by Brandt Corbin
Not to sure if you’ve heard, but according to some Edmonton Oiler experts.... sorry I take that back bloggers, the Oilers anytime they’d want could trade Ales Hemsky for a huge package. According to some, they could acquire Kris Letang from Pittsburgh or Nick Kronwall and a top draft pick from Detroit for of all people Hemsky. Then again its the same bloggers who also said the Kings were to acquire Hemsky for Brayden Schenn and/or Wayne Simmonds at the trade deadline. When and if that trade was mentioned, the Kings quickly hung up the phone
The fact of the matter is this, the eight year veteran is an overrated, undersized often injured winger. Hemsky is also set to become a UFA in 2012-13. The 28-year-old has never been a point a game player, has a career high 23 goals and has missed 95 games in the last two seasons.
Lets sit back think about it for a minute, and calmly. What is Czech native’s market value really at right now? I personally believe he will be this years Tomas Kaberle, unfortunately they won’t get half of what the Leafs got in return. I see the Oilers making a mistake and playing the waiting game. But when its all said and done, when Hemsky moves on, they’ll get a good prospect or a mid first rounder for the forward. They won’t be getting much more than that. I’d move him sooner rather than later, because knowing him he’ll get injured.
Who might want him now?
One team that has the cap space, and could use a top six forward would be the defending champs in the Boston Bruins. If Oilers GM Steve Tambellini was a thinking man, he’d find a way to get goaltender Tukka Rask out of Boston (who will be a RFA in 2012-13. Even though Oiler fans might deny it, they’d need to give up a little more (3rd or 4th rounder) to make it happen. Only thing holding this deal back is Hemsky is likely the opposite of what Boston is looking for.
The Carolina Hurricanes sometime during the season might take a gamble on his. They’re top six as it stands right now is limited, if the two teams come together something potentially could get done.
When its all said and done
Penguins GM Ray Shero and Detroit GM Ken Holland did not go dumb overnight. They can never and will never trade a top 3 defenseman is Letang or Kronwall for someone like Hemsky. Tambellini has to decide at some point what’s the most he can get in return for this asset. The Oilers eventually need a player or players that can help now whether they ever find that deal remains to be seen.
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