With the addition of a power forward and an offensive-minded defenceman, the unbridled optimism which marked the end of the Oilers' 2007-08 campaign—spurred by impressive play from the team's rookies—has carried over to the offseason.
Not even missing out on top free agent Marian Hossa (he signed a one-year, $7.45 million deal with Detroit) or ongoing squabbles with Anaheim GM Brian Burke were enough to kill the buzz of Oiler fans, who are once again talking playoffs—thanks to GM Kevin Lowe's wheeling and dealing.
Gone are inconsistent forwards Raffi Torres and Jarret Stoll, along with tough defenseman Matt Greene and the enigmatic Joni Pitkanen. Inserted into the lineup are Erik Cole and Lubomir Visnovsky.
Stoll, who was sent to the Kings with Greene for Visnovsky, moves closer to his supermodel girlfriend Rachel Hunter, and hopes to resurrect his once-promising career, which was derailed by a concussion in 2007.
The 31-year-old Visnovsky, meanwhile, will try to bounce back from an off-year in L.A. in which he put up "only" 41 points and was a minus-18. He should have plenty of opportunity to do so in Edmonton.
The 5'10" blueliner is more than capable of quarterbacking the power play. With fellow D-man Sheldon Souray dropping bombs from the point, the Oil could be deadly with the man advantage.
Visnovsky should be an upgrade on 6'3", 210 lb.-defenceman Pitkanen. At just 24 years of age, Pitkanen is chock-full of potential. But many hockey watchers wonder if he'll ever realize it.
The Finn—acquired by Edmonton along with Geoff Sanderson in a deal with the Flyers for former Oiler captain Jason Smith and forward Joffrey Lupul—is a smooth skater who shows flashes of brilliance. However, he also has a reputation for being hard-headed, uncoachable, and soft.
For those reasons, Pitkanen was shipped to Carolina in exchange for Cole—a hulking winger with speed to burn.
Cole has scored more than 20 goals in each of the last three seasons. The Oiler faithful hope he can teach Dustin Penner what it means to be a power forward. Both big bodies will come in handy in front of opposing goaltenders.
Other acquisitions of note for the Oilers include Gilbert Brule, a former sixth-overall pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Edmonton native Jason Strudwick.
3 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Alan Bass 12 months ago
i dont think any of those guys will have sophomore slumps, but i don't think lowe did nearly as much work as he should have done. he was two busy fighting with burkie
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Ian Wilson 12 months ago
Fair comment, but I think they are one elite forward and one shutdown defenceman away from being a scary good team. As it stands right now, I still think they're a very good team.
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Dave and Crystal SCH 11 months ago
Completely agree with Ian,although Alan makes a good point about the fact there are a couple of tweaks still needed, we are poised to do some great things this year.
If we do make the additions mentioned by Ian, we would be on the fast track to securing a playoff birth.
K.Lowe has , thus far, proven that he can do what is necessary on the off-season to improve the team, this whole feud between him and Burkie only helps Anaheim though......on the same note how long could Lowe hang around and have his team trashed by the 'garbage disposal for a mouth' Brian Burke.
A man can only take that trash talk for so long, especially when it is as transparent a reaction as it is to Burkes own obvious mismanagement of the Ducks payroll.
We already gave the man a Stanley Cup with the Pronger deal what more does he want???
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