Takes and trash talk from both ALL sides of the NHL's most obscure PATHETIC* rivalry

* Thanks, Kevin Lowe!

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Lupul Part 2? Lowe tries to give another young Duck a big raise

I really don't have time for a well-thought-out post here (stupid day job!) just yet--when I get some time later I'll add more to this post, but apparently the Nylanderless, Vanekless Oilers GM Kevin Lowe has offered RFA Dustin Penner a 5 year, $21.25M offer sheet. The Ducks will have the opportunity to match this, or let him go to Edmonton in exchange for a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick in 2008 (not to mention some salary cap cushion).

At first blush, I am tempted to agree with MetroGnome here:

"Were I Brian Burke, I'd take the draft picks and run. Penner is a nice player, but I'm not sure he's worth the money the Oilers are offering. not to mention those are going to be some decently placed picks in a strong draft year."
Penner of course was an awesome value last year, potting 29 regular season goals and 3 playoff goals all for the meager league-minimum price of $450,000. That said, he wasn't necessarily the strongest performer: over the course of the regular season and playoffs, he was on the ice for 48 even-strength goals-for and 44 even-strength goals-against. Compare that to Sleek-mancrush Sammy Pahlsson, who was playing immensely-more-difficult minutes, and was on the ice for 52 even-strength goals-for and 47 even-strength goals-against.

I dunno--this kind of reminds me of Joffrey Lupul: Brian Burke gets easy-minute production from an underpaid player, then allows Kevin Lowe to turn an underpaid Duck into an overpaid Oiler?

More to come later, but your reactions are certainly welcome in the comments. Also check out Mike Chen's take on his blog, the ever-ready James Mirtle, and always save time for Oiler blogs: Lowetide, Covered in Oil, Irreverent Oiler Fans, BDHS, and mc79hockey have posted reactions, and more will be coming I'm sure.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've closed the door to my office and started to drink.

Julian said...

I'd much rather have Penner at $4 million than Bertuzzi at the same price.

One thing's for sure - Edmonton is pretty much screwed whether they get him or not. Lowe seems determined to vacate the Oil of picks in a deep draft and handcuff the franchise with inflated contracts.

Kent W. said...

Like you mention, Sleek, Deja Vu: Penner's counting numbers are alright, like Lupuls, but a deeper look reveals a sheltered player taking advantage of decent linemates and soft opposition. I mean, he somehow managed to be -2 on the Anaheim Ducks. What's that stat going to look like on the Edmonton Oilers?

Citizen Saint said...

Bobby Ryan is gonna have two good friend named Ryan and Corey

RudyKelly said...

Man, I sure I'm glad that I live in low-pressure Los Angeles instead of win-now, cutthroat Edmonton. This is retarded. I think I would have made fun of the Ducks if they had signed the Ducks to that contract, let alone giving up high draft picks in the playoffs.

Don't you think other GMs around the league are going to start getting pissed at Kevin Lowe? He better not let any of his players get to restricted free agency... wait, he doesn't have anyone another team would want, nevermind.

Rick said...

It's time for the Captain to make up his mind. That's the bottom line right now.

Anonymous said...

"the Captain"?

Christ almighty.

Kyle said...

Burke likes the Penner/Bertuzzi type players and has said he would match any offer sheets. Basically Lowe is just locking up $4 million in cap space on a conference rival for the next 5 years. Worst case scenario has Lupul: The Sequel running in Edmonton theaters for five years but that's not so bad because (a) they have the cap room to eat his contract and (b) it will be a problem for Lowe's successor.

Kyle said...

"the Captain"?

Christ almighty.


Amen.

Earl Sleek said...

Burke likes the Penner/Bertuzzi type players and has said he would match any offer sheets.

The first part of this is true, but I don't put a whole lot of stock in Burke's blanket statements, especially one that implies that he will act regardless of salary implications.

Also, bear in mind, Burke has not signed anybody so far to 5 year or more contract--this may be be design, I dunno, but it may be another stumbling block.

And as for Scott (some of you call him the "Captain", some of you call him "Christ Almighty", I'll accept either), I'm still not really that concerned about him deciding anything just yet. I guess I'd just say that there's no way I'd say Scott has fucked us over by coming back--no matter when that happens.

And I got approval from the kid brother (the resident Penner fan) who also says for that contract, let him walk. So that kind of settles it in my mind. I'm hoping Burke gives Penner that ride to the airport he's been bragging about.

Unknown said...

I say let him walk.
Penner is a solid player, but at that kind of money I would rather have the picks.
Next year's draft is by all accounts a good one and the Ducks don't have a invitation to the first round. So let Penner walk, take the 3 picks, which should be low picks since the Oilers might not make the playoffs.
Don't the Ducks have a guy by the name Ryan that is very similar to Penner, and could easily play with Getzlaf and Perry....just a thought.

Earl Sleek said...

Don't the Ducks have a guy by the name Ryan that is very similar to Penner, and could easily play with Getzlaf and Perry....just a thought.

Don't the Ducks have a guy by the name of Bertuzzi that is exactly like Penner, and could easily play with Getzlaf and Perry? ...just my thought.

I don't really know squat about B. Ryan, but I'm really in favor of how Burke/Carlyle broke Perry and Getzlaf into the league--4th line minutes and a stint in the minors. Without knowing any better about the kid, I hope they do the same with Bobby Ryan. Let him play some Parros minutes his first year.

Kyle said...

I don't put a whole lot of stock in Burke's blanket statements, especially one that implies that he will act regardless of salary implications.

True, but I think Bertuzzi's contract shows that Burke thinks Selanne and/or Niedermayer will retire and free up cap space. If that happens, Penner's inflated salary would be feasible.

RudyKelly said...

Oh Sleek, you and your hatred of all rookies.

Anonymous said...

Rookies don't help you win (see 06-07 Oilers).

Marie said...

Don't you think other GMs around the league are going to start getting pissed at Kevin Lowe?

I've been wondering the same thing. Do other GMs see this as playing dirty or just business? I think Mike Chen needs to have another quick chat with Doug Wilson to get his take on KLowe's actions.

Bryan said...

And Kevin Lowe could have paid Ryan Smyth 6 mil. But seriously, he's a total ass driving up contracts. Penner is a young Bertuzzi, but I gotta let him walk. Over 4 mil a year is a lot and those draft picks from a team that doesn't make the playoffs will be worth alot, since the draft is supposedly awesome next year or they can also be used at the trade deadline.

Toronto had to give up their #1 pick a while back for stealing Tom Kurvers (who ended his career as a Duck) away from NJ. They drafter Scott Niedermayer with that pick. In 97, Toronto did the same thing to Islanders who used the pick to draft Luongo. Thank you for a memorable season Penner, but so long.

Anonymous said...

Seems like a lot of jumping off the Penner bandwagon. I'll stay on it. Sign him for 5 years! He may be a Rick Nash-type player, but 50+ goals, and 30+ assists four years from now is going to be a bargain at 4 million.
He's going to have 2 years worth of experience with Bertuzzi teaching him how to be a physical power forward (or Penner learning what not to do??). Remember that last year was his rookie season. Sure the contract is going to sting if he has a sophomore slump, but I believe he'll be a dominant force in the league before the end of five years.
What this situation really illustrates is that Burke should lock Getzlaf up SOON!

Kent W. said...

He may be a Rick Nash-type player, but 50+ goals, and 30+ assists four years from now is going to be a bargain at 4 million.

Riiiigghhht. And I might crap gold bricks tomorrow too.