Hot Links: Wednesday, May 27

Morning, folks!

Big day yesterday with the NHL officially announcing their Return to Play plan and simultaneously ending the 2019-20 season officially.

Now that the season’s over, it’s time to properly congratulate Leon Draisaitl for becoming Germany’s first Art Ross winner after leading the NHL in scoring this season. It’s an incredible achievement and, though the circumstances surrounding it are certainly unfortunate, it’s one that will live on for him and his family forever. Congratulations, Herr Big Nuts.

With the season officially over, then, it’s looking like the Oilers will get to keep their conditional pick from the James Neal / Milan Lucic swap. Lovely.

Another detail from the RTP announcement: the two staged draft lottery. There is a possibility that, if the Oilers can’t make it past the Blackhawks, that they could enter the draft lottery and pick 1OV. Imagine?

The RTP announcement came with a short list of possible Hub Cities, and Edmonton was on it.

What might an Oilers trade at the 2020 Draft look like? A lot of possibilities await Ken Holland and Co. this summer.

Michael Parkatti tries to fix the 2019-20 play-in format.

Sam Gagner doesn’t give a shit either way. His Red Wings won’t be in no matter what.

From Us

NHL Announces Return-To-Play Plan (Copper and Blue)

Hot Links: Tuesday, May 26 (Copper and Blue)

Congratulations, Leon

Oilers Leon Draisaitl Wins Art Ross Trophy (Oilers Rig)

Hat Trick! Art Ross Crown A Triply Historic Achievement For Leon Draisaitl, German Hockey, And The Edmonton Oilers (Journal)

Leon Draisaitl Is The 2019-20 Art Ross Trophy Winner (Oilersnation)

From Elsewhere

Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto Vying To Be NHL Hubs, But There’s A Catch (Sportsnet)

Next Stop Chi-Town (Lowetide)

Best Oilers Trades Countdown – No. 2: Flipping Esa Tikkanen For Doug Weight (Oilersnation)

31 Thoughts Podcast: Plans Are In Place. More Details To Come. (Sportsnet)

It Appears Oilers Don’t Have To Give Flames Third-Round Pick For James Neal (Sun)

Could Oilers Go From “Shafted” To Unlikely No. 1 Draft Pick Winners? (THW)

Just Like That, Edmonton Oilers Are In With A Chance In The Alexis Lafreniere Sweepstakes (Journal)

It’s Official: Oilers In Play-In Series, Edmonton Possible Hub City (Sun)

Bettman Talks NHL Return To Play, Hub Cities, And Draft Lottery (Oilersnation)

Worst Oilers Trades Countdown – No. 3: Mark Messier Gets Sent To New York (Oilersnation)

Fixing The 2019-20 NHL Play-Ins (Boys on the Bus)

Former Oilers Forward Sam Gagner Has No Dog In The Expanded Playoff Format Fight (Sun)

For Money

Oilers Return To Play Guide: How The NHL’s 24-Team Format Impacts Edmonton (Athletic)

Multiple Choice: What Might An Oilers Trade At The 2020 NHL Draft Look Like? (Athletic)