[JohnnyMapleLeaf]

I kinda agree with FF here....Smyth put on a little bit of a show, when the whole time he could have stayed for a fat 5/25 contract. I think Smyth in his agent put out the 5/27.5 number and stuck to their guns figuring there is no way Lowe can lose their most popular player since Messier, especcialy after losing Pronger and Peca in the offseason. Also, it was brought up alot how Calgary signed Tanguay to the 5.2 million per year contract, and if he is worth that to the cross-province rivals, then a better player and face of the Oiler franchise should be worth more, and this is most definitely correct. In the end they both stuck to their guns...it's a tough one for me....I think Smyth IS worth 5.5 to Edmonton, but I also think he coulda signed the 5.2 for the hometown discount ala Tucker.

At least Lowe had a little vision to get some picks and youth. But the biggest thing is how he spends the 5 million he is saving from SMyth in the FA market next year.....he really has to come up with a big name. And remember....Smyth can STILL have a change of heart and re-sign in Edmonton as a FA....would Lowe ever look like a genius in that scenerio!

Edmonton fans bitching about Lowe? Excuse FF and I if we don't feel sorry for them. FF can give you a laundry list of Clarke ****ups, and Ferguson is quite inept as well.

Here's Ferguson's previous deadline dealing...He traded away a first-round draft pick, two second-round picks, a fourth and a fifth for Brian Leetch, 36, Yanic Perreault, 36 next month, Luke Richardson, 37, and Ron Francis, 41. Leetch played all of 15 games for Toronto, Richardson lasted 21, Francis played just 12 and Perreault will finish out this season before re-signing in Phoenix in the summer. Five draft picks squandered with nothing much but old news to show for him.

Ferguson's FA signing career: Jason Allison, out of hockey; Eric Lindros, having a dismal season in Dallas with the Stars; Alex Khavanov, defenceman, Swiss Hockey League.

BRUTAL!