Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

[Deathsdoorstep]

http://www.edmontonsun.ca/Sports/Hoc...14290-sun.html

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjourna...6-cf2c01e61f1d


After reading these two articles, I cannot help but think that Kevin Lowe's time as GM of the Edmonton Oilers may come to an end soon.

Having players over so you can tell them "It was the wife"? (another slam of a player's wife?????)
Saying that "if I'd have known I would have signed Ryan Smyth"?

You've GOT to be kidding me!

Mr. Lowe, we love you, but you're finished.

[chickenman23]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

He is doing the best that he can with what he has been given. What he has said is all true, if the guys wife didn't want to move here then why would he take a 4 year deal here?

I think you have to give your head a shake and realize that this is business and you don't just get what you want.

[Angelus]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

I don't see what your issue with these articles is. Nylander is quoted as saying he had concerns about his family moving here due to the harsh climate. What can Lowe do about that? Like he said, the big 3 weren't even open to discussion. This is not a desirable place to come and Lowe's back is against the wall.

As for Smyth, the only reason he probably regrets that is because he now knows Nilsson and O'Mara are crap.

[Kevin Feterik]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

I don't see what your issue with these articles is. Nylander is quoted as saying he had concerns about his family moving here due to the harsh climate. What can Lowe do about that? Like he said, the big 3 weren't even open to discussion. This is not a desirable place to come and Lowe's back is against the wall.

As for Smyth, the only reason he probably regrets that is because he now knows Nilsson and O'Mara are crap.

I think he regrets it on the fact that Smyth was really the only recognizable, "legitimate" all star talent on the team, and Smyth could perhaps have been used to help recruit other players to Edmonton.

Regehr himself mentioned Edmonton during his press conference yesterday and said that around the NHL Edmonton has a reputation of mistreating and ditching it's all-star players for something cheaper. He said Calgary under King and Sutter have made it a priority to keep their top players, and as such makes Calgary a more desirable place for players to be.

The Smyth issue last year, and even the Smith trade this year don't help Edmonton with that image.

It could be good hockey moves that improve the team, but from an optics POV, how does it look that when as a good/great player, once you hit a certain point with Edmonton, they want to ditch you... players don't want that type of unpredictability.

[Beerfish]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

The Oilers ownership, management, coaches and indeed fans have fostered the negative view FA's have of our organization over the past number of years. We still cling to the old travel or wives don't like us excuse but I think it goes alot deeper than that.

As for the Smyth situation, it was badly bungled from the point that he was not locked up long term when we were handing out generous deals to the Horcoffs and Pisanis of the world. Lowe simply misjudge the economic climate and salary structure and piad the price for it.

[Ol' Jase]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

I, for one, am glad Lowe called out Nylander. Nobody needs any sugar coating anymore. If the reason Nylander isn't here is because his wife didn't want to be here, out with it.

I read the articles a bit differently than you, DDS. I like the accountibility for dropping the ball on Smyth. I like he is being more open with the media than he was before the draft, and I like that he is discussing things without the pomp and circumstance that has come with the last few soundbytes.

Lowe is taking the direct heat for the results of the hockey club on his own (A trick he learned from Slats). Well KLowe, as noble as it is, I hold more people than you accountible for on-ice results. MacT is getting a free pass during all this, and it's about damn time he shares in the blame for the 'shroud of mediocrity' that Lowe seems to be solely responsible for.

The free ride is over, MacT. It's time to produce.

[tony_montana]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

The only thing in that article that was new information was why Nylander balked and that Lowe admitted to his own screw up. What he failed to own up to was the fact that spending 2 months telling anyone who would listen why Smyth was not an elite player has hurt the team almost as much as the move to get rid of Smyth itself.

Lowe has screwed the pooch royally, and the team, the fans and the city are set up to suffer for it.

Of course there are still moves that could be made to get us out of this mess. Sign Sheldon Souray (unless I missed his signing elsewhere) and shore up the blue line. Then assuming the new kid from Philly is the real deal our Defence looks better than this time last year.

Then try to make a move with Tampa for Brad Richards (assuming he is willing to brave the cold inhospitable weather here just minutes south of Santa's woodshed).

Make those two moves and we are in good shape, both long term and short. Much better shape than taking a run at RFA's and trading away draft picks in the upcoming drafts which are much deeper than the one we just had.

[Muley69]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

Pronger

Nylander

Nedved


How many others? What the HELL ever happened to "stand by your man"? Good lord, have any of these wives ever BEEN to ****ing edmonton...jesus christ.

[Sectionq]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

I think he regrets it on the fact that Smyth was really the only recognizable, "legitimate" all star talent on the team, and Smyth could perhaps have been used to help recruit other players to Edmonton.

Regehr himself mentioned Edmonton during his press conference yesterday and said that around the NHL Edmonton has a reputation of mistreating and ditching it's all-star players for something cheaper. He said Calgary under King and Sutter have made it a priority to keep their top players, and as such makes Calgary a more desirable place for players to be.

The Smyth issue last year, and even the Smith trade this year don't help Edmonton with that image.

It could be good hockey moves that improve the team, but from an optics POV, how does it look that when as a good/great player, once you hit a certain point with Edmonton, they want to ditch you... players don't want that type of unpredictability.

I disagree. You can't run a team by bending over to every demand of your star players.
I loved Smyth but he is not worth what he is making, period. I don't care what anyone says. He is not a 6 million dollar player. Career 30 goal, 60 point guys should not be making over 6 million. He is making similar money to freaking Joe Sakic and Joe Thornton. Smyth makes WAY more money than Dany Heatley. All Heatley has done is score back to back 50 goal seasons and put up over 100 points. Joe Thornton has won scoring titles, so has Sakic. Joe Sakic is a superstar, Dany Heatley is a superstar, Joe Thornton is a superstar. Are you going to tell me that Smyth is even in the same league as those players? When has Smyth even been in the top 25 in scoring? I would take any of those players or over Smyth any day of the week.

You want to argue that Calgary takes care of their players like Iginla. Well I think Iginla is making too much but at least he has won a scoring title, he is typically in the top 10-15 in scoring. When has Smyth ever done that? At least Iginla has helped his team win division titles and got to a cup run.

What has Smyth done? The Oil made their cup run only because they had Pronger. They still barely made the playoffs that year and if the Canucks hadn't of crapped the bed, they wouldn't of been in the playoffs at all. All the years before Pronger when we had Smyth, what did we do? Miss the playoffs or barely squeak in at the 8th seed, play a hard nose, spirited series against Dallas but lose in 5-6 games.

Lowe offered Smyth more than what he was worth. Smyth turned it down. End of story. Were the Oil even in the playoff hunt at the deadline last season, no. That was with Smyth having a good year. Joe Sakic almost single handedly got the Avs in the playoffs, thats what superstar players do. I am not sorry that Smyth wasn't signed. THis team needs fresh air. Sames goes for Gator, he was a good captain, but so what, what have they done in the time of his captancy? See above.

[Sectionq]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

One more thing. Being called "captain canada" as Smyth is referred to is not a good thing. The reason he was able to "answer his countries call" for all those world championships is because the team he was leading in the NHL either didn't make the playoffs or was quickly bounced out.

There are a lot of elite players in the league that have very few world championship appearances under their belts. WHY? Because they were leading their team to victories in the playoffs. Steve Yzerman didn't go to too many world championships, he was too busy leading his team to winning cups and going deep into the playoffs. That's what elite players making elite salaries do. Make the team around them better and winning games when it counts.

[stamphater]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

Kevin is a smart hockey man. Its unfortunate he has to deal with some of the crap he has in his time here. That said, there will be some serious questions if we have a repeat of last year where we cannot make a trade because we showed our hand to early. I'm hoping like hell that is not the case.

[Sectionq]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

Kevin is a smart hockey man. Its unfortunate he has to deal with some of the crap he has in his time here. That said, there will be some serious questions if we have a repeat of last year where we cannot make a trade because we showed our hand to early. I'm hoping like hell that is not the case.

I agree with you.
I think part of the problem is the fans. The outcry has been ridiculous. The whole Smyth situation was borderline retarded. I have a friend that works in the Oilers fan relations and the Oilers office was getting treats after the Smyth trade. How ridiculous is that? I think Lowe is partly bowing to the pressure and I can't blame him. When you have fantical fans calling the office with threats, 1000's of fans completely losing it on you on a daily basis, you become a little bit desperate. It's human nature. Every GM knows what Kevin is up against so why would they do him any favors.

[Opus]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

two good posts SecQ........Smyth was a boyle on this teams neck as the big gun. He isn't any teams big gun and his status as an elite player is over-hyped and in error. He is an excellent complimentary player, but he has not ever been one that you build a team around. The Oilers offered an over-payment last year, they and their fans should be happy that the spoiled brat has taken the money and ran to Colorado.

If that is one of the examples being made in today's NHL to make a case that the Oilers jettison their superstars for younger, cheaper talent, then NHL players are truly the most dim of the dim.....

[Kevin Feterik]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

I disagree. You can't run a team by bending over to every demand of your star players.
I loved Smyth but he is not worth what he is making, period. I don't care what anyone says. He is not a 6 million dollar player. Career 30 goal, 60 point guys should not be making over 6 million. He is making similar money to freaking Joe Sakic and Joe Thornton. Smyth makes WAY more money than Dany Heatley. All Heatley has done is score back to back 50 goal seasons and put up over 100 points. Joe Thornton has won scoring titles, so has Sakic. Joe Sakic is a superstar, Dany Heatley is a superstar, Joe Thornton is a superstar. Are you going to tell me that Smyth is even in the same league as those players? When has Smyth even been in the top 25 in scoring? I would take any of those players or over Smyth any day of the week.

You want to argue that Calgary takes care of their players like Iginla. Well I think Iginla is making too much but at least he has won a scoring title, he is typically in the top 10-15 in scoring. When has Smyth ever done that? At least Iginla has helped his team win division titles and got to a cup run.

What has Smyth done? The Oil made their cup run only because they had Pronger. They still barely made the playoffs that year and if the Canucks hadn't of crapped the bed, they wouldn't of been in the playoffs at all. All the years before Pronger when we had Smyth, what did we do? Miss the playoffs or barely squeak in at the 8th seed, play a hard nose, spirited series against Dallas but lose in 5-6 games.

Lowe offered Smyth more than what he was worth. Smyth turned it down. End of story. Were the Oil even in the playoff hunt at the deadline last season, no. That was with Smyth having a good year. Joe Sakic almost single handedly got the Avs in the playoffs, thats what superstar players do. I am not sorry that Smyth wasn't signed. THis team needs fresh air. Sames goes for Gator, he was a good captain, but so what, what have they done in the time of his captancy? See above.

I actually agree with you on that.

What I am saying is the appearance is the Oilers refused to keep their "face of the franchise" and it's not the first time this has happened... admittedly the Oilers can fall back on the argument that the previous star players they let go they had to due to financial constraints, but nevertheless players just look and see:
Weight - gone
Comrie - gone (with prejudice)
Guerin - gone
Pronger - gone (with prejudice)
Peca - gone
Smyth - gone (with prejudice)
Smith - gone (Oilers' own players are ripping this move apart)

I'm not saying it is Lowe's fault, but that is a nasty stigma the Oilers have there, and Lowe had a chance to somewhat change that by overpaying for Smyth to show the NHL the Oilers like to reward their star players and top players...

[Spectacle]

Re: Lowe Has Reporters Over To His House For a Tell-All

Wow..... not gonna lie, I could barely get through the Edmonton Sun article without calling Lowe names that included stuff I can not post on here.

But I can write baby, idiot, cocky SOB, inept at all things 'public relations'.

Seriously, your team can't get players for various reasons, one huge one being the rep it has around the league. THEN THE GM GOES OUT AND CALLS OUT THE WIFE?!?!?! Are you kidding me? Yeah, I can see people not thinking thats a good enough reason not to go to a city. But its not like she was the one that wasn't returning Lowe's calls after the agent agreed to a deal. She wasn't the one that signed the deal with Washington.

I see some people believe in the "stand by your man" ideal. Yeah, obviously the wives around the league know what they are getting themselves into when they get involved with a hockey player. But don't for one second think she doesn't have a choice in her MARRIAGE and where she raises her kids. She is the one who has to stay home all the time while her husband is off in other cities, she and their kids are the people who really live in the city he is playing in.

But regardless of whether you think a wife should shut up and look pretty, or has full right in what happens to her life and her children, I don't see how anyone can see what KLowe is doing as "right".
When your team has a negative rep around the league, to the point where players go to other teams for LESS, shut the heck up and mind your p's and q's.



**Oh, and I laughed at the part where Lowe said he thought they "had the deal done" with Kariya, because Kariya has never played in Canada and wants to play in the next Olympics. Yeah, Lowe, that automatically means he's coming to Edmonton.