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Simon Gagne’s trade sets the bar for future Sheldon Souray deal

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So you’re wondering what the after effects of Simon Gagne’s trade to the Tampa Bay Lightning would be on the rest of the NHLs residents of the trading block would be. If you started looking towards Edmonton’s Sheldon Souray, as Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal did, you’d see that perhaps the Oilers will have to rein in their demands for the soon-to-be-at-some-point ex-Oiler defenseman.

There’s not a big market these days for Souray’s skill-set -- big shot, big minutes, toughness -- because he has two years left on his deal. His tough style of play, which has resulted in injuries, has also scared off a few teams.

The Oilers’ best bet is to move Souray to a team that is long way from the NHL required cap floor of $44 million. The Atlanta Thrashers have $36.2 million committed to 15 players. The New York Islanders have $36.5 million for 21 players. The Colorado Avalanche have $38 million for 20 players, and the St. Louis Blues are at $40 million for 20 players. But those teams might also want Tambellini to include a younger player in any deal.

What’s curious there is Matheson saying that there’s not a market for a defenseman that has a big shot, plays a ton of minutes and is tough. Did they stop playing hockey on Earth or am I living in Bizarro World? Oh right, Souray is a huge injury liability and costs a ton of money for the next two seasons. I suppose that might play into things as well.

Considering that a similarly injury-prone and salaried Simon Gagne was had for a sixth defenseman and a fourth round pick, I’d say that the bar was set for what the Oilers can get for Souray.