that something doesn’t seem right it just doesn’t add up. As a die hard Oiler fan this stings… I guess there’s always a chance he’ll be back this summer (but I’m not holding my breath).
Tyler on Fri, 2nd Mar 2007 2:06 pm
Blindluck,
The Blake for Tucker swap would have been a doozy for both teams. Pretty even-up in my book, but a change of pace for both the players and the organizations.
Mel,
I hear your pain! I think that the chances of the Oilers re-signing Smyth in the off season are slim. If they couldn’t get it done now, chances are there will be some big money waiting for Smytty south of the border come free agent season!
Gaborik Wearing Vapor XXXX Skates | National Hockey League Digest on Sat, 10th Mar 2007 11:51 am
[...] The dark bladeholder reminds me of Petr Nedved, Ryan Smyth and Jaromir Jagr, who wear black bladeholders. [...]
Hockey Photoshops | National Hockey League Digest on Mon, 12th Mar 2007 2:38 pm
[...] It looks like turnabout is fair play. I posted quite a bit about the Edmonton Oilers and the Ryan Smyth trade, so I guess some readers assumed that I was an Oilers fan and sent me these. Enjoy! [...]
Around The Rink | National Hockey League Digest on Wed, 14th Mar 2007 2:26 pm
[...] While Ryan Smyth is enjoying the fierce playoff hunt in the Eastern Conference with the New York Islanders, things couldn’t be going much worse for the Edmonton Oilers. [...]
Rob Schremp Undergoes Knee Surgery | National Hockey League Digest on Sat, 12th May 2007 9:23 am
[...] The Oilers are going to need some offensive punch with the loss of Ryan Smyth at the trade deadline. The organization has high hopes for Schremp and pending the outcome of the rehabilitation, the Oilers may be on the prowl for some scoring power this summer. [...]
NHL Free Agent Frenzy | National Hockey League Digest on Wed, 4th Jul 2007 3:03 am
[...] Ryan Smyth has found a new home with the Colorado Avalanche. Late in a frenzied first day of free-agent signing, Smyth left the New York Islanders on Sunday night for a return trip to the Western Conference. [...]