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Smyth returns to former stamping ground

Rick Sadowski, Rocky Mountain News

Published October 23, 2007 at midnight

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EDMONTON, Alberta — One of Ryan Smyth’s most pressing concerns, though not as urgent as the Avalanche’s four-game losing streak in road games, has been the inability to find a buyer for his Edmonton house.

"It’s for sale, but the market’s a little soft," he said.

Smyth’s real-estate agent was given the task after the 31-year-old left wing signed his five-year, $31.25 million contract with the Avalanche on July 1 and purchased a home in captain Joe Sakic’s neighborhood in Denver.

Eventually, the market should improve, the Edmonton property will belong to someone else and Smyth will have severed another tie to the city he called home for parts of 12 NHL seasons.

Smyth’s run with the Oilers ended Feb. 27 when he was traded to the New York Islanders after a contract dispute, and he returns to Rexall Place tonight to face his former teammates for the first time (7:30, Altitude).

"I still say, ‘Once an Oiler, always an Oiler,’" Smyth said before arriving in Edmonton early Monday morning on the Avalanche’s charter flight from Minnesota. "I’ll always have great memories and a great deal of respect for them for giving me the opportunity to play in the NHL. My hat goes off to them.

"(But) they made a business decision for their hockey team. You can see they’re going with youth. They wanted to try a new avenue. Getting to the Stanley Cup Finals one time in the years I was there is obviously unacceptable."

Born in Banff, Alberta, and known as Captain Canada for his inspirational play in international competition that included an Olympic gold medal in 2002, Smyth expected to play his entire career with the Oilers, something that megastars like Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey and Grant Fuhr were unable to do.

It’s why he sobbed uncontrollably while saying goodbye at Edmonton International Airport eight months ago after his trade to the Islanders, resulting in "Cryin’ Ryan" headlines.

"As a kid growing up, I was a huge Oiler fan," Smyth said. "To be an Oiler and to wear that Oiler jersey from Day 1 ... you never expect the unexpected to happen, being traded. It was very tough. There’s so much blood, sweat and tears that you go through as a person and as a team.

"I’m an emotional guy. I care about everything and (his tears) so happened to be about me being traded. Now I’m really looking forward to being in Colorado. My family and I think (signing with the Avalanche) was the best decision for us."

Smyth is uncertain about the kind of reception he will receive from Oilers fans, though his No.94 jersey remains popular. Oilers coach Craig MacTavish and several players have said they believe he’ll be treated warmly.

"I think if they can boo guys like Wayne Gretzky and Dougie Weight when they came back ... obviously, it’s not something you want to hear, but I’m on the other side now," Smyth said.

"The city knows their hockey. I mean, that building is the loudest that I’ve ever been a part of. You remember how electrifying it was and how exciting it was. The fans know their hockey and they’re excited about their hockey."

No matter how the crowd reacts, Smyth will have plenty of supporters in the building with his wife, Stacey, along with "brothers, aunts and uncles and lots of close friends," he said.

Smyth and his wife felt it was best to leave their two daughters, Isabelle, 4, and Elizabeth, 2, at home in Denver under the care of his parents, who have been visiting Colorado.

"It’d be too hard on them," Smyth said. "My 4-year-old took it pretty hard when she saw me break down (after the trade)."

Smyth has kept in touch with the Oilers coaches and training staff, along with a number of players, including Steve Staois.

"He played hard for a lot of years here and was a big part of this organization, so I think he deserves a lot of respect," Staios said. "It’s going to be special for him and his family."

Smyth’s fondest memory: the Oilers’ stunning run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006, not unlike what the Rockies are experiencing now.

"We were an eighth seed going into the playoffs," Smyth said. "All the individual stuff is nice, but it’s nice knowing that you did things together as a team to prevail. The unexpected sort of happened. We ended up losing, but I have great memories. You don’t forget things like that."