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[Rumour] Oilers likely keeping Ales Hemsky, want toughness


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Oilers likely keeping Hemsky, want toughness:

After numerous attempts to trade for right wing Ales Hemsky, the Edmonton Oilers appears set on keeping him for the 2013-14 season.

Hemsky, 29, was being shopped by Oilers GM Craig MacTavish, but his $5 million salary cap hit made it difficult to complete a deal.

"I know one thing, he's a real good player," said MacTavish during the Oilers' hockey school at Servus Place in St. Albert on Wednesday. "Given the right situation, he is going to score 65 points in this league if he stays healthy. Those guys are normally pretty coveted."

Hemsky is entering the final year of his two-year, $10 million contract and can become an unrestricted free agent next season.

"We all know how good he is and we all know what an impact he had the last time the Oilers made the playoffs," MacTavish said. "We're hopeful that given this new environment and more competitive team going forward, that's really going to play to Ales' skill set and he'll be able to help us."

In 38 games with the Oilers this past season, Hemsky registered nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points.

Meanwhile, MacTavish maintained his position on adding more toughness to the roster.

"We're still actively trying to get some toughness," he said. "There's nothing imminent, but we'll see as training camp goes when some teams' needs are better exposed, as well as our own."

http://www.thefourthperiod.com/news/edm130801.html

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Hemsky brings toughness? :picard::lol: .

"We all know how good he is and we all know what an impact he had the last time the Oilers made the playoffs," MacTavish said.

When was the last time they made the playoffs?

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MacT isn't saying Hemsky is tough. He's saying they would like to add toughness.

24 GP 6 G 11 A 17 P is a pretty good stat line for a 21? year old in the playoffs.

Has some of the sickest dangles in the league.

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The Oilers have an overabundance of 6 Foot or under skilled forwards. Their entire top six is too small to compete with a team like San Jose or LA.

I thought Mac-T said he was going to be bold and bring change to the Oilers, specifically mentioning a Lucic type of player.

Looks like Mac-T has failed to accomplish that as the Oilers are not looking much different than last season.

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Hmm, if Booth and Kes don't click together (even if Booth's healthy) and if Hemsky's healthy too, I could see them (Booth and Hemsky) getting swapped for each other (after Tanev's signed we may still have money for this).

Booth gives them another aggressive guy who'll go to the dirty areas (Hall can provide that but he's not as bullish, nor is Yak)

Higgins worked well with Kes, and they can open up space for Hemsky to work his talent

If there was no AMEX connection we can get out from Booth's contract early and Kes can potentially find his play-maker. The Oilers also get a younger guy with skill who plays physically, and this frees up some cap space ($750,000) for the following season (though Booth would be on the hook for another year). Both guys fit needs and can be potential rebound candidates due to their fit in the roles that their new teams need filling (aggressive shooter in Booth for play-makers in Gagner, Perron, etc. and setup man for Kes)

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Why don't they just bring Eager up. He's the toughest guy in the league.

Here's a proposed trade:

Oilers: Parros, Matt Kassian, Buttercup

Canadiens: Hall

Senators: Nuge

Islanders: Schultz, 1st round pick

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