A Teary Goodbye

As the NHL trade deadline passes, there are some players re-signing, players coming and players leaving. Wednesday, there was a player leaving Edmonton in a very emotional fashion.

After many hours and days of contract discussions with Ryan Smyth, the Edmonton Oilers could not get a deal done with the heart and soul of their team. Long time Oiler Ryan Smyth talked to the Edmonton media yesterday for the 1st time since his trade to Long Island. He and many Edmonton players chose not to discuss the issue out of respect of Mark Messier who had his number retired on Tuesday. Before boarding his flight to New York, Ryan Smyth addressed the media.

"I just wanted to say thanks to everybody," Smyth said. "This is not what my family and I had in store. I'd just like to thank the Edmonton Oilers organization for the opportunity to play in the NHL. It's a privilege to play in the NHL. It's an honor.I never thought it would come to this day," Smyth added. "I've got to turn the page and start a new chapter in life. The New York Islanders have given me that opportunity and I thank them for this. I'm going to go there and do my best and make the playoffs and win that [Stanley] Cup, so I can bring it down here to Edmonton - because that's where my heart is." Smyth said in a very emotional way.

Smyth has played 838 games with the Oilers franchise. 7 of those games coming in the Stanley Cup Finals last year. He has collected 287 goals, 305 assists and a grand total of 592 points.

He will make his Islander debut tonight against the ST.Louis Blues in NY. He will as he said in his comments earlier try his best to bring a Stanley Cup to New York.