Ryan Smyth stays in Edmonton with 2-year, $4.5 million deal

Ryan Smyth loves Edmonton. We know that.

We saw his emotions in 2006 when he and the Oilers couldn't agree to an extension and he was dealt to the New York Islanders at the trade deadline. We watched last summer as he requested a trade from the Los Angeles Kings back to Edmonton. And now, just before he was set to hit the unrestricted free agent market, Smyth has taken a 50-percent paycut to stay with the Oilers.

(We would have used "50-percent haircut", but no one better touch that glorious mullet.)

Per Darren Dreger of TSN, Smyth re-signed with the Oilers for two more years at $2.25 million per season. He made $4.5 million in 2011-12. Smyth will be 38 at the end of this new deal and he'll continue provide a veteran presence inside a young Edmonton room.

Smyth's name was floated at the trade deadline this season as a playoff rental, but he was never approached by the Oilers about a potential deal. After forcing his way back to Edmonton, Smyth wasn't against leaving for the right situation should it come to that but in the end, as he told Y!'s Nick Cotsonika in February, he's committed to the city of Edmonton.

"We just feel Edmonton's a great city," Smyth said. "Two of our kids were born there. Great place to raise a family. Maybe other people think differently, but we don't. We're going to retire there whether or not anything happens."

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy