Hot Links: Monday, January 27

Morning, folks!

One more day. That’s it. One more miserable day before our heroes return to action in the second of four Battle of Albertas. Battles of Alberta? You get it.

Word on the street is the Oilers are interested in both Jason Zucker and Chris Kreider. Two additions that would no doubt help their playoff chances assuming reasonable acquisition costs.

Gary Bettman spoke about the NHL’s relationship with the Olympics. He, of course, sounded like a stupid idiot.

The Calgary Flames re-called 6’8’’, 230 pound Buddy Robinson (Google it) in what can only be considered a weak endorsement of Matt Tkachuk’s willingness to answer for his sins.

The Oilers are ready to push for a playoff berth in the second half. They are in a position to control their own destiny, but the same could be said for almost every team in their division, too.

Speaking of, 14 years ago marks Kevin Lowe’s acquisitions of Dick Tarnstrom and Jaroslav Spacek, two defenders who played important roles both down the stretch and in the playoffs in their most recent run to the Cup finals.

The Trade Deadline approaches, so it’s time to determine whether the Oilers might have anything of value in their pipeline to flip for help.

The All Star Weekend came and went, with Green Day having said roughly one bad penalty call’s worth of fucks on live TV and the Pacific Division — led by Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid — won the whole damn thing.

And, of course, yesterday marked the passing of Kobe Bryant. Bryant’s legacy is both very real and very complicated, and it’s OK to acknowledge both as the world mourns the tragic loss yesterday. Still doesn’t seem real, TBH. You just expect certain people to persist. RIP.

From Us

The Slightly Past Midseason Copper and Blue Roundtable: Staff Edition Part II (Copper and Blue)

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

The All Star 8 game review! (Copper and Blue)

From Elsewhere

Oilers Pursuing Zucker, Kreider Ahead Of Deadline (Oilers Rig)

Bettman: Shutting Down For The Olympics Is “Extraordinarily Disruptive” (Oilersnation)

Monday Mailbag – Looking Ahead At The Trade Deadline (Oilersnation)

Oil Spills: On the Edmonton Oilers’ potent power play (Journal)

Well Rested Edmonton Oilers Can’t Wait For The Stretch Drive (Sun)

“It’s Very Sad” Darnell Nurse Stunned By News Of Kobe Bryant (Sun)

Oilers Return From All-Star Break Ready To Bury Past Springtime Failures (Sportsnet)

The Post All-Star Push (Oilersnation)

Oilers Prospect Update: Josh Currie Stays Hot (Oilersnation)

14 Years Ago Today Oilers Trade For Jaroslav Spacek, Dick Tarnstrom (Oilersnation)

Pick Up The Pieces (Lowetide)

The Road Ahead (Oilersnation)

Pacific Downs Atlantic To Win All-Star Game In St. Louis (Score)

For Money

Lowetide: Is There Real Trade Deadline Value In The Edmonton Oilers’ Prospect Pipeline? (Athletic)

Lowetide: ‘Connor McDavid: Whatever It Takes’ works as breaking news, drama and personality profile (Athletic)

Lowetide: Oilers prospects Evan Bouchard and Tyler Benson deliver best minor league performances in 20 years (Athletic)