--Oilers GM Kevin Lowe says the rumored $5 million starting point from Joni Pitkanen's camp in their contract negotiations with Edmonton isn't accurate. He says the figure is a year old, from brief conversations last summer, before they signed him to a one-year deal worth $2.4 million. The two sides haven't even started talking yet on a new deal.

--Unrestricted free agent Curtis Glencross upped his market value after scoring 15 goals (nine in 26 games after coming over from Columbus) and tying for the team lead in plus-minus (plus-8), but he still hasn't struck a new contract with the Oilers. Glencross wants a deal that offers him long-term security while the Oilers are reluctant to commit big money to a player who might have been a one-year wonder. But Glencross wants to stay in Edmonton and Edmonton wants Glencross to remain an Oiler, so they'll likely agree on a one-year deal, giving him a chance to prove that last season was no fluke.

--Assistant coach Rob Daum completed his one-year contract and will not be behind the bench again next season, but the club expressed interest in keeping him on in another capacity. "He's earned my respect in the organization, all of our respect," said GM Kevin Lowe. "He's a good hockey guy. I'm just pondering what we're going to get him to do. He's also thinking about his options, too."

QUOTE TO NOTE
"No, that's craziness, total craziness. One minute he's going to be president, the next minute he's going to be assistant general manager. I don't know who started that, but there's nothing to it whatsoever." -- GM Kevin Lowe, on persistent rumors that Craig Simpson will be leaving "Hockey Night in Canada" to take a management job with the Oilers.

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