Category Archives: Sunday Night Pint

Beer League Hero, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Rob Cooke, Sunday Night Pint

BLH Sunday Night Pint #9

2 Comments

12050560_10153785658206282_1495855131_o

Welcome back to another edition of the Beer League Heroes Sunday Night Pint! This is the 9th installment and this week we’ve got Jason Adams (@Jason_Adams_ATB) from Alongtheboards.com, BLH’s newest contributor and photoshop extraordinaire Kjell Iverson (@kjelliverson), Justoil.net‘s Rob Cooke (@justoil78), and myself, BLH (@beerleagueheroe).

We’re going to be going over some hot topics from the week previous that include the Boston Bruins and their best imitation of the Oilers defence circa last year, Justin Schultz’s apparent turnaround, the battle between Darnell Nurse and Griffin Reinhart, and lastly, slurpees and the impact they’ve had on the socioeconomic status of blue collar workers across Canada… Or probably just what your favorite flavor is?

1. The Boston Bruins defence is in absolute shambles right now with the Injuries to Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg, this would be a perfect time for Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli to call up his old chum Don Sweeney and see if he needs some help. If you were Chiarelli how would you offer to help Sweeney?

JA: Hmm… What would I do if I was Peter Chiarelli. How would I help out Boston? Well. There’s an old quote attributed to Bobby Hull – ‘I wouldn’t piss in his ear if his brain was on fire’. That’s approximately how I’d feel about the Bruins organization if I were Chiarelli, based on the circumstances of his departure and the Dougie Hamilton trade. I wouldn’t make a trade with the Bruins right now if I was Chiarelli – who I’m sure is less vindictive than I am – unless it was wildly tilted in Edmonton’s favour, or it involved taking Nikita Nikitin or Teddy Purcell off our hands. Otherwise, if the Bruins are drowning, hand them a brick.

KI: The Oilers pick up the tab for Don Sweeney’s medication and trade Andrew Ference to the Boston Bruins in exchange for future considerations and/or a case of beer. They need defensemen, right? No? That’s not helping them? I suppose they could always pick up Brandon Davidson off waivers for nothing?

RC: I am tempted to suggest trading the Captain back to his former team but with the injuries that require an addition being to Chara and Seidenberg I don’t see that Ference can really help. He has shown over the last two seasons that he isn’t capable of playing big minutes anymore and will likely be in the press box more often than not this season on a not good Oilers blue line.

Sending defenseman Nikita Nikitin is the most obvious choice but his play so far in the pre-season hasn’t been a ton better than last season despite being 100% healthy as Niki stated. However if the Oilers were willing to retain 50% of his salary I could see a deal made so the Bruins would have the added firepower on the power-play to make up for some of what Big Z provides. I know Nikitin has little to know value but Boston is kind of over a barrel so with the retained salary I would demand an 3rd round pick back from Sweeney. I doubt he would go for it but after the draft fiasco where Sweeney and Neely asked for more from Edmonton for Hamilton than they asked of the Flames I wouldn’t be all that willing to help them out in the slightest.

BLH: With the way training camp is going I’d see if he was interested in a RW to go with say Andrew Ference or Nikita Nikitin. Maybe Teddy Purcell or perhaps even Nail Yakupov. Anton Slepyshev is really turning heads here and he plays a game that is much more conducive to a 2nd/3rd liner than Nail Yakupov. Also, should a 1st overall pick really be suiting up on the 3rd line going into his 4th season? Not sure what a deal like that would bring back for Edmonton but it might be worth looking into as I did here.

2. Justin Schultz had a helluva game the other night vs. the Jets ECHL team and that has sparked a little debate amongst Oilers fans and pundits. Is this the year that Jultzy pulls it all together?

JA: Justin Schultz is a player that’s gotten all the flak in the world over the last couple of years, but his slate should be wiped clean like everyone else that endured the Eakins Era. The fact is that Schultz’s skill set is unique on the Oilers, and he’s never going to be prime Zdeno Chara. That being said he’s shown some good signs this preseason, so yes, I’ll say he’ll establish himself as a top 4 defenceman this year.

KI: I wrote a blog about this, so I suppose I’m sort of biased. I personally believe Schultz is going to have a career year. I felt he was a victim of poor defensive depth last season, and not utilized properly in the right situations. With better depth this season and the guidance of Todd McLellan, I think Schultz will make an impact. He’ll have off nights like everyone else, but I think we’ll see significantly less “Jultzing” than we did last year. If his performance against the Jets is any indication, he’s willing to do what it takes.

RC: For me it is still way to early to tell yet. He has shown a lot more confidence this fall so far but let’s be fair. He is playing AHL competition right now. Let’s see what he can do over the first ten to fifteen games of the season when wins will be crucial for this young team. Given his past performance as an Oiler I am doubtful that he can make enough of a change this season to earn himself that long-term deal that he desires. My money is on him being moved at the deadline to a team that can put him on the third pairing with plenty of power-play time.

BLH: Boy, I hope so. The Oilers have invested a lot into this kid and so far he’s served them with a big plate of go screw yourself. How much that has to do with his ability or with the ability of the coaching staff over the past few seasons is probably fodder for more water cooler chatter but I like his chances under McLellan due to the new coach’s ability to run a very effective powerplay. Will it earn him a long-term contract? I don’t think it will. I reckon the Oilers will trade him or walk away from him because they’ve got Jordan Oesterle and Joey Laleggia in the minors who could very well be excellent PP specialists in the future for the Oilers.

3. Darnell Nurse and Griffin Reinhart are set to duel it out for one of the last remaining spots on the blueline, who do you think has a better chance at winning a spot on the Oilers’ opening night roster?

JA: I took a good hard look at this question on one of my most recent articles for AlongTheBoards. At the time, I gave the nod to Nurse, but I think the organization is leaning towards Reinhart. Griff’s been playing solid, low risk hockey and has looked like an NHLer in camp. Not that Nurse has looked bad, but there’s still some chaos in his game to iron out.

KI: This is a tough one for me. I really like both of them. Reinhart has been the steadier of the two, but Nurse has made a bit more noise after exploding Hunter Smith’s nose. I like Nurse’s mobility and mean streak, and I like Reinhart’s poise and decision making. In the end, if we assume either of them make the roster, I have to give the nod to Reinhart. That being said, I’m not sure there is room for either of them.

RC: To my eyes Griffin appears that he is a little ahead of Darnell. Reinhart is a lot less chaotic than Nurse, he is a reliable defenseman that doesn’t appear to do more than he knows he can. Nurse tends to try to be everywhere still and needs some games in Bakersfield to learn to calm down and try to do a little less. If you are asking long-term then my answer is definitely Darnell Nurse.

Both are likely going to be fixtures of the Oilers top four for many years but Nurse has a higher projection in my opinion. He can bring more offense than Griffin and still is a very effective defender with a well documented mean streak. Nurse is the future of the defense and we all hope he evolves into a true franchise defender. Reinhart projects as a top four guy or maybe a defensive specialist on the top pairing if we are really lucky. Obviously having the pair of them in the top four for the next decade is the ultimate goal either way.

BLH: At this point I like Griffin Reinhart. The Oilers aren’t in need of a flashy dynamic defenceman right now, maybe later in the season but certainly not now. Reinhart is very cool and collected. He plays a very simple style of game. He’s also very strong and his skating has looked to have improved greatly. Nurse is still trying to do too much right now and the team isn’t quite ready to accommodate that sort of player yet. So I say Griffin Reinhart for the win!

BONUS: I’d say a good portion of Canadian kids from my generation grew up playing video games and inhaling Slurpees whilst playing said video games (Mario Kart, NHL ’94, or 007 Goldeneye), my question for the participants today is, What’s your favorite flavor of Slurpee?

JA: Any answer that is not Lime Crush is the wrong answer. I don’t have slurpees often, but if I see the gas station has that flavour, I will get one every time.

KI: I haven’t had a slurpee since I was 14. I suppose I’ll go with coke (do they even still make coke flavored slurpees?) since that goes well with rye or rum. I’d prefer beer though.

RC: Personally I wouldn’t know. I don’t drink the things. If you asked my wife she would say Pepsi or Coke are the only kinds worth buying but that is her opinion I guess. If you are buying I will take an extra large triple triple from Timmy’s instead!

BLH: Tough one. I love Slurpees and they’re absolutely horrid in Taiwan. They come out of the machine in purely a liquid state and then turn into a Slurpee in your cup… It’s weird and off-putting. But my favorite flavor is Coke. It’s a classic go-to for any Slurpee lover. If I had to pick another I’d say Root Beer or Dr.Pepper.

Thank you for reading! I guess to recap the consensus is that Justin Schultz’s middle name is Chaos, Griffin Reinhart bakes a better pie, Don Sweeney can take a hike off a short cliff and Slurpees are something that somebody in their 30’s should never touch…

Let us know your opinions in the comments below! And head on over to the Beer League Heroes Facebook page and give us a like!

Take Care!

BLH

Beer League Hero, Corey Mitchell, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Sunday Night Pint

BLH Sunday Night Pint #8

This week is a very special week as we’re procured the services of some ridiculously talented writers:

  • Rob Soria (@Oil_Drop) – You might know Mr.Soria from The Hockey Writers or OurHometown.ca where he covers the Edmonton Oilers. He also guests on Lowetide’s radio show from time to time when there’s about Genie Bouchard. Ha! Just kidding! Rob is one of a kind and we’re absolutely stoked to have him with us today.
  • Sean Tierney (@SeanTierneyTSS) – Mr.Tierney is all over the place. You can find his work on Today’s Slapshot, My NHL Trade Rumors and Jets Nation. He’s held previous positions at Bleacher Report, Fansided, and The Hockey Writers. He’s a man with a brain for the game and we’re privileged to be in his presence today.
  • Madison Moroz (@madi39) – Here we have the cousin to Oilers prospect Mitch Moroz… Not really but I knew it was on your mind anyhow. Actually if you participate within the Oilers community on Facebook you might know Mr.Moroz’s group, Edmonton Oilers True Fans. They’re a bunch of rowdies over there but they know their team and if you can hold your own they’ll welcome you with open arms. He also runs an Oilers fansite called “The Pressboxx“.
  • Corey Mitchell (@corn_cwm) – We all know Mr.Mitchell from previous Sunday Night Pints and from his sick work covering the Oilers prospects this summer! He’s a Beer League Heroes regular and we love having him!

So let’s get right to it shall we?

1. Are You Concerned With the Term and Price Point of Oscar Klefbom’s New Contract?

RS: Not in the least. I have been on the Oscar Klefbom bandwagon from the moment the Oilers drafted him and nothing I have seen from him has changed my mind. For me he was a lock to be a top four blueliner with the outside chance of developing into a No. 2 in the right situation…and that still appears to be the case.

To be fair, the talented Swede has done absolutely nothing to date that warrants him making the $4.167 million he is rumoured to have signed for but that is how things work into today’s National Hockey League. With that said, in two years’ time this deal will be a steal of a deal for Edmonton. A perfect fit for both sides.

ST: Short answer, yes. Long answer, maybe.

As Jeff Veillette said, no NHL skater has ever played as few games and scored as few points as Klefbom prior to securing a seven-year contract. It’s a long-term gamble on a 22-year-old defenseman who has yet to show a lot at the NHL level.

Still, some scouting reports say that he has massive shutdown potential with a hint of offensive ability long-term. The money Klefbom’s earning isn’t big (AAV of $4.167 mil) especially considering that the average NHL salary is ~$2.6 million.

This deal is a huge leap of faith and this will definitely leave an imprint on Peter Chiarelli’s tenure in Edmonton. But – and this is a considerable-sized but – if Klembom does develop as expected and salaries rise as expected, the Oilers may have secured a serviceable top-four defender for a reasonable price…for much too long.

MM: No, I’m not concerned with the term or the price. When it popped up in the news that the oilers were looking to extend him I wanted it to be max years and at around 4 million. He may have limited game experience but we all know he has shined in those games and has developed properly. I’m much more comfortable with the oilers doing it this way then giving him a bridge contract and then we have a potential subban situation, where he could ask for 6?7? Maybe more per year.

This deal is going to be a steal by the Oilers in a few years when he’s still one of the best on the team. This just shows you how much Chiarelli values him and wants him here long term and that he is a vital part of this core. Come two years into this deal, Chia is going to look like a genius. I couldn’t be more excited for this deal.

CM: There is nothing wrong with that Klefbom contract. I’ve seen lots of people concerned with the term vs his time in the NHL. I don’t see what the issue is. In my mind, if you give him a bridge contract, and he continues to trend the way Oilers management obviously feels like he is, you’re looking at probably $6 million+ for that next contract two years down the road. Lock him up now, for long term, and great value. In 3 years, we’ll be laughing at how cheap we have Klefbom for. Great move.

2. Is Leon Draisaitl a Lock to Start the Year With the Edmonon Oilers?

RS: I am actually currently working on a piece for the Hockey Writers on this very subject. It is no secret I was on the fence about the Oilers taking Draisaitl over Sam Bennett with the third overall pick of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft but was ultimately won over by his overall skill set and size.

While that all still holds true, I am not so sure that playing third line minutes in Edmonton is better for his development than seeing major time in the AHL. If we are talking about the kid being used in top six role and as a featured piece on the man advantage that would be one thing but that does not appear to be the case.

It is no surprise that Todd McLellan decided to put him on a line with Anton Lander and Nail Yakupov to start training camp but again, does that setup make sense for a 19-year old to excel in? I have my doubts but Edmonton’s lack of scoring depth on their bottom two lines is fairly apparent. The opportunity is there but Leon is in no way shape or form a lock to make this club.

ST: The Oilers have 13 centremen in camp and leftwinglock.com projects the top-four centres to be Nugent-Hopkins, McDavid, Lander, and Letestu. While the Nuge and McDavid aren’t going anywhere, Lander and Letestu are very moveable pieces – it’s easy to imagine either of these two sliding to the wing to make room for Draisaitl to start the year with the Oilers. So far in camp, Todd McLellan is talking about Draisaitl, Lander, and Nail Yakupov as “a unit with potential” so I expect that the big German will get a chance in the NHL this season.

MM: I think he is and that’s just judging by Todd Mclellan’s words after day 1 of camp where he spoke highly of that third line of Lander, Leon, and Yak. It’s going to be crowded but I think he’s done enough to improve himself that he’s going to be a lock to start the year in the NHL for sure. Sounds like he is either going to play Centre or Wing but that doesn’t matter necessarily, as there is a lot of confidence coming in that he can play either position. He looks improved in every aspect of his game as he worked on his shot and his skating ability.

CM: This summer, I would have said no. I’ve been touting all along that I think Draisaitl should play AHL hockey before getting another shot with the big club. Todd McLellan seems to think differently. He seems legit excited about the prospect of Drats playing with Lander and Yakupov, which has me intrigued by that thought as well. The one thing that may put a wrench in those plans, that many people seem to be forgetting, is the deal Rob Klinkhammer signed last year. If you’re the Oilers, do you risk losing a depth player like that to waivers to see if Drats is ready? Or do you try to make a deal with Klinkhammer for a draft pick before the beginning of the season?

3. Is Andrew Ference the Right Man to Captain the Edmonton Oilers This Year?

RS: If the plan is for Edmonton to have a better showing in the overall standings, the chances of the veteran rearguard seeing regular duty in 2015-16 are likely not very good. As a No. 6/No. 7 defenceman Ference could still be a useful piece but on a team as young as this one, that player cannot be the captain.

Could he still wear an “A” on his jersey? He most certainly could but that should be the extent of it. I have always been a fan of Taylor Hall becoming the next captain of this club but was in absolutely no rush to see that change take place.

That all changed when this organization had Connor McDavid fall into their lap. In my mind, there is no question that No. 97 will be handed the “C” in due time so giving it to one of the other kids makes no sense whatsoever.

As per usual, there are not very many quality veterans on the Oilers roster and because of it picking a short-term captain could prove to be a challenge. Would never have suggested this before but perhaps looking at a guy like Benoit Pouliot would make some sense.

ST: In the short run, Andrew Ference is the right choice to remain captain. For proof of the problems that come with stripping the captaincy, just look at the public feuding that continues between Joe Thornton and GM Doug Wilson in San Jose. It’s an ugly situation. Unless the Oilers know that Ference is on his way out of town, the captaincy should stick with him.

Long term, this is Taylor Hall’s team. The Oilers should continue grooming Hall for the role while phasing Ference out over the course of the year. The Oilers are still in the building phase and there’s no need to saddle the team with an off-ice distraction while the vibes around the team are so positive.

MM: This is a tough one, because he’s kinda everything you look for in a leader for a good young group of guys but I have a feeling he’s not going to be a regular in the lineup this year unfortunately, so it’ll be hard to have him captaining from the press box. I think he’s done a heck of a job so far of being the captain and its already been talked about with him, Mclellan and Chiarelli, so I imagine a changing of the guard is on its way.

I don’t believe he’s the right man anymore and it should be passed off to the Nuge, who quickly gained the respect of the room and the boys. I compare him to a young Yzerman in that he’s a bit of a quiet leader but when he speaks everyone listens and respects what he’s gotta say. Hall is another choice, but sometimes his emotions get the best of him. I have no doubt he’s matured and maybe if he can show that then I’d be more than happy with slapping the “C” on him.

CM: I’ve never been a fan of Ference as the captain of this team. He came in, having never played a game for the Oilers, and got the C based on his shared interest in physical activity with then coach Eakins. The other side of it is, I’ve never been a big fan of stripping guys of the C after they’ve already had it for a few years. That being said, McLellan is not afraid to do that by any means, stripping both Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton of the C during his time in San Jose. If he does decide to pull the C off of Ference, my guess is a leadership by committee plan this season, with possible 6 alternate captains.

4. What is Your Favorite Album of All-Time?

RS: Easily the most difficult question of the bunch and while I do listen to a wide variety of music, there is only one correct answer to this question.

John Coltrane – Love Supreme

ST: Okay, after debating a few choices (Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Californication” was a dynamite return after a long hiatus and Rage Against The Machine’s “Evil Empire” is still an all-time favourite) I have to go with Weezer’s “Pinkerton.”

The album was a huge flop commercially but it’s become a cult classic since then. My band used to cover all sorts of the tracks and “Why Bother?” “The Good Life,” and “El Scorcho” are still some of my favourite songs ever.

MM: Hmmmm my favourite album is a tough choice, because i truly listen to everything. I’d have to go Britney Spears first album…. Haha I’m only kidding. But it would definitely have to be Daft Punks Alive 2007 tour album, something I never get old of. A close second though is Dr Dre’s most recent album of Compton, it was magic.

CM: Hands down for me is the Black Album. There aren’t very many that can compare to the quintessential Metallica record.  

A big thank you to Rob Soria, Sean Tierney, Madison Moroz and Corey Mitchell for making themselves available for us! I know that they’re uber busy and for them to do the Sunday Night Pint means a lot to us!

And Thank YOU for reading! Please let us know your thoughts on the topics today in the comments section below!

If you’re looking for some sick hoodies for this fall then look no further than the Beer League Heroes Merch Shop! Dig the 16-bit McDavid design floating around or maybe you’re a Yak fan? Put them on a hoodie or long sleeve and support your favorite team with pride!

Take Care!

BLH

Beer League Hero, Corey Mitchell, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Sunday Night Pint, Zach Laing

Beer League Heroes Sunday Night Pint 7

Sunday Night Pint 7 is here so grab your girls and grab your beers!

Today we’ve got a rambunctious group of rowdies! Zach Laing, Corey Mitchell, and Kris Hansen from Oil on Whyte have all come forward to give us their takes on what we think is the most important news the NHL has to offer.

We’re going to be talking about Taylor Hall goals, Patrick Kane and what happens when he tries to score but is denied, Connor McDavid’s new Roommate, and kick ass drinks!

Let’s get to it!

Will Taylor Hall Score More or Less than 35 Goals in 2015/16?

KH: I think he’s just a hair under 35 goals this season. I do not think it’s a question of ability, but rather a question of health. If Hall is healthy, for sure he can be a big point producer; he was a point per game player the last two seasons where he played almost a full season. Last season injuries derailed him. Still, I think he gets the most points of the Oilers this year. It’s also interesting to note that he had more assists than goals in his career year, although you would have to imagine that would change playing with McDavid. I’m playing it “safe” and saying he gets 33 goals and he gets great chemistry with McDavid. It’s just the durability that is the biggest question. From the really small sample size we saw at the BioSteel camp, there’s definitely some reason to be excited for a Hall-McDavid combo.

ZL: I think Hall will score over 35 this season. His game has finally evolved to a point where he is considered a top LW in the NHL. Given the obvious addition of Connor McDavid, as well as the fact that the rest of the Oilers top 6 are finally coming into their own I think it is certainly time for Taylor Hall to explode in the league.

CM: My over/under on Taylor Hall goals? I’m setting it at 35, and I take the over. Obviously, like every season, Hall’s health will be a factor. But let’s keep in mind he’s two years removed from his 80 point year, where he almost broke 30 goals for the first time. Playing with McDavid, I think he hits that mark, and then some. Hall’s coming off the most disappointing year he’s seen in his professional career.

At the other end of the spectrum, he also has the experience of playing with arguably the best player in the world, and winning gold a the World Championships. Winning is something Hall hasn’t done since his second Memorial Cup with Windsor. All that should provide the motivation for Hall to have a career year. I think there might be some growing pains, as he adjusts to McDavid adjusting to the NHL, if that makes sense, but by the second half of the year, Hall is going to explode.

BLH: I reckon Hallsy will only put up more than 35 goals if he can stay healthy for the first time in a long time. But no doubt about it, being one of the best LWs in the game, having one of the best wrist shots in the league and playing alongside McDavid, that should definitely be enough to get him to at least 40 goals if not more. Stay healthy Taylor!

Do You Think Patrick Kane Will Be Traded? If So, Where To?

KH: I don’t think Kane gets dealt. There’s still a lot going on with his situation where it’s really hard to comment on, due to the lack of information. As such, it’s unfair to condemn or protect him at this point of time.  Value wise, you bet there’d be a ton, but he does start that monstrous contract. He’s one of the best Right Wingers in the game and probably the best American player in the NHL. However: what team would actually trade for a guy before he’s deemed innocent or guilty? That’s such a huge gamble. I cannot see any team trading for him today due to the fact that his future is in the air. Too many what ifs.

Heck of a player, wish he would grow up though.

ZL: The Kane situation is very tough. I find it hard to believe that the Blackhawks are willing and ready to move on from him, however this is his 3rd strike as a member of the team. The 2009 cab incident as well as incident in 2012 where he was partying University of Wisconsin-Madison’s annual Mifflin Street Block Party and some lewd pictures came out of him posing with some ladies who has a few too many. In my own personal opinion, I think the outcome of the new rape allegations will help determine whether or not he will be traded.

CM: A lot can be said about Patrick Kane at the moment. However, I don’t think “traded” is going to be included in that category. And that’s not for lack of wanting to on the part of Chicago. I definitely think Stan Bowman would love to move a player that has multiple examples of off ice issues, as well as a contract that, I feel, was hastily signed, and really put Chicago in a serious cap crunch, that has already seen three big pieces of the Blackhawks most recent championship team moved, with more dominoes to fall.

The issue is, as I said, the contract. Sure, there are a handful of teams with more than enough cap space to take on a Patrick Kane, but does he really want to play in Florida? A better question is, would a team like Florida be willing to move the pieces necessary to acquire Kane? You’ve got to think the asking starts with Aaron Ekblad.

No, I don’t think Kane gets moved. I think he sticks with Chicago, and they’re forced to move another key player to clear cap space for one of the two contracts Stan Bowman signed, that I think are really going to hurt the NHL, and more than likely, lead to another lockout. But that’s a topic for another pint.

BLH: Recently I wrote about this here. Basically I could see him getting traded but you have to take into consideration his contract and the locale. I can’t see a major market team giving up major assets to pick him up. More like a Southern market team. Maybe the Florida Panthers or Arizona Coyotes. They have mad assets to be able to pull of a deal for a superstar like Kane and nobody watches their hockey games.

What’s Your Take on Connor McDavid Rooming With Taylor Hall This Season?

KH: RE McDavid rooming with Hall: it’s absolutely stupid and ridiculous that people are upset with this. This is something that people have no control and should have little interest in. Instead of applauding Hall as a leader taking a young kid under his wing, you know, stepping up, people are more concerned about Halls “partying” and “attitude problems”

Where the hell do people get this from? Do they ACTUALLY know Hall? No, they hear it from their friends brothers buddy who was at a bar in 2011 and use that as a FACT. I’ve read a lot of dumb comments, making stupid assumptions based on nothing.

It’s a new level of dumb that people actually care about this.

ZL: For some reason unknown to me, everyone looks at McDavid living with Hall in a negative context; but just like everything in Edmonton the last 10 years, the fans of the team are overreacting. On Twitter, people talk of how Taylor Hall isn’t the most pleasant person when he is met by fans in public. That’s okay though, because not all public figures are the most pleasant.

However, it should be remembered that there is more to meet the eye. For people to say that Hall isn’t a right fit for Connor to live with I disagree strongly. To an extent Hall can now be considered a veteran NHLer as this is his 6th NHL season. Hard to imagine isn’t it?
As an 18 year old coming into the NHL with expectations like McDavid has, Hall will be able to help ease his journey into the NHL. Hall knows all about the expectations as similar ones were placed on him when he entered the league.

CM: Once again, this fan base turns a non issue into a hot topic. I think McDavid living with Hall is a great idea. These are two guys who are going to be hearing their names together everyday for the foreseeable future. Why not have them develop off ice chemistry as well as on ice? We didn’t seem to mind when Hall and Eberle lived together, so why does it matter now? Short answer is, it doesn’t.

BLH: Meh. Who cares? There’ll be those who want to see him bunking up with Andrew Ference or Matt Hendricks and those that would love to see him with Hall or Nuge. I have no issues with the team placing them together. It’s going to be their show for the foreseeable future anyhow. Why not cultivate the relationship?

What’s Your Favorite Goalie Mask?

KH: I remember my first NHL season I really followed was back in 95-96 (and I say loosely because I was only a first grader!) so the 90s really influenced my choice. First up is John Vanbiesbrouck’s Panther mask. It’s simple and had a nice look to it. A full Panther mask? With the cage being in the Panther’s mouth? That’s so cool! It also helped with Beezer was on the cover of NHL 97 for my old Sega Genesis. I think it’s an underrated mask.

Also up there is Kelly Hrudey’s LA Kings mask. I love it. I was a big fan of the Hollywood sign on the front flanked by rolls of film. I always loved the black and silver look of the Los Angeles Kings and that mask summed up the 90s era Kings pretty well for me.
There’s so many good 90s masks though. CuJo has to be there and I’m betting someone will mention it. Eddie the Eagle’s mask is a classic. Patrick Roy with the Canadiens was a nice clean look. Brodeur’s is a staple.

ZL: I’m a fan of the old Terry Sawchuk no-mask.  

CM: Favorite goalie mask? That’s a really tough one, given how goalie masks have really become an art form in recent years. I really liked Rolosson’s mask when he joined the Oilers. And there’s something to be said about the classic Ed Belfour and Curtis Joseph designs. But for my pick, I’m going way off base. My favorite goalie mask? Denis Lemieux. What started out as a plain, boring white mask on a mediocre goalie, soon gave way to the black mask, with the skull and crossbones, blood dripping from the fangs. It really reflected the change in attitude the Chiefs got once the Hansons came on board, and helped Denis find his game. That’s why he “ownzzza, ownzzza” the best mask in my opinion.

BLH: Mine is Brian Hayward’s San Jose Sharks Mask. It was a gamechanger and a trail blazer in terms of mask designs.

Speaking of McDavid, If He Was a Drink, What Drink Would He Be?

KH: I’m lame at this. Since he’s boring in the media (where there is absolutely nothing wrong with) I think when you look at it, it would be like a rum and coke. But once you start drinking that rum and coke, you realize that it’s actual Coca Cola and has the triple amount. 

ZL: McDavid would be a smooth, silky 30 year old scotch.

CM: These fourth questions are sometimes my favorite ones to answer, because they’re so unexpected when we come up with these weekly topics. McDavid as a drink….. I don’t think its as simple as a straight shot, or even a highball. You’d have to have the smoothness of a fine scotch, mixed with how fast Jagerbombs go down to represent his speed. Throw in the skill required to make a great martini, as well as a tequila shot, since he’s going to be turning defenders inside out, much like tequila does to my stomach, and you have the makings of a pretty disgusting drink.

BLH: McDavid would be a Tequila shot. You know as soon as you drink it trouble is coming. The same with Connor McDavid. As soon as you see he’s got the puck and blazing toward the defence, you know that they’ve got problems they haven’t even thought about yet.

Thanks for reading! I hope you’re enjoying our Season Primers series and let us know in the comments below if you agree with our assessments.

Winters are completely unforgiving in Edmonton and the next one is fast approaching, so why not head on over to the Beer League Heroes Merch Shop and pick up a nice sweater, hoodie or long sleeve shirt with a 16-Bit Oilers Away version of Connor McDavid, Taylor Hall, Darnell Nurse or Cam Talbot on it?

You’ll not only be warm but you’ll look DAMN SEXY!

Don’t forget to follow us on all the major social media platforms!

Take Care!

BLH

Beer League Hero, Brennen York, Rob Cooke, Sunday Night Pint, Zach Laing

BLH Sunday Night Pint #6: Yakupov, Golden Bears vs. Oilers Rookies, and Oilers Under Pressure

Cheers for checking out the Beer League Heroes Sunday Night Pint #6! If you’re new to the SNP allow me to introduce you to it. What we do is we basically go over the week that was in the world hockey, more specifically the Edmonton Oilers. Simple and smooth and it goes down well with a fine glass of Glenfiddich.

Today we’re joined by Rob Cooke (@cooke_rob), Zach Laing (@loweded), Brennen York (@draftgeekhockey), and Oil on Whyte’s Sammi Silber (@sammisilber)!

The topics are as follows:

So let’s get to it shall we!

Which Member of the Edmonton Oilers is Under the Most Pressure Going Into 2015/16?

SS – Man, this a tough question. There’s arguments for a lot of players, just due to who needs to pick up the slack or bounce back after a lousy previous season. But I’m gonna go with the kid everyone’s talking about.  Connor McDavid has to have the most pressure on him not only because of his status as “The Next One” but because of some fans’ expectations.

He is really supposed to be a second coming for this Oilers squad, and he has huge skates to fill. When you’re expected to become the next Gretzky, it’s a ton of pressure, especially when you’re already a household name and you have high projections from next year.

At only 18, and being thrown directly into the NHL, he has a lot of pressure on him to reach his full potential, exceed expectations and help this team win games. But, as the Great One himself said, I believe McDavid will do more than fine in the NHL.

ZL – Todd McLellan. I think he is facing more pressure than any of the players right now as it is his ship to steer. He is the one who is faced with the daunting task of turning a bunch of “losers” into a championship team. I expect the team to be significantly improved under McLellan this year.

RC – This is a tough one as there are roughly a half dozen guys that will be under the microscope all season. If I have to choose one it has to be Connor McDavid. Sure there are players like Talbot, Yakupov, Schultz and Reinhart that will have a lot of attention on how they perform this season but realistically that will, for the most part, be only Oilers fans and local media that follow along closely. McDavid is a different animal all together. Hockey fans the world over are waiting with baited breath to see what this kid will be able to do in the NHL and that alone makes his situation much more pressure filled.

BY – Justin “How do I defend” Schultz. This is the last year I will have faith that he will pull it all together. By pull it all together I mean emerge as a solid number 3 offensive defenceman. If he can’t, then his career as an Oiler is over, but if he does, he can expect a big spike in salary. Personally I’m hoping he can hit the 40 point mark and build off that moving forward, but realistically if he hits 35 points I’ll be satisfied. 

BLH – I tell you what. The Oiler under the most pressure is Cam Talbot. He has been a backup his whole NHL career and surely he has to be aware of last season’s debacle in net. But if he can pull it off he’s going to be paid a very handsome wage next summer!

Who Will Feature on the Oilers’ Top PP Unit This Season?

SS – The first power play line will be tricky. At the start of the season, it’ll be Hall on the left, RNH down the middle and Eberle in the right. Sekera will make the first unit, and the other defender is tough. Let’s go with Mark Fayne. It’s hard picking two defenders because the blueline’s a dark area for the team. Keep in mind that this is subject to massive change. The Oilers could finally make a move and bring in a quality defender who is necessary on the first PP unit. McDavid could make a splash and replace one of the wingers on the PP.
Who knows?

PP1 Line:
Hall-RNH-Eberle
Sekera-Fayne

ZL – Hall – Nuge – McDavid – Schultz – Eberle

RC – The Oilers power-play this year should hopefully return to form after a couple of less than stellar campaigns under former coach Dallas Eakins. To be fair Todd Nelson did have them trending in the right direction but too little too late I’m afraid. If I am the coach my first unit would likely be Pouliot-McDavid-Yakupov up front and have Hall and Schultz on the back end. Having two good shooters in Yak and Hallsy being fed by McJesus would be magical. Let Benny slide into Smytty’s office and have Jultz patrol the blue line.

BY – Hall – McDavid – Yakupov -Eberle – Sekera

Shooters everywhere. Gives Yak a chance to boost his offensive totals wit a premier set up guy in McDavid. The blue line is where there can be a debate. Wouldn’t mind throwing Schultz in Eberle’s spot and playing with Nuge and Pouliot on the second pairing.

BLH – In my lifetime the most potent powerplay I ever witnessed was that of the early-mid 90s Pittsburgh Penguins. They scored on nearly every man advantage they had with Jagr, Lemieux, Francis leading the forwards and Paul Coffey anchoring the back end. The Penguins would move the puck around patiently until 66 was open then they’d just give it to him and he’d make the twine twinkle. I think we could see a return to such domination.

So if I were a betting man, I think we could see Taylor Hall setting up on the left-side hashmarks. Connor McDavid on the right-side half-wall, Nail Yakupov will be the trigger man in the way Brett Hull used to set up shop in the slot, Jordan Eberle on one point and Justin Schultz on the other. I reckon that there’ll be a lot of movement between the point men and the guys set up on the half-boards in an effort to open things up for Yak. I could be totally off but that’s how I feel.

What is Nail Yakupov Worth on the Trade Market Today?

SS – Don’t be surprised by these words: Yakupov has a lot of value on the trade market.

He really does. He is very talented and an aggressive player, and he can shoot the puck. It’s simple that Edmonton is just not Yakupov’s place to shine. It happens. With the Oilers, he is not exceeding expectations or reaching his full potential. He is poised for a breakout this season. He is ready to let go and score more. But the worst thing about his stats is that ugly +/-. If Yakupov’s scoring doesn’t improve, and if he continues to decline or not reach his potential, he will be on his way out.

Trust me, he’s great trade bait. Teams want a young winger who can listen to a coach and score. And since he’s prepping for a breakout year, his trade value just went up. We shouldn’t be too quick to trade him, as he could display amazing ability and be an asset for the team, but if he’s playing and the team remains the same old last-place Oilers we’ve come to know, he will be on his way out. Scary right? Yeah, but if he goes, a high quality player just like him is coming to the Oil

ZL – Nothing. Yakupov is worth more to the Edmonton Oilers than he ever would be on the trade market. Let’s not forget that he did score at a 1.6 PPG pace in the OHL. He is a natural talent who has unfortunately been tainted due to some less than stellar coaching.

RC – If Edmonton traded Nail Yakupov today the return isn’t something that fans or the franchise are likely going to be happy with. His value now is definitely higher than it was midway through last when it was at a career for the young man. Even with the rebound in the second half of last season his value still isn’t where it should be for his draft position. I think at best right now the Oilers could probably get a mid to late first round pick, a second rounder, and a middling prospect. The kid needs a big season in a really big way!

BY – If Reinhart can fetch a 1st plus, I’d think Yak could return a pick in the 7 – 13 range depending on how this season goes. If it’s a player swap you’re likely getting a guy in a similar position, where either injuries or inconsistency is an issue. Andrew Shaw plus a prospect and 3rd rounder? Something like that. In my opinion he’s a guy you throw in to sweeten a package for a Seth Jones or a player of that caliber.

BLH – Mr.Yakupov… Are you the black sheep of our 1st overalls or are you the ugly duckling just waiting to blossom into a lovely swan? Either way good things are sure to come. It’s so hard to judge Yakupov based on his career to date. Eakins really put some sand in his vaseline during his time at the helm.

Right now I don’t think his value is that high. I don’t think he’d bring back an upgrade at any point on the roster. Draft picks and prospects is the return I’d say. Perhaps Chiarelli could package him up with some of the excess dmen he has and pick up someone special (*Cough* David Backes or Andrew Ladd *Cough*) or maybe he’ll light it up and the Oilers will get an enormous return for him. His contract is very tasty for other GMs as it’s only for 2 years @$2.5m per. So that works in the Oilers favor.

BONUS: Predict the Score of the University of Alberta Golden Bears vs. Oilers Rookies Game!

SS – Let’s see. In Development Camp, McDavid scored five goals and him and Nurse dominated the whole game. The score is going to be 8-2 in favor of the Oilers rookies. It’s a radical prediction, but with McDavid, Nurse and a full arsenal of rookies with amazing abilities, there will be a lot of goals for the Oil’s young guns.  Sorry, Golden Bears..

ZL – I think McDavid will score 1834870365 points and the Oilers will beat the Bears 5-2. 

RC – The final score on the 16th between the UofA and the Oilers rookies is going to be 5 to 3 in favour of the rookies. The score will look a lot closer than it actually will be though. Connor will net a hatty in the opening 20 and after that will take it easy on the Golden Bears. McDavid has far too muh class and maturity to blow-out a university level team in nothing more than a friendly game.

BY – 6-2 in favour of the Oilers. Why? Connor McDavid nets a hat trick at Rexall.

BLH – I was at this game last year sitting behind Dustin Nielsen, who by the way has an ginormous cranium, and it was an amazing experience. The Golden Bears are no intramural hockey team. They’re 2-time national champions. So the Oilers will be in for a challenge… Maybe.

McDavid will embarrass those frat boys and Nurse will destroy them just like he did in last year’s game. I wonder if the Oilers will keep the sandpaper in the lineup this year. Greg Chase and Kale Kessy were very fun to watch. Question: Does Draisaitl get to take part?

Final Score: 6-1 Oilers

Thank you Sammi Silber for joining us tonight and thank you for reading everyone! Please let us know below in the comments section how you feel about today’s Sunday Night Pint topics!

Before we go our separate ways I’d like to let you know about our new T-shirt! It’s called “The Lottery Line” and it features Hallsy, McJesus, and Yakcity in the best way possible… 16-bit! Click here and get it for 30% off until September 1st!

As always please follow us on Twitter and Facebook! If you’re into Pinterest, we’re starting up a page there too!

Take care!

-BLH (@beerleagueheroe)

Corey Mitchell, Edmonton Oilers, NHL, Rob Cooke, Sunday Night Pint, Zach Laing

BLH Sunday Night Pint #5

Sunday Night Pint #5 is in session! Welcome back to those that have been here before and It’s good to see you if you’re new to the Sunday Night Pint. This is our weekly post where we gather a few of the writers here at BLH and go over the week that was in the world of hockey, sometimes more specifically the Edmonton Oilers.

This week we’re joined by Corey Mitchell (@corn_cwm), Zach Laing (@loweded), Rob Cooke (@cooke_rob) and The Oilers Rig’s Alex Thomas!

If you don’t know, Mr.Thomas is the brains (not the beauty, that belongs to Jackie Dawson) behind The Oilers Rig. He knows his hockey and he certainly knows his Oilers! Keep an eye out for him in the future as he could be on your TV sooner than later. Follow Alex on Twitter @alex_thomas14.

The topics today are as such:

So if you’re comfortable in your seat and beer is in hand, let’s get started!

1 – Ads on Jerseys, Yeah or Nay?

AT – Honestly, it totally depends. I would hate it if the jerseys looked like European hockey jerseys or like soccer jerseys. The logo needs to be front and center, not a sponsor. That said, if they elect to go the AHL route and have a minor sponsor, I’d be fine with it. I like the jerseys as is, but I don’t think it’s ruining something sacred like many believe. If the NHL is making money, and they will off this, and the change isn’t too radical, I’m okay with it.

CM – Jersey ads have been a unique conversation point in recent years. You look back to the NHL implementing the “no tuck” rule a few years ago, and the instant conclusion was that ads were coming. And from what I can see on social media is most fans don’t want to see them. Of the four major sports in North America, the NHL has the best looking uniforms, from the color scheme, to the logos on the front. To ruin that look with big money sponsors seems so wrong for so many reasons.

You look at hockey in Europe. Club teams have almost no space left on their sweaters, and the clutter of ads is a major visual turn off. It’s nice to see once in awhile, like during the Spengler Cup, but that’s not something I want to see for an 82 games season, and then playoffs. Unfortunately, the trademark of the Bettman Regime has been to find revenue in non-traditional ways. And if you look at a league like the CFL, ads are small, and don’t take away from the look of the uniform as a whole. So if the NHL follows that model, a modest corporate logo on the sleeve or something, and as long as I can purchase ad free jerseys, I really don’t have a problem with it.

ZL – Aesthetically, I am not a fan of having sponsors on the jersey’s however I do realize that the NHL will more than likely be having sponsors on jersey’s sooner rather than later. It provides a chance for NHL owners to receive more money, and anytime you can add revenue to a business that is a positive. Like with when the NHL first introduced ads on the boards in the 1980 season, fans didn’t like it but they eventually got used to it. Just like we will have to do with the ads on jerseys.

RC – I don’t particularly like the idea myself. With that being said I think that the vast majority of fans will feel that way as well but I don’t see any of us owning a team so realistically our opinions don’t really matter. The league and team owners will see the added dollar signs that will be coming with the addition of jersey advertising. The almighty dollar will win out here and there isn’t really anything that fans will be able to do about it…

BLH – Listen to me when I say this. An a supporter of the Edmonton Oilers, YOU WANT ADS ON JERSEYS! The reason is simple. All these years of sucking ass has landed the Oilers with arguable the best crop of young players in the league. How are they to keep all of them under the cap without extra revenue?

2 – Would You Trade Jordan Eberle for Kevin Shattenkirk (St.L)?

AT – No, I wouldn’t. Jordan Eberle is a tremendous offensive talent, easily the top RW on this roster. I like Shattenkirk as a player, but he’s more of a second pairing guy in my mind. He’s great offensively, but to me, Shattenkirk’s defensive game leaves much to be desired. To me, Shattenkirk is what Justin Schultz should be. He’s a good player, but he’s not a game changer on the blue-line. I’d rather keep Ebs.

CM – For a long time now, I’ve reserved myself to the fact that the Oilers need to sacrifice one of the kids to obtain the assets they need to be a winner. And I’ve stated many times on Twitter, that it should be Jordan Eberle. Hall and Nuge, now with McDavid, have a much higher ceiling than a Jordan Eberle, as much as most fanboys and girls will disagree with me. And if part of the package coming over is Kevin Shattenkirk, than by all means that move should be made.

Two season ago, I was really liking the idea of an Eberle package to Nashville for Shea Weber, which at the time I felt was very realistic. Now, the general consensus is that Weber is a pipe dream at best, but you can do far worse than adding a Shattenkirk to the revamped blue line. I think that deal has more moving parts than just Eberle for Shattenkirk straight across

ZL – This is a very interesting proposal. TSN’s Ray Ferraro suggested the Oilers look for a trade surrounding Jordan Eberle for Patrick Berglund and Kevin Shattenkirk. Shattenkirk is a very interesting player and is thought of to be a player that will soon develop into a top pairing defender in the NHL. He doesn’t necessarily bring a lot of size to his game (6’0”, 202lbs) but since joining the league in 2010-2011, he has scored 215 points ranking him 12th among NHL defenseman since then.

If the Oilers were to make a trade with Eberle and Shattenkirk being two main pieces going back and forth, it could certainly benefit both teams.

RC – Yes I would! Everyday and twice on Sunday! I know Ebs is the current best option on the right side but defenseman with the skill set of Kevin Shattenkirk do not become available very often. I’m sure that the advanced stats will back up my opinion but that is something I will leave to our stats guru, Walt Foddis (@waltlaw69) to discern.

BLH – I would also do this trade but I’d expand it horribly into a blockbuster and try for David Backes as well. Maybe you throw in Draisaitl with Eberle and they send back Backes and Shattenkirk. Seasoned vets have a certain value to teams like the Oilers who are coming up and big mean veterans who have a good 5 – 6 years left who’ve work the ‘C’ on their chest for a good portion of their career is something I’d be willing to pay dearly for.

3 – Who Are Your Top 5 International Players of All-Time?

AT – My top five? Oh Jeez, that’s tough. Being so young, it’s hard for me to look back and pick the top-five international players ever, but I’ll try…. In no particular order, I’ll take Wayne Gretzky, Mike Eruzione (Come on, that’s the best hockey moment, like, ever), Dominik Hasek, Mario Lemieux and Mark Messier.

CM – My top 5 international players? Obviously no list is leaving off Jari Kurri or Teemu Selanne. Add Pavel Bure to that, and now you’ve got three. My last two might go off the board a bit. Sergei Makarov and Vladislav Tretiak, two of the great players from that powerhouse Soviet team.

ZL – Wayne Gretzky, Viacheslav Fetisov, Nicklas Lidstrom, Sidney Crosby, and the obligatory Connor McDavid. Hehehe!

RC – Obviously as a Canadian born and raised guy my list is made up of some of the best Canadians to ever play in some form of IIHF tournament. Wayne Gretzky has to top the list for sure. How can he not? At the 1987 Canada Cup he lit up everyone for 21 points in 9 games and Gretzky himself says it is the best hockey that he ever played.

His linemate at that tournament would be my second choice for this list. Mario Lemieux was a fantastic player on the international stage and one of very few people that can claim to have won the Stanley Cup, Canada Cup, World Cup, and Olympic gold during their career.

Next on my list is Captain Canada, Ryan Smyth. No player has represented this great nation more than Smytty. He has done everything that can be done internationally and when I call him Captain Canada I do so because it is a very well deserved moniker for him.

Following Smytty is Jordan Eberle. He was the most clutch player I have ever had the pleasure of watching at the World Junior’s and his goal against the Russians in the dying seconds of the game is right up their with his first NHL goal for highlight quality.

My final choice for the list is likely one that not a lot of people will agree with but I am going to go with Eric Lindros. At the junior level the Big E was as dominant as any player I have ever seen and his 42 points in 29 international junior games is pretty damn impressive. Of course that isn’t even including the 34 points in 36 games at the men’s level. Those 34 points include 1 goal that he managed during the 2002 Olympic games.

BLH – Jeez Cooke, you damn near have a post on its own there. Lol. My top five international players of all-time are Valeri Kharlamov, Peter Forsberg, Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Slava Fetisov.

Bonus – Who’s Your Favorite Player to Hate?

AT – My favorite player to hate? That’s tough, but I can’t stand Zack Kassian and Ryan Kesler. Really, I hated those good Canucks teams, they had a cocky arrogance to them even though they have never won a thing. Kassian was a total goon, just a guy with no regard for other players. Kesler just killed the Oilers and played a pest game. That said, even though I hate Kesler as a player, I have a lot of respect for him.

CM – My most hated player, for whatever reason, is Ryan Kesler. I’m guessing it’s got to do with how much he really personified what being a Vancouver Canuck meant while he was with them. I never want to see him win a Stanley Cup. And actually, throw the caveman Kevin Bieksa on this list too. Two guys that I cannot stand watching play the game, throwing dirty shots on the ice, and turtling until a ref for linesman comes in.

One of my greatest joys recently as an Oilers fan was watching Kesler get tuned in by Sam Gagner. So yeah, forget those guys. Didn’t like them as Canucks, don’t like them as Ducks. And just to cover all my bases, Aaron Ward can take a walk off a bridge too

ZL – Anybody on the Calgary Flames. Just because I live in Calgary, and it’s not easy being an Oilers fan in Calgary.

RC – This is a hard question for me because the Oilers have really been irrelevant the last half decade and it is hard to really get a hate on for anyone when our team was so god awful. If I have to pick one player that I truly hated it would have to be Ryan Kesler. To me he epitomized the “whiny player”.

He is known as a diver and a player that isn’t afraid to embellish a lot if it will get him the call he wants. He has always managed to play fairly well against Edmonton as well so that kind of irritates me a little bit more about the guy.

Another guy that definitely deserves some hate mail from Oilers fans would be the goof Zack Kassian. After his stick swinging incident from a couple seasons back where he nearly decapitated poor Sam Gagner I find it very hard to feel anything but loathing when his name is mentioned.

BLH – We have quite the Canucks theme going on here… But it really is hard not to hate at least 3 players that were on that team in the last 5 years or are currently on. Kassian, Kesler, Bieksa, and Burrows come to mind immediately. I imagine Prust will fill the void this season. But I have a feeling the kid Ferland in Calgary is going to creep into these lists in the very near future.

So there we have it! Jersey ads are cool… Kinda. Ebs is on his way out and everyone hates the Canucks and Flames! Obviously.

Thank you for joining us for the Beer League Heroes Sunday Night Pint #5! We hope you enjoyed the read! Let us know in the comments below what you think about ads on jerseys or a potential Eberle trade!

As always, if you’re looking for a sweet t-shirt to show off your NHL ’94 pride, head on over to the Beer League Heroes T-Shirt Shop and find your favorite player in 16-bit! You can also pick up the Official Beer League Heroes shirt and the NEW “Straight Outta Oil Country” top!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Take care and until next time!

– BLH

**PS** Thanks goes to all of the readers who participated on Facebook! You’re all AWESOME!