The Edmonton Oilers surprised the NHL world today by plucking center Petr Nedved off re-entry waivers from the Philadelphia Flyers, sources told TSN.ca today.
Reports out of Philadelphia on Sunday and Ottawa today claimed Nedved would be claimed by the Senators; indeed, at one point there was a report claiming the Senators had claimed Nedved yesterday.
However, the Oilers got the jump on the Senators. Nedved had spent about a month with the Oilers late in the 2003-04 season, posting up an impressive 15 points in only 16 games. Oilers GM Kevin Lowe attempted to re-sign Nedved when he hit the 2004 UFA market but he signed instead with the Phoenix Coyotes.
Since the lockout Nedved has struggled to retain his previously high-scoring form. Injuries limited his effectiveness with the Coyotes, who dealt him to the Flyers mid-way through last season. He continued to struggle, blaming the coaching staff for utilizing him more in a checking role than in a scoring role.
It's an affordable gamble by the Oilers, as only 600K of his salary will count against their cap with the Flyers claiming the rest. Nedved could regain his offensive touch with the speedier Oilers, particularly if he hooks up with Petr Sykora and Ales Hemsky.
It also appears as though Lowe is setting up to make a move for the offensive blueliner his club's been lacking this season.
Lowe obviously won't shop Nedved as there's no market for him, but he could perhaps move one of his good young forwards to land the help he needs. Sykora and Ryan Smyth are unrestricted free agents this summer but it's unlikely Lowe will move them.
Another option could be Shawn Horcoff, who re-signed a three-year deal with the Oilers last summer worth $3.6 million this season but has struggled offensively since been taken off Hemsky's line.
Raffi Torres could also be an option, as he's a restricted free agent and his gritty style could attract considerable attention around the league.
As for the Senators, they'll either have to look elsewhere either via waiversor shopping around for a trade. Otherwise, they'll look to within and hope they can carry on without Jason Spezza and Mike Fisher for the next four weeks.
I believe that Edmonton is going to make a move for a defenseman. I just can't see it being for someone I'm going to be excited about. I guess that's just par for the course for anyone suffering from the "Pronger left my team" syndrom.
Good move by the Oilers, I think this definetely precludes a move. The lines are out of whack with Nedved moving in. The Edmonton Journal said they were mixing up lines today (before the news of Nedved.) The way I see it the Torres-Stoll-Pisani line is untouchable and MacT is trying the Hemsky-Horcoff-Smyth line again. Sykoras the odd man out and his poor play recently makes him expendable. If anyones watched him Sykora has scored from the same spot every time, when he's covered he looks helpless. I think Lowes going to deal Sykora, Torres, or Horcoff for a Defenceman. It's time to shake up the room and let the players. The only question is what team and player are we chasing?
Thinking about it some more the Oilers would have too many defenceman if all we dealt was a forward. I'm sure some teams would be looking to add some sand paper like Jason Smith if not now at the trade deadline. Maybe Tjanqvist, he has been far from consistent and almost invisible on the ice.
With all the "Nedved to Ottawa" talk, on the face this seems more like Kevin Lowe causing some mischief than attemption to solve any problems on his own club.
From what I've seen this year, Nedved appears to be on his last legs, and the Fountain of Youth does not flow freely in Edmonton. But Glen Sather made a career out of redemption projects; apt pupil Lowe may be on to something here that the rest of us are missing. Nedved is a moody player suffering through a number of messy personal issues. Edmonton might be the tonic so that he can forget about everything else and focus on hockey.
Attainable offensive blueliners are few and far between these days, making them more "expensive" from a trade standpoint. With the aquisition of Nedved, Lowe maybe preparing for the possibility of having to move a forward and young d-man to get the offensive help on the blueline that he's seeking.
Since Sykora is only here for the year I'm willing to bet that he'll be better down the stretch so that he can earn a good chunk of change next year. Horcoff though is having a horrible year, and it shows that he needs someone great like Hemsky at his side for him to put up good numbers. At the same time he's in a slump and it's looking digusting. He signed on for what... 3 years? I think it would be smarter for Edmonton to trade him now. Robby Shremp will most likely be playing 1st or 2nd line center next year, so he's more expendible. Offer Horcoff and the would-be for a defenseman. If they're up for trading a winger they could trade someone to Toronto for a defenseman. Edmonton can absorb some salary and Toronto needs either a scoring winger or a hard working center like horcoff, and Toronto has way too much money invested in their defensive line-up.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
