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GM Brian Burke didn't care too much for the offer sheet Kevin Lowe of the Edmonton Oilers put forward to land Dustin Penner, a Stanley Cup winner who was making less than $500,000 last season. He didn't care for it because he knew with his team being close to the $50 million salary cap, and more importantly, because of the type of player Penner is, he couldn't justify keeping him. Penner's salary just shot up 10x because of Edmonton's inability to sign a unrestrictedfree agent over the summer.

Are the Oilers desperate? Absolutely. Is Penner overpaid? He had 45 points last season and while he was a key in the Ducks' playoff run, wasn't exactly the player who tipped the scales. His foward linemates, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, I think are better players. You damn right he's now making too much money (of course, this is all relative. Every player in the NHL makes too much money).

But really, what choice did the Oilers have? They had plenty of draft picks this year (interestingly enough, because of the Oiler deal that sent Pronger to Anaheim) and have enough youth to build on in the AHL, so they can afford the draft picks they have to give to Anaheim as compensation. They needed to show their fanbase they are trying to build a winner, so this move made sense. They have plenty of cap space, so the price for Penner is almost a moot point.

In the end though, I don't think Penner is the answer. He's a big guy who can throw lots of hits and play a tough, gritty style, but it ends there. He's just not the prolific scorer the Oilers need. He's a decent penalty killer but he doesn't have the skill to rack up points on the powerplay. Sure, maybe put him in front to create traffic, but who does Edmonton have up front that can consistently score goals?

Maybe there's potential in Dustin Penner that I just don't see, and for Oiler fans I hope that's the case, but I just think Edmonton won't make the playoffs again and Kevin Lowe will have to try another drastic move to try to make Edmonton a contender again.