Edmonton Oilers Official 2012 Offseason/Free Agency Thread

[SportsNY]

An official 2012 offseason/FA thread. I'll update this thread as much as possible with things concerning FA talks and minor signings so we don't have to have a clutter of useless threads. Also use this thread to discuss who you want in free agency, how much/how many years you'd be willing to commit, and what impact you think it would have on the 2012 Oilers and beyond.

Let's hope they're ready to land some players that will contribute and push this team to the playoffs next year!

[SportsNY]

Oilers issue qualifying offers to seven players

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have issued qualifying offers to the following players:

Devan Dubnyk
Sam Gagner
Linus Omark
Theo Peckham
Jeff Petry
Alex Plante
Chris VandeVelde

Link: http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=636034

[NYMetropolitans]

In my opinion the Oilers already landed their prize this offseason with Yakupov, but there's obviously still room for improvement. What kind of players do you want to see signed Oilers fans?

[NYMetropolitans]

Anyone have any thoughts on the head coach choice?

[YankeeDieHard2]

I think its a good move. Always like to see people hired from within the organization.

Just need to sign Justin Schultz now!

[NYMetropolitans]

I think its a good move. Always like to see people hired from within the organization.

Just need to sign Justin Schultz now!

Got some competition with Vancouver and New York but should be a tight race for his services.

[NYMetropolitans]

Oilers send brass to make pitch to Schultz
Lowe, MacTavish are in Toronto to try to convince free-agent defenceman to come to E-town

EDMONTON - The last time the Edmonton Oilers sent out an entourage to woo a prominent player, they were turned down by Dany Heatley in 2009.

This time, they are hoping their efforts pay off, but they are not alone.

Kevin Lowe, the Oilers president of hockey operations, and Craig MacTavish, recently installed in the vice-president’s role, are in Toronto making a pitch to unrestricted free-agent defenceman Justin Schultz.

The Vancouver Canucks reportedly sent general manager Mike Gillis and assistant GM Laurence Gilman while the Toronto Maple Leafs are also expected to be on the short list of teams which will have a chance to talk to the highly sought-after University of Wisconsin product.

Schultz, 21, became a hot commodity when he elected to not sign with the Anaheim Ducks, who drafted him in 2008. After three standout seasons with the Badgers, the Kelowna, B.C., native has his choice of destinations.

He and his representatives set up shop in Newport Sports’ Toronto office earlier this week. Offers can be presented, but he cannot sign until July 1, the first day of free agency.

Ryan Suter, the Nashville Predators’ defensive anchor, and New Jersey Devils captain Zach Parise are the other big names that bear watching when the market opens.

Another interesting entry is Phoenix Coyotes captain Shane Doan, who has spent his career with the franchise but has some concerns about signing a contract with the team’s ownership situation still in flux.

“Are we interested (in Schultz)? Of course we are, and with a chance to present what we believe to be an incredible opportunity,” said Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini. “Let’s see what happens.”

Heatley had been seeking a trade out of Ottawa when he vetoed a deal that would have seen him relocate to Edmonton in exchange for Dustin Penner, Andrew Cogliano and Ladislav Smid. Lowe and Tambellini then dropped in on the winger at Okanagan Lake, B.C., to try to convince him to rethink his decision.

Later, the Oilers dropped off a flashy video to his agent, extolling the virtues of the team and the city. But Heatley dug in his heels and, months later, was dealt to the San Jose Sharks.

Part of the appeal of Schultz is can’t command more than the $925,000 ceiling for a player signing an entry-level contract. He has said he wants to play in Canada and, if it’s playing time he really wants, he’ll get that in Edmonton, where the blue-line needs to be bolstered.

By not drafting Ryan Murray, Griffin Reinhart or Morgan Rielly at the recent NHL entry draft at Pittsburgh, the Oilers may have increased their odds of fanning Schultz’s interest.

Not to mention the fact he’ll be teamed up with some young offensive punch in Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle and 2012 No. 1 pick Nail Yakupov.

Hall is also on standby to meet with Schultz, if needed.

“He has a heck of a lot of interest, with good reason, and we hope to take a good swing at him,” Tambellini said. “We have our ideas of how we can present a pretty good opportunity for a young man.”

Smyth, Oilers to talk

Veteran Ryan Smyth, one of several Oilers who will be without a contract as of July 1, is scheduled to meet with team management again before Sunday’s market opens. There was a two-year deal on the table but the Smyth camp wasn’t prepared to accept the bottom line.

Darcy Hordichuk is also an unrestricted free agent, as are Taylor Chorney, Yann Danis, Ryan Keller, Josh Green and Bryan Rodney.

Source: Calgary Herald

[YankeeDieHard2]

Dreger: Oilers recruit Gretzky and Coffey to lure Schultz.

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/darren_dreger/?id=399563

[SportsNY]

Oilers agree to terms with Musil

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with defenceman David Musil on a three-year entry level contract.
Musil, 19, has played three seasons with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League. In 192 games, the 6'4", 198-pound Jihlava, Czech Republic native has 84 points (19G, 65A) and 254 penalty minutes.

Musil has also appeared in 20 post-season games with the Giants recording two goals and three assists, including helping the team to the 2010 WHL Conference Finals with two goals and two assists in 16 games.

Internationally, Musil represented the Czech Republic National Team at the 2009 and 2011 IIHF U18 Hockey Championship and the 2012 World Junior Hockey Championship here in Alberta.

The Oilers selected Musil in the 2nd round, 31st overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Link: http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=636563

[SportsNY]

Oilers sign Ryan Smyth to a 2-year contract

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with left-winger on a two-year contract.

Smyth, 36, played in all 82 games last season with the Oilers recording 46 points (19G, 27A).

The 6’1”, 192-pound Banff, AB native has appeared in 1151 career National Hockey League games with the Oilers, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings scoring 374 goals and adding 432 assists for 806 points.

Smyth’s career-best season came with the Oilers in 2000-01 when he had 70 points (31G, 39A) in 82 games.

The Oilers selected Smyth 6th overall in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

Link: http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=636682

[SportsNY]

Oilers sign Yann Danis to a 1-year contract

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with goaltender Yann Danis on a one-year contract.

Danis, 31, played in 43 games with the Oilers main affiliate, the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League, posting a 26-14-2 record with a 2.07 GAA, .924 save percentage and five shutouts.

The 6’0”, 185-pound Lafontaine, QC native was awarded the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award as the AHL’s outstanding goalie this past season and was also selected to the First Team All-Star Team.

He etched his name into the Barons record books twice. His five shutouts is the most in the brief two-season history of the Barons. He also owns the individual record for consecutive shutout minutes by a Barons goaltender at 173 minutes 16 seconds.

Danis appeared in one game with the Oilers in a relief appearance when he was recalled by Edmonton on February 20.

Link: http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=636685

[SportsNY]

Oilers Agree to Terms with Darcy Hordichuk

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with left-winger Darcy Hordichuk on a one-year contract.

Hordichuk, 31, played in 43 games last season with the Oilers scoring once and adding two assists along with 64 penalty minutes.

The 6’1”. 211-pound Kamsack, SK native signed as a free agent last summer after spending a year in Florida.

Hordichuk has 41 career NHL points (20G, 21A) and 1138 penalty minutes in 538 games with the Atlanta Thrashers, Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, Vancouver Canucks and Oilers.

Link: http://oilers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=636786