Just in the nick of time

Oilers, Smyth avoid arbitration with two-year deal

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- Forward Ryan Smyth signed a two-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday, avoiding salary arbitration.

TSN.ca is reporting that the deal is for two years at $7 million, with the 2003-04 salary to be $3.45 million. Smyth made $3.025 million last season.

"Smytty has been with the Oilers for his entire career, and we clearly wanted that relationship to continue," Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe said. "The trouble with the arbitration process is that it takes a team's budget control out of its' hands, and now with this compromise, Smytty can continue to be a vital component on our team."

Smyth led the Oilers with 61 points last season, including 27 goals. He was the captain of the Canadian team that won the world championship.

"I'm very happy with this deal, especially since we didn't have to go through the arbitration process," said Smyth. "I've been an Oilers fan since I was a kid, and there isn't any other team I'd rather be with.

"I'm an Edmontonian through and through, and this is wonderful for my family and me."

The two sides reached the agreement just minutes before Smyth's arbitration hearing was scheduled to take place in Toronto.

 

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.