Quoting: MountRoyal514
Edmonton saved enough cap space to get to the end of the year without being forced to pay other teams to take on their bad contracts, so that in itself is a win for them..
^ THIS. It was getting to the point of needing to clear/waive a couple guys to be able to bring up Sekera. So you either lose guys to a waiver claim (which, there not much to lose I guess, lol), or you have to pay someone to take on bad cap space.
Now I don't know the legal implications are in HAVING to bring up Sekera... but I betcha you (oilers front office) have to showcase good faith if a player TRULY believe he is ready to play and WANTS to play. Don't think you can jsut say, nahhh, we'll just leave you on LTIR for the rest of the season.
I'm thinking, Sekera wanted back in, which pressured the Oilers in having to respond. I don't see too many scenarios where you win in a situation of being cap handcuffed, and needed to clear enoug space to bring him back.
Typical Chiarelli move (position of weakness ie: where everyone knows you are cornered/desperate) would have been to package out a 3rd round pick with Talbot for Elliot or Neuvirth. LOL.
For EDM: This move cost no picks. Shed MUCH needed cap space. Allows Edmonton to test drive Stolarz and see if they want to sign him as a backup (as Starrett, Wells and Skinner are not quite ready) for next year. If he sinks, don't resign him. Simple. Look elsewhere. This year's ufa goalies has a plethora of sub average goalies who could fill the role.
For PHI: Talbot was UFA and likely Gone. Phi gets an opportunity to test drive him and see if they want to keep him as a 1A/1B goalie situation. Cost tehm a younger goalie that they were likely not going to sign anyway because of his past injury). If he sinks, don't resign him. Simple. Look elsewhere. This year's ufa goalies has a plethora of sub average goalies who could fill the role.