The Edmonton Oilers are incredibly consistent in one vital area. They tell the public and the media almost nothing.
The good news is that general manager Steve Tambellini changed his way of going and made it clear that the Oilers are done with Steve Souray, one way or the other.
Outsiders will never get the whole story of why the dressing room was such a swamp of discontent last year. Neither will we learn, in detail, why Souray became a big part of the problem and not part of the solution.
All we know is that regulars on the media circuit kept talking about the players’ feeling of “entitlement.” Whatever that means.
Long before Souray’s public outburst dealing with his unhappiness here, it had become well known that departed captain Ethan Moreau and assistant captain Steve Staios had worn out their welcome with many in the organization.
There was word — unconfirmed, almost — that Shawn Horcoff was unhappy, too.
In some ways, that’s a good thing. You don’t want players happy with the kind of record this team produced last year.
And you also want to avoid having malcontent veterans spoiling the atmosphere for eager young kids who are supposed to be the future of the franchise.
Presumably, Souray will wind up with a job somewhere in hockey. It’s my fond hope that his injuries do not shorten his career beyond this point.
For what it’s worth, I also hope he gets the lesson that popping off in public doesn’t help the team, doesn’t help the community and doesn’t help the undisciplined player.
Tags: Edmonton Oilers, Sheldon Souray
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