NHL GM's tend to stay within their comfort realm.

So while media sources will develop complex scenarios in
which Washington can move Jagr or Detroit could move Cujo
to New York, they are often borne from either cyberspace chatter
or Barry Melrose's mullet.

Reality is that Sather's trades have made Ranger fans shake
their head in disbelief. Carter for Dvorak and Cross?
Kovalev for what?

So how much would Sather ask for a player that everyone
knows the team wants to move in an empty marketplace?

Trading Partners

George McPhee screwed Sather once. There was a
York-Graves-Pilon for Nikolishin-Zednik- Simon deal at the
end of Sather's first season as GM. At the last minute,
McPhee switched gears and demands Kloucek, who had lit up the
NHL at the time.

Now that Sather knows McPhee was forced to sign Jagr by
Leonsis, and is facing an uphill battle to move him,
Sather likely asked for the equivalent of three Klouceks.

As for Cujo, it's a complex scenario given momentum more from
national writers who know that Holland must move Cujo.

But, if history is an indication, a more well-traveled and
comfortable move may appear soon.

The Edmonton Connection

After a period where Kevin Lowe refused to deal with Sather out
of of fear that a fleecing would ruin his reputation, the
trading doors between the two teams has opened. The results
for both teams have turned out well.

For the Rangers, Poti was an All-Star this past season, and
Anson Carter is a prominent component for next year.

For the Oilers, Mike York played well when healthy, Cross was
signed to a new deal, and Dvorak will do well on Edmonton's
stellar ice surface.

Financially, the rfa's in NY will actually be inexpensive by
Ranger standards, while Edmonton has reduced its payroll with
each trade.

So don't discount both Lowe and Sather revisiting a well that
has been good for each of them. So why do I bring this up?

Ryan Smyth's Arbitration

Ryan Smyth is going to arbitration this summer (August 14th).

Coming off a 60-point season in 70 games, and as a player who
will hit 30 goals if he plays a full season, Smyth can command
a hefty salary in the range of $4 million or more per season.

He is a gritty player who pays the price to score in front of
the net, and brings heart to his team. This fits Sather's recent
acquisitions such as Holik, Kaspar, and de Vries.

And while he's an integral part of Edmonton's lineup, finances
always come into the picture for Lowe, who has sent high-priced
players away before their ufa year.

And after trading Niinimaa and Carter for developing players,
trading Smyth doesn't appear so far-fetched.

There's more to this story - Mark Messier

Mark's father, Doug, has apparently 'entertained' an offer from
Kevin Lowe to play in Edmonton for a final season.

This is odd, since according to Sather, he was still waiting to
hear from Mark and Doug regarding his intent to play this season,

This is rife with conflict. Remember last year when Messier signed
a deal with an option for a second year that, according to Messier,
was supposed to take the guess work out of the second year?

Oops. Looks like someone forgot to tell Sather that.

So if Lowe was to deal a heart and soul player like Ryan Smyth,
it may follow that he'd look to Messier to placate the fan's
disappointment.

(Note: I am not suggesting that Messier would be traded. He is a
ufa. But if Lowe relinquishes Smyth's salary, an understanding
between Mess, Lowe and Slats that Mark would sign in Edmonton for
a determined sum could make the picture complete)

Pavel Bure Ramifications

If Pavel is hopping on one leg toward retirement, it follows that
Sather will be looking for a replacement.

An advantage of Smyth is a free agency award would be two years
tops - not unmanageable for the post-cba years.

And while Demitra is the more media-friendly, two-year option, it's
unlikely that St. Louis would be forced to deal him (as Rodent
explains in his recent column).

Speed of the Deal

Carter literally fell into Sather's lap at the deadline. When Lowe
put him on the block, he and Slats found a way to complete the
trade quickly.

Smyth may be a similar scenario. If Lowe finds that Smyth won't
fit in his budget, these two could be on the phone quickly.

It would be somewhat costly - Lowe netted York and Dvo in past
deals, so it's reasonable to assume he'd have his eye on Lundmark.
(Another note: I'm not advocating a personal opinion on a trade,
merely explaining an option)

It's also possible that Smyth's salary will be palatable for Lowe,
since the salary market seems to be dropping, which may affect
arbitration awards.

But it's a good scenario to watch, even if the NY papers don't
pick it up until it's too late...

-Gabe

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