This is from the Oiler website:
"Oilers Statement regarding Michael Nylander
The Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club is compelled to clarify the unfortunate and unprecedented circumstances surrounding the Edmonton Oilers and Michael Nylander.
On Sunday, July 1, 2007, Kevin Lowe, Oilers General Manager, and Mr. Mike Gillis, Certified Agent for Michael Nylander, negotiated and agreed to a multi-year NHL Standard Players Contract, starting in 2007/08. Mr. Gillis confirmed same to the Oilers in writing.
The Oilers then proceeded with preparations to announce Mr. Nylander’s contract agreement on July 2, and concurrently continued with the process of negotiating with other free agents based upon Mr. Nylander being an important roster ingredient for the future.
However, while the Oilers were expecting the returned, signed agreements from Mr. Nylander and Mr. Gillis, the Oilers discovered through public announcements made mid-afternoon on July 2, that Mr. Nylander had subsequently entered into a long-term contract with the Capitals.
The Oilers can find no precedent for such conduct in our history. The Oilers are examining and pursuing every course of action available in the best interest of the team and our fans.
For legal reasons, the Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club will not be discussing the details any further at this time."
Lowe can piss and moan all he wants but I dont see much happening. What are they going to do....force him to come and play? Deal on the table to play with the Oil who have practically no one worth mentioning anymore and a management team that has its hands tied with the stigma of being one of the worst towns to play hockey in OR......play w/Ovechkin in Wash? Which are you going to take? Gillis and Nylander both knew they'd get their knuckles rapped but took their chances. The thing that hurts is that the Oil spend time on that deal while they could have been making a play for other UFAs. I really thought (and hoped) that they'd make a serious try for Kariya.
Oil screwed again....they should put that on our jerseys.
Oilers Issue with Nylander
Moderator: Shoalzie