Hindsight is 94/94

[earl2]

Re: Hindsight is 94/94

I really believe Smyth had his mind made up to test the free agent waters no matter what the Oilers (or Islanders) did. Would I rather have the O'Marra, Nielson, and Plante over 18 extra games with Smyth? Yes I would.

Just one man's opinion, mind you.

That's my take on it as well. If the Oilers offered 6Million to Smyth in February, he probably would have turned that down as well.
I think he was determined to become a free agent.

[tony_montana]

Re: Hindsight is 94/94

Both sides have said they were 100 grans apart, IIRC Oil offered 5.4, Smyth wanted 5.5. Nope you can say that if it helps you, but Smyth would be here fore much less than he is making now, and would have been happy to do it.

[earl2]

Re: Hindsight is 94/94

Both sides have said they were 100 grans apart, IIRC Oil offered 5.4, Smyth wanted 5.5. Nope you can say that if it helps you, but Smyth would be here fore much less than he is making now, and would have been happy to do it.

And you say that based on what?

Based on Smyth's comments last summer, based on the fact that the Oilers offered him what he was asking for and he turned it down, based on the fact that he turned down an absolutely monstrous deal with the Islanders, all lead me to believe that Smyth was gunning to become a FA no matter what.

[Delorean]

Re: Hindsight is 94/94

And you say that based on what?

Based on Smyth's comments last summer, based on the fact that the Oilers offered him what he was asking for and he turned it down, based on the fact that he turned down an absolutely monstrous deal with the Islanders, all lead me to believe that Smyth was gunning to become a FA no matter what.

Agreed. I honestly believe if the Oilers offered him $6 million, Meehan & Smyth would've turned around and asked for $6.1 million. Then all the Smyth boosters would still be saying how Lowe & EIG cheaped out over an extra 100k.

[tony_montana]

Re: Hindsight is 94/94

Villify him if you like, believe what you like, I think Smyth has more character than that.

As to turning down the Isles deal, once he was traded I have no doubt he planned on going to free agency from that moment on.

Lowe even admits if he had known then what he knows now he would have given Smyth what he wanted in Feb. So Lowe admits that he would have stayed had he been given what he was asking for.

[Delorean]

Re: Hindsight is 94/94

If Smyth had character he wouldn't have signed with a divisional rival like he did. I personally didn't care if he re-signed with the Oilers after getting traded but I thought he had more respect for the organization the same way Forsberg had for the Avalanche. Oh well, I guess I was wrong.

[earl2]

Re: Hindsight is 94/94

Villify him if you like,

I'm not villifying him. I'm telling you what it appears like to me.
It's his option to test the FA waters. Would I have liked him sign with the Oilers for ten years at $1M per? Sure. But I'm not bitter about him deciding to see what he'd fetch on the open market. It's his right.

[tony_montana]

Re: Hindsight is 94/94

If Smyth had character he wouldn't have signed with a divisional rival like he did. I personally didn't care if he re-signed with the Oilers after getting traded but I thought he had more respect for the organization the same way Forsberg had for the Avalanche. Oh well, I guess I was wrong.

If Kevin Lowe had not bashed him non stop in the media following the trade maybe he would not have signed with a division rival. However Joe Sakic called him personally and asked him to sign in Colorado, and once Sakic retires he will get the C, so why would he not sign there and stick it to Kevin Lowe?