Hot Links: Wednesday, March 31

Morning, folks.

Tough one last night. It was so tough I barely even did the second and third period recaps, relying on a couple of key tweets to do most of my heavy lifting — and I’m still annoyed this morning.

The Oilers were so goddamn bad last night and their coach was a huge part of that. I’m genuinely tired of seeing Dave Tippett make curious terrible lineup decisions. I’m sick of seeing Evan Bouchard rot on the vine in his extremely critical age-21 season. I’m sick of seeing Caleb Jones get sacrificed at the altar of Bill Lagesson, who has shown nothing outside of a 1.11+ PDO for a week or two to make me believe he’s an NHL player. I’m tired of seeing Mikko Koskinen get absolutely fed to the wolves and then see everyone shitting on him for getting bit.

I don’t believe the Oilers are genuine contenders but I do believe this is their best opportunity to make some noise in the playoffs in a very long time given the divisional nature of everything, and the biggest name we’ve heard associated with the Oilers is Luke Glendening. Luke Fucking Glendening. Could you imagine?!

Could you imagine for one second looking at the Edmonton Oilers and thinking they’re precisely one Luke Fucking Glendening away from anything?!

Courtesy: Evolving-Hockey | Evolving-Hockey.com

Holy shit, you guys. Last night was a hard one. Maybe it didn’t break me, but there’s some cracking. Three straight games now they’ve gotten their show run and last night was the first in which the result truly matched the drapes. I don’t necessarily think they’re a real contender but I also think they would be absolutely sideways to NOT pursue a 50% retained Taylor Hall that might only cost them one singular first round pick.

Happy Wednesday.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Episode IV: A Blue Nope

In which Preston, Shona and Corey talk about the week that was(n’t), Taylor Hall, the Bakersfield Condors line of Tyler Benson, Ryan McLeod, and Cooper Marody, the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings and their hot start to the year, and the 2021 Isobel Cup Champion Boston Pride!

GAME RECAP: Oilers 0, Canadiens 4. (Copper and Blue)

GAME THREAD: Game 37/56 Edmonton Oilers @ Montréal Canadiens (Copper and Blue)

Hot Links: Tuesday, March 30 (Copper and Blue)

Copper & Blue Podcast: EP. 4 (Copper and Blue)

Game Recap: Edmonton 3, Toronto 2 (OT) (Copper and Blue)

The Day After: Did Dave Tippett Outcoach Himself Against The Habs? (ON)

Oilers Fail To Seize Opportunity Against Canadiens (ES)

After 4 Game Postponements Due To COVID Outbreak, Canadiens Return To Blank Oilers (CBC)

McDavid Hits Kotkaniemi With High Elbow At Centre Ice (SN)

Oilers Great Mark Messier Shares Thoughts On Leadership, Teamwork In Memoir (CBC)

Kelty Can Run – Calling On The Nation (ON)

Oilers’ Darnell Nurse Should Be In Norris Trophy Conversations (THW)

Just What The Doctor Ordered (ON)

NHL Awards Watch: Should Connor McDavid And Leon Draisaitl Both Be Up For The Hart Trophy? (TA)