GENE'S BLOG: Deadline Day

Imagine being at work or wanting to go to work and the boss says, "Hey Gene, maybe stay home today. We won't need you in case something happens and we can trade you to another company (team)."
OK, I guess I'll just hang out - like, over here, out of the way - and wait to see if anything happens.
The other alternative would be me saying, "No, not going to do it. I'm staying."
That would have to be a loose example of what happened to Oilers defenceman Mike Green.
Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman said something along the lines of, "We've got a deal for you and it involves Edmonton."
With his no-movement clause, Green could have said no, and had until Monday morning to decide.
He didn't need it. By Sunday night, he wanted to be an Oiler and he was.
It was just the start of more to come. Another trade for Andreas Athanasiou and a hat-trick of hockey deals when Tyler Ennis left the nation's capital to join the two former Red Wings.
Help on defence, help on offence, help on a team making a playoff run. Ken Holland did it. He got it done and didn't impede the future of the team.

That echoes the sentiments of exactly what Holland is trying to do. Not just for one night, week or month, but he's hoping maybe four months right into June. The three coming from two teams. One in 29th and the other 31st in the NHL. Their plan is to play for a Stanley Cup but first, they'll do their best to get Edmonton there.
"They all want to contribute," said Tippett. "They want to show their teammates they can help."
They did that and more in Game 1. Flanking the Oilers captain, Athanasiou potted two points and same went for Ennis.
They didn't look like newcomers alongside Connor. Green brings experience to the blueline and second or, potentially, first-unit power-play support. It will take some time for it all to mesh together but if you're an Oiler or Oilers fan, Deadline Day had to put a smile on your face.
"They came out strong," said Josh Archibald, "and they showed us what they got."

The injuries to Oscar Klefbom and Kailer Yamamoto wasn't the reason they were acquired, but it's nice to have a plan in place should damages arise.
For their own reasons - whether it be professional, personal, or both - all three new Oilers were excited to join their new team. Likely none more than Ennis. I've covered Tyler since he entered the NHL, and his parents Bruce and Diane are certainly proud of the player he's become but equally impressed by the fact he's really a nice young man.
Dreams do come true, as Tyler explained before his first game. Doug Weight was his favorite Oiler. Now he was wearing a different number but the same oil-drop-crested jersey of the former Edmonton captain.
This doesn't mean the Oilers will now have an easy path, but they have given themselves more resources to deal with the grind to find a playoff berth.
The NHL Trade Deadline is done, so bring on the stretch run.
"I think we had a good day as a group," said the soft-spoken but hard-hitting Adam Larsson.
"We're really glad to have those players. Those guys were exactly what we needed."
Amen.