That’s it for me for a few weeks. I *might* pop my head back in for significant Oilers news, but it’ll depend on my availability and whereabouts.
I just wanted to thank those who read and follow my work. It means the world. I’m not employed without you. Have a wonderful summer!
Connor McDavid, the NHL’s most electrifying star, is in the second round for the second time in his career.
To have a game start at 10:45 ET/8:45 MT makes zero sense. You’d have to be a night owl & hardcore hockey fan to watch east of Alberta. Plus, it limits viewership locally.
Zach Hyman’s followers shared images of people displaying swastikas at the OTT protests. Hyman, who is Jewish, wanted to speak out about the “disturbing” and “disheartening” antisemitism that still exists.
He wants to spark change for the next generation
"He's a young punk ... He's a pussy." Zack Kassian very candid when speaking to reporters in a post-game scrum about Matthew Tkachuk.
He said he loved the battle with Tkachuk and wished the Oilers could play the Flames in a playoff series.
It isn’t often that Connor McDavid truly says what’s on his mind. That’s why it was so telling for him to criticize the NHL for changing the Oilers schedule, forcing them to play hours after a gut-wrenching service for Colby Cave.
And he has a point.
Connor McDavid may or may not win the Hart Trophy this season, but don't let anyone tell you he isn't the best player in the game.
These last two games might have been the best two games I've ever seen him play.
Connor McDavid missed out on his second unanimous Hart Trophy win by one vote, which went to David Pastrnak. McDavid received one fifth-place vote.
That’s not a typo. That person has some ’splaining to do.
Former Oiler Klim Kostin was spotted in the stands with his old No. 21 Oilers jersey draped over his shoulder. Caught on camera, he smiled and laughed.
It came down to the tiniest of margins, but Connor McDavid has established a new NHL record.
McDavid recorded 105 points on 183 EDM goals -- 57.38%.
The previous record was held by Mario Lemieux during the 1988-89 season. Lemieux had a point on 57.35% of PIT's goals.
Drew Doughty said the Kings weren’t happy with Connor McDavid’s hit on Mikey Anderson in the last matchup in Edmonton. He said they haven’t forgotten and don’t want to take needless penalties, but …
“If we get a chance to smack him, we’re going to do it.”
James Neal was the only Oiler not to skate today. Coach Dave Tippett said it was because of a new team rule where if a player scores four goals in a game he gets to miss the next practice. Neal’s fine.
A message from Oilers defenceman Slater Koekkoek, who’s been away from the team this season while on leave.
You never know what someone else is going through, and it costs nothing to be kind and considerate.
That’s weird. I thought I witnessed Connor McDavid record two points per game in the playoffs a few months ago and almost single-handedly beat the Kings in Game 6 and 7. Must have been my imagination.
After the presser, Dave Tippett said, “See ya in Buffalo.” He then paused for a second.
“Jesse should be happy,” he added, referring to Puljujarvi, the Bison King.
Vincent Desharnais said John Tavares texted him to apologize for the slash in Saturday’s game. VD said he appreciated the text, but told Tavares not to worry. “It’s part of the game,” he responded.
Oilers' Vincent Desharnais on soaking in being an NHLer: "Saturday night on the plane, I had a glass of red wine and I put my headphones in and put (on) some music that I like. I closed my eyes and I talked to myself. I was like, 'Do you realized what just happened?'"
Evander Kane is in a bad spot. Blood on the ice. His wrist appeared to get stepped on by Patrick Maroon. Kane got up immediately and bolted to the bench.
There are a lot of concerned looks on the Oilers bench.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
Our family got the best gift of all yesterday when our beautiful boy was born — ahead of schedule.
Thank you to the doctors and staff at Misericordia Community Hospital for their excellent care.
I’ll return to my Oilers coverage in a couple weeks.
The Oilers rookies are practicing today in Penticton, B.C., ahead of their first tournament game tomorrow. Tonight, players and team staff have been invited to dinner at Duncan Keith’s house — a thoughtful gesture by someone who valued his last NHL season in Edmonton.
Oilers’ Devin Shore had cleared waivers. He and Leon Draisaitl hugged in the dressing room. Shore mock cheered and said, “No one wants me!”
Shore said the last 24 hours were stressful, adding he likes the hockey situation with the Oilers. He and his family really wanted to stay.
That was a terrible look for Ivan Provorov and the Flyers organization tonight. Hiding behind religion to not be respectful and inclusive is absurd.
I also feel badly for Flyer James van Riemsdyk, who's been an ally for the LGBTQ community and had to witness this nonsense.
Jay Woodcroft likes standing. The players presented him with the game puck after the win. Woodcroft said the puck will be cut in half and shared with assistant coach Dave Manson.
McDavid with a little shot at the media. He says he doesn't have a lot of faith in the media's voting for the Hart Trophy, but he thinks the players will "get it right" and name Draisaitl the Ted Lindsay winner.
"He's the greatest player to ever play in my books. There are so many things that a lot of people don't see that he does. He singlehandedly turned our franchise around. I love sharing the ice with him. He's a really, really special person." -- Leon Draisaitl on Connor McDavid
Leon Draisaitl on why 100 points for Connor McDavid is a team goal: "He does so much for our team. He does so much for us on a nightly basis. The least we can do is help him out as much as we can. It might not be that important to him, but it's sure important for us."
Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl said he isn’t pleased with his performance in the Stanley Cup Final and that he hasn’t played to his standard. “I’m excited to come into the series tonight.”
Connor McDavid and Mattias Ekholm were both asked why they felt it’s been so difficult for the Oilers to draw more Stars penalties. They both started their answers the same way: “That’s a good question.”
Overjoyed to announce my wife and I are now parents. Our beautiful baby girl is the first Edmonton-born member of our growing family. Sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at Misericordia Community Hospital.
“My heart is very full at this moment.” — Michael Scott.
Leon Draisaitl on his contract situation (he’s eligible to sign an extension this summer):
“It’s going to take to time to figure out what I want and what the Oilers want.”
He adds: “I love being an Oiler more than anything.”
“There’s been a penalty discrepancy the entire series.” — Jay Woodcroft
He called the MacKinnon hit on Draisaitl a “slew foot.” He said he hasn’t had a good look yet on the Kane hit on Kadri.
For anyone who doesn’t think Connor McDavid is the MVP this season, just re-watch the last few minutes of today’s game in Columbus. The Oilers captain just willed and skilled his team back to level from a 4-0 deficit.
"Hopefully, I'll have (at least) one call. If not, I'll take what I can get." -- Oilers defenceman Vincent Desharnais, a pending UFA
"You'll have some calls, bud," Connor Brown replies.
Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft on the officiating: “You guys watched the game. A really good coaching mentor of mine once told me that there are only a few jobs in hockey. One is a player, one is a manager, one is a coach, and one is a ref. I coach. That’s my job.”
1. My wife is eight months pregnant
2. I have a 2.5-year-old child
3. If I think I might have COVID — which I did — I’d like to do my part to protect people in the community
4. I don’t want be responsible for giving COVID to your favourite player
Are those good enough reasons?
Kailer Yamamoto has 48 family and friends attending tonight’s game in Seattle. Half are in a box and half are sitting in the stands. He said he’s thankful he didn’t have to pay for any tickets. His parents, Russ and LeAnn, flew in from Spokane, Wash., yesterday afternoon.
Brett Kulak expects to have his dad and an uncle at the game tonight for his Oilers debut. He was an Oilers fan growing up and said his favourite players were Ryan Smyth and Shawn Horcoff.
Here is the full schedule for VGK-EDM.
You’ll notice Game 2, originally scheduled for Friday, has been moved to Saturday. This is a colossal screwup by the NHL. Many Oilers fans have already travelled to Vegas and made plans for a Friday game.
To change now is amateurish.
FWIW, Ryan McLeod and Vincent Desharnais were requested for postgame interviews. The Oilers leadership group didn't want them to speak. Evander Kane and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins spoke instead.
Marc-Édouard Vlasic thinks it’s “illogical” the NHL doesn’t have an award to recognize the best defensive defenceman. Mattias Ekholm called it “ludicrous.”
Is it time to start handing out two trophies to blueliners at the end of seasons?
My feature:
Oilers captain Connor McDavid, wearing an orange Oilers T-shirt, started his presser with some thoughtful comments on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation:
“I’d like to take a moment to recognize what today is in this country. It’s Truth and Reconciliation Day. (1/2)
“It’s sad. Jesse’s someone I’ve played with for a long time. It’s part of the business.” — Connor McDavid on Jesse Puljujarvi being dealt.
McDavid adds he’s happy Puljujarvi appears to be going to a good situation.
Dear NHL,
The Oilers are about to play their first of eight preseason games. Eight is WAY too many.
Please starting limiting teams to no more than six meaningless games — and ideally four.
That is all.
Here’s the Oilers-Kings full schedule. Two things to note:
1. Look at the huge gap between games 5 and 6 (if necessary).
2. I don’t care what the reason is, it’s moronic for playoff game featuring Connor McDavid to start at 8 p.m. local and 10 p.m. ET.
Connor McDavid said he didn’t get much sleep last night after the loss. He reiterated that reaching the conference final was “just a step.” The aspirations are higher here.
ROSTER UPDATE: Coyotes D Jakob Chychrun is a healthy scratch tonight versus the St. Louis Blues due to trade related reasons. F Liam O'Brien is day to day with an upper body injury. Defensemen Victor Soderstrom & Dysin Mayo have been recalled from the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).
Zack Kassian on if he’d do anything differently: “No. I’d do it again all over again.”
Mentioned NHL player safety head George Perros explained the two Tkachuk hits were clean.
“Clean or dirty, if somebody takes two runs at you on your blindside, I told him, ...
Zach Hyman stopped his postgame presser because the fans outside were cheering for five-year-old Ben Stelter. He encouraged Ben to look over and wave to his fans before finishing his answer.
Jay Woodcroft jokes that the Oilers won’t be doing the same thing to Stuart Skinner as they did last year after his first shutout. (They sent him down to Bakersfield.)
The Oilers now employ two Skinners, two Browns, two Connors (plus more in the organization), and so many Ryans.
They are a nightmare for writers and copy editors!
Former Oiler Mike Smith (although still under contract) attended last night’s game vs. TOR and sat with management. He said life is good, but joked he’s at the rink more now than when he was an NHLer because he’s got three kids in minor hockey. (At least, I think he was joking.)
Connor McDavid was both eloquent and thoughtful in his postgame presser last night. He was also very complimentary of Jay Woodcroft.
“Woody’s right in the top five, top three coaches in the league. I really, really believe that.”
He called JW a great leader and communicator.
Russ Yamamoto, Kailer’s dad, will be wearing this jersey at tonight’s game. The jersey belongs to Olga Pasher, right, Kailer’s first skating coach in Spokane, Wash. Pasher is from Edmonton and moved to Spokane in 1967. She’s followed the Oilers from afar for years.
“He’s such a great guy. All year, whether it’s gone his way or not, he’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever been around.
“Hopefully this will turn a corner for him. We trust him. We believe in him full on.” -- Oilers' Leon Draisaitl on Jack Campbell
It’s the only game on Sunday, a weekend day. The Western Conference’s top two teams are playing. It’s probably been the most entertaining series of the second round. It features Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Start time: 10 p.m. ET. Just baffling.
Two Oilers things that won’t get nearly enough attention after the loss:
1. Connor McDavid’s goal — That was maybe on the top 10 of the personal highlight reel
2. Kailer Yamamoto’s performance — That was arguably his best NHL game.