Hot Links: Monday, June 1

Morning, folks!

A hectic weekend in North America as protests for justice in the name of George Floyd, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, and far too many more Black people killed at the hands of police continued in the USA over the weekend. In response, the police have been firing rubber bullets into groups of protesters, running over groups of people, attacking press with visible credentials and arresting Black reporters on live TV.

You can tell it’s being taken more seriously by the general public this time around because, for the first time that I can recall, some white NHL players lent their voices and platforms in support over the weekend. Even the famously apolitical Michael Jordan weighed in. Hopefully it’s just the beginning in that regard, and many more players of prominence speak up for justice.

To everyone on the ground: stay as safe as you can out there. To everyone else: Black lives matter. Click the link below if you can help out:

To Stop, Listen, and Act: How You Can Help Protesters and Black Lives Matter Groups (IndieWire)

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We’ve got Oilers news for you, too, so let’s jump right in:

Happy Birthday to Edmonton Oilers legend Paul Coffey, who turns 59 years old today. Coffey was an instrumental part of the Oilers first three Stanley Cups, and won consecutive Norris trophies in 1984-85 and 85-86.

Lowetide blessed the ‘sphere with his last Draft List for the 2020 crop. It’s deep and, given how many capable forwards he sees, looks to be an ideal draft for the Oilers.

The Athletic sat down with an NHL pro scout to break down the Oilers’ play-in series with the Chicago Blackhawks.

There is potential for Edmonton to become one of the two NHL hub cities while having to play out of the other one. Imagine? Imagine not knowing this before they came to a vote?

Should Dave Tippett keep Ryan Nugent-Hopkins beside Leon Draisaitl and Kailer Yamamoto, or might he bump him up to Connor McDavid’s line?

Oilers fan favorite Sam Gagner spoke about his future.

What’s next for Josh Currie? Might there be an opportunity for him when the play-ins begin?

Remember how stupid that Jordan Eberle trade was? And this is coming from someone who advocated trading him immediately after his All-Star season.

LT took a deep dive into Dave Tippett’s track record with developing younger players.

Kailer Yamamoto joined Sportsnet’s @Home and credited Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins for giving him a boost.

Leon Draisaitl and Alphonso Davies are pals and I love it. Davies is representing Edmonton at the highest levels in world football and making a name for himself, especially while the Bundesliga remains the only high-profile league playing matches.

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From Us

Hot Links: Friday, May 29 (Copper and Blue)

Leon Draisaitl Takes Art Ross Trophy In Shortened 2019-20 Regular Season (Copper and Blue)

From Elsewhere

Happy Birthday, Paul Coffey! (Oilersnation)

Here Comes The Sun 2020 (Lowetide)

Monday Musings: It Would Be Nice If Edmonton Oilers Could Play In Own Hub (Sun)

Now That All-Purpose Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Has Reinvented Himself As A Winger, Which Edmonton Oilers’ Superstar Should Be His Centre? (Journal)

Sam Gagner Talks About His Future (Oilersnation)

Worst Oilers Trades Countdown – Honourable Mentions (Oilersnation)

Best Oilers Trades Countdown – Honourable Mentions (Oilersnation)

Last Chance Texaco (Lowetide)

Edmonton Oilers 2019-20 Player Review: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Oilersnation)

Kailer Yamamoto Credits Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, And The AHL For His Development | @Home (Sportsnet)

An Oral History Of How Jari Kurri Left The Edmonton Oilers To Play Hockey In Italy (Oilersnation)

Bullitt (Lowetide)

Oilers’ Leon Draisaitl, Alphonso Davies Share Bond In Pursuit Of History (Sportsnet)

Leon Draisaitl, Alphonso Davies Compare Notes After Oilers Star Wins Art Ross (CBC)

For Money

A Pro Scout Breaks Down The Proposed Blackhawks-Oilers Qualifying-Round Matchup (Athletic)

Mark Lazerus | https://theathletic.com/

Lowetide: Oilers Farmhand Josh Currie’s Small Window Of Opportunity (Athletic)

Lowetide: Oilers Coach Dave Tippett’s Track Record In Developing Young Players (Athletic)