Hot Links: Friday, June 19

Morning, folks!

Jeff took a trip down memory lane to talk about NHL 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge. Sure, it’s a mouthful, and NHL Jam would have been orders of magnitude better as a title, but the game was fun either way. It was NBA Jam on ice. And steroids.

Lowetide ‘got some new math’ about this year’s prospects. Given that the lottery is next week, it seems like good timing.

The Oilers have what you might call a jam of logs on defense right now. On the right side, all of Ethan Bear, Adam Larsson, Matt Benning, and Mike Green have cases to dress. Bear and Larsson are likely set in stone barring injury, so who plays? Benning or Green?

Oilers prospects Skyler Brind’Amour and Aapeli Rasanen took big steps forward this season.

In huge news for the hockey world, former NHLer Daniel Carcillo and former ECHLer Garrett Taylor have filed a class-action lawsuit against the CHL regarding the abuses they suffered as rookies in the league.

Sure, Leon Draisaitl plays with Connor McDavid. Sure, that could be used against him in the Hart trophy conversation. But remember, he put up absurd numbers while McDavid was out this season. Monster. Numbers.

Mark Fraser joined the Jasons on TSN1260 to talk about his experiences with racism at all levels as a Black hockey player.

William Lagesson enjoyed his first real cup of coffee with the big club this season. He’s still trending in the right direction as decisions about his future loom.

31 Thoughts broke down the major NHL awards races, and spoke to an epidemiologist about how the NHL might go about building its bubble for the restart.

From Us

The Video Review: NHL 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge (Copper and Blue)

Hot Links: Thursday, June 18 (Copper and Blue)

The Draft Lottery Is Next Friday! (Copper and Blue)

From Elsewhere

Pipeline Progress (Lowetide)

WWYDW(FE): Matt Benning Or Mike Green (Oilersnation)

Edmonton Oilers’ Pivot Prospects Skyler Brind’Amour, Aapeli Rasanen Both Took Important Strides In 2019-20 (Journal)

(Content Warning - Abuse) Bombshell (Oilersnation)

31 Thoughts: Breaking Down Major NHL Awards Races (Sportsnet)

31 Thoughts Podcast: How To Best Set Up An NHL Bubble (Sportsnet)

Draisaitl Still Put Up Monster Numbers While Playing Without McDavid (Sportsnet)

Mark Fraser: Your Voice Will Give Others Strength (Oilersnation)

Edmonton Oilers Pipeline Update: William Lagesson Making Big Progress On Blue Line (Sun)

For Money

DGB Grab Bag: Awards thoughts, MLB lessons and the 1994 Rangers on ‘Letterman’ (Athletic)

LeBrun: NHL’s return still on track for summer amid CBA and hub city questions (Athletic)