The rebuilding process has begun for the Oilers
March 4th, 2010 | by Anjul Virk |It wasn’t exactly the type of housecleaning that fans might have been expecting, but GM Steve Tambellini tried to do what he could with his hands tied to a certain extent in the last three days or so.
Tambellini shipped off Denis Grebeshkov on Monday to the Predators for Nashville’s 2nd round draft pick in 2010.
On trade deadline day, he dealt Lubomir Visnovsky to the Anaheim Ducks for Ryan Whitney and a 6th round pick, and also shipped Steve Staios to the Calgary Flames for Aaron Johnson and a conditional 3rd round pick.
Ethan Moreau, Shawn Horcoff, Fernando Pisani, Robert Nilsson and everybody else on the roster that doesn’t wear #89 did not get moved either. A lot of fans might be disappointed by this, but at least the club will save about $14 million over the next few seasons with these moves.
There is also a chance to unload some of these players at the draft, so not all is lost.
Of course, Visnovsky was also the only bright spot on the Oilers blueline this season, so it is a bit disappointing that it was him and not Sheldon Souray that was traded. Souray now has a hand infection, and will be out for the season.
The Staios trade was shocking in the sense that it was with the rival Flames, who made a late pitch for him. It is the first time in history that a trade has been completed between the two Alberta cities.
