Post by Declan on Aug 12, 2009 7:46:03 GMT -5
Interesting article about the Oilers cap situation & why they haven't signed UFA Blair Betts
www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/edmonton-oilers/Oilers+face+budget+issues/1880824/story.html
If you’re wondering why the Edmonton Oilers haven’t filled an obvious hole and signed free-agent centre Blair Betts, it’s all numbers.
Not Betts’s numbers.
The team’s salary cap numbers....
The Oilers could certainly use Betts, a 29-year-old Edmonton product who was played a huge role on the NHL’s best penalty-killing unit with the New York Rangers last season. He’s also a big, energetic body--six-foot-three, 200 pounds--which is something the Oilers could use.
But the Oilers have 22 players who saw NHL action last season already signed and 14 of those are forwards. They still have to sign centre Gilbert Brule and defenceman Ladislav Smid.
They have a shade more than $55 million US committed this upcoming season. About $2.5 million will likely be going to Smid and Brule when they sign shortly. Brule will be given a shot at the fourth-line centre spot.
www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/edmonton-oilers/Oilers+face+budget+issues/1880824/story.html