That’s 100 percent junior varsity journalism right there. None of these brilliant journalists have given five seconds of thought to the fact that Dustin Penner could scored 25-35 goals this year and out-score Chris Drury, who will be making $3 million more per season. But it’s OK for New York and Philly to do it. Shame on Kevin Lowe.

Posted by Eric from Scottsdale, Ariz. on 07/30/07 at 01:41 PM ET

Eric, you might have to point to more than just a goals-scored total to compare Penner and Drury’s contributions, but other than that it’s a decent point.

That said, there will be plenty of players playing next season who will also score goals and cost a lot less than Penner--just pointing at the high-dollar mark is a little one-sided, I think.

Posted by Earl Sleek from Los Angeles, CA on 07/30/07 at 01:51 PM ET

Earl, I couldn’t agree more. Obviously goals scored, especially during the regular season, is only one component to the equation. However—and I think you saw my point—I just think it’s funny how piling on Kevin Lowe is the easy thing to do right now. Chris Drury had a great season last year, but he also played on a well-oiled machine. Yes, he scored clutch playoff goals, and yes, I remember his scoring some very clutch goals for Colorado, but his numbers over the years have been nothing spectacular. But it’s just easier to pile on Kevin Lowe.

Posted by Eric from Scottsdale, Ariz. on 07/30/07 at 01:58 PM ET

Ryan Smyth is NOT the heart and soul of the Oilers and he is certainly NOT worth the money he’s getting paid.  He has never scored more than 70 points in a season.  He wanted to get paid like a big time goal scorer but he did not score in the biggest stage for hockey.

As an Oilers fan, I would like to think that I speak for the majority but I am not angry or sad that Ryan Smyth was traded, the team has lost better players before and it will probably happen again.

Also this heart and soul thing makes no sense.  If he was heart and soul, he would have taken less to stay.  I understand him leaving for better money but I’m not hanging on to his memory.  The myth surrounding him is bigger than life and it’s unfortunately accurate.  On that Oilers team there were at least 4 guys would would have been captains ahead of him not including Jason Smith: Moreau, Staios, Stoll, and even Roloson if goaltenders could be captains.

PS: The Oilers are no longer a small-market team, they are in the top 10 in the league in revenue and the ownership is willing to spend to 5% of the cap.

Posted by Daniel S. from Edmonton, AB on 07/30/07 at 03:40 PM ET

Lowe is a hypocritical dolt. If he would stop making terrible trades and actually get a productive NHL’er or 2 in the deals he makes he wouldnt have to hand out these desperate offer sheets. And Daniel S from Edmonton - you state your not “hanging on to his memory” yet your on here whining about the money he makes now and whining about he “didnt take less to stay.” Contradict yourself much? Stop blaming Ryan for wanting to be paid after years and years of taking less to stay there and blame your cheapskate, now desperate tool of a GM Kevin Lowe. Also, you say you “speak of for the majority of Oil fans, but I am not angry or sad” Ryan was traded. MAJORITY?!?! PLEASE! Mention Smyth and $100,000 to 98% of Oil fans and your going to get a crying, immature, curse-laden temper tantrom afterwards. Give it a rest and please continue to think Lowe knows what he’s doing, the rest of the West will continue to laugh and enjoy it.

Posted by Tom A. Hawk on 07/30/07 at 09:08 PM ET