Hot Links: Wednesday, August 12

Morning, folks!

I didn’t even watch that marathon between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Columbus Blue Jackets last night, but it was apparently a record-setter. Honestly what struck me the most was that they called one penalty in the first three overtimes. One. An extra full game. Dead tired players. One penalty. How?

These games go this long because the rules change come summer. Columbus has a fighting chance against Tampa two years running because the game is called differently, which surely plays into Columbus’ hands more than Tampa’s. It’s stupid, and manufactured parity for the sake of, but then again so is the NHL. Maybe it’s simply fitting.

Ken Holland spoke to the media yesterday and the comment that stands out the most a day later was that he believed goaltending was a strength of theirs all year.

I’m nervous about what he might do during the offseason. If he re-signs Mike Smith I think we have to call for his resignation, no matter what.

Here’s hoping it doesn’t come to that.

Otherwise, you’ll find some MSM articles today that begin to point the finger at Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl as among the primary reasons the Oilers couldn’t get it done. To those articles, I leave this thread courtesy of Darcy McLeod (@Woodguy55 on Twitter):

Reviewing the Oilers performance against Chicago (Copper and Blue)

Tuesday Morning Gambling Preview (Copper and Blue)

Hot Links: Tuesday, August 11 (Copper and Blue)

What We’ve Learned About The Edmonton Oilers In The Words Of Ken Holland (Oilersnation)

Blackhawks Unable To Outplay Goaltending Issues Against Steadier Foe (Sportsnet)

Blaming Connor McDavid And Leon Draisaitl Is A Fool’s Game (Oilers Rig)

Breaking Down The ‘Massively Disappointed’ Ken Holland’s Post-Season Press Conference (Oilersnation)

Friedman: Oilers, Leafs Could Revisit Trade Options; Athanasiou Qualification Unlikely; Puljujari Signing May Not Happen (Oilersnation)

Holland: Oilers Need More Defensive Leadership From McDavid, Draisaitl (Score)

TYCHKOWSKI: Playoffs Reveal A Team’s True Identity, So Edmonton Oilers Remain A Mystery (Sun)

31 Thoughts: How Will Dubas Handle Maple Leafs’ Off-Season? (Sportsnet)

JONES: Oilers GM Faces Tough Decisions After ‘Massively Disappointing’ Series Loss (Sun)

Oilers Need More Defensive Leadership From McDavid And Draisaitl (Sportsnet)

McDavid And Draisaitl Come By Offence Naturally, But Need To Develop Defensively (Sportsnet)

Edmonton Oilers Assign Filip Berglund To SHL (Oilersnation)

Edmonton Oilers Tyler Ennis Suffered Broken Leg In Game Three Against Chicago (Oilersnation)

What’s Holding Back The Oilers? Superstars’ Defence And Team’s Depth Under Focus (Athletic)

Willis: After a play-in round exit, the Oilers need an offseason of change (Athletic)