The Edmonton Oilers have announced that Mike Comrie, now out with a case of mono and Fernando Pisani stricken with a return of colitis (to which degree of seriousness we've yet heard), will both be placed on the long term injury reserve list. In terms of the Oilers missing those two players, that's not good news. From all of us, I'm sure we're joined by many in wishing them both a speedy recovery.

This unfortunate circumstance does allow for the Oilers to start thinking in terms they were unable to think prior.

Fernando Pisani and Mike Comrie, should they be out of the roster for any extended period of time, take $3.75 million worth of cap space with them.

Long term IR is for players who are unavailable to play for 10 games and 24 calendar days. From the sounds of it, both players could qualify, which means that the Oilers now have the right to spend money or go over the cap to find replacements.

LTIR Replacement = The amount a team can go over the Cap limit due to the cap hits of players who are replacing a player or players on LTIR . In other words, a team with a player on longterm IR (10 games/24 days min) may exceed the cap by up to the injured players salary for replacements. Once the injured player returns the team must get back below the cap again before activating the player.

Is this rule something the Oilers might want to take advantage of? With players like Michael Peca still looming around in unrestricted free agency, or teams like the Chicago Blackhawks close to signing their young group of core superstars, an opporunity may be present.

Take for example Mike Peca. Is he something the Oilers would have aspired to pick up during the summer? Probably not. Can he help in certain areas like faceoffs, where the Oilers rank right near or at the bottom of the NHL on any given night? Absolutely. Can they get him for $1 million pro-rated for the rest of this year and then waive him if they choose to when the injured players return? Why not?

Or look in another direction. With the emergence of Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keiths contracts on the horizon, players like Kris Versteeg or Partick Sharp might be now more available than ever before at a good price. For all intensive purposes, Chicago is looking to make room by adding contracts that will expire next year and clearing salary at the same time. In Pisani, Cogliano, Pouliot, Gagner or others filling gaps right now, the Oilers have access to plenty of options. Throw in a draft pick or two and the Blackhawks might be tempted to listen.

Maybe the Oilers make a phone call to the Carolina Hurricanes, who can't be far away from calling it a season. It can't hurt to ask if Ray Whitney is available.  I know, he doesn't help the faceoff percentage, but wouldn't it be something to have a second threat on the left wing besides Dustin Penner? One who just happens to have 14 points in 19 games?

I may be getting quite carried away here, but my point is simple. For the longest time the Oilers had no options (or at least that's what fans were told). They couldn't add, because they had too many contracts and not enough cap room.

Things have changed a bit. With as many injuries as the Oilers are faced with, and players potentially moving around; if I'm Steve Tambellini, I'm using this as an opporunity to make a few phone calls.

Comments (2)

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written by Author, November 20, 2009

Keep in mind, much of this is merely speculation. We don't know how long either player will be out of the lineup. That news could come tomorrow or not for a while.

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written by Jay, November 20, 2009

Fernando Pisani will long be an Oilers fan favorite for his play during the recent cup run. Like you, I too wish him a speedy recovery. Right now, there's no question that focusing on his own health is the primary concern for him.

As for the Oilers, the unlucky string of player illness and injuries have made it somewhat difficult to asses their situation. However, there's no question that some areas of difficulty from last year like penalty killing, secondary scoring, roster balance, and in particular winning faceoffs remain areas of concern.

If the Oilers want to try to make the playoffs, they may try to address some of those areas of need.

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