Hot Links: Wednesday, October 14

Morning, folks.

Let’s start with the big news:

Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston figures that Taylor Hall wants to come back to Edmonton, and would have this year had the Oilers been able to make the cap work.

(They could have made it work if they wanted to, but that’s for another time.)

But, still. That’s pretty neat, right?

In less exciting news, it was reported yesterday that Ken Holland expects to be without Oscar Klefbom for the entire season. Whatever’s going on with him, I hope he’s OK.

What that means for the Oilers remains to be seen. I’ve still got Caleb Jones being good enough for top four work, but Darnell Nurse will need to be more reliable this season, the Oilers can’t expect Jones to be their best LD.

Or can they?

One year ago Ethan Bear rose to prominence almost by accident — aided by an injury to Adam Larsson — and now we’re anxiously awaiting his extension because he’s their best RD and they need to sign him. Jones was, by most accounts, ahead of Bear up until last year’s training camp. Maybe a year from now we’ll be saying the same things about him on the left side.

Hot Links: Tuesday, October 13 (Copper and Blue)

One More Move? (Copper and Blue)

31 Thoughts: Inside The Tough, Tense Early Days Of NHL Free Agency (Sportsnet)

Homegrown (Lowetide)

Oilers Bolster Defence But Need Everyone To Step Up For Klefbom (Sun)

Tyson Barrie A Major Roadblock For Evan Bouchard With Edmonton Oilers (Sun)

Ken Holland Is Planning To Not Have Oscar Klefbom Available For The 2020-21 Season (Oilersnation)

Edmonton Oilers Expect Oscar Klefbom To Miss 2020-21 Season (Oilers Rig)

Chris Johnston: “I Think Taylor Hall Wants To Go Back To Edmonton One Day” (Oilersnation)

Holland Takes Right Approach In Free Agency (Oilersnation)

Lowetide: Finding Connor McDavid’s Optimal Linemates Among 2020-21 Oilers (Athletic)
A Cautious Free Agent Period Boosts An Oilers Team Still On The Upswing (Athletic)