Could Ryan Smyth be returning to the Edmonton Oilers in order to finish his career with the team that selected him in the first round of the 1994 entry draft?

A deal certainly isn't imminent and won't necessarily be an easy transaction for either the Los Angeles Kings or Oilers to close, but sources tell TSN the 35-year-old left winger has indicated to the Kings his preference would be to play next season in Edmonton if a trade can be worked out.

Well, that's a plot thickener if ever there was one.

You don't request a trade from a playoff contending team of the future to a bottom-feeding team at the beginning of a rebuild unless you are pretty f***ing unhappy. I remember some rumblings about dissent within the various factions of the "leadership group," rumors which we all (or most of us) dismissed. Or maybe Smyth just doesn't like back-checking. Another Terry Murray casualty, maybe.

Certainly makes my buy-out suggestion a lot more possible, I would think. I really can't imagine Lombardi wanting Smyth around with everyone on the planet knowing he doesn't want to be here.

Dick move, Smyth. Dick move.

I agree. I don't mind him wanting to do this if he's unhappy, and I don't mind him asking LA ownership privately, but you can't let this into the press.
Then again, with a $6.25 salary cap hit for his last year, maybe LA also likes the idea of getting rid of him. If so, and if they can work something out with Edmonton, maybe everybody will be happy. But if they can't work out a deal, and especially if LA is pissed after a stunt like this, they just might bury that cap hit in the AHL. Whatever happens I don't think he can stay in LA now.