SMYTH BACK WITH THE OIL
The Edmonton Oilers acquired winger Ryan Smyth from the Los Angeles Kings for center Colin Fraser and a seventh-round draft pick in 2012.
What does it give the Edmonton Oilers
In Smyth, the Oilers get a veteran locker-room leader who can help their young core learn how be successful in the NHL. Now 35, Smyth has seen his scoring steadily decline in recent seasons, but he's still dangerous on the man advantage and in front of the net. Edmonton takes on a lot of salary here ($6.25 million for next season) but Smyth has only one year left on his contract.
What does it give the Los Angeles Kings
With Mike Richards recently acquired from the Flyers, the Kings needed to shed some payroll and Smyth's contract for next season is close to Richards' in cap hit. In Fraser, they get an inexpensive role player with a lot of character who can help out on their lower lines (a deal to land Gilbert Brule fell through). Moreover, Fraser's small contract comes off the books after next season. The draft pick is a throw-in, as this deal was mostly about moving salary for L.A.
Fantasy impact
