The Oilers should trade for Ryan Smyth. He's had his wish, he's seen the world, he's had his paycheque with no hometown discount, and now he wants to come home. Or his wife does. Either way, he's still a quality player who would be a fantastic influence on the young 'uns (you would hope). A mid-round pick is all that is being asked? Hopefully, and then he could go into one of the most expensive shut-down lines in hockey history.We know that when Renney was in NY he line matched. A lot. For whatever reason, this hasn't happened in Edmonton. Now, with Smyth paired with Horcoff, he's going to have 2/3 thirds of a bastard line to play against. So who plays starboard of these two old men? Radim Vrbata.
The guy has been playing against the toughs in Phoenix for the past 3 years, while earning around 3m per annum. He has signed yet, and so could very well be available come July 1st. Will $10m over 3 years get it done? Probably. Does he want to come to Edmonton? Who knows. Will the figure affect signing the 3 amigos in a couple of years? I doubt it, as the cap limit is going to be pushing 70 million by then. Loads of room.
Vrbata plays agianst the toughs and comes out on top. His QoC values for the past 3 seasons have been 1.108, 0.329 & 0.420, whiles he's scored at 1.61, 1.62 & 1.86 pts/60 at evens - last year's number being higher than any Oiler not named Hemsky or Gagner.
Watching hockey next season will be a damn side easier if the 15.3 million dollar shut down line jumps over the boards every time the Datsyk/ Iginla/ Sedin/ Thorton line emerges. And still manages to pump in 50-60 goals between them.
