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Oilers GM Tambellini ready to trade Souray

Image (1) Tamb-thumb-250x166-9456.jpg for post 924

Change is coming in Edmonton.

Last year it was the coaching staff. This season, general manager Steve Tambellini is promising change on the roster; he started this change at the trade deadline and it will continue this summer.

The starting point: disgruntled defenseman Sheldon Souray.

“He didn’t help the situation,” said Tambellini. “But I am sick and tired of hearing people complain about this city, this organization, the coach, the cold ... If you can’t develop your own core of expectations of what an Oiler is, respect for the logo, for the city, you’re always going to be spinning your wheels.”

Tambellini will have plenty of roster spots to fill, but as of now not a whole lot of room with which to work. The Oilers currently have $41 million locked up in 14 players for next season, with ten players facing restricted free agency this summer.

Of course, trading away Souray’s $5.4 million a year salary will help. Tambellini will certainly have his hands full, and states that the Oilers will be focused on player development and drafting; not exactly the quick fix that fans will be wanting. With their current roster situation and the current payroll, it’s going to take some time to fix the mess that’s been made.

Of course, Tambellini has no one to blame but himself.

At least he has the first pick of the draft to work with. Not the worst way with which to start a new direction for the franchise.