Und hier auch: fröhe Geburtstag, Paras!

Happy Birthday Par!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Par!

Thanks for the insight, guys. I still don't understand how it could be a good idea, but I don't have the same feel for the fan atmosphere I used to. (The team of players demonized by NHL fan bases would be a potent one, indeed.) I'm certain that if the fans were presented his numbers without context, they'd be thrilled to get a guy like him. It's a shame he's being dragged through the mud as well as unceremoniously shipped out of town.

With respect to his eventual paycheque, I can see him pretty easily making more than his cap hit now, seeing as there's maybe 4 or 5 guys who are free agents in his age range who put up points like he does, and at least 8 or 9 teams who wouldn't mind adding a top 6 forward that could put up even 50-60 points while not being defensively awful (possibly even more teams, depending on what happens in the playoffs.)

Injury is of course a concern, as players get paid either way, but when it comes to the cap, sometimes it can be a blessing in disguise (see: Canucks, Vancouver 2011). I see that 100% healthy Hemsky is more useful than 80% healthy Hemsky, but I don't see it as a gamble on the same level as a discarded prospect and a draft pick.

oh, AND, Par, following your link to the Breaking Bad 8-bit game, there's also one for The Breakfast Club!!!

The internet has all kinds of cool shit! ... like this:

From this website.
...

I agree with Matt. ... granted I haven't been watching much hockey since moving from Edmonton and lacking access to television.

But, that being said, Edmonton fans are exceedingly fickle. They'd have turned aggressively against hometown hero Fernando if his game had gone downhill and he didn't have a disease to blame it on... Even the likes of Joffrey Lupl who are doing great in their post-Oilers maturation wouldn't have been good to bring back, fan-wise, because he wasn't worth the money then, why would he be now, once he's grown into his role? (unless he brought home a goal a game every game right from the first day he was re-hired)

We'll reminisce about the glory days, but not the better plays of a couple years ago... or not without then cursing the guys who are still around and clearly dealing with the aftermath of bad injuries. Edmonton fans seem to be loyal to the team, but fickle about the players.

It's like all the "Fire ____ Oiler staffer" twitter chatter. Foolishly short-sighted, and no longer buzzed about after they have a good game.

I've never really been for the idea of trading Hemsky. The only argument I can possibly see is the injury history. Eventually when this team is competing seriously in the playoffs, they'll need to have most of their players for most of the season.

In terms of production, and entertainment, he's still EASILY in the top 5 on the team. I don't really get it either, but that's how the Edmonton hockey fan horde works. It's like his many seasons at or near a point per game never happened, he's a bum and always has been. Makes no sense to me either, Par.

It's not like he's going to make $5mil/year on the open market. I'd be surprised if he made much more than the $4mil he's getting now, and less wouldn't surprise me.

For those of you bored by my hockey questions:

Power just went out at work today... guess who gets an afternoon off!