Oil Spills: Saturday Links - Bring On The Flames

About the Oilers

Oilers early season struggle not a surprise, players say good things are happening - Rob Tychkowski -- Edmonton Sun
You can’t turn a ship around on a dime. Especially when it’s been sitting at the bottom of the ocean for nine years. So it should come as no surprise that the massive reclamation project assigned to Peter Chiarelli, Todd McLellan and Connor McDavid is going slower than most fans hoped.

Chasing Shadows, Moonlight Mystery -- Lowetide.ca
At this point there’s no real reason to keep running Mr. Gryba out there to wave lanterns at runaway trains.

The Oilers Two Massive Faults - Alex Thomas -- The Oilers Rig
The Edmonton Oilers finished their tour of the Central division with an 0-4 record. To put it politely, this is not a good start to the season. That said, outside of the Dallas debacle, the Oilers have actually been in games this season. Part of that is thanks to improved play, part of that is thanks to improved goaltending.

Cult of Hockey power rankings: McDavid, Talbot on top for Oilers, Sekera, Purcell not - David Staples -- Cult of Hockey
Who is getting the job done for the Edmonton Oilers and who is not?

Todd McLellan knew coaching Oilers wasn’t going to be a picnic - Jim Matheson -- Edmonton Journal
For Todd McLellan, it made fiscal sense for millions of reasons to come to coach the Edmonton Oilers, but starting the NHL season 0-4 is costing him a few more grey hairs on his flat-top.

Todd McLellan to Coach Team North America at the World Cup -- The Copper & Blue
The Oilers' bench boss will have a second job next summer.

Relive the Edmonton Oilers 1982-83 Season - Robin Brownlee -- OilersNation
Having had the smirk slapped right off their faces in mid-strut by the Los Angeles Kings – to the delight of many – in the opening round of the 1982 playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers had all the motivation they could possibly need heading into the 1982-83 season.

Around the NHL

Carey Price versus Chris Kreider: When goalies fight back -- Eyes On The Prize
Sometimes goalies decide enough is enough, and the results are almost always hockey gold

Shannon Szabados ready to be big-game goalie for SPHL's Columbus Cottonmouths -- Puck Daddy
One adjustment Szabados didn’t have to make once she entered the SPHL was getting used to playing against men, something she’s done since an early age.

Phil Kessel on life in Pittsburgh: 'I love it so far' -- Sportsnet.ca
The most important message Kessel received from Pittsburgh Penguins management in the wake of the July 1 trade that brought him here from the Toronto Maple Leafs was to have fun. He doesn’t need to be the centre of attention or the one setting an example. On a team with aging forwards, he simply needs to put the puck in the net.

Tomas Plekanec signs a two-year contract extension with the Habs -- Eyes On The Prize
The turtleneck assassin will at the very least remain with the team for another two years.

Nikita Nesterov suspended two games for hit on Curtis McKenzie -- Puck Daddy
This are tough decisions for the NHL Department of Player Safety, and then there was Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Nikita Nesterov’s hit on Curtis McKenzie of the Dallas Stars, which earned Nesterov a two-game suspension on Friday.

Steve Mason confirms family issue impacted performance in 7-1 loss -- Broad Street Hockey
Let's hope everything is OK with Steve Mason.

Jim Matheson’s Hockey World: Tommy McVie is the ultimate rink rat - Jim Matheson -- Edmonton Journal
The Zamboni is a given in NHL rinks, but so is Tommy McVie.