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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
 Posted - 04/12/2010 : 10:00:32
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Sportsnet is carrying an exclusive story regarding Sheldon Souray, and that he wants out of Edmonton. For Oilers fans, sadly this is nothing new... but different than the Pronger situation, Souray has come out pretty publicly and heavily against management, citing them as the sole reason for wanting out.
The full story here: http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/04/12/souray_request/
Some sound bites:
"It’s not a players thing. It’s not a fans thing or a city thing. It’s a management thing," Souray said. "They’ve given up on me, and it’s a two-way street.
"I’ve had the experience of playing in great organizations (in New Jersey and Montreal), and experienced a vastly different approach to things like that. I was a captain in Montreal. I never had my character questioned there, or in New Jersey. I feel that’s all I’ve had since I’ve been here.’"
"I still have two years left on my contract. I made a commitment to come here when other guys wouldn’t," he said. "But you talk about Prongs (Chris Pronger) and guys like that, and it should raise an eyebrow when players who leave town are skipping out with a smile on their face."
No doubt Souray will get traded this summer - I think he would have anyway, but this will pretty much seal the deal I think. But something like this has to be a bit damaging to the Oilers - with Pronger you can chalk it up to one guy that had a change of heart, but now with Heatley not coming, and Souray speaking up... what does something like this do to the Oilers ability to sign free agents?
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2010 : 10:35:18
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| Oh, also - IS there anything wrong with the management in Edmonton? Is this just one player venting frustration, or is there something to what he's saying? |
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impropriety
Top Prospect
Canada
78 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2010 : 11:39:03
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Fans in the Oilogosphere point to various examples when it comes to the ineptitude of the management. Up until this past season, the chart topper was Penner's offer sheet (although he'll likely break even on that one if he maintains his current performance). Aside from that you've got the crippling contracts that came out of the glorious 2006 cup run (Horcoff, Pisani, et al).
From there, you move on to a perceived mismanagement of top prospects - although that was a bigger issue a few years back than it is now. They seem to be a little more patient with respect to the new crop.
The last - and definitely not least - reason is the outright refusal to correct the issues that should be entirely within their power to correct. Edmonton's issues going into the 2009/10 season were pretty clear: they needed a big, stay-at-home defenseman, and a 3rd-line centre that can win faceoffs for less than 5.5MM/yr. Interesting thing to note is that they could have bought an entire 3rd line for what they're paying Mr. Horcoff. Instead of making these smart UFA acquisitions last summer (Goc, Peca, Malhotra), they chose to send muffin baskets to Dany F. Heatley.
As far as Souray's accusations, I really have no idea. It's pretty obvious that players have played hurt this year, and the record number of man-games lost to injury pretty much speaks for itself. Whether it was as a result of management pushing the players or the players pushing themselves is completely up for speculation, although this might give us some insight. |
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baumer
Top Prospect
82 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2010 : 12:18:32
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The most glaring point that stuck out to me in this whole story, (not sure if it's in the article) Souray was on the fan 590 today and said that he hadn't talked to or seen Steve Tambellini since January.
I know he's had some injuries which would keep him away from the team but how does the GM not make a phone call or drop by a rehab session at all? Sounds to me like there is some serious discord in Oil town. Could be a repeat of the "Muskoka 5" that plagued, and still does the Leafs. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2010 : 13:45:19
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Here is the thing from the past few years. I have a few distant links into the Oilers dressing room. I do business with a guy who's brother played for the Oilers at one time and a distant relative is married to a current Oiler. I am in no way saying everything I've heard is true, however there does seem to be some logic to the story.
The Oilers are now and always have been an old boys club. Think of it as a Country Club. You are a member and revered or you are a guest and people look down their nose at you. This goes from the towel boys to the President. Some players get the respect (Horcoff, Pronger when he was here, Pisani, etc) and others can work as hard as anyone, produce as well as anyone, and they will never be an "Oiler" like Curtis Glencross, Stoll, and Nilsson.
I believe Souray is one of the guys that never will be an Oiler.
In some defense of the Management, Souray is often injured, and from another somewhat inside link I know to the Oilers training/rehab centre in Edmonton, Souray didn't seem to want to work to hard to get back on the ice. He was also a 1/2 time player in that many games he mailed it in effort wise and never really looked to care. Many nights he seemed more interested in what he was wearing to the rink than the jersey he was going there to put on.
If he was so happy and so revered in Montreal, why did he leave??
Finally, Souray reported back in January that he would be interested in moving for the right deal. Why would Tambellini go out of his way to make Souray happy?? Go to your job tomorrow and tell them you quit. Tell me how involved you stay in your company.
Bottom line, there definately is a management issue in Edmonton and the Old Boys Club still has a huge grasp on the Team. However, in Souray's case, I also think there is a big case of cry baby syndrome. |
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impropriety
Top Prospect
Canada
78 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2010 : 14:16:30
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@ Beans:
I think you've hit the nail right on the head when it comes to the culture of exclusivity when it comes to the Oilers' dressing room. There's definitely a veteran core, and the rookies need to earn their spot. The veterans take the rookies out for a rookie dinner annually and generously let the rookies pay, for instance.. They also get their priveliged spots at the front of the jet (first on, first off).
I'm curious about what leads you to believe that Souray is on the outside of this arrangement looking in.
When I first read the article, I immediately assumed that this was a case of Souray's sense of entitlement rearing its head. Looks to me like Souray's been quietly waiting for a trade after making his wishes clear in January (or potentially earlier, if you believe the rumours) and isn't impressed with management's inactivity. The tone of the comments speaks to me loud and clear, and it says he's on the Villify the Management Bandwagon. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2010 : 14:46:24
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Started with a bad taste and never got going. The team expected something(maybe unattainable) which they never got and blamed Souray for it.
Oft injured, lazy defensive, not what a $5.25/season players should be like. I would have and did expect more as well.
In the end, his last statement really says a lot.
"I still have two years left on my contract. I made a commitment to come here when other guys wouldn’t," he said. "But you talk about Prongs (Chris Pronger) and guys like that, and it should raise an eyebrow when players who leave town are skipping out with a smile on their face."
Prongs and guys like that?? One guy. Not everyone who has left Edmonton. One guy.
Sour Grapes on Souray's side, unreal expectations on management side, and unfortunately another black mark for a team that struggles with getting UFA's. Like it's not enough that Edmonton is the most Northern professional sports team in the world and have not been successful for some time. Isn't that enough without having a guy like Souray spouting off crap??
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2010 : 15:00:52
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Thanks for the insight Beans. The old boys club, thats an interesting angle... I don't know anyone on other hockey teams, but I can't believe that the Oilers are too different from other teams in regards to player privilege, so I'm surprised that it might be the case. The great expectations/not enough effort clash I do believe - seeing Souray play a few times this year, I would not pay 5.25 per year for that either.
Honestly, its a shame that Edmonton seems to get dragged thru the mud (seemingly) every year - there is always something bad happening there. You're right, they have a hard enough time attracting free agents to play there. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 04/12/2010 : 21:18:40
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Well, let's face it, Edmonton would not be the first choice for very many players. Although most players who do come through and play do like the city more than they expected. But Edmonton is easily the coldest climate in the NHL, and the city isn't really geared for much recreationally outside of the Summer.
Edmonton doesn't get drug through the mud in that regard, it's just fact.
But I sure doesn't help when guys like Souray talk smack on the way out. If you are unhappy, you are unhappy. Keep it in house and wait for your trade. All it does is sour a reputation when a player talks crap about his current team. |
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Guest9291
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Posted - 04/13/2010 : 08:49:03
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i don't doubt Sourays sincerity on this one...
Being an Elk Point boy, i do believe that he wants to play here.
Although his style of play was not what some were expecting he played a hard defense game, and took the penalties to show it.
From what i hear, it is not Tamb's affecting this one...Souray is "management issue" is with Kevin Lowe (suprise suprise).
And the way he has approached Souray over the course of the last year or so. Even on the outs as general management Lowe is still screwing things up for Oiler fans. |
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Hugh G. Rection
Rookie
165 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2010 : 09:36:34
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I'd just like to add that Souray didn't choose to 'leave' MTL. He was a UFA and the Habs couldn't match what the Oilers were offering. I'm sure being a native Albertan played some sort of role in the decision making process as well. The Habs had some hard decisions to make in that off-season. They signed Markov to big money, basically replaced Souray with Hamrlik, traded Craig Rivet to San Jose and let Jane Ninnima go.
For the record I do like Souray as a player, he's a slightly better version of Brian McCabe. Although he's not worth the money he's making now, most teams would want him on their roster at a more reasonable cap hit. I'm guessing there is the potential for a trade out there, but teams may be reluctant given the injury history. Certainly the Oil would have to add another key piece in order to unload Souray in a trade. Not something a rebuilding team would have much appetite for. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2010 : 14:01:57
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I think off the start Edmonton was a good fit for Souray. He was not going to resign with Montreal. Him leaving was a two-way street. Not only did he not want to go back, they were not going to resign him. Secondly, his kids were on the West coasts to being closer to them was one of his top priorities. Obviously, a home town boy coming home is always a story.
That is where the honeymoon ended. Apparently, the issues started on day one of training camp as he was questioned on his injury. Also, from what I have read and heard around Edmonton, the issue is NOT with Lowe. It is with Tambellini. It started with him earlier in the season when Tambelinni didn't call Souray to see how he was doing after the Iginla Concussion. Then, after he asked for a trade in January, Tambellini stopped communicating all together.
Well, when you pay nearly $30 million for a player, you better know what you are getting into. Some players need someone to hold their hand, others just want to come to the rink and play. Obviously, Souray needs his hand held and Tambo just wasn't down with that.
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Hugh G. Rection
Rookie
165 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2010 : 16:12:52
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Actually Beans just to nitpick Montreal did offer him a contract on July 2. 4 years $22 mill if I recall correctly. Basically the same contract they gave to Hamrlik after wards. You could argue that was way under-valued, but hey they at least tried to sign him. Obviously Edmonton came up with more dough so it's no secret why he went there, the whole 'home' thing notwithstanding. I don't know which side to believe on this story, but it sure points to systemic dysfunction.
As an uninformed outsider I would say Edmonton needs to do some serious cleaning of house to wipe the slate clean and start over. You are at 30th place, so what better time to start anew and break up the 'old boys club' as posters have put it. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 04/13/2010 : 22:10:40
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Still not a huge fan of Quinn, but gotta love him in front of the camera. Tell us how you really feel Pat??
http://www.edmontonsun.com/sports/myoilers/2010/04/13/13568941.html
Here is a quote from another store from the Edmonton Sun, also by Quinn when he was asked about Souray being forced to play earlier than he should have been playing after an injury.
If Oilers management has been pressuring players to play while injured, as Sheldon Souray alleged earlier this week, Pat Quinn says they’re not doing a very good job of it.
“With 531 man games (lost to injury),” grinned the head coach. “You know that we didn’t force anybody to play.” |
Edited by - Beans15 on 04/13/2010 22:12:39 |
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Wassup in Edmonton? 
