Happy fucking free agent day!

HOLY SHIT.

What a crazy day. Sad day, frustrating day, interesting day.

Captain Jason Smith (GATOR!) and Joffrey "Dreamy eyes" Lupul traded to the Flyers for Joni Pitkanen, Geoff Sanderson, and a 3rd round draft pick in 2009.
I don't know if I like this trade or not yet. Gator was our captain, Lupul was a bust in his 1st year with the Oilers, along with half the team, but Lowe has been rumored to be after Pitkanen for awhile, and hopefully he turns out to the great puck rushing, offensive defenseman the Oilers have been lacking since CFP bailed. Let's just pray that Lupul doesn't score 48 goals with the Flyers this season hey?

The question out of this trade is, who will be the next Oilers captain? One Ethan Moreau perhaps? Ethan's injury this past season no doubtfully hurt the Oilers, and he's been an alternate captain for quite a few seasons. Steve Staios? He was a captain in Atlanta one season, and wore an A while Moreau was out. Horcoff? He acquired Smyth's A after he was traded. Horcoff may not be the right candidate to be a captain of this team though. Possibly Jarret Stoll? He was a captain in junior with the Kootenay Ice and during his time at World Junior tourneys. He may very well be a future captain of this team (provided he doesn't get traded or sign elsewhere when he has UFA status) but he may still be al bit young for the captain role. My money is on Moreau, with Horcoff and Staios wearing the A's. Providing none of them get traded before the 2007/08 season starts.

Ryan Smyth signed a 5 year deal with one of the Oilers Northwest Division foes, the once mighty Colorado Avalanche. Great, now we're going to see a tonne of "OILERS FANS" buying Smyth Avalanche jerseys. The thought it making me sick to my stomach. Or maybe the sick feeling is coming from working a 15 hr day after working a 12 hr day and not eating properly either day.
I bet all your suckers that bought Smyth Islanders jerseys are feeling a little foolish. But I own an Oilers Lupul jersey (it was on sale for Christ's sake) so I know quite a bit about looking foolish.
I feel bad for Roloson, all Smyth's whacking and hacking he's going to have to put up with for in EIGHT GAMES next season.

My beloved Petr Sykora signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. I'm so depressed at this news. One year in the copper'n'blue was not nearly long enough for Petr and all his hotness; I mean talent. Hemsky's probably crying himself to sleep as we speak. I know I will be soon, clutching my Petr Sykora game used autographed stick to relive the magic he created with Ales.
But Hemsky may have a new line mate to send sweet passes to; Michael Nylander is reported to have signed with the Oilers. After the Rangers landed Gomez and Drury, Nylander is the odd man out. This report is not 100% confirmed yet.

The Oilers defense keeps on getting interesting; ole Dicky Transtrom is coming back, after one season in Sweden. Pretty much seals Shaggy's fate, as I doubt he will be resigned by the Oil.

Denis Grebeshkov (who?!!?!? The guy from the Bergeron trade, that's who) also signed a one year deal with the Oilers. It is yet to be determined if he will play with the Oilers next season though. If not, he'll probably go back to Russia, since he doesn't see himself as a AHL player.

Day one is in the books. Lowe was pretty active, along with many other GM's. Let's see what day two brings! More surprises and head shaking "WUT?!" moments to be had I'm sure; not just on the Oilers part.

With the departure of Lupul, maybe my beloved Raffi won't be traded after all. (Knock on wood.)


I'm too lazy to post all the links to the stories, but TSN.ca and the Oilers website have all the details you need. Or whichever major sports website you prefer.