Oilers Sign Horcoff to Six-Year Extension

[Thrillhouse]

The Edmonton Oilers have agreed to terms with forward Shawn Horcoff on a six-year contract extension. The extension will keep Horcoff under contract through the 2014-15 season.

The 6’1”, 204 pound native of Trail, British Columbia, is entering his ninth National Hockey League season in 2008-09 and will be in the final year of his current three-year contract.

In 53 games last season, Horcoff recorded almost a point per game, collecting 21 goals and 29 assists for 50 points. His solid play led him to being named to the Western Conference All-Stars for the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta, Georgia.

Oilers General Manager Kevin Lowe says, “Shawn has proven himself as one of the premier players in the National Hockey League and has been and will continue to be an integral part of our organization moving forward. By being proactive with this deal, we avoid being in a situation where Shawn could become an unrestricted free agent after next season and the unknown free agency can bring to the organization. Having him under contract long-term is something that has been on our radar for a long time and we are extremely pleased to finalize this deal.”

Horcoff says, “This is a great day for myself and my family. Edmonton is a great city and one that has embraced us in every way possible. I’ve spent my entire career with the Oilers and I’m thrilled about the direction we are heading in, led by our new owner Daryl Katz and General Manager Kevin Lowe. I’d like to thank the Edmonton Oilers and our great fans for making this possible.”

After re-aggravating a shoulder injury at the NHL All-Star Game, Horcoff played one game (January 29th vs. San Jose) before electing to have surgery to repair his left shoulder and end his season.

Originally drafted by the Oilers (4th round, 99th overall) in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, the 29-year-old forward had a breakout season in 2005-06, registering career-highs in goals (22), assists (51), points (73) and penalty minutes. In 24 playoff games, Horcoff added 19 points (7-12-19), helping lead the Oilers to game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals.

[Sukoshi84]

Now Hopefully he starts Putting up numbers like he can

[jkidd]

And now all we hear from Edmonton in the next 6 years is, "And Shawn Horcoff is having yet another surgery." Seems to be the Oiler way as of late...

Good resigning for the Oil.

[Snipes19]

Originally Posted by Sukoshi84

Now Hopefully he starts Putting up numbers like he can

You're definitely right.

This guy has underachieved IMO. He's only put up TWO 20-goal seasons in his entire career, and I just think he has a lot more talent than that.

Horcoff is only 29 years old and has good speed and a lot of skill, but he just needs to start putting up more points year-after-year - and if he does so, the Oilers could be a team to look out for in the West as they've really improved.

So this is still a good signing by the Oilers nonetheless. I think Horcoff is a very good center and I know he has the talent to put up 20+ goals and 60+ points a year... because judging by his 05-06 season where he had 73 points, he can be very good... he just needs to be more consistent. But with a team like the Oilers who are assembling a very good core of young players - locking up Horcoff was a must. He will be one of their center-piece stars along with Hemsky, Cogliano, Gagner, and more for years to come - so good move by Edmonton here. They have a very bright future, no question about it.

[moxie]

He'll be wearing the C very soon. Good signing. Always liked Horc.

[Isles4life]

Good move for the Oilers to lock up a real good player. But I agree, he should be able to put up better numbers if he can stay healthy, and Edmonton definitely needs that out of him.

[bupz91]

nice signing by the oilers. He's gonna have the C when Ethan Moreau retires.

[Sam1410]

Good signing by the Oil, but doesn't the question have to be asked.

If they are willing to pay Horcoff $5.5 million a year, why didn't they sign Smyth for that kind of money?? He signed for a little over $6 a year with Colorado and would have given the Oilers a hometown discount.

Sorry, I don't get it.

[BrianTheAdsFan]

Looking at Shawn's stats, he's due for a couple of healthy years before he has an injury shortened campaign. He seems to have a 3 year cycle with this. Good signing if he stays healthy.

[flex_buff_chest]

Originally Posted by Sam1410

Good signing by the Oil, but doesn't the question have to be asked.

If they are willing to pay Horcoff $5.5 million a year, why didn't they sign Smyth for that kind of money?? He signed for a little over $6 a year with Colorado and would have given the Oilers a hometown discount.

Sorry, I don't get it.

They weren't owned by a Billionaire at the time.

[canuckfan]

I'm not a big fan of Horcoff. And its not just the lazy-eye.

I think the Oilers signed him for too much for too long - Horcoff isn't the most consistent of players when its comes to both health and point production - I mean, he's a good player, but in my mind he's just not a number 1 center - he kind of reminds me of Henrik Sedin in that way - good, but not good enough, and better suited for second line duty.

And 5.5/year is a lot of dough for a guy like Horcoff. He's nearly 30 - how much better do the Oilers think he's going to get? I have a feeling this will be one they'll be trying to move in 3 or 4 more seasons.

[Thrillhouse]

Horc is a pretty hard working guy and while he's probably not a #1 center on other teams, he works well with Hemsky. I'm happy he's locked up but I wish it was a little less that $5.5 mil a year.

[lakingsfan19]

Good signing, I couldn't imagine him in another uniform.

[Blouin]

good lockup but a little over priced

[OilersHockey]

Say what you will about Horc (and I've got some reservations too), there's one thing no one would deny... Horc would cut off his own balls to help that team win...

I'll never forget him lying down in front of a slapshot in the first round against Detroit in the Oil cup run a few years ago with a few seconds left in the game and basically blocking it with his sternum... More than one Oiler said they looked back to leadership like what Horc provided on that play as inspiration...He's a good team guy