The Fall Of The Edmonton Oilers

In 2006 the Edmonton Oilers did something they haven’t done in almost 20 years when they reached the Stanley cup finals; eliminating teams like Detroit who led the league in wins, San Jose who only lost 10 games in their last 40 after acquiring a premier play maker in Joe Thornton, and the Anaheim Ducks only losing to Carolina in seven games in the finals. The devastating loss in the finals came with more heartache in the years to follow.

Chris Pronger deal
In the summer of 2006 only three weeks removed from the finals Chris pronger the Oilers superstar defense men demanded a trade, after one year removed from his 5 year deal which he signed a year previous. The request was made public days later and on July third Pronger was dealt to Anaheim for Joffery Lupul,ladislav Smid and 2 first round picks. In deals where you trade your best player your going to lose the trade 9out of 10 times. When this demand was made public it really effected this trade and the Oilers couldn't get the return they wanted.

Heart and Soul Traded
Ryan Smyth who has been the face of the franchise for almost 10 years was dealt due to a contract dispute. Don Meehan Ryan's agent could not come to an agreement on a new contract which some reports suggest the difference was only 500 000 dollars. So Kevin Lowe the Oilers general manager at the time felt he had no options but to trade him and on February 27 the Oilers dealt the heart and soul to the New York islanders in exchange for Robert Nilsson, Rayan Omara and the Islanders first round pick. The Oilers once again never got enough back and lost this trade as well.

Bad Contracts
In the salary cap era managing contracts are detrimental to a teams success. Kevin Lowe only 2 years after his team made the finals had to sign some of his key players in the off season. Will start with Ethan Moreau who signed a 3 year deal worth 2.5 million dollars per year the Oilers captain played very well in the finals but not making the playoffs 2 years straight signing a fourth line grinder for so much money can only come back to haunt you. Fernando Pisani who had 14 goals in the Oilers magical run was signed for three years for 9 million dollars now signing a player who’s potential at best is a third line checker is Way too much and in the long run really hurt the Oilers. Shawn Horcoff the Oilers so called first line center was signed for 5 years worth 5.5 million dollars now Horcoff who had a good playoffs and a good season till he needed shoulder surgery 50 games in really struggled in the next season and now is at an all time low with only 7 goals this season and a league worst minus 31. Horcoff is a good second line player and a great third line player. This contract will handicap the Oilers for years too come.


Impossible
After the departure of Chris Pronger the Oilers needed a super star and in 2008 the Oilers attempted to sign sniper forward Marian Hossa throwing a truck load of money at him in fact it was along the line of a 9 year 81 million dollar deal. After talks back and fourth and anxiously waiting Hossa decided to sign a one year deal with Detroit worth 7 million dollars to try and win the cup. The Oilers losing on Hossa tried to sign power forward Jamoir Jagar but he choose to play in the khl .Then the Oilers thought they had an agreement with Michael Nylander but after Nylanders wife refused to live in Edmonton he signed in Washington leaving the Oilers high and dry. After three failed attempts to get a superstar and keeping the ones they had Edmonton was ruled undesirable place to play. In 2009 this was proven right when Danny Heatly did not waive his no trade clause to come to Edmonton after a deal was reached between Edmonton and Ottawa


Offer Sheets
The Oilers desperate to make moves after failing to sign player in the Ufa market decided to take the rfa route and offer 2 players, first was Thomas Vanek of the Buffalo Sabers was signed to a 5 year 10 million dollars deal offer sheet buffalo matched it hours later. The second offer sheet was sent to Anaheim’s Dustin Penner for 4 years worth 4.25 million dollars. This coasted the Oilers a 1ST a 2ND and a 3RD round pick. Anaheim never matched the offer and Oilers got the man they wanted but he struggled in his first 2 years and in his third year he got off to a fast start putting him 5Th in league scoring 15 games into the season but losing Hemsky and Khabibulin for the season due to injuries and the Oilers in last place Penner seems uninspired. These offers pissed off a lot of gm's which effected the Oilers of making any kind of moves, as if the Oiler already never had a hard enough time.