So now Penner is an Oiler. How is this going to affect the Oilers you may ask? Probably about as much as acquiring Geoffery Lupul from the Ducks back in the Pronger trade last year… Or for those of you who have no clue what I’m talking about. not much. Penner is a rough tough solid player… but over 4 million a year for him… ummm. How about, no?

Disclaimer: No ducks were hurt in the making of this post.

Montreal and Toronto battle it out tonight for the eighth seed in the East with a one-point margin separating the two teams. Les Habitants have lost eight of their last 10 games on the road, while the mighty Maple Leafs are looking to match a franchise record nine straight wins at home.

But don’t forget about the New York Islanders. The Isles are just two points behind the Canadiens with two games left to play, so a loss by Montreal could open the door for the team from the suburbs. New York squares off against the awful, retched Flyers this afternoon but they’ll need to get past the division champion Devils if they want a shot at post-season glory.

Speaking of division champions, the top spot in the Northwest division is still up for grabs with Vancouver enjoying a one-point margin over the Minnesota Wild. The Canucks could clinch the title if they can beat the red-hot Sharks tonight, but San Jose is playing for their own division title, needing a win and a loss by Anaheim to best the Ducks in the Pacific. Minnesota, meanwhile, gets a break as they play the not as bad as last year but still not very good St. Louis Blues.

There’s more excitement in the West, though, as Calgary tries to fend off Colorado for the eighth seed in the playoff. Three points is the margin, but both teams have two games to play. The Flames host the provincial rival Oilers tonight and could clinch with a win, but a loss would open the door for the Avs, who play Nashville at home. The two teams square off tomorrow in what could be a do-or-die showdown.

Now with all that going on in the world of hockey, you’d think that the NHL’s national broadcast partner would be pleased as punch and scrambling to get some of these great games on the air. You’d think. But, alas, NBC reached into the grab-bag of games months ago when they scheduled their Sunday afternoon games and pulled out a blockbuster match-up between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks. Wow!

NBC, if you are going to be the hockey network, and we all think you should, you need to show a little passion for this new sport you’ve aligned yourselves with. How about you put a call into whoever you put these calls into and put on the Montreal-Toronto game tonight. Even better, how about a double header with the Flames and Sharks on late. Seriously, you can bump that three-hour block of Let’s Make A Deal or No Deal or reruns of Law & Order for some hockey, no one will care. But hockey fans will love you and richly reward you with ratings for it.

Ryan Smyth was what most people considered the “heart and soul” of the Oilers. Every game he played, and still plays for that matter, is like his last. He’s always giving 100% and that’s what makes him a great player. Just the same way I sleep 100% and that’s what makes me a great sleeper.

So should you sell your Soul? I mean heart-and-soul? Since the trade the two teams have taken two very different paths

• The Islanders are 1-1-2
• The Oilers are 0-4

Although, the Islanders aren’t doing terrific they are staying in the playoff hunt. The Oilers on the other hand, have not won a game, are playing unmotivated and are basically out of the playoffs. Wow, based on these number you really shouldn’t trade your soul.

In a league with too little coverage and where the players are finned for speaking out this provides great media attention. And the players were able to speak their mind without being fined. How great! So, some quotes that followed today:

Ray Emery (Goalie, Ottawa Senators) - “If the lady is attractive it might be a nice tradition instead of hats”

Alain Vigneault (Coach, Vancouver Canucks) - “I saw it and I don’t know what I’m supposed to say about that, I usually got something to say about everything, but that one, I’m not sure.”

And best of all

Craig MacTavish - “I heard that they were trying to win a couple of cups out there”

I find it a bit ironic that the same day the Oilers dealt the heart-and-soul. Just happens to be the same day they retired the greatest leader to ever play for the Oilers.

In other news my boss gave me Free tickets to the Calgary Flames hockey game tonight. That’s right. Free Flames tickets. The hottest ticket in town. Although, tonight they are playing the Minnesota Wild. So let’s just say it’s not going to be the most exciting game ever. I could be wrong though and I’ll post a Flames game recap tomorrow.

I on the other hand think they traded away the image of the Oilers. Smyth is widely considered to have one of the best hockey haircuts in the NHL. Just check out the photo evidence below.

He was traded for two good prospects and a first round pick. Good traded Kevin Lowe. But it does make a statement that the Oilers aren’t making the playoffs.