Lombardi: Smyth heading to an Alberta team soon

[ThomasTomasz]

St. PAUL, MINN. - In the wake of dealing for Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards(notes), Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi says he’s trading Ryan Smyth(notes) in the next day or so.

Smyth is likely to go to one of the two Alberta teams — his original club, the Edmonton Oilers, or the Calgary Flames, which would be close to where Smyth grew up in Banff.

Lombardi told the Los Angeles Times he’d like to wrap it up in a day or two, that the Smyth asking for a trade situation has been going on for six weeks. He said there was a front-runner, with only two clubs in the hunt. He said he was close to a deal.

The feeling is the Kings would take a draft pick for Smyth, who wants to get back to Alberta because of family issues. The Oilers, obviously, have the greatest tug on his heart, but he’s from Banff, so Calgary might work, too.

It’s not like the Kings want to rid themselves of Smyth’s $6.25-million salary-cap hit and $4.5-million salary. They aren’t looking to make a big hockey deal here. They’re trying to help Smyth out.

The Oilers have two third-round draft picks (one they got from Calgary for defenceman Steve Staios(notes)). One of those picks (either No. 62 or No. 74) might be in play for a trade.

There have also been suggestions that the Oilers might try to move Gilbert Brule(notes)’s $1.85-million contract, which has a year remaining, because they are very deep at forward.

But the Kings don’t want to add salary. The Oilers have a cadre of really young guys — Taylor Hall(notes), Jordan Eberle(notes), Magnus Paajarvi(notes), Martin Marancin, Jeff Petry(notes), Anton Lander, Teemu Hartikainen(notes) and Tyler Pitlick(notes) — they wouldn’t move.

The Oilers, who know how popular Smyth is in Edmonton, are interested but, in their development stage, they have to be careful what they give up for the 35-year-old winger.

Obviously, a chunk of the Oilers’ fan base would welcome getting Smyth back after his unsettling trade in 2007 over money issues. He played 770 games for the Oilers before he was dealt to the New York Islanders.

The Oilers have lots of cap room to add Smyth, who could be a mentor for the young players.

The Flames, who are having trouble resigning free-agent winger Alex Tanguay(notes), might see Smyth as a nice replacement. He’s played with Calgary captain Jarome Iginla(notes) on Olympic teams.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=edmjour-ca-4997195

 

[killgod]

I'm reading more that suggests Calgary than Edmonton.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

I'm reading more that suggests Calgary than Edmonton.

Yep, they may use Smyth instead of re-signing Tanguay and letting him walk. That way they don't have to make a multi-year commitment to a player and just see how it works out.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Los Angeles Kings forward Ryan Smyth could be returning to Alberta, but not with the Edmonton Oilers.

According to TSN's Gord Miller, details have been worked out on a trade that will send Ryan Smyth from Los Angeles to the Calgary Flames, with the Kings receiving a late round pick.

There is no confirmation or guarantee on the deal, as Calgary ownership has delayed the transaction as they mull over the decision.

Smyth is in the final year of a contract that will pay him $4.5 million this season, although the cap hit is $6.25 million.

Earlier in the week, Smyth asked the Kings to be dealt back to the Oilers, where he spent most of his career.

Both the Flames and Kings have been busy leading up to the NHL Entry Draft with the Kings landing former Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards in a trade, and the Flames asking defenceman Robyn Regehr to waive his no-movement clause to go to Buffalo.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=369870

 

[leaffan]

Why the hell would the flames take him.

That organization is so ass backwards.

 

[leaffan]

Smyth has waived his NTC.

He's going to be a flame by the looks of it.

 

[leaffan]

nevermind he's apparantly going to edmonton now.

 

[wr50l]

Eklund, leaffan, tsn, yer all the same. Not believing it until wikipedia says so.

 

[leaffan]

Ryan Smith to Oilers for Brule and a 4th round pick.

 

[killgod]

Tambellini just said wtf u talkin about TSN.

 

[leaffan]

Tambellini just said wtf u talkin about TSN.

If its not submitted to the NHL he can't say anything due to tampering rules by the NHL.