Posted by: Phat Quinn
Sheldon Souray will attend the Oilers training camp and play some preseason games. There are so many reasons why the Oilers will shake hands with Souray and not send him to the minors. First of all there's no question Oilers management wants to get rid of Souray; but there are no takers, he's not worth anything at the moment. The oil will play Souray in the top 4 d-pair, because when he's healthy he's our best offensive defencemen. In the 2008/09 season Souray was 2nd in points on the team and tied for first in goals with Ales Hemsky. In 81 gp 23g 30a for 53pts.
However if the Oilers send Souray to the minors to start the year there is no way that the Oilers management could get any return if they some how pull off a trade. If the Oilers play Souray and he stays healthy, there is no reason why the Oilers won't be able to trade him near the trade deadline. Who knows what the Oilers could get in return for him at the trade deadline. Maybe Oilers management won't want to move him if he starts to play well. Defencemen that bring a physical presence, leadership, and can put the points up on the on a regular basis are hard to come by. Souray has one of the hardest shots in the league.
Besides, Souray and other vets on the Oilers didn't see eye to eye with Quinn. Quinn put unproven players before proven veterans in the top 6; such as Stone playing on the second line and JF Jacques playing with Ales Hemsky on the top line. This left some players such as Souray and Moreau questioning Quinn's line combinations and decision making. Souray also complained about the Oilers training staff and how they were making him play when he was injured. Well the Oilers have made some moves, they got rid of some of the training staff and Quinn is no longer on the bench. Hopefully these changes made will be enough to change Souray's attitude and keep him on the team, at least to start the year.
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