Hockey Day In Canada : SOMEONE HAS TO WIN by Jeffrey Chapman

Normally when I start a post, I start with some ridiculous whimsical reflection on how this team went from a Stanley Cup contender five years ago to where we are now.

That’s not going to happen today.

Today, we’re going to talk about Ales Hemsky.

And today, I’m going to call each and every last one of you out who want to trade him.

It’s not going to happen. It can’t.

I won’t let it happen.

So you want to get rid of Ales Hemsky? Alright. Hope you brought a lunch.

I’ve heard it from more than a couple of Oiler fans.

I don’t think it’s a remotely good idea to trade Hemsky.

No.

Yeah, I know the team’s been in the toilet for the past few years. I got that. And, I know that you think in your mind that changing the landscape of the team might be what the doctor ordered.

But you can’t logically trade Hemsky unless you’re certain you’re going to land a first line winger. Or, a proper defenceman. Or, maybe a prospective first line centre. Hell, how about a quality NHL-calibre player? If we ship Hemsky, can we ship Khabibulin, too? (Side note: Khabibulin hasn’t won in his last fourteen decisions, dating back to the middle of December. That’s 0-14-0, not some cutesy OTL variant).

OKAY I HEAR YOU, BUT WHAT’S THE LOVE AFFAIR WITH HEMSKY ALL ABOUT

Simple. He’s been the best player (when healthy) on this team since the lockout. Add his two assists in Edmonton’s 5-3 defeat versus the Senators, and he has 322 points (91G-231A) in 351 games since the lockout broke in 2005-06. I don’t have the numbers handy at this moment, but I will bet you that there are not many guys who are clipping off at nearly a point per game over the past six years

BUT HE WAS INJURED FOR A LOT OF THE SEASON LAST YEAR

And that would one of two logical arguments that you could even remotely entertain as a realistic reason for wanting to get rid of Ales Hemsky. He’s had concussions, he’s had shoulder injuries, he’s had the buffet at the Flamingo…When Ales Hemsky is healthy, he’s a force. Again, with today’s 2-assist performance versus the Senators, he’s at .92 PTS per game (.917 if you’d like to go to the next decimal point) since the lockout.

BUT HIS CONTRACT EXPIRES AT THE END OF 2012! WON’T SOMEONE THINK OF THE FUTURE!



If a deal can’t get done sometime between now and July 1st 2012, then swing for the fences Tambo. Get every last drop you can for Ales Hemsky.

One caveat: the return had better be something.

Something good. Something that will go into the lineup immediately. Realistically though, what do you see coming back for Ales Hemsky? A mid-first rounder in this year’s draft?

While that’s all well and good, but do you want a pick to come back for what’s a pretty potent scorer in Ales Hemsky?

THINK ABOUT IT

Regardless of where the Oilers finish this year, there’ll be a pretty damn good pick that will come out of it. First, second, maybe third overall?

Bottom line: Hemsky’s too important to this offence. If you can justifiably explain why you believe getting rid of a near PPG player since the lockout is a good idea on a team that finished last in 2009-10 and will no doubt be close to that again this year, then I’m all ears.

Don’t trade Ales Hemsky. If the Oilers deal Hemsky for something that’s not worth its value, I will hand-write the organisation a letter and send it via post, and before I send it I will upload it for everyone to see what the ravings of a lunatic look like.

Be warned, brass.

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