Smyth and Oilers to talk this week TheFourthPeriod.com
According to Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal, veteran Ryan Smyth's agent, Don Meehan, and Oilers GM Steve Tambellini are expected to talk this week about a contract extension.
Although the Oilers have already offer the 36-year-old a two-year deal, Matheson believes the stalemate is caused by the team offering in the $2.5-$2.75 million per season range, while Smyth could be looking for at least $3 million.
The Oilers could, however, be comparing his contract to Colorado Avalanche's Milan Hejduk, also 36, who signed a one-year, $2 million deal a few weeks ago.
While Smyth's role could be diminished as his offensive numbers decreased in the second half of the season, the veteran winger has only mentioned that he doesn't want to take a big pay cut from his $4.5 million salary he earned this year.
However, if an agreement isn't reached before July 1, Smyth could hit the free-agency market and find himself out of the city he says he loves so much.
In 82 games with the Oilers this season, Smyth collected 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points.
