Rumor: Edmonton Oilers are the front runners to sign Paul Ranger

[hockeywiz542]

http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/20...ers-are-the-frontrunners-to-sign-paul-ranger/

Toronto sports insider Josh Rimer, who broke the story that Ralph Krueger was about to be fired, had an interesting tweet on Sunday about free agent d-man Paul Ranger: “If Ranger goes to an NHL team the Oilers are the front runners.â€

Ranger was once a good NHL defenceman, but recently sat out most of three seasons due to unspecified personal reasons. He came back this season, though, and had a good season for Dallas Eakins on the Toronto Marlies.

I asked Rimer if the Oilers were front runners due to the Eakins connection.

“Yes,†he said. “I know Eakins helped Ranger love the game again.â€

https://twitter.com/JoshRimerHockey/status/348949029385814018

Josh Rimer‏

@JoshRimerHockey

@iamjasonmills if Ranger goes to an NHL team the Oilers are the front runners

4:41 PM - 23 Jun 13

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[Darcy Tucker]

hey if they want another free donation from the center of the universe maybe this time they should ask politely?

 

[garyjones93]

Maybe they should through a courtesy pick? What else do they want from us? We have a few bags of pucks, some water bottles, and some old player jersey's if you want them. Hell in town to pick them up, we'll even give some jay tickets.

 

[Raym11]

why are people so mad anyways lol? Its great for Ranger. We knew NHL teams were going to want him. Be mad at the Leafs for not signing him/Ranger for opting to go elsewhere.


I thank the Oilers, for choosing Eakins over other coaches with NHL backgrounds.

 

[FlareKnight]

Well once Eakins went somewhere it was expected we'd see speculation about who from the Marlies would follow. But still just seems to be pure speculation at this point. I don't expect Ranger will make any major decisions simply based on where Eakins is currently coaching though it may certainly be a point of consideration for him.

I'm just curious to see what he does going forward. Whether or not he decides to move up to the NHL level at all.

 

[TheLeastOfTheBunch]

Ranger should be careful if he's considering the Oilers because of Eakins. Before Dallas they laid off Krueger after one season, Renney after two seasons, and Quinn after only one season. Won't be a fun time

 

[Duke Silver]

CRAP! That really throws a wrench into plans.

I'm hoping he stays loyal to the team that gave him a chance to play professionally again.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

CRAP! That really throws a wrench into plans.

I'm hoping he stays loyal to the team that gave him a chance to play professionally again.

perhaps

 

[HEAVY DUTY]

for the love of god nonis, sign him please. replace kostka with him.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

imo a 6th dman is worth as much as his will to be last and make an attempt to reclaim his chance at proving what he can do. my faves number 6's throughout the years have been Dimiti Yushkevich, Jamie MacCoun, Robb Zettler, Robert Svehla, Cory Cross, Aki Berg and now it is Cody Franson. If Ranger wants to be signed all he has to do is give it a shot. it looks daunting with the amount of pro dmen on the roster but any defensive specialist willing to play for their right to be on the team and give it their all and be a true defender of the cage is worth about 3 million per season.

 

[hockeygeek]

Excellent, I can't wait to see their excitement and joy slowly turn to disappointment and anger when they realize they've been duped by the Toronto hype machine

 

[ULF_55]

Ranger has nothing to do with the Leafs.

He was a Marlie, but never Leafs' property.

 

[exporta]

imo a 6th dman is worth as much as his will to be last and make an attempt to reclaim his chance at proving what he can do. my faves number 6's throughout the years have been Dimiti Yushkevich, Jamie MacCoun, Robb Zettler, Robert Svehla, Cory Cross, Aki Berg and now it is Cody Franson. If Ranger wants to be signed all he has to do is give it a shot. it looks daunting with the amount of pro dmen on the rosterw but any defensive specialist willing to play for their right to be on the team and give it their all and be a true defender of the cage is worth about 3 million per season.

Yushkevich and Shvela were not #6 defenseman here. And you are mistaken if you think Franson is one. You have to consider that Liles, Kostka, Gardiner and Obryne were in and out of the lineup all season.

 

[Pierre Gotye]

Can't believe the Leafs will continue with Kostka possibly, or other alternatives like Blacker, Liles or Fraser instead of Ranger first.

Knowing the Leafs, they'll bring back ROB and Kostka and give them ice-time and let Ranger walk, along with MacArthur.

 

[Felstead]

We gave permission to the oilers to talk with Eakins.

They signed Eakins. There should be some sort of pick or something that should come out way because of it for **** sakes.

Now they want Ranger. Geeze.

 

[stakesishigh]

Hurts, but it just goes to show how well liked and appreciated Dallas Eakins is as a coach.

Edmonton is lucky to have him and I wish them all the best.

 

[thewave]

Haha if he becomes an oiler I will eat my boot!

 

[7even]

Good for him.

 

[Smif]

I hate that we had really good prospects watching from the press box last year and in the playoffs while we helped Ranger get better to play for a different team.

 

[Ace88*]

Im slowly beginning to hate the edmonton oilers.

 

[ULF_55]

I hate that we had really good prospects watching from the press box last year and in the playoffs while we helped Ranger get better to play for a different team.

You think maybe Eakins was angling for a NHL job by putting personal stats above player development?

Perhaps the Leafs just don't have enough pro-level assets at this time. If Granberg was over, it would have been hard to watch him sit in the PB while non-prospects got ice time.

 

[The Iceman]

Can't believe the Leafs will continue with Kostka possibly, or other alternatives like Blacker, Liles or Fraser instead of Ranger first.

Knowing the Leafs, they'll bring back ROB and Kostka and give them ice-time and let Ranger walk, along with MacArthur.

You had better watch some more Leaf games if you don't think Fraser has a spot on this Randy Carlyle coached team.
Leading +/- and tough as a $3 steak.
Do you think that the team will dress 6 $6 million/year D-Men?
Role players baby. You need all types.

 

[Morbo]

Ranger has nothing to do with the Leafs.

He was a Marlie, but never Leafs' property.

Your second statement is true, but the first is a stretch. It's the same org and the same people who signed him.

I won't cry if he leaves, but I can't believe the Leafs would be happy if Ranger decided to do this after helping him regain his pro career.

 

[Deebo]

Can't believe the Leafs will continue with Kostka possibly, or other alternatives like Blacker, Liles or Fraser instead of Ranger first.

Knowing the Leafs, they'll bring back ROB and Kostka and give them ice-time and let Ranger walk, along with MacArthur.

It's not "letting Ranger walk" if he chooses the oilers, what are you going to do if that is his preference.

 

[Daisy Jane]

Your second statement is true, but the first is a stretch. It's the same org and the same people who signed him.

I won't cry if he leaves, but I can't believe the Leafs would be happy if Ranger decided to do this after helping him regain his pro career.

i think that's the rub right there.
from what I heard from most people here it was pretty much a "we'll help you out and you stay with us." kind of deal. if he wants to go then go but (shrug) I dunno. like you said, I don't know how happy the leafs would be with a deal like that.