This is your TL/DR (too long, didn’t read) summary post where excerpts are taken from the best of the best when it comes to Edmonton Oilers blogs. BLH gives you his two cents on the latest posts being published in the Oilogosphere! Including those from Lowetide.ca, The Athletic, Oilersnation, The Cult of Hockey, Copper N Blue, Oil on Whyte, and more!
The latest NHL news, rumors, and speculation comes from all of the internet’s top sites like Spector’s Hockey, The Fourth Period, NHL Trade Talk, The Hockey Writers, Sportsnet, and TSN just to name a few!
If you’re short on time but want to keep up with the day’s Oilers news, you’ve come to the right place!
Give us a follow on the socials!
- Youtube: Beer League Heroes Channel
- Twitter: @beerleagueheroe
- Instagram: @beerleagueheroes
- Facebook: Beer League Heroes
The Athletic
Oilers camp invitees on what it’s like to practice against Connor McDavid
- “I was just trying not to get in my head that that’s McDavid,” – Simon Kubicek
- “To be honest with you, you probably can’t (do anything to prepare). He’s just that good. You just try to put yourself in good spots.” – Phil Kemp
- “Any time you can share the ice with a guy of that calibre, he just makes everyone around him better.” – Phil Kemp
- “It just seems like he’s not trying. He’s just going 25 percent faster than everyone is in the free skate (before practice). It’s pretty crazy.” – Ethan Kruger
BLH’s Thoughts: Playing against Connor McDavid is like lining up in Beer League against somebody who had a cup of coffee in the NHL. The gap in ability is off the charts and you just try not to get embarrassed… But Kemp has it right, the more chances you have to compete against those better than you, the more opportunities you have to improve and that goes for all walks of life.
Oilersnation
Ten Questions…
- Which player will be the offensive breakout player in the NHL?
- What about a breakout goal scorer?
- The NHL announced they will enforce the existing crosschecking rule. Do you think they actually do it?
- Will we see more powerplay opportunities ( PP OPP/game) per game this season?
- Can Colorado continue its dominance in drawing penalties?
- Which team will have the biggest improvement, in points%, this season?
- On the other side, which team do you see falling?
- Who will have a breakout offensive season?
- How many players will score 100 points this season?
- Which four teams finish first in their division?
BLH’s Thoughts: I suppose I’ll give this a go…
1. Sam Reinhart
2. Kyle Connor
3. For a time, then things will go back to the way they always are.
4. A new TV deal and an expansion team’s fanbase to appeal to, I think there’ll be an uptick in PP opportunities.
5. No. A new team will emerge. Maybe Edmonton.
6. Vancouver. Covid won’t decimate their season this year.
7. Pittsburgh. No Crosby and Malkin for the first two months of the year and they’ve already got major question marks on defense and in net?
8. Trevor Zegras. He should win the Calder and lead his team in points this year.
9. At least two, McDavid and Draisaitl.
10. Colorado, Edmonton, Florida, Islanders.
The Daily Goal Horn
Johnny Gaudreau
- Gaudreau, 28, earns $6.75 million against the cap and is in the final year of his contract. While his next deal should be for more, it’s unlikely to be much higher… If the two sides can’t work a deal by the deadline, it will be Gaudreau whose in control of his destination. That’s because his 5 team no move clause kicked in on July 28th… The Flyers have always been linked to Gaudreau as a potential destination.
Joonas Korpisalo
- It seems like the Blue Jackets have made a decision about who their number one goalie is for the future. Elvis Merzlikins signed a 5 year extension before the season started for $27 million.
- Korpisalo will be a UFA this summer, which likely means he will be traded at the deadline. Keep your eyes on the either Maple Leafs or Oilers for his services.
