Peter Chiarelli might be the biggest uniting force among hockey fans.
On Monday, the Edmonton Oilers made the unexpected decision to waive forwards Ty Rattie and Ryan Spooner.
Waiving Rattie was not as shocking as the decision to waive Spooner. Rattie, who had seven goals in four pre-season games, started the season off playing on the right-wing of Connor McDavid's line.
So you'd expect for Rattie to have some sort of breakout season, right? Well, he only has two goals and eight points in 29 games this season.
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On the other hand, the choice to waive Spooner was surprising. Chiarelli acquired the forward from the New York Rangers in November, trading away Ryan Strome. But similar to Rattie, Spooner hasn't produced since arriving in Edmonton, scoring just two goals and an assist 24 games. To make matters worse for Oilers fans, Strome has six goals and 11 points in 29 games for the Rangers.
Still, you would think that the Oilers would have given Spooner a bit more time. Especially considering Strome was originally acquired for 2008 first-round pick Jordan Eberle who has 24 points in 44 games this season with the Islanders.
Instead, they waived the white flag, causing hockey pundits and Oilers fans to come together to pile on Chiarelli.
Let's recap.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 21, 2019
June 22, 2017: Jordan Eberle for Ryan Strome.
Nov. 16, 2018: Ryan Strome for Ryan Spooner.
Jan. 21, 2019: Ryan Spooner on waivers. Jordan Eberle and Ryan Strome not on waivers.
So to summarize Peter Chiarelli's two deals with the #Isles:
— Brennan Klak (@nhlupdate) January 21, 2019
To Islanders:
Jordan Eberle
2015 1st round pick
2015 2nd round pick
To #Oilers:
Nothing
Maybe Nothing can score 30 with McDavid?
From Messier to waivers:
— Zachary Bear (@ZachBear_) January 21, 2019
Messier for Rice
Rice signs w/Hartford
Marchment is compensation
Marchment traded for Hamrlik
Hamrlik traded for Brewer
Brewer traded for Pronger
Pronger traded for a 1st(Ebs)
Eberle for Strome
Stroke for Spooner
Spooner on waivers#FireChiarelli #oilers
BREAKING NEWS FROM 2017: #Oilers trade Jordan Eberle for what will soon be literally nothing. #Chiarelli https://t.co/EtPYm6wphs
— Adam Graham (@adam_graham) January 21, 2019
So Eberle went to the Islanders for Ryan Strome, then the Oilers traded Strome to the Rangers for Spooner, who is now on waivers. pic.twitter.com/ajREhJG7qf
— Trevor Robb (@TrevorRobb_) January 21, 2019
* Sees Peter Chiarelli is trending on Twitter *
— Kirsten Davis (@KirstenDavis_) January 21, 2019
"OMG COULD THIS BE IT?!"
* Finds out he's STILL not fired *
LE SIGH 😒 pic.twitter.com/U6vATudXq8
If Spooner gets claimed that means that Peter Chiarelli will have turned Taylor Hall, Jordan Ebele and the Matthew Barzal pick into:
— Ian (@le_canuck) January 21, 2019
Adam Larsson and cap space for Milan Lucic
A live look at Bob Nicholson inspecting Chiarelli's company phone:#Oilers pic.twitter.com/XYj2qP1rUT
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) January 21, 2019
You watch the way Adam Larsson is playing and read what he says about how he's playing and think he was traded for Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall and see the guy Jordan Eberle was effectively traded for go on the waiver wire Monday and there's no defending GM Peter Chiarelli.
— Terry Jones (@byterryjones) January 21, 2019
So what if Peter Chiarelli turned Jordan Eberle into waiver fodder, all that really matters are the jokes we made along the way
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) January 21, 2019