Updated Edmonton Oilers Contracts / CapGeek.com Cap Calculator

CapGeek.com has revamped the salary cap calculator. This is the best site there is for all things related to NHL player salaries. Today I wanted to give you an updated look at where the Oilers stand today.

CAPGEEK.COM CAP CALCULATOR

FORWARDS
Shawn Horcoff ($5.500m) / Dustin Penner ($4.250m) / Ales Hemsky ($4.100m)
Taylor Hall ($3.750m) / Magnus Paajarvi-Svensson ($1.525m) / Jordan Eberle ($1.158m)
Ryan Jones ($0.975m) / Linus Omark ($0.875m) / Colin Fraser ($0.825m)
Zack Stortini ($0.700m) / Jean-Francois Jacques ($0.615m) / Steve MacIntyre ($0.500m)

DEFENSEMEN
Sheldon Souray ($5.400m) / Tom Gilbert ($4.000m)
Ryan Whitney ($4.000m) / Jim Vandermeer ($2.300m)
Kurtis Foster ($1.800m) / Ladislav Smid ($1.300m)
Taylor Chorney ($0.941m) / Jason Strudwick ($0.725m)

GOALTENDERS
Nikolai Khabibulin ($3.750m) /Devan Dubnyk ($0.800m)

BUYOUTS: Robert Nilsson ($-0.083m)
CARRY-OVER BONUS PENALTY: $354,500

CAPGEEK.COM TOTALS (follow @capgeek on Twitter)
(these totals are compiled using the bonus cushion)

SALARY CAP: $59,400,000;

CAP PAYROLL: $50,061,167;

BONUSES: $3,977,500

CAP SPACE (22-man roster): $13,316,333

Now remember, these totals don't include players like Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano, Gilbert Brule, Jeff Deslauriers and some others. The 13 million in cap space will disappear pretty quickly once these players are signed. But at least now we have a more clear outlook on where the Oilers stand.

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Doug Sauter As Ambassador Of The OKC Barons?

Last night after the OKC Barons press conference, I started to think about Doug Sauter and where he stands with the new Barons team and their respective fans. As far as I understand, when the Blazers folded, so did Sauter's association with the club. To the best of my knowledge, Doug Sauter is not presently employed by the Oklahoma City Barons. I could be wrong.

From what I can tell and what I have been told, the fans and the city really liked Doug as the coach of their hometown hockey team. He came in and built a fan base for Oklahoma City and won the respect of those who came to the rink and watched the Blazers. It wasn't just the moustache that made him famous, he won two championships in his time there as coach and won the CHL Commissioner's Trophy in 1995-96 (Awarded to the Coach of the Year as selected by his coaching peers). The man is practically a legend in OKC.

Before the coaches announcement yesterday, fans (message boards and the Barons facebook page) still wanted Sauter back as head coach and some were quite upset that he wasn't chosen. I can now see why there is always so much talk about him. He was good at what he did and the fans loved him for it.

Hearing/reading all this, gave me an idea about what his possibilities are with the Barons for the future since coaching is not an option. 

It only makes sense that Sauter continues on with the "new chapter" of OKC hockey right? So I thought why not? Why not make Doug Sauter the Ambassador of the OKC Barons?

He's for the majority of OKC fans, the fan favorite. I think he could represent the team to the fans well. He could be involved in the community on behalf of the Barons and he could be there in the stands and the concourse on game days to be involved with the fans. He could easily do a lot of things that would appease the Barons fans. That instant fan base he already has gives him a head start over any other person.

Clearly, if this position is to be created, Doug Sauter is the guy I'd hire. He'd be excellent as an ambassador and I think the fans would eat it up even though he's not part of the coaching staff. I think this would make everyone happy. Including Doug.

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Ryan O'Marra and Greg Stewart Are Signed By Oilers

Ryan O'Marra -- 23 years old and 6’2”, 207lbs -- has agreed to terms with the Oilers on a 1 year deal. Ryan gets another shot at making the Oilers this season, but will most likely spend his time with the OKC Barons.

 

Left Wing, Gregory Stewart -- 24 years old and 6’2”, 197lbs -- was also signed today by the Oilers. He comes from the Montreal Canadiens organization and spent the majority of his time with the Hamilton Bulldogs. In 45 games last year, he had 10 points (5G, 5A) and 90 penalty minutes.

In the NHL Stewart has played in 26 games and only has the one assist, but does have 48 penalty minutes.

He was drafted by Montreal in 2004. He was taken in the 8th round, 246th overall.

 

This appears to be another depth signing for the Oklahoma City Barons. Steve Tambellini is doing the right thing with all these 1 year deals. I'm liking the cut of his jib. Keep it up Tamby!

-Written by Smokin' Ray-

Oilers Steal Barons Thunder? (News From Today)

Today the Oklahoma City Barons held a press conference to announce the new Head Coach, Todd Nelson and his assistant coach, Gerry Fleming.

Once again the Barons put on a great event. They were quick and to the point and followed that up with a Q & A session with the media.

By all accounts, the Barons should be very happy with having a guy like Nelson on board. From the reports and information I have gathered, he seems like a smart and passionate man for hockey. Todd Nelson will be an awesome coach in OKC. The Barons are lucky to have him.

Gerry Fleming was also hired/retained as Nelson's assistant coach. Fleming has been with the Oilers (Falcons) for the past couple years and is no stranger to the Oilers system. The Oilers must like him as he was the only minor league guy to not be fired. Good for Gerry. Just like with Todd, the Barons and their fans are lucky to have a guy like Gerry.

Now what's this Oilers steal Barons thunder thing?

The Barons had planned this PC for a couple of days and had the fans interest peaked, mine included. Just as the conference was starting to get rolling, the Oilers decide that they needed to rise above what the Barons are doing and they announced their assistant coaches at the exact time Bob Funk Jr was getting up to speak.

Go to 2:32pm in the TweetCast box. Proof is there.

How sad is that? Your own baby club is about to announce their "big surprise" when, what the hell? Let's announce our own news. way to market your brand. I really hope the Oilers don't screw this up with the Barons, I like them and I want them to succeed.

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The TweetCast went well today thanks to Eric and Scott as they provided some great pictures and tweets. It was also nice for me as I was able to sit down and chat with a few of the loyal readers about the Barons and Oilers at the Cover It Live box. It's always nice to talk to the readers. Thanks to those who stopped by, we value your opinions.

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Back to the Edmonton Oilers. Like I said above, they announced their assistant coaches today. No surprises, Kelly Buchberger is welcomed back to the fold. Bucky was on the ice last week for the Oilers Rookie Development camp and we all knew he would be doing something with the Oil this year.

The other man they bring back is Steve Smith. Yes, that Steve Smith. While he has no real experience as a coach, he gets a job with the Oilers and not the Barons. Puzzling. Don't newbies start at the bottom? Not in the old boys club. Both of these hirings have Kevin Lowe stink all over them.This couldn't have been Renney's or Tamby's choice. Could they?

I can not believe that Steve Smith is an Oiler once again.

-Written By Smokin' Ray-

It's Official! Todd Nelson is Head Coach of OKC Barons

Well thanks to the boys (@OilFieldHockey and @AHLBarons) that went down to the OKC Barons Press Conference. Great job as always Scott and Eric!

Todd Nelson has been named the Head Coach of the Oklahoma City Barons. Wooooo! A coach is in place.

Gerry Fleming has also been named as Assistant Coach. Fleming has been with the Oilers for a few years now and will continue his coaching/teaching with the Oilers kids.

Stay tuned for a recap of today's events.

-Written by Smokin' Ray-