Souray-Gate or Strike 2-Tambi!

Well well, we have another Oiler dirty laundry soap opera exposed for all to see again. This time it's SOURAY-GATE.

This entire episode has a very keystone cop appearance so let's take a closer at it and maybe we can figure out why, I doubt it but just maybe.

First from the Oiler point of view;

1. They have the right to sit, play whomever they want - of that there is no question
   
2. They have dug their heels in after Souray's rant last spring, remember- forced to play hurt, bad medical staff, no respect. Again Oiler management has that right.
   
3. Souray demanded a trade and Tambellini has vowed to grant that demand, unfortunately for all concerned that has yet to be completed.
   
4. At the end of the Oiler's worst finish in club history Tambellini vowed to change the present Oiler culture from top to bottom in order to get back to a team of choice.
   
5. Part of that change is NO more begging for free agents, over paying players and most important getting rid of players that don't want to be here.
   
6. First response from Tambi on Souray skating with the team, "we told him last week he was not welcome at camp", again they have that right.
   
7. Tambellini also said they (Oilers) didn't want Souray in camp and be a huge distraction, bad influence on the new kids.
   

Now from Souray's side;

1. He has to show up for training camp, just as we do for our jobs – part of his contract. But personally I feel it is also in his best interest in showing up for camp as he does need to look willing & able to play to help get the trade he requested.
   
2. By way of interviews with media it appeared he apologized for what he had said last spring and was eager to be part of a new, exciting Oiler team. I have no idea if
   

   a personal apology was given to Oiler brass by Souray or not.
   

3. Souray did throw the Oiler's under the bus with his comments, complaining about supposedly being forced to play while hurt, bad training staff etc etc and so deserves a lot of the scorn
   

   he has received from the fans and Oiler management. One some points I can sympathize with Souray and what he said, it must have been very frustrating the past couple years to play on that team. By many accounts there were issues in the dressing room and anything wrong that could happen to a hockey team happened to the Oilers let alone the personal frustrations, the injuries, the losing, the not playing up to how you know you can play and hey we have all said stupid things in the heat of the moment, god knows I have and I am still paying for some.
   

The Odd Facts;

1. How difficult is it going to be for Tambellini to trade Souray with him not playing? It is tough to trade a pricey asset that was out for the last part of the season with injuries
   

   without showing that it is of some value. What is Tambi going to do, go to a GM's meeting, lurk in the hallways and whisper to other GM's - " hey buddy have I got a deal
   

   for you – trust me it's really good" Unfortunately Mike Milbury isn't in the league to deal with anymore so this will be tough to do.
   

2. Souray and his agent said they were not told of Souray not being welcomed at camp until last Friday, not a week or so like first reported. Souray's agent wanted this in writing as
   

   it is the proper thing to do and apparently got an email on Monday, the day Souray showed up and skated with the team.
   

3. As for the accusation from Oiler management that Souray would be distraction and poor influence on team well that was disproven by the report from journal writer Jim Matheson. Read here;
   

   http://www.edmontonjournal.com/sports/Fellow+Oilers+weigh+Souray+training+camp+absence/3524443/story.html were from all accounts the team would welcome Souray back without
   

   question.
   

4. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of this is that it appears that Tambellini has acted on most of Souray's complaints, the long time training staff has been fired and replaced and a new coach and attitude has been installed. Strange isn't it and in lite of this perhaps Tambi owes Souray a big thank you. This was pointed out to me by a great twiiter follow and oiler blogger @lowetide.
   

My final say on this; --- maybe;

1. At first appearance it looks like a pissing contest has gripped the Oilers and Tambellini is hell bend to prove he is the big dick on campus. Not only with this but also with the replacing of Pat Quinn
   

   at the end of last year .
   

2. Which brings me to my second point and the Strike 2-Tambi! reference. This is strangely similar to the absolutely horrible way Pat Quinn was treated by Tambellini. Again the same type of story. Tambi first said he had a nice talk with Quinn a week or so before the announcement of Quinn's demotion but yet at that same presser Quinn said he just found out moments before. How can that happen not once but twice?
   
3. The third point is that, just how in the hell can a bush league media screw up like this happen not only once but a second time just a couple of months later? Is Tambellini out of touch with his staff so much he has no control? Is his staff that incompetent that they can't get faxes, email etc out in a timely manner, keep delicate matters such as this done behind closed doors and with some degree of decorum? Apparently not!
   
4. As mentioned above, how are the Oilers going to properly shop Souray and get something half decent in return by sitting him? That is going so tough and a recipe for disaster trade wise. Would he not be an asset for whatever amount he played for the team? Could he not be a decent protecting force for our young, small group of rookies? Is pride and stubbornise worth paying a guy $5mil+ a year to sit at home? Guess it is a good thing Katz has such deep pockets and can afford to be so proud.
   

Conclusion;

1. Tambellini is one tough ass S.O.B and is determined to put his mark on this team. That is his right but there is a right way and a wrong way. He is definitely not following that age old advise of walk softly and carry a big stick judging by these two media blunders which they are. The firing of Quinn and sitting of Souray should have been all worked out in private long before the news is released.
   
2. Both of these blunders are very black marks on the resume of Tambellini and if this happens again it should be strike 3 for Tambi and he should be sent packing. You can't be a first class organization with garbage like this making its way into the media and discrediting the team. The ultimate responsibility belongs with Tambi for the Souray and Quinn media blunder even if his staff played a role, he is in charge.
   
3. The Oilers need to get better PR advice on how to do these type of actions as at this time it looks like have the same clowns that BP used for the gulf spill.
   

 

Now drop the puck already!