Ryan Smyth...Feb 27...I think he'll be back

Well I have had a few days to digest the news, and to recover from all the shananigans on Trade Deadline Day. It started out pretty normal and I didnt see any of it coming. For most of the morning people kept popping into my office saying "Did you hear Smyth got traded to Toronto" I quickly punched away at the computer trying to confirm, but to no avail. A few moments later the phone Rang "Did you hear Smyth got traded to the Devils" Again, onto the computer but nothing. This kept happening for most of the morning. Its not easy being an Oilers fan in Calgary, but when people got your number they definately exploit it.

So when Rennie finally called around 2:30 with the Islander news I didnt readily bite. I basically just snubbed him off and I might have even told him where to go before hanging up the phone. Then Ryan (different Ryan) came in my office and told me to come into his. There it was on the screen. TSN had the official news of his trade. I looked at it in disbelief then I came back into my office and shut the door. I read. I read. I clicked. I read. It was official Ryan Smyth was no longer an Oiler. This is not easy to compute

Now I guess for the sake of posterity I should weigh in on this debate. At first I did not see any rhyme or reason to this trade. So he wants a little more money. He's worth it. But then you think of Lowe and the point he is trying to make. Ya point taken. But at the end of the day, This is Ryan Smyth, and yes he deserves to be making what other players of his calibre are making, and frankly that is what he was asking.

So I thought about it some more. Ryan will still be up for grabs in the off season. The Oilers chances of making the playoffs were looking slim. The Islanders are still making a run. There is a 1st round draft choice in the deal. hmmmmm what could be up here. Then it hit me (and most non-oilers fans think i am reaching here) What if Ryan is just going for the end of the season. What if Lowe is thinking I can let him go for the rest of the season. I can unite oilers fans in their desire to have me killed, and then in July I can sign him back. Not only sign him back, but maybe Ryan will actually do the unthinkable in professional sports, maybe I can get Ryan to say "You know what, its not all about the money, I love edmonton, I love the Oilers I dont want to live in NYC, Lets split the difference and I will come back to Edmonton" Then the 5 Edmonton fans that were not Ryan Smyth fans are. And millions of other hockey fans around the globe see what a great guy Smyth is, and they too become Oiler fans. Kim Yuong Il even thinks he is great and the stalemate between NKorea and the West gets solved. Then Iraqi's see how great he is and they too want to have a society like ours......ok wait i think i am getting ahead of myself.

Anyway the long of the short of it is.....I think he is coming back.....This might be text book denial, and I might need to seek professional help, but that is my story and when he is back on Edmonton soil, you will all be in awe of my superior hockey analyzing skills