Oilers not taking Pitkanen or Stoll to arbitration

From Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal:

In the end, the Edmonton Oilers elected to submit qualifying offers to centre Jarret Stoll and defenceman Joni Pitkanen, their two key restricted free agents.

They could have taken one or both to arbitration, which would have prevented opposing clubs from submitting offer sheets when the free-agent market opens on Tuesday.

Read the rest of the article here.

The Oilers clearly aren't too concerned about either of these players getting offer sheets. I don't expect either one to sign on with another team. If the Oilers are having trouble signing Stoll and Pitkanen, I could see one or both being moved in a trade. However, if they decide they want both back, it is probably for the better that they decided not to take either player to arbitration. Arbitration is generally a bad thing for team/player relations.

Stoll plays the waiting game

From Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun:

Stoll also knows he's on the backburner in contract negotiations with Edmonton, well aware that he has virtually no leverage in the discussions, coming off the bad year and all. Just another element in a pride-denting summer.

"As for negotiations and talks, there hasn't been much going on," he said. "They took care of some guys they had to take care of early on and now they're trying to figure out what they want for the team, whether I'm in the picture or not. We'll hope, wait and see."

The ironic part in all this is that the one thing working in Stoll's favour if he wants to stay in Edmonton is that he played so poorly in Edmonton last year. The Oilers aren't going to get much for him now, with his value near its lowest, but there is a chance he could snap out of the tentative style that got him into this fix and rediscover the form that made him such a key ingredient two years ago. If that happens, Jarret Stoll (2007-08) for Jarret Stoll (2005-06) could turn out to be the best trade they make all summer.

Read the entire article here.

I'll let Oiler bloggers argue this one out but I have to say I am extremely impressed with how classy Stoll is handling all the rumors of his exit and any criticism he receives. While he struggles mightily on the ice sometimes, especially at even strength, he always works hard on and off the ice. The example he sets for the younger players on the team should not be overlooked.

Fantasy Watch: Who's Hot and Who's Not

Stats over the last 7 days

HOT

D Brian Campbell, Buffalo Sabres
1 G, 6 A, +3

Campbell opened up the season assisting on Buffalo's first regulation goal. Since then, the defenseman has scored a point in each of Buffalo's games, including a four point performance in the Sabers 7-3 rout over Washington last Saturday.
Fantasy Take: Campbell has been a fantasy stud over the past two years, scoring 92 points in 161 games played. With already nine points in his first four games, Campbell is slowly emerging as an elite fantasy defenseman, joining the ranks of Nicklas Lidstrom, Sergei Gonchar and Chris Pronger.

F Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings
3 G, 4 A, +7

Zetterberg has been on a tear since the beginning of the season, scoring 12 points in Detroit's first six games. Playing on Detroit's top line, Zetterberg has been clicking on all cylinders with linemates Tomas Holmstrom and Pavel Datsyuk.
Fantasy Take: Zetterberg had a rather disappointing season last year, appearing in only 63 games for the Red Wings, due to a rash of injuries. If the Swede can stay healthy all year, then he is well on pace to eclipse his season high point total of 85 set two years ago.

F Justin Williams, Carolina Hurricanes
1 G, 5 A, +2

After posting career highs in points, assists and goals two seasons ago, Williams' production turned the other way last season, as his point total dipped by nine points. Looking to get back on track, Williams has done just that, as his eight points lead all Hurricanes.
Fantasy Take: Although Williams had an off-year last season, the same can be said for the entire Carolina Hurricanes squad. Starting off the season 4-1-1, it looks as if the Stanley Cup hangover is gone in Carolina, which hopefully will boost Williams' point production back into the 70+ range.

F Jason Spezza, Ottawa Senators
7 A, -1

Spezza has been particularly unselfish this year, dishing out seven assists in his last four games, giving him 11 on the year. With both Dany Heatley and Daniel Alfredsson playing exceptionally well, Spezza could be in for a career year.
Fantasy Take: The only knock on Spezza is his inability to stay healthy. After scoring 87 points in only 67 games a year ago, Spezza should be a lock to pass 100 points, but with his health always a question mark anything can happen.

NOT

F Brendan Shanahan, New York Rangers
1 A

Contributing 29 goals and 62 points in 67 games last year, it appeared as though Shanahan still had a few more seasons left in him. Unfortunately, that might not be the case as free agent acquisitions Scott Gomez and Chris Drury have clearly taken the spotlight. With his only point coming last Friday, Shanahan might be in for a long season.
Fantasy Take: It might be time for Shanahan to ride the bench on your fantasy team, as it doesn't look like he'll be a consistent contributer this season. Start looking for other options.

F Jaret Stoll, Edmonton Oilers
1 A, -5

Drafted with high expectations last season, Stoll turned out to be a huge disappointment, as the forward only scored 39 points. Hoping to get back to 2005-06 form, Stoll has struggled to open up the season, assisting on one goal.
Fantasy Take: With Edmonton having a rather lackluster offense, it might be time leave the once promising forward on your bench.

D Ryan Whitney, Pittsburgh Penguins
1 G, -2

Whitney broke out last year, scoring 59 points in 81 games. Now in his third year as a pro, Whitney has struggled to put up points, as he has only one goal in four games.
Fantasy Take: Still appearing on the power-play, Whitney will be given a ton of chances to get on the scoresheet. Don't expect this slump to last long.

F Miroslav Satan, New York Islanders
0 G, 0 A, -2

Satan's point total was down from the previous year, as the forward only managed 59 points in 81 games. With only one assist in New York's first six games, Satan's total's may take another hit this year.
Fantasy Take: With a short schedule this upcoming week, owners should bench Satan until he can prove to be a reliable fantasy scorer.


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