Jason Strudwick 10-11: Restless Farewell

Every once in awhile I'll wander through the old Baseball Encyclopedia or an old hockey guide and wonder why so many old timey players hang on past their due date. Doug Mohns in Washington at age 41 played the whole season despite ending -52 plus minus; Johnny Bucyk scoring 5 goals for Boston, age 42; Davey Keon in a Whaler uniform finishing -31 at age 41. It's even more baffling when the player who remains on a roster doesn't have strong emotional ties to the fanbase. Usually, a Stanley or an outstanding season is involved at at the very least miles and miles of quality play are often in the rear view mirror. Jason Strudwick's 3-year Oiler career has run at least one year too long. Re-signing him doesn't improve on the replacement level player, re-signing him doesn't give rookies more time to hone their skills in hopes of passing him in abilitiy. Whatever he brings to an NHL organization should be accessed via the coaching ranks. If he belongs on the staff, ...