Oiler fan or not, you’ve probably heard the media, on numerous occasions, come out and say “Nobody wants to play in Edmonton”. Guys like James Duthie and Mark Spector discuss it like it’s common knowledge. Well, I’m here to say that I just don’t buy it.
A few years back, the Oilers made an unsuccessful attempt to sign free agent forward Marian Hossa. Hossa opted to sign a 1 year deal with the Red Wings –taking less money for an opportunity to contend for he cup- and of course the media laughed at Edmonton’s attempt, stating that this was yet another case supporting that ‘Nobody wants to play in Edmonton.” The media’s job used to be to report facts but of course it was never mentioned that 6 or 7 other teams also made unsuccessful attempts to sign Hossa.
Flames fans were also itching to get their licks In, - their facebook status updates gloating about the so-called fact that nobody wants to play in Edmonton.
The following year things got even worse with the Dany Heatley saga. The Oilers successfully struck a deal with the Ottawa Senators for Heatley but Heatley declined to waive his no trade clause to come to Edmonton (God bless him for this move!).
Once again the Flames fans were out in celebration mode, like they got out of the first round or something. Calgary had just signed Edmonton native and free agent, Jay Bouwmeester. Flames fans I knew began to boast about how an Edmontonian (Bouwmeester) is proud to play in Calgary, but a Calgarian (Heatley) did not want to play in Edmonton. The media of course joined in with the Edmonton bash session. Of course they neglect to mention that the Flames ridiculously overpaid to land the former Panther d-man.
It’s true that Heatley declined to play in Edmonton, however, what the Flame fans don’t realize is that Heatley had a list of only 5 teams that he would agree to waive his no trade clause for. Guess what Flames fans- Calgary wasn’t on that list either and neither were another 20 some teams. So had the Flames struck a similar deal for Heatley, I highly doubt you would have seen him wearing that god awful Flaming C.
Granted, the Flames were able to sign Jay Bouwmeester, but when you offer a 40 some odd point d-man $6.68 million per year for 5 years, you improve your odds of success. (I’m pretty sure Flames fans wish that Sutter had left his cheque book at home that day.) Essentially when you significantly overpay a player, the odds of landing him greatly improves.
The point of my whole rant is that the “Nobody wants to play in Edmonton” is way overblown. The biggest reason Edmonton lost out to teams like Detroit when bidding on players like Hossa, is because players want to play on contending teams. Look at some other non-contending teams, like the Toronto Maple Leafs- who is the last big name free agent that they have signed? How long have the Flames been looking for a big name to play with Iginla?
This past July 1st, the Flames made an attempt to go after free agent forward, Brad Richards. While they were apparently willing to offer more money, and Jerome Iginla spent most of his birthday trying to convince him, Richards opted to go to the NY Rangers instead.
The Oilers, on the other hand, were able to land 4 free-agents that will hopefully plug some gaping holes from the last couple of years. Howcome James Duthie didn’t say anything about the Oilers success in the free agent market this year??? You can bet that had the Oilers made a similar unsuccessful attempt as Calgary, the media would be out in full force saying “Nobody wants to play in Edmonton” Well, since nobody is saying anything about the Flames- I will be the first………”NOBODY WANTS TO PLAY IN CALGARY!
Wait a few years Flamers, while the Oilers develop their young guns over the next couple years, you will still be spending every summer thinking your team is one player away from becoming a contender, making a few summer changes and then finishing in 9th or 10th place. As Iggy and Kipper age, the core of the team will become less effective and the Calgary Flames will be known for mediocrity. By that time I will not be the only one posting on facebook that “NOBODY WANTS TO PLAY IN CALGARY!”
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