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Oilers Pundit on Josh Archibald: “He’s finished here. It’s not a matter of if but when.”

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!

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The Athletic

What Connor McDavid’s Oilers history tells us to expect from line chemistry with Zach Hyman
  • I asked McDavid back in 2017 about chemistry and how long it takes to find the range. “It definitely takes a few games, 5-6 games to really get a good idea,” McDavid told me. “To really, fully get chemistry with someone you have to play together for a long, long time.”
  • Over his six seasons, McDavid has played over 750 five-on-five minutes with seven wingers.
  • The captain does value consistency, telling me back in 2017, “it’s been nice that Leon, Patty and I have been able to stick together for a long time now and I definitely hope that continues. It’s easy to find each other out there, because we’re all pretty comfortable.”
  • Hyman was a plug and play all over the Maple Leafs lineup while he was there, productive no matter the line he was playing on. 
  • If the chemistry works, and the window of adjustment for playing with McDavid appears to be five games or less, Hyman should have success and be a productive Oilers winger.

BLH’s Thoughts: These fellas are going to get a few preseason games to work out the in-game kinks and a worst case scenario might be that it takes longer than previously thought. In that case, Tippett throw up RNH or Leon. 

It’s been a long time since we seen a Ryan Smyth-type lace them up for the Oil. I’m excited to see what Hyman brings to the table and on a selfish note, I want to see him do very well on the PP since he’s taking Puljujarvi’s spot. 

Say, wasn’t there somebody out there in the Oilogosphere saying that Hyman was going to take Pulju’s spot on the PP? I’ve probably got it all mixed up with some other basement blogger’s hockey conspiracies. 

Oilersnation

Monday Mailbag – Looking at the Defence

What is now the most realistic goal for this team – One playoff series win? Two?

  • “Has to be to win one round. Of course you want more, but winning multiple series is difficult, but this group has to win at least one this season or it will be a massive disappointment.” – Gregor

BLH’s Thoughts: Get to the second round of the playoffs. Another one for in-season will be to no longer play down to your opponent. It’s time to start beating the teams they’re supposed to and give the ones they aren’t a run for their money.

How do you compare this year’s defensive group to last and did Ken Holland do enough to bolster the blue line?

  • “I think experience certainly matters in all walks of life — you wouldn’t want to be the guinea pig for a haircut would you — so I think those at-bats will help to an extent but I just don’t know how much.” – baggedmilk

BLH’s Thoughts: The peaks and valleys will not be so apparent in 2021-22. So while you might take that as the defense will make fewer mistakes, and you’d be right to see it that way, we also have to understand that they might not make game-breaking plays as often either.

This defense is designed to be a steady ship on the rough seas. Let’s hope we see that movie from start to finish.

What is your best guess on how the Josh Archibald situation plays out?

  • “He’s finished here. It’s not a matter of if but when.” – Brownlee

BLH’s Thoughts: I’m inclined to agree with Mr. Brownlee here. Archibald is still skating by himself and the club won’t allow him to skate with the rest of the team… Every day he misses a bit of camp prevents him from getting prepared for the upcoming season. I’m not even sure why he decided to show up if he knew he was going to go this route… Are there some national regulations being changed soon and he thinks he’s just timing things right? I’ve got no clue. 

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities that you see as opposed to the all-Canadian division we played through last year?

  • “Don’t count on a normal schedule yet. Old alignments, yes, but this fourth wave of COVID is going to be a factor again.” – Brownlee

BLH’s Thoughts: Travel fatigue… The players will have to get used to that whole rigmarole again. 

Spector’s Hockey

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka recently reported Tomas Hertl hinted he might be willing to accept a hometown discount to stay with the San Jose Sharks. He pointed out how former teammate Joe Thornton took less money to play with good teams.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Jake DeBrusk is on Nick Goss’ list of five Bruins to watch during the preseason. The 24-year-old winger was the subject of considerable trade speculation during the offseason. However, the Bruins didn’t move him and chose to protect him in the Seattle expansion draft.

The new NHL franchise in Seattle already has their AHL affiliate worked out! Click the pick and grab a Karen shirt today!