Dustin Penner

I really wanted to wait to write something about the 'Large Human' until he was officially a Duck or officially an Oiler, but, I can't wait anymore. Penner is one of my boys. He started his career with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks...so I got to watch him develop from his first game as a pro into the NHL player he is today.

Penner was tendered an offer sheet by the "desperate" Kevin Lowe. Is he really desperate? Well, yeah. But, if Dustin Penner continues to develop into a great NHL talent then the deal will make Lowe look like a genius. However, it is entirely possible that Lowe could have another Lupul situation on his hands.

Penner was always the Cinderella Story of the NHL. The kid that got cut from every team he tried to play for. The kid that went and played club hockey eventually earning a spot on the University of Maine's hockey team. Which then earned him a professional contract with the Ducks. I can't say I blame him for signing the five year $21.25 million dollar offer sheet. Although, selfishly I wanted him to stay with the Ducks because I think they have the potential to repeat. In about 24 hours we will know where Mr. Penner will be going...but wherever he will be I will be cheering for him. So listen up Jordi you better take good care of the kid and be nice if he ends up playing for the Oilers!!

I know that Kevin Lowe is staying with the rules in tendering these offer sheets however do you think this will affect his trading abilities? I mean given Buffalo's reaction saying:

"As it comes to the Edmonton Oilers," pledged Sabres managing partner Larry Quinn, "if there is an opportunity for us to put an offer sheet on a player any time as long as we're alive, we'll be very comfortable doing that. And they can expect that."

Those are some pretty big words...Larry Quinn wasn't too happy about the offer sheet. And, now with Burke's reaction was somewhat similar:

"I have no problem with offer sheets, they are part of the CBA," Burke said on a conference call. "I think it's a tool certainly a team is entitled to use. My issue here is this is the second time this year in my opinion Edmonton have offered a grossly inflated salary for a player, and it impacts on all 30 teams and I think it's an act of desperation by a general manager who is fighting to keep his job."

Here's some other bloggers take of the Penner situation.
Sleek's Ode to Penner
Finny already says goodbye
Mirtle pokes a little fun at Burke
Shmee has her take up