Free Agents: No 404 For Us: Larry Brooks points out no one wants to play in Atlanta, Edmonton, or Long Island. I get the Isle burn, because they still have that crazy management reputation, even if it's much calmer out there, but I'm not sure why...... , posted on July 07, 2008 more

Goodbye, Jags: Jaromir Jagr has left the Rangers and the NHL for Avangard Omsk. I don't know if it's the spin of Rangers' GM Glen Sather, but while the conventional wisdom held the Rangers weren't trying to get anything done with Jagr,...... , posted on July 04, 2008 more

Brokedown Palace: Ryan Smyth knew last night's return to Edmonton would be emotional. "I'm sure I'll break down," said Smyth, before stopping to compose himself, his eyes glistening just a little. "Lot of great memories." "I'm sure I'll break down, too," said...... , posted on October 24, 2007 more

Sub Puck: Just a few quick things, since I just got back from a week in Seattle (a great sports town that really should have an NHL franchise, especially with the Sonics about to leave. Plus, you have to love the location,...... , posted on August 06, 2007 more

Edmonton: 'We'll Pay You $10 Million a Year Mr. Derek Boogaard': OK. First, I'm going to apologize. I have to dip into ESPN Insider content, just because E.J. Hradek's had some nice stuff yesterday. Like when he asked what exactly is wrong with Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe and his massive offer...... , posted on July 09, 2007 more

Isles Stock Up...Finally: You really have to respect the Islanders. They were shut out of the top-tier free agents big time, but they didn't fold. They're still working hard. They just landed Bill Guerin and Mike Comrie . Depending on which Guerin shows...... , posted on July 06, 2007 more

Nice Things: Nice! HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA is staying with the CBC. Interestingly, the new deal caps the number of Leafs game, and rotates in other Canadian teams. I'm guessing this deal started before the Oilers went into a tailspin. More nice!...... , posted on March 27, 2007 more

Predatory Trading?: Nashville has to be loving that Peter Forsberg trade. He picked up an assist in his return to the Predators after missing six games with an upper body injury. He's got a goal and six assists in eight games. Scottie...... , posted on March 19, 2007 more

The Life of Smythy: Wow. Edmonton trading Ryan Smyth turned out to be more controversial than I thought. USA Today? Not a big fan of the move. Mike Heika from the Dallas Morning News? Not a big fan of Smyth: "Bottom line: Smyth has...... , posted on March 02, 2007 more

Two Seconds in Glendale: Sunday's Times featured Play, their fantastic (quarterly?) sports magazine. I haven't gotten through all of it yet, but upfront they had a great examination of Edmonton's goal during the last 2.2 seconds of a game against Phoenix last season. They...... , posted on November 01, 2006 more

Oilers: 'Wait. The Ducks are in Our Conference? Are You Sure?': Wow. Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Smid, and a first-round pick for Chris Pronger? Wasn't Edmonton asking for Jay Bouwmeester, Nate Horton, and a first round pick like a week or so ago? I wasn't even that shocked by that part of...... , posted on July 04, 2006 more

Impression: My sources tell me Edmonton might be getting ready to move Chris Pronger to a team in the NHL. Details to follow......... , posted on July 03, 2006 more

Bruins and Ruins: Dave Lewis is stepping in as Boston's coach. Some in the Boston media say outgoing coach Mike Sullivan got a raw deal. You know. Because everyone above him was insane. It sucks for Sullivan, but he's probably better off out...... , posted on June 29, 2006 more

Prong and Yoko: Does anyone really believe the reason Chris Pronger wants out of Edmonton is his wife? Pronger doesn't have a no-trade clause. Edmonton can send him anywhere they want. It's not like Pronger can pick an NHL city and ask to...... , posted on June 27, 2006 more

Draft Dodging: I'm not much of a draft person, but I love me some trades! Todd Bertuzzi for Roberto Luongo? The most shocking part of that trade was that Luongo was actually looking to sign a contract in Florida (login info.). Hasn't...... , posted on June 26, 2006 more

Game Seven Rates...For Hurricanes: So how about those Hurricanes, eh? Was it me or was Edmonton just a smidge to nervous? I saw quite a few overshot passes, especially in the first two periods. It's crazy to think that if Edmonton had connected on...... , posted on June 21, 2006 more

Hockey Smorgasboard: First, some non-Stanley Cup stuff: Larry Brooks runs some interesting scenarios, trying to figure out what it takes to keep Patrik Elias in New Jersey (login info.). Brooks suspects Elias is looking for a deal that will let him play...... , posted on June 19, 2006 more

Kick Out the Puck...: Has anyone else noticed how in the first two games of the finals, Edmonton was constantly passing the puck back to their defensemen, trying to get that one-timer from the blue line? To the extent that they were actually passing...... , posted on June 12, 2006 more

It's Time: Stanley Cup Finals start tonight. I've got to admit. I'm not too psyched. It's one thing to watch a goalie like Patrick Roy or Martin Brodeur in the finals. It's pure genius in action. But Dwayne Roloson? Does anyone think...... , posted on June 05, 2006 more

Chatting with Gary: NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to the CP on the NHL's last four surviving teams: Interesting, exciting and not totally unexpected...The system has created the type of competitive balance that we envisioned. Translation: Oh dip! These are the most random four...... , posted on May 19, 2006 more

Trade Is Over: Geez. I find the trade deadline so draining. The big shocks: Florida hanging on to Olli Jokinen and Chris Gratton, while not dealing goalie Roberto Luongo. So apparently they really want to keep together this core that has produced 24...... , posted on March 10, 2006 more

Trade Madness: Tomorrow is the NHL's trade deadline. So much fun for fans. So not fun for the players. The Islanders, without a GM, locked up both Radek Martinek and Shawn Bates. That's such a great move. Because it's not like a...... , posted on March 08, 2006 more

Rangers West: Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe and coach Craig MacTavish were both Rangers in 1994 when New York won the Cup. So of course, they were both at Mark Messier's number-retirement. Because of that, and because the Rangers were playing Edmonton that...... , posted on January 16, 2006 more

Puck Gifts: With the holidays right around the corner, I can't imagine a better gift for a hockey fan than an Oiler championship banner. The old ones are getting ratty so the Oilers want to replace them and auction them off for...... , posted on November 15, 2005 more

Comrie Benched: Mike Comrie has always fascinated me. He was so dynamic in Edmonton. Then, he sat out and ended up a Flyer, which was a bad fit for him and his more freewheeling style. His having sat out a few months...... , posted on October 25, 2005 more

The Battle of Insomnia: How great was Edmonton-Calgary Saturday night? You've got to love the Battle of Alberta. And there are seven to go. Calgary won 3-0, but it was still a great game. Especially Jarome Iginla's beautiful goal, where he was able to...... , posted on October 17, 2005 more

Goodbye to Mike: Larry Brooks has a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of the new NHL (login info.). No big surprises, although it's nice to see someone give props to the rebirth of the Edmonton Oilers. To be honest,...... , posted on October 03, 2005 more

Trading Everyone!: Too. Much. Hockey. News. Every time I click over to a hockey news site, I'm gasping. It's a rollercoaster. Brian Leetch is a Bruin. Why? Because that's where he wanted to play. I firmly believe Leetch was only looking for...... , posted on August 04, 2005 more

Oilers: 'How About a $50 Cap': So Cal Nichols, chairman of the Oilers, says that if the NHL doesn't get its cap, he's going to get the Oilers out of Edmonton. Interesting. Larry Brooks reports the NHL and the players are discussing hard and soft caps...... , posted on January 27, 2005 more

LockOutUpdate.com: Um. So how about that lockout, huh? Roy Mlakar, the president of the Ottawa Senators, says the Senators are actually saving money by locking out the players. How crazy is that? How can you run a business that's more successful...... , posted on September 17, 2004 more

World Cup: US Needs a Starter and Canada Gets the Point: I'm finally starting to get psyched for the World Cup. Team USA's coach Ron Wilson isn't naming a starting goalie. His options are Flyer Robert Esche, Oiler Ty Conklin, and Islander Rick DiPietro. All three are young and unproven. Esche...... , posted on August 24, 2004 more

Nedved Edges Closer to Edmonton; Tim Duncan Meets Vladislav Tretiak: Am I the only one who thinks the only reason Petr Nedved is about to re-sign with the Oilers is so the press will stop accusing him of being whipped by his supermodel wife? Whatever the reason Nedved decided to...... , posted on August 18, 2004 more

Nedved's Choice: So even though Petr Nedved's wife is hot (she's model Veronica Verakova), I still feel bad for him. Everyone is blaming her for his inability to choose a team to sign with. Robin Brownlee does everything but make that p-whipped...... , posted on July 30, 2004 more

Nedved to Cali? Allison in Demand?: Wow. It seems Petr Nedved wants to play for the Kings. That kind of sucks for Edmonton. He would have been a good fit for them. He could lead, something he never got to do with the Rangers. Plus, he...... , posted on July 23, 2004 more

RSS Question(s): I'm noticing more and more traffic coming from RSS readers. I'm not too into them myself, although I did download AmphetaDesk last week. Here's my question: Is PuckUpdate working OK with the readers? Does it look OK? Are there any...... , posted on July 12, 2004 more

Toronto: 'Is Syl Apps Still Alive?': Toronto seems to be continuing on their mission to reinvent themselves as a senior beer league team. Larry Brooks at the Post says Chris Chelios, 42, could be joining the Leafs. The Leafs are making the Rangers look like a...... , posted on July 02, 2004 more

Edmonton Oilers: 'Forget the Playoffs. Let's Crunch Numbers': You know, I'm not naive to the realities of sports. I realize it's a business and that when all is said and done, at the end of the day, there's a bottom line that needs to be met. And I...... , posted on April 08, 2004 more

Western Horse Race: I love that the season is ticking down and that eighth seed in the West is still totally up for grabs. Right now, it's owned by Edmonton and Nashville. But the Kings and Blues are within two and one respectively....... , posted on March 23, 2004 more

Comrie: New Team, No Deal: Mike Comrie. Mike Comrie. Mike Comrie. I just can't get enough of him. The Flyers are still trying to work out a deal with him. His deal with Anaheim would have paid him $1.5 million for the rest of this...... , posted on December 19, 2003 more

Comrie Still In Limbo: Somehow it makes me feel a little better that Anaheim GM Bryan Murray is just as in the dark as everyone else about the Oilers demanding $2.53 million before they'll trade him. Oilers GM Kevin Lowe is either crazy or...... , posted on December 16, 2003 more

Comrie Must Pay to Quack: Detroit is treating Curtis Joseph pretty badly, sending him down to the AHL one day, bringing him back up the next. But geez. Look at Edmonton and Mike Comrie. That's just brutal. The Oilers are demanding $2.5 million from Comrie...... , posted on December 12, 2003 more

Oates Will Play for Edmonton One Day: So Adam Oates didn't play with Edmonton last night, as they tied Columbus 3-3. It seems like they signed Oates ages ago. It's only been like a week or so, though. Coach Craig MacTavish says he should play soon, though....... , posted on November 26, 2003 more

Flames Look Outside: So is it any surprise that other NHL teams are looking into outdoor games? Edmonton drew a crowd of over 56,000. It's like almost four games in one day. The outdoor games, while pure torture for the players, I'm sure,...... , posted on November 24, 2003 more

Backups Rise Up: Are there a lot of injured goalies this season or is it me? And the backups are doing amazingly. Over in Calgary, Jamie McLennan is way better than the injured Roman Turek. Plus, now the Flames have goalie Miikka Kiprusoff....... , posted on November 19, 2003 more

Oates an Oiler: Wow. The Oilers kind of broke with their usual game plan, didn't they? Instead of going young, they went old and picked up free agent Adam Oates for just under $2 million. Oates gives Edmonton depth down the middle. He'll...... , posted on November 18, 2003 more

Random Fun: Not enough for proper entries, but neat enough for me to type: * Last week's The Hockey News has Kris Draper of the Red Wings revealing that if the team had won just one game in the playoffs, they could...... , posted on November 14, 2003 more

King Comrie?: Like Wayne Gretzky before him, Mike Comrie could he moving from Edmonton down to Los Angeles. The Kings are rumored to be interested in signing Comrie, who can't come to terms with the Oilers over his contract. Edmonton is still...... , posted on November 03, 2003 more

Milbury's Curse: The Edmonton Sun has a great look at the Curse of Mike Milbury. Milbury is the GM of the Islanders. A lot of the players he's shipped to Edmonton having not been playing so hot. Eric Brewer is missing in...... , posted on October 27, 2003 more

Gomez for Comrie?: It seems like we'll be hearing a lot of Mike Comrie and Curtis Joseph trade rumors for a while. Not many will involve both of them, though. And neither does this one: Larry Brooks reports that New Jersey might be...... , posted on October 13, 2003 more

Comrie and Havlat Still on the Dole: So it seems Mike Comrie probably won't be returning to the Oilers. I know it's a complicated issue, but I feel that since Comrie is actually from Edmonton, he's entitled to more money. At the same time, I feel he...... , posted on October 09, 2003 more

D-Vo Whips It: The Edmonton Sun is looking in on Radek Dvorak, pointing out how he really needs to step up to the plate, er, net, this season. Of course, every October starts with someone wondering if Dvorak will finally have a strong...... , posted on September 25, 2003 more

Split the Comrie: Oiler Mike Comrie is still sitting out. You really don't know who to root against in this one. The Oilers are definitely low-balling Comrie, an Edmonton native, but Comrie must realize on some level that his lack of a post-season...... , posted on September 24, 2003 more

The Great Mom: 'Tickets. I Need Tickets. Who's Got Tickets?': Wow. You know that outdoor Edmonton/Montreal alumni game is going to be huge. Even Wayne Gretzky's mom wants a ticket. It'll be really interesting to watch Gretzky skate again. He says he hasn't been on the ice in four years....... , posted on September 23, 2003 more

A Real Pot Oiler: Geez. Everyone is really into this whole Mark Messier back to Edmonton thing. First the New York Post was talking about it (see below). Now the Edmonton Sun has caught on. Oilers GM Kevin Lowe and coach Craig MacTavish said...... , posted on July 30, 2003 more

Messier Go Home: Sorry about the lack of posts yesterday. I was off from work, and in my world, that means I'm off from Puck, too. Weird, right? I need to get that looked at. So what did we miss? Not much. The...... , posted on July 29, 2003 more

Play Inside: Great news hockey fans! The NHL Players' Association is dragging its feet on an outdoor game between the Oilers and the Habs. Why? My guess is that it's because it's something hockey fans want to see and the NHL and...... , posted on May 29, 2003 more

High for Lowe: The Oilers gave GM Kevin Lowe another four-year contract. It's a sweet deal. It means he'll be able to trade all of Edmonton's top talent to the Rangers while losing in the first round of the playoffs to Dallas until...... , posted on May 23, 2003 more

That's Funny. They Never Have a Second Cup of My Coffee: Do you remember those Folgers commercials where they switched the fresh-brewed coffee with Folgers Crystals? Well maybe it's time to bring back those commercials with the Edmonton Oilers. In the current The Hockey News, former Islander Denis Potvin talks about...... , posted on April 15, 2003 more

They Meet Again: If it's the playoffs, then Edmonton must be playing Dallas. The two teams have met in the playoffs six times over the last seven years. People are starting to talk....... , posted on April 09, 2003 more

Stay: You said that I was naive and I thought that I was strong I thought, "hey, I can leave, I can leave." Oh, but now I know that I was wrong, 'cause I missed you Yeah, I miss you —Lisa...... , posted on March 13, 2003 more

Rita Does Alright-a: Not much has gone right for the Oilers this years. Lots of injuries. Inconsistent offense. But maybe all isn't lost. Maybe there's a ray of light. Maybe it's Jani Rita. The fine Finn has two goals in seven games since...... , posted on February 18, 2003 more

Edmonton Now Generous with Goals: Apparently Edmonton hasn't gotten the NHL memo that all teams must be all about defense all the time. Their denfense has been sagging this season. Last season they allowed just 182 goals. This season they've already surrendered 121. It almost...... , posted on January 17, 2003 more

Hot Salo: Oiler goalie Tommy Salo is hot for the first time in a long time (or so it seems to me). No real explanation for it. Sometimes you're hot, sometimes you're not. And I think his problems in the Olympics sort...... , posted on December 02, 2002 more

$64,814.81 a Point: Edmonton put forward Jiri Dopita on waivers. Not very notable. But what is interesting is his salary: $1.75 million. He came over from the Flyers where he had 27 points (11G, 16A) in 52 games. That's all nice, but is...... , posted on November 11, 2002 more

Edmonton: "We Beat Someone!": Apparently the Oilers are in a very dark place, emotionally. It's so dark there, that coming from behind to beat Anaheim is a huge deal. I haven't been following Edmonton too closely this season, but I don't really see an...... , posted on October 28, 2002 more

He's Our Scoring Thug: I was just thinking about the Caps today, wondering what they were up to. I don't think I've heard anything about Jaromir Jagr in like a year or so. No Jagr news, but the Oilers traded Mike Grier to them...... , posted on October 08, 2002 more