Last night the New York Islanders paid a visit to Washington where the newly acquired Ryan Smyth scored a goal the way he knows best, by driving to the net and banging one in. The Islanders ended up winning the game in a 6-2 route.
Smyth was acquired from the Oilers on the last hour of the trade deadline for Ryan Omarra, Robert Nilsson and a first round pick in the 2007 draft. The trade was devastating for Oilers fans as Smyth was the face of their franchise. And during a press conference after the trade Smyth in tears said goodbye to his loyal fans and embraced the fact that he could have a new beginning in his NHL career.
GM Kevin Lowes hand was forced as they could not come to an agreement on a contract with Smyth's agent Don Meehan. The Oilers were offering around 5.4 million per season and Smyth's camp was staying put at 5.5 per season. With speculation that the two sides were only off on a contract by $100,000 it seems that there may have been personal issues that had led to the deal to New York. This led to a day of mourning in the city of Edmonton on February 27th, a day when the Oilers were honoring one of their all-time legends with the retirement of his jersey, Mark Messier.
In Nillson and Omarra the Oilers get some added youth, with both players being former first round selections. They also get the Islanders first round selection in the draft to go with their own and as well the benefit of having significant cap room for the team. Expect the Oilers to make strong pursuits in the upcoming offseason as this team does not want to send the message that they are rebuilding. It has been speculated that Smyth could possibly try and resign with the Oilers in the offseason, but the price will only get higher than what the rugged winger was asking for. With many teams vying for his services Smyth could look to make at least 6 or 6.5 million in a multi-year deal.
Since the trade of Smyth the Oilers are 0-3 and were shutout twice in two of those games. The Islanders are 1-1 and currently sit 7th in the east and are only 5 points back of 4th place Ottawa. In 55 games this season Ryan Smyth has 32 goals and 23 assists for 55 points. Nilsson has 20 points in 50 career NHL games and Ryan O'Marra was drafted 15th overall by the Islanders in the 2005 entry draft.
