Response To Strickland
Posted 11:22 PM ET | Comments 6
Andy,
I really enjoy your blogs and you seem to have some very good hockey connections to go along with your insight, but I think you have lowered yourself to the level of the critical masses on this one.
First off, Edmonton is a nice city, not flashy, but nevertheless a good place to live (and anyone who complains about the cold needs to toughen up). Those who bash it can only plead ignorance IMO.
Next, the Oilers and their fans have handled some situations poorly but find me an organization with a perfect record. Pronger was unjustly villified by the public for basically a poorly timed announcement days after losing the Cup final. Comrie and Smyth appeared victims of greed, imposed either by self or agents.
As for Penner, of course he is not a 4M + player today, however the true value of this deal will not be known until years 3-5 of the contract. Let it be known Lowe's finger prints are on the best current deal in the league, being Pronger's 6.5M x 5yrs that at the time was thought to be a tad pricey.
The argument that Penner will be playing with inferior linemates doesn't have a leg to stand on. Perhaps those who don't see the Oilers often aren't aware, but Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff are just as good if not better than the Getzlaf/Perry combo. Getzlaf may have a slight edge over Horcoff, but Hemsky is considerably better than Perry. Penner's role with the Oilers would be similar to Smyth's: dig the puck out from the corner and get in front of the net. Penner will also bring a larger physical presence than Ryan could. Most would say Smyth is a better player now, but in 3 years when he is on the downside of his career and Penner is on the way up making 2M less, this offer is going to look much different.
From my perspective Kevin Lowe is looking like a very cunning and calculated manager, while those who are quick to accuse him of desperation and overpaying clearly don't have the wherewithal to see the big picture.
I really enjoy your blogs and you seem to have some very good hockey connections to go along with your insight, but I think you have lowered yourself to the level of the critical masses on this one.
First off, Edmonton is a nice city, not flashy, but nevertheless a good place to live (and anyone who complains about the cold needs to toughen up). Those who bash it can only plead ignorance IMO.
Next, the Oilers and their fans have handled some situations poorly but find me an organization with a perfect record. Pronger was unjustly villified by the public for basically a poorly timed announcement days after losing the Cup final. Comrie and Smyth appeared victims of greed, imposed either by self or agents.
As for Penner, of course he is not a 4M + player today, however the true value of this deal will not be known until years 3-5 of the contract. Let it be known Lowe's finger prints are on the best current deal in the league, being Pronger's 6.5M x 5yrs that at the time was thought to be a tad pricey.
The argument that Penner will be playing with inferior linemates doesn't have a leg to stand on. Perhaps those who don't see the Oilers often aren't aware, but Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff are just as good if not better than the Getzlaf/Perry combo. Getzlaf may have a slight edge over Horcoff, but Hemsky is considerably better than Perry. Penner's role with the Oilers would be similar to Smyth's: dig the puck out from the corner and get in front of the net. Penner will also bring a larger physical presence than Ryan could. Most would say Smyth is a better player now, but in 3 years when he is on the downside of his career and Penner is on the way up making 2M less, this offer is going to look much different.
From my perspective Kevin Lowe is looking like a very cunning and calculated manager, while those who are quick to accuse him of desperation and overpaying clearly don't have the wherewithal to see the big picture.
Excellent blog, couldn't agree more.
Excellent blog, couldn't agree more.
That's an excellent blog... it just pains me to hear people cry about what Lowe is doing... so what if they think he is overpaying... it's his right to do so and maybe he sees something that other GM's don't see. And your point is bang on... right now $4.3M may seem a little pricey, but it's not a 1-year deal... it's FIVE YEARS!!! That will take him into the peak of his career and a couple years of prime time... and when the cap is going to be significantly higher than the $50.3M it's currently at (considering an average increase per year) then his $4.3M/yr in a larger cap system is going to look like quite the deal especially if Penner proves to be what Lowe sees in him. It's like the DiPietro deal... you may think 15yrs is ludicrous, but by the end of the contract, he'll still be a deal. If the cap is $100M in 10yrs (very likely), then his salary will be 1/20th of the cap... that's a pretty good deal. And so what if Lowe has to 'overpay' players to come to EDM... that's the market that it is. His 'overpaying' is costing GM's more if they match and then makes them less competitive to acquire other FA's or re-sign their existing players. Lowe = Shrewd/Sagacious/Perspicacious/Prudent... you pick the synonym, he exudes them all!
Well said Polar....no need for the BS or other name calling we see. I don't know what the deal was with that whole mess, but you were one of those who seemed to not get carried away.
We love Lowe, until he gets our team...then we bitch and moan like the Sabre/Duck fans. Penner, Lowe(is) and ...
Great post. Excellent point about the Pronger contract.