Oil Leak
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by Ashriel
The talent has leaked out of Edmonton, and without any UFA interest in playing there Kevin Lowe is at it again, this time offering an inflated salary to young restricted free agent Dustin Penner.
His previous 50 million dollar, 7 year offer to Thomas Vanek made waves and forced Buffalo to match. Offering such a salary to a young player is risky and serves to inflate the salary of comparable players, which is bad for the NHL. Granted Vanek is a supremely talented young star, but he doesn't warrant such a raise at this point.
While Thomas Vanek is a clearly rising star, Dustin Penner has yet to prove himself fully at the NHL level. 29 goals and 16 assists does not a 4 million dollar player make. The Oilers could use a goal scorer with Penner's size, but one season does not warrant a 900% raise.
Kevin Lowe is not only inflating player salaries, but alienating GM's at the same time. A little animosity between managers might make things interesting, but Lowe may find it difficult finding trading partners if he keeps this up. Perhaps money is the only thing enticing players to play in Edmonton judging from the lack of UFA interest.
