Hot Links: Wednesay, January 22

Morning, folks!

We’re still in the middle of the longest break of all time, with a full week before the Oilers return to action to take on the Flames on January 29th. Any storylines surrounding that one, er?

Shona took a look at the state of women’s hockey in North America yesterday, with a brief overview of where the women’s game is at, including updates on the NWHL, the Dream Gap Tour, all star participation, and a local look at some of the higher profile women’s teams in and around Edmonton.

Yesterday we posted the first part of our ‘reader’s’ roundtable. Notes have been taken from the comments, and the next version will be even better! Probably. Don’t hold me to that.

Brandon Manning unfortunately made the news yesterday after demonstrating — again — the total absence of class one might come to expect from the guy who gloated in the media about breaking McDavid’s collarbone. Manning used a racial slur against Ontario’s Bokondji Imama and earned a five-game ban (as per the AHL) for his efforts. What a stupid idiot. What an absolute moron. What a total waste of time and money. Figure it out, Scrandon.

I for one will be interested to see how this one plays out for a few reasons. Racism is and always will be the calling card for pieces of shit.

If it were up to me, he’d be terminated for cause, for a number of reasons. I shudder to think about what Darnell Nurse, Ethan Bear, Jujhar Khaira and Kailer Yamamoto might think if the Oilers do nothing on top of the AHL-imposed suspension.

Lots of opinions on both sides of this one, but for me it’s clear. He should be terminated for cause, and if the language in his contract prevents him for being terminated for cause here, they really need to modify the language in these contracts. Fuck Brandon Manning. Oop. Sorry, I’ve learned my lesson and will be better next time.

McDavid’s knee injury is still a hot topic, with his documentary set to debut on Friday (Jan 24) after the NHL All Star Skills Competition. I suppose I’m a bit more understanding today as to the reasons why all concerned parties kept it under wraps, but it’s still weird. The whole thing is weird. Even if they kept it under wraps and just released the details of the injury yesterday it would be less weird. To reveal it all in some ‘sponsored by ADIDAS’ mini-doc trailer is weird.

Ethan Bear has arguably been the best story of this season, but it’s no surprise to him. Ken Holland would do very well to get him signed to some sort of Klefbom-esque long-term deal before he forces his way onto the PP and his AAV skyrockets.

From Us

The Slightly Past Midseason Copper And Blue Roundtable: Readers Edition, Part I (Copper and Blue)

The State of Women’s Hockey In North America (Copper and Blue)

Hot Links: Tuesday, January 21 (Copper and Blue)

From Elsewhere

Oilers D Brandon Manning Suspended Five Games (Oilers Rig)

Connor’s Story (Lowetide)

Deadline Targets: Battle-Tested Playoff Veterans From The Los Angeles Kings (Oilersnation)

Bearing Down: Hard Work Paying Off For Edmonton Oilers Defenceman Ethan Bear (Sun)

Edmonton Oilers Receive Their Mid-Season Report Card (Sportsnet)

Connor McDavid’s Knee Injury Was Worse Than We Ever Thought (Oilersnation)

Oilers’ Kassian On Upcoming Reunion With Tkachuk, Reigniting Flames Rivalry (Sportsnet)

For Money

Oilers Minor-League Defenceman Brandon Manning Suspended Five Games For Racial Slur (Athletic)

Willis: An Updated List Of Which Oilers Are Most Likely To Be Traded In 2019-20 (Athletic)