When a greedy man cries....

The only significant trade that I didn't cover because of it's post-3PM deadline late announcement on February 27th is the one catching my attention right now and is making the headlines. The Edmonton Oilers have traded 31-year old forward Ryan Smyth to the New-York Islanders for Robert Nilsson, Ryan O'Marra and the Islanders 2007 1st round pick.

Smyth met the press for the first time since the trade yesterday and cried like a toddler almost all interview long saying that he wished to stay with the Oilers. He considered that after playing for 12 seasons and 770 games he was home, was very happy in Edmonton, never tought that he would be traded. He also said the he will bring the Stanley Cup back in Alberta should he win the cup this year with his new team.

Up to this moment there is nothing really special to report except that reporters said that Ryan Smyth and his agent Don Meehan were in a 5-year contract negociation with the Oilers. Smyth was free to negociate with any team at the end of the campaign, his contract was expiring becoming an unrestricted free agent. The Oilers were offering $5.4 millions/year for that 5-year contract, Smyth and Meehan were asking $5.7 millions/year for the same duration.

At 2:59PM on February 27th, the 2 parts were still disagreeing and the Oilers were in a bad position, risking to lose Smyth for nothing come next July. The Oilers staff decided to protect themselves and GM Kevin Lowe took the wise decision that he was getting something.

So basically a difference of $300 000 a year out of the $5.7 millions a year that he was asking (5.55%), pure greed if you ask me, was Smyth's gamble. And the gamble didn't pay off. His reaction? He cried and sobbed and cried in front of everyone just like something terrible had happened.

That brings a question for you people out there: How much is your happiness worth?