Forward Ryan Smyth returns to Edmonton Oilers after 2 Seasons with Los Angeles Kings –NHL Update
Ryan Smyth finally got his prayers answered and returned to his original draft team, Edmonton Oilers as it exchanged him for forward Colin Fraser and a seventh-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft with Los Angeles Kings, which the club announced on Sunday,
June 27.
Smyth, a native of Banff, Alberta, Canada, was delightful when he was picked up by Edmonton in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft as the sixth overall pick in the first-round.
The now 35-year-old left winger played with Oilers for nearly 12 seasons, until he was traded to New York Islanders during the 2006-2007 season.
The 6’2 forward went on to play with Colorado Avalanche for two seasons and remained with Los Angeles Kings for another two until finally coming back to Edmonton now.
Edmonton Oilers' general manager, Steve Tambellini, was especially joyous at the sudden opening to acquire Smyth and counts on using him as a guiding light for his two young first overall picks in the 2010 and 2011 NHL Entry Drafts.
“At the end of the day we were very clear when we had the opportunity to bring in someone like Ryan”, Tambellini said after bringing back Ryan Smyth. “Especially with the change that has happened here over the last year, and with the type of young players
that are so eager and hungry to be part of something that is special in the NHL, you need that component of leadership”.
Smyth remained healthy and played all 82 games with Los Angeles in the last season, in which he scored 23 goals and picked up 24 assists for a total of 47 points.
He played spectacularly well for Kings during the postseason as he registered 5 points in six games, consisting of two goals and three assists.
He is currently in the last year of his contract now which was signed with the Colorado Avalanche, a five-year, $31.2 million during the summer of 2007.
Oilers has expressed its pleasure in re-signing Smyth when it expires and he wished to continue.
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