Hot Links: Wednesday, August 7

Good morning!

It is the the humpiest day of the week, and we’re right there, knee deep in the slog with you. The biggest buzz that I came across yesterday was this nonsense about Nikita Gusev wearing Connor McDavid’s number in New Jersey. I can’t believe anyone would take an issue with anyone wearing a number that isn’t retired league-wide. That goes for Josh Ho-Sang wearing 66, too. Gusev wore 97 in Russia, too. It’s a number.

The subtext there is that there was no real news worth talking about yesterday.

Votes for our T25 U25 Fan Vote will close some time tonight. Results will be posted for 1pm tomorrow, and then we kick off this year’s series with our ‘just missed’ list on Friday.

Leon Draisaitl was omitted from an NHL Network Top 20 Centers list over the weekend, but despite taking 400+ more draws than his fleet-footed counterpart Connor McDavid, Draisaitl often plays the part of winger in open play. It’s not egregious. It would be nice if we knew how good he was as a center, but alas.

Oilers top D prospect Evan Bouchard had a chat with some TSN people during a stint at the Power Edge Pro (as if I know what that means) Camp, talking about his skating and what else he’s trying to polish up before taking a run at a first team job in September.

Speaking of Bouchard, the Oilers Nation crew took a look at whether he should make the team next season.

They also wrote a little something something about Sam Gagner.

That’s about it though for today. Happy Humping.

From Us

Yesterday (Copper and Blue)

LAST CHANCE TO CAST YOUR T25 U25 VOTES (Copper and Blue - [3rd Party Survey])

From Elsewhere

Lowetide’s daily. (Lowetide)

What about Sam Gagner? (Oilersnation)

Should Evan Bouchard be an Oiler come October? (Oilersnation)

Bouchard’s interview with TSN. (TSN via Youtube) — Or, watch it here:

For Money

Possible waiver wire targets for the Edmonton Oilers. (The Athletic)