Oilers Pick Up Ales Kotalik From Buffalo

[Thrillhouse]

General Manager Steve Tambellini announced today the Edmonton Oilers have obtained forward Ales Kotalik from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for the second round draft choice in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft acquired earlier from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Kotalik has appeared in 56 games with Buffalo this season and was the Sabres fifth leading scorer with 13-19-32 and 28 penalty minutes. Among his goals were eight powerplay goals and one game winning goal. The 6’1”, 227 pound right winger leads the NHL with four shootout deciding goals this season and he is tied for the NHL record for most career shootout deciding goals with nine.

Now in his seventh NHL season since turning pro with Buffalo in 2001-02, the 30-year-old right winger has scored 114-126-240 with 267 penalty minutes in 426 career NHL games. He has scored 6-9-15 with 16 penalty minutes in 34 playoff games with Buffalo.

[TheJoker]

We can afford to give up picks, but can anyone give some insight on the type of player Kotalik is and what he will bring to EDM? I know he has a cannon shot...

[bengino]

for only a second rounder?!?!?! Wow that is a weird trade!

[gdameo]

Sabres fan here. He's a GREAT shootout player. One of the best in the league. BUT we have too many forwards and we kept complaining about him, Hecht, and Max I believe. Kotalik is a good player but we feel like he's being lazy. Getting a lazy penalty. He's a decent player and can even be better if he's on the right team with right players.

[gdameo]

Originally Posted by bengino

for only a second rounder?!?!?! Wow that is a weird trade!

He's worth a second rounder.

[bengino]

Originally Posted by gdameo

He's worth a second rounder.

I am just happy he won't be in tonight vs. the Habs lol, a little bit less of potential offense off the ice. He does give you the lazy vibe, but when he wants to can be a game changer, like Kovalev in Montreal.

oh and i thought he would actually fetch more then just that.

[gdameo]

Originally Posted by bengino

I am just happy he won't be in tonight vs. the Habs lol, a little bit less of potential offense off the ice. He does give you the lazy vibe, but when he wants to can be a game changer, like Kovalev in Montreal.

oh and i thought he would actually fetch more then just that.

lol yeah I do like him. You are right, he's being lazy. He'll be a great player if he's on the right team with right players. I'm sad to see him go but we got to do it.

[T-Wild76]

Another F*#king lame move......he's not even one of the 6 players I want of my team..this is just ridiculous...why not Hecht or Maxi?

[gdameo]

Originally Posted by T-Wild76

Another F*#king lame move......he's not even one of the 6 players I want of my team..this is just ridiculous...why not Hecht or Maxi?

dude relax. We wanted to get rid of either Kotalik, Hecht and/or Max. Nobody wants Max or Hecht. We DID get rid of one of them.

[canuckfan]

Good deal - I wonder if he and Hemsky will be slotted to play with one another. This deal has a lot of potential for Edmonton if he works out.

[Sukoshi84]

If he can Do Work..... it'll be a good pick up.

[shaud19]

Sabre's did all the wrong moves today...

[T-Wild76]

Originally Posted by gdameo

dude relax. We wanted to get rid of either Kotalik, Hecht and/or Max. Nobody wants Max or Hecht. We DID get rid of one of them.

I never thought Kotalik was going to be traded and I've never said anything bad about him. He had the best slap shot on our team besides Spacek and he was amazing on shootouts....but Max and Hecht just don't score enough..must be why nobody wants them.
It also seems like Moore for Kotalik isn't that much of a difference maybe he's a better play-maker but Kotalik has played less games this year.
How about Daniel Paille who only has 7 goals just like Hecht and both have played all year....nobody wants him either right?
I don't know after hearing we just signed Connolly a guy that has never played a full season and then we get rid of Kotalik for Moore....I just don't like the sound of it and other Sabres fans feel the same..I think Kotalik is worth more then a 2nd rounder....And Moore isn't worth a 2nd round pick.
We still have way to many players now that Vanek and Maxi are back, if kaleta gets scratched for Moore I'm going to be pissed

[TheJoker]

Originally Posted by canuckfan

Good deal - I wonder if he and Hemsky will be slotted to play with one another. This deal has a lot of potential for Edmonton if he works out.

He's slotted on the top line for tonights game vs Ottawa.

[filippp3]

bad move by buffalo...good choice for edmontom..hes gonna make a great line with his friend ales hemsky