Eric Belanger apparently didn’t love his time with the Edmonton Oilers.
The retired veteran center signed a three-year, $5.25 million deal with the Oilers in 2011, appearing in 104 games with Edmonton while scoring four times with 19 points. His tenure ended after being bought out by the team. Despite a relatively short, unmemorable stint with the Oilers, Belanger took to Twitter to take shots at his former organization.
His engagement with fans started after he tweeted Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Justin Schultz isn’t “missing the Oilers right now.”
I don't think Justin Schultz is missing The Oilers right now. Playing for the Stanley cup. Good luck great kid.
— Eric Belanger (@belly2020) May 31, 2016
He followed that up by saying he hoped the team had success, but that the organization need’s “major change.”
They should be. And i hope they will have success soon after 9 years out of the playoffs. They need major change.
— Eric Belanger (@belly2020) May 31, 2016
A fan tweeted that he didn’t understand why Belanger was so mad given his “cheques cleared,” to which the former NHLer responded by calling the Oilers a “graveyard for players.”
Don't worry about the checks but look at the rest of my career. It's graveyard for players. I didn't wanna believe it.
— Eric Belanger (@belly2020) May 31, 2016
Belanger said he was never given the chance to be a role player.
That's why i was brought in but was never given the chance to do it. That's why i have a problem.
— Eric Belanger (@belly2020) May 31, 2016
He seemed to take issue with younger Oilers, tweeting the “kids did everything they want.”
I tried and all the other veterans to. But the kids did everything they want. I guess it worked out.
— Eric Belanger (@belly2020) May 31, 2016
He said he doesn’t believe top free agents will sign with the team.
Still going to be the problem. Signed all the kids to you just contracts. Because top free agents will not go there.
— Eric Belanger (@belly2020) May 31, 2016
Edmonton is working on rebranding itself as a franchise, but past actions have scorned former players, like Belanger.
Clearly, Belanger wasn’t happy during his stint with the Oilers. Edmonton was a huge mess during his tenure with the club. They didn’t have an identity and Belanger was somewhat lost in the shuffle during his time with the team. Does that make him right? No. Calling out the organization is a bad look. Being bitter online doesn’t help.
