It can be painful to be a hockey fan

I've been trying to limit my number of hockey posts this season because this isn't a hockey blog, but also because I do realize that it interests probably very few people, and the fact that I follow the Edmonton Oilers probably interests even fewer people. It hasn't been hard to not write much about hockey this season though, because it's been a lousy season for my favorite hockey team. What a letdown after going all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals last season.

Sorry for the extensive hockey posts, but a few big events happened the day before yesterday that pretty much rocked my "hockey world." I would have blogged about it sooner had I not been so angry about it. Sometimes, when I'm angry, my writing is profane, mean-spirited and short-sighted, so I thought it best to let it cool down first.

Anyway, what should have been one amazing day for the Edmonton Oilers and their fans, the retirement of Mark Messier's number, turned out to be, as the Edmonton Sun called it yesterday morning, a sidebar story.

On Tuesday, 20 minutes before the trade deadline at 3 p.m. EST, the Oilers traded away their best player and leading scorer this season, Ryan Smyth, to the New York Islanders for a first-round draft pick, Ryan O'Marra and Robert Nilsson, both also first round picks. (Above, Smyth speaks with reporters at Edmonton International Airport yesterday before flying to meet his new team, the New York Islanders. It's a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the Oilers, who at the trading deadline last year brought in players that ultimately made all the difference in the world. Edmonton went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals, and came within one win of capturing the team's sixth Stanley Cup.

Fast forward to one year later - no deals to bolster the team at all, and now Oil fans have to bid adieu to the longest-tenured Oiler on the roster. Most damning of all, I read in the Edmonton Sun this morning that the difference between the two sides was $100,000! That seems like a lot of money, but not when you're talking about $5.4 million per year. It's absurd that the two sides couldn't figure out a way to get the deal done.

The only positive I can think of is that Smyth is an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, and there's always a chance he could end up back in Edmonton, but I doubt it. When there are 30 teams bidding for your services, the price is going to go up, not remain static.

I have no doubt that the trade was tough on Oiler GM Kevin Lowe (above), who appeared very emotional at the press conference announcing the deal. But, guess what? We're all emotional as fans in bidding goodbye to a cornerstone of the team.

Without question, the team is going to miss Smyth's grit, leadership and tough goals in front of the net. No one in the entire NHL drives the net like Smyth does. How do you replace 31 goals per year on an offensively starved team? It won't be easy.

This is a picture from the end of last season, when Smyth was leaving Rexall Place for the summer with his daughter. But, it certainly is apropos now, too.

So long, warrior. I sure hope to see you in Oiler silks again some day.

Last year's Stanley Cup Finals seem like a million miles away now. Maybe if I live to be 80, I'll live to see the Oilers win another Stanley Cup. They aren't too close this morning.

A big NHL day, but Messier is my highlight

What a difference a year makes. Last year, on the day of the NHL trading deadline, I was excited beyond words, because I just knew my Edmonton Oilers were going to do something. This year, the team is much worse, and it's not at all a foregone conclusion that the Oilers will do anything to make this team better in the short term, and more importantly, to make the playoffs.

Right now, Edmonton has to be as much of a long shot to make the postseason as Al Gore is to enter the presidential race. It's huge letdown for me. I'm hoping against hope that Oiler GM Kevin Lowe does something to shoot this team in the butt, but this team has the look and feel of next year's team.

More importantly today, the Oilers might move #94, Left Winger Ryan Smyth. He's been an Oiler for over a decade, and if they don't get the feeling they can resign him, they will trade him today, since he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. It will be a sad day indeed if that happens.

Tonight might be one of the few bright spots this season for any long-time Oiler fan. Tonight, the Oilers honor one of the greatest players in NHL history, their former captain, #11, Mark Messier.

Yesterday, it was the City of Edmonton's turn...

Messier, an Edmonton native, had a street named in his honor, Mark Messier Trail. Cool.

Many former Oiler greats are in the city this week to honor Mess, including Paul Coffey (above). I have a special place in my heart for all of those Oilers from the 80s, but for my money, with a tip of the cap to Ray Bourque, Coffey was the best defenseman I've ever seen play the game.

I'll feel the same way tonight, Mess. Watching his #11 being raised to the rafters will be truly emotional for me. I always feel a little bit older seeing these. I don't get moved to tears very often when watching sports - championships (or lost ones) and number retirements are a few of those times. I wept when I watched Wayne Gretzky's last game in 1999. Tonight, I will undoubtedly weep again.

Lots more on the NHL trading deadline and Messier later tonight and tomorrow.

Thank God - another Oiler victory

Last night, my Oilers blew out the Columbus Blue Jackets, and thank God they did. They now sit four points out of a playoff spot, and they play nine of their next 12 games on the road. I can't even believe, after going to game seven the Stanley Cup Finals last season, that it's going to be a nail biter for the team to even get in.

This team needs a shake up, but it also needs to start winning games. Last night was a good start.

The Oilers began the first period last night but outshooting the Jackets 12-0 before Columbus got one shot on goal. After seeing that, I figured I was in for fun night of watching hockey. In the end, it was a 5-2 victory.

Nice going, buys - now keep it up. Tonight's game vs. Vancouver is a critical Northwest Division matchup that the Oilers must win.

Ryan Smyth (center) got things started last night with his first period goal, beating former Oiler goalie Ty Conklin. Rumors are swirling up north that the team is working on a long-term extension, and I sure hope so. No one deserves to be financially rewarded on the team more than Smyth.

I love this pic - Fernando Pisani's goal last night, 22 seconds into the second period. The Italian Stallion had a goal and two assists last night. Pisani needs to return to from from last year's playoffs. If he does, it will be a huge boost to Edmonton's playoff prospects.

Go Oilers!