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re-Penner deal and Kevin Lowe.
I think most Oiler fans were pretty happy with the move - sure they are over-paying Penner for this year, but the hope is that he ends up being relatively cheap by last year. Fans seem to be giving Lowe the benefit of the doubt, and are accepting that the deal was made for the future (paying Penner what he will be worth). It's been viewed as positive becuase Lowe did SOMETHING, got shut out of the tier 1 UFA's but did land Souray which I think will help (PP and first pass out of the zone). Lot's of local sportswriters were worried about the bad karma the move migh cause, thinking the other GM's would be gunning to rape the oilers becuase Lowe broke the unwritten rule about RFA's. But whatever, I applaud the move - even if Penenr doesn't work out - becuase Lowe showed he's gonna do whatever it takes to try to make the Oilers a contender. Personally, I think they are stronger now (on paper) then they were last year. Penner was a good add, they need his size and hands, and for a big guy he can move, and they had tons of room in the cap; and still do. I think their problems are on the bench - still can't figure out why Lowe re-signed MacTavish long term as coach.
To answer your question - the mood around town was mostly positive on the Penner signing, and it didn't hurt that he grabbed an RFA from the (now hated) Ducks, where Pronger ended up after last spring's fiasco. I figure the Oilers are gonna be srapping it out to make 8th in the conference - gonna make or miss by a game, probably goruped up with about 5 or 6 teams fighting over the bottom two playoff spots.
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