Don't Rip Edmonton, Dean Lombardi!

If you think the Ryan Smyth trade was a big-time addition for the Oilers, Kings fans are already starting to get heat up about the trade, especially Dean Lombardi who felt that the Oilers has misled him in trading Ryan Smyth for a player he believes can't play.

Now comes the drama for the Kings. Dean Lombardi might be issuing a mistake to league counsel David Zimmerman in saying that the Oilers are just trying to mislead the Kings in order to get their prized Ryan Smyth back.

Now the Oilers have said that the player Los Angeles acquired, Colin Fraser, is two weeks away from playing on the ice again after breaking a foot last month, but Lombardi apparently believes he'll be less than ready for when the season opener comes. The Kings were preparing to waive Fraser when Lombardi decided to lash out.

Dean Lombardi doesn't need to voice frustration just because he traded away Ryan Smyth to Edmonton. He has instrumental in getting Mike Richards from the Flyers and Simon Gagne from the Lightning. So here's my question: What is the big deal here? The Kings can compete for a title without Ryan Smyth. I would feel a lot better if Lombardi would've just acquired draft picks instead of players who he feels can't play. I think it's time that Lombardi shuts up and sees how his season plays out before deciding to rip another club. Colin Fraser is a good player and he was great with the Blackhawks and Oilers for the past two seasons. So don't even think about ripping the Oilers any more, Mr. Lombardi.

L.A. will move forward but with all this drama, it'll move forward very slowly. Even without Ryan Smyth in the lineup, I see the Kings going far in the playoffs. In the meantime, Dean Lombardi needs to cool down and show respect for the player he's got. Colin Fraser will be a factor in the Kings' season when he does play again, and it would surprise me if Lombardi would try to get rid of him.