Hemsky's surgically repaired shoulder is fine and should be at or near 100 per cent by the time he reports for training camp.
“I’m not worrying about it. It’s only the last two seasons, but before that I don’t think I’ve had many injuries,” said Hemsky, who expects to be ready for the Oilers training camp in mid-September.
“I know to have surgery seems bad, but when you fix the shoulders, they should be OK, now. You get hit, you get a small tear in the shoulder and it’s tearing and tearing and finally it’s torn all the way. For two months you don’t feel it, then you get to where you can’t even sleep. Only thing you can do is go for surgery. I don’t know if I’ll ever have the motion I had before. They’ve tied it up pretty tightly for a hockey player, but it’s good enough for sports. I can play tennis, golf.”
On Smyth:
“Getting Smytty back is great news for us. We’ve missed his type of player for a long time. The greasy goals around the net, using him on the power play. He’s a great leader. There’s friendship there,” he said.
"He's been around for a long time, so he's got a lot of things to say to the young guys," Hemsky said. "They can learn from him.
"I played with him for five years, six years. He gave me a lot. He was nice to me. He can build your confidence. His work ethic is great. The guys can just learn from that.
"On the ice, he's a leader. Even if he doesn't talk, you can just see it on the ice. He works every shift. He's in every battle. He cares about the team."
On RNH:
He admits that he was more concerned with how he handled the puck than how No. 1 draft pick Ryan Nugent-Hopkins looked.
“What number was he? If I skate (Wednesday), maybe I’ll take a picture. He can autograph it for me,” said a joking Hemsky, who was drafted 10 years ago, 13th overall.
On Regehr:
“I never minded playing against him. He’s tough but honest. He hits, but he doesn’t hit you blind. OK, he did it one time. But he’s not that dirty. There’s dirtier guys than him. He grabs you and takes you into the boards,” said Hemsky.
On the trades and signings:
"We had lots of young guys coming in last year," Hemsky said. "It's the same here this year.
"The first overall pick and another couple guys, so the depth of the young guys is huge. I don't think we ever had so many guys like that, talented. Now, we have another five guys from free agency, so the depth is pretty good. A lot of players."
"The players they've signed are great players who will fit really well. The toughness they got with (Ben) Eager and (Darcy) Hordichuk. The centre (Eric Belanger) for the face-offs. We get a little bigger with (Andy) Sutton. "I think it's a good fit, what we need. It can only make you happy, you know, for the future."
On his future with the Oilers:
“It’s been hard the last four years for the team. It’s never easy to be losing and not making the playoffs, but we’ve made some good additions. The young kids are getting more confident. It’s going to be fun to see how this upcoming season goes. We’re not talking about a new contract. I’m not worried. Like I’ve said, my focus is on getting back to 100 per cent so I can play.”
"I never really judge anybody, why we didn't make it before. It's a new generation now."
"I want a chance to win. I think they made a lot of good additions to the team. We can even this year be good, like for playoffs. Of course, I want to go in the playoffs. That's the only goal I have.
"Even this year. Hopefully, we can do it. If we have those young guys who were playing last year. They'll be more confident, they'll be a little bit older. We've got other young guys coming up . . . it'll be fun."
He’d like to be an Oiler for years to come, but there are no real negotiations going on at this time to hammer out a new long-term deal.
If Hemsky had his way, he’d start and end his career wearing the Oil drop.
“I wouldn’t mind at all. I don’t like change, looking for new stuff. I’ve met lots of great people in Edmonton. I’ve got friends. I’ve got a girlfriend living with me. I can’t complain,” said Hemsky, who will make $5 million next season.
"I can't complain, you know? I don't mind the city. Everybody is nice to me. I can't complain."
http://www.faceoff.c....703/story.html - Jim Matheson in Edmonton Journal
http://oilersnation.....ds-are-alright - Robin Brownlee at OilersNation.com
VIDEO: http://video.oilers.....id=4&id=120332
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Originally posted by JessikaLovejoy HFboards
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Now the reason I am posting this is that I think Hemsky could be fairly healthy this season. So the major question is if he does stay healthy what is a reasonable expectation for Hemsky's Contract?
Here's some comparables
Patrick Elias signed 6M caphit at 30 yrs old
worst injuries 27gp and 38 gp seasons
Due to higher offensive numbers 1+PPG, the 2 stanley cups and versatility (can play W/C) Hemsky likely wouldn't warrant this level of contract.
Marian Hossa signed 5.275M caphit at 30 years old
worst injuries 57gp and 60 gp seasons
With Hemsky improving his overall game then provided he has a healthy season this seems like a good reference.
Martin Havlat signed 5M caphit at 28 years old
worst injuries 18 gp and 35 gp
With similar injury history, skill level, playoff experience, and age at signing this is a close reference point.
IMO provided Hemsky has a healthy season (60-82 GP) a 5-5.3 contract over 6-8 years would be a reasonable expectation. What would u expect from a Hemsky signing, would u hope for something short? (before his long term contract Elias signed a 1 year contract). Juat curious to see if any of these quotes change any minds. Also if any would expect Hemsky to push for a much larger contract.
Edited by Zuko, 05 July 2011 - 10:30 PM.


















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