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EDMONTON -- Having sold fans on the merits of a structured and orderly rebuild the past three seasons, Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini isnt looking for quick fixes between now and Mondays trade deadline. http://www.hockeyavalancheshop.com/Burgundy-Red-Ryan-OReilly-Jersey/ . While the needs of a 29th-place team that has already finished 30th in back-to-back seasons are many, Tambellini has been preaching short-term pain in the name of long-term gain. That isnt about to change. Tambellinis most pressing matter in the next five days is deciding whether to sign forward Ales Hemsky to a new contract or risk losing him to unrestricted free agency July 1 if he doesnt trade him. "A lot of years, the trade deadline can be a distraction and it can be stressful," said fifth-year centre Sam Gagner. "Not that it isnt a distraction this year, but it does feel a little different. "Were obviously not in the position we want to be, and you kind of expect changes to come, but as a team we kind of know where we stand and we want to continue to grow as a group." While the Oilers havent made the gains in the standings they hoped for, fading after an 8-2-2 start, the feeling is the team is better in terms of personnel and the rebuild is on schedule. "The courage to stick with the plan is organization wide," Tambellini said recently. "We know where were going. We know what we have. We know the good things that are happening within the organization." With first overall picks Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to show for those 30th-place finishes the past two seasons and 2008 first-rounder Jordan Eberle, Tambellini has some key pieces to build around. "Were not a 29th-place team," said defenceman Ryan Whitney. "I know, how many times can you say that? But were really not. "Weve had a lot of guys out with injuries and thats been a factor. We have another draft pick coming and if we can stay healthy . . . Were looking forward to next year. You dont need to rush to fix this right now." The Oilers have questions in goal. Nikolai Khabibulin is 39 and Devan Dubnyk has yet to prove hes ready to take the reins. Depth on defence behind Whitney, Ladislav Smid, Tom Gilbert and Jeff Petry is a concern. There could be a big hole to fill on right wing behind Eberle if Hemsky is traded. That recognized, Tambellini isnt of the mind he has to address those questions and concerns in the next week, and insists hes not willing to part with any of his young talent to do it in the name of expediency. "I think as a manager you always have to be open to listening to any deal thats out there that you feel can help your organization," Tambellini said. "Ill say again, at no time are we going to be selling anything that is going to hurt our future, what we think is part of our core. If its something we feel is going to make us significantly better long-term and short-term, of course, well consider it, but nothing for just a short-term gain." Whitney and Smyth have both been traded at the deadline. Whitney was acquired from Anaheim for Lubomir Visnovsky in March 2010. The Oilers traded Smyth to the New York Islanders in 2007 when contract negotiations stalled. "Theyre going to do whats in the best interests of the hockey club," Smyth said. If he (Tambellini) feels there are guys available to take at this time, hell do it. If he feels he needs to wait, Im sure hell do that, too. All you can do as a player is accept that and compete. "Were in a rebuilding stage here with a lot of young guys. Weve got to keep this young nucleus, but at some point you have to start pressing to become a competitive team." Given what Tambellini has said and that the Oilers arent in the midst of a playoff push, where adding one more two players might put them over the top, theres not a lot of outward tension in the dressing room. Most of the questions surround Hemsky. "Personally, a lot of us are kind of begging Hemmer to sign a two-year or a three-year deal," Whitney said. "If you do trade him, its going to be for the future and it kind of sets us back a little bit. "Hes a top-six forward who is hard to replace, so thats the one thing everybody is a little bit nervous about. Everyone really likes him, but . . ."Nathan MacKinnon Avalanche Jersey . The Dutchman, who already won the 5,000 meters during the opening weekend of the Olympics, said Monday that the middle-distance would likely be too much of a distraction during his preparation for the longer race on Feb. http://www.hockeyavalancheshop.com/Burgundy-Red-PA-Parenteau-Jersey/ . Mission accomplished for the Los Angeles Kings and the Miami Heat. The Kings, who became the first No. 8 seed to win a Stanley Cup when they accomplished the feat in 2012, are one win away from capturing a second title in three years. PHOENIX -- Tim Hudson was backed to his old self with his new team. Hudson allowed three hits while working into the eighth inning in his first start for the Giants and San Francisco beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-0 on Wednesday night. Hudson (1-0) was making his first start since July 24 after fracturing his right ankle against the Mets while pitching for the Braves. The veteran right-hander, who signed with San Francisco as a free agent in the off-season, had four strikeouts and no walks, and had Arizona hitters pounding the ball into the ground. "After a couple of month from my surgery, I know coming back was a definite possibility," Hudson said. "You get anxious but I wouldnt call it butterflies. You just anxious to get back out there." Hudson showed solid command of his first pitch and threw that first offering for strikes. "He really attacked the zone," said catcher Buster Posey, who went 2 for 4 night with a run scored. "Im sure he was anxious but didnt show it. Hes been doing this for so long that he controls his emotional very well." Arizona starter Trevor Cahill (0-1) held the Giants scoreless until the fifth. Angel Pagan singled in a run in the fifth and Michael Morse doubled in a run in the sixth to make it 2-0. Sergio Romo shut down the Diamondbbacks in order to record his second save. http://www.hockeyavalancheshop.com/26-Mens-Paul-Stastny-Authentic-Away-Jersey-Reebok-NHL-Colorado-Avalanche-White-88.html. The Diamondbacks threatened only twice with Hudson on the mound. After Hudson retired the first nine hitters, Gerardo Parra led off the fourth with a single to centre, moved to second on a wild pitch but was stranded when Paul Goldschmidt struck out and Martin Prado flied to centre. In the seventh, Goldschmidt led off with a double but Hudson retired Prado on a fly to right, Miguel Montero flied to left and Mark Trumbo struck out. Hudson tossed 103 pitches and improved to 8-1 against Arizona. He is 5-1 at Chase Field. "You have to tip your hat to (Hudson), he threw a great game," Arizona second baseman Aaron Hill said. "He didnt give us a good pitch to hit all night. He just made his pitches." Notes: With his seventh inning double, Goldschmidt extended his hitting streak to 24 games, tying Tony Womack for second in franchise history behind Luis Gonzalez (30 games) . Arizona RHP David Hernandez successfully underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and begins rehab in Phoenix. . Arizona OF Cody Ross, on DL since March 22, will start for minor league Triple-A Reno Thursday on rehab assignment. . Tim Lincecum will start Thursday for San Francisco and Bronson Arroyo for Arizona. ' ' ' |
