Ryan Smyth Traded

[Erisianmonkey]

You can thank the Nashville Predators and the Buffalo Sabres organizations for this kind of thing happening. It was their complaining that got the NHL to institute the cap. I do really know how you feel though. The ramifications of the cap lost the Avs Foote, Hinote, and Tanguay. Some would say Forsberg in that list, but considering the time he spends on the bench because of injury, I was glad to see the back of him. But I do know how you feel, Snake Eyes. I felt the same way when the Avs traded Foote. This season, I had been hoping we could get rid of Jose Threeormore (Theodore) and Liles (the star defenseman who passes to the other team in the defensive zone. Instead we ditched May for a second rate forward that we got rid of a while back, and a rookie goalie. Look at the bright side though. Smyth will be a free agent come July, and Edmonton can pick him back up.

[possingk]

You can thank the Nashville Predators and the Buffalo Sabres organizations for this kind of thing happening. It was their complaining that got the NHL to institute the cap. I do really know how you feel though. The ramifications of the cap lost the Avs Foote, Hinote, and Tanguay. Some would say Forsberg in that list, but considering the time he spends on the bench because of injury, I was glad to see the back of him. But I do know how you feel, Snake Eyes. I felt the same way when the Avs traded Foote. This season, I had been hoping we could get rid of Jose Threeormore (Theodore) and Liles (the star defenseman who passes to the other team in the defensive zone. Instead we ditched May for a second rate forward that we got rid of a while back, and a rookie goalie. Look at the bright side though. Smyth will be a free agent come July, and Edmonton can pick him back up.

As a Sabres fan and a hockey fan I couldn't be happier with the cap and we will probably lose both of our captains (Drury and Briere) next year because of it. The league has parity, look at the playoff race this year almost anyone can make it in with 20 games to go, never had that before. Hockey has never been more exciting than it is right now. Every point means something to someone. I was praying for Pittsburgh to tie NJ last night in hopes NJ would only get one point instead of two. It all matters now.

However the loss of Smyth to the Oilers is probably a deeper cut that when Gretzky left, but on the same level. Smyth was the ultimate Oiler and deserved better. One way to look at it though is Smyth is a UFA after this season, 20 games and a playoff run and he could be back. If he does come back he has helped the Oilers with two players and a first round pick, which will help the future. Listening to his speech today he will want to get back to Edmonton as soon as possible.