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Morning, folks!
Couple stories this morning. Eager commenters captured them in the comments of yesterday’s links, so let’s touch on them here this morning:
He certainly can look around as is his right but not many players can pass puck to McDavid and Draisaitl every night as he is now https://t.co/DHX2Hw8APc
— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) May 14, 2021
Yesterday on TSN’s Insider Trading segment, Darren Dreger intimated that Tyson Barrie is expected to test the free agent market. Word on the street is he’s looking for stability, something in the neighborhood of 5-6 years.
No goddamn thanks.
Great results this year. Also the easiest landing spot of any Edmonton Oiler defender, playing basically all of his minutes with Connor McDavid but for the odd on-the-fly shift. Thanks for your service, now get on with yourself. Best of luck.
Suspect UFA Adam Larsson's new Oiler deal when officially hammered out will be 4 years in $3.75 mil range a season with NHL flat cap. Larsson has been outstanding this season, big, heavy shutdown D minutes. There's nobody on RD who plays like he knows.
— Jim Matheson (@jimmathesonnhl) May 13, 2021
Hm. Honestly, Larsson has been their best RD this year, so I get the impetus for re-signing him. But, they shouldn’t re-sign him before expansion — that will all but guarantee the loss of Ethan Bear or Caleb Jones to Seattle — and they shouldn’t sign him for four years. He turns 29 in November and has a history of back problems. When he plays like he did this year he’s great value at $4MM. The problem is, he’s only played like this for ~1.5 years in Edmonton. Two years tops. That’s a gamble. More than anything though, they have to wait until expansion. Have. To.
Anyway, stay safe, be well, and have a good weekend. The Oilers wrap their regular season on Saturday afternoon and then we’ve got a good four sleeps until they start their playoff series.
It’s been a pleasure.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Episode 10 - “What’s the deal with airplanes as food?”
(Because the Oilers are going to feast on the Jets.)
A jam-packed show featuring some discussion on Connor McDavid’s 100 in 53 accomplishment and why he is an absolute lock for the Hart this year. The crew also reflects on the (500+ point) career of Leon Draisaitl and ponders the latest rumours regarding Adam Larsson’s next contract.
Stick around for the second half of the show as they discuss the absolute domination that the Edmonton Oil Kings accomplished in the WHL this season. Shona has her scouting reports on top prospects Sebastian Cossa and Dylan Guenther.
Playoff Series Between Oilers And Jets Begins On Wednesday, May 19th (Copper and Blue)
Hot Links: Thursday, May 13 (Copper and Blue)
Oilers Sweep Canadiens with 4-3 OT Win (Copper and Blue)
The Playoff Upset That Rattled A Dynasty And Put Gretzky’s Oilers ‘On The Map’ (TS)
Edmonton Oilers Defenceman Tyson Barrie Expected To Hit Free Agent Market (ON)
OILERS NOTES: Bill Ranford’s Star Shone Bright In Last Oilers-Jets Playoff Series (ES)
Should The Oilers Play McDavid And Draisaitl Together Or Apart? (ES)
Playoff Preview: Do Refs Put Whistles Away In Playoffs? (ON)
Lowry On Differences In Defending Marner & Matthews Vs. McDavid & Draisaitl (SN)
Mike Modano Talks Connor McDavid, NHL Playoffs, Mighty Ducks Cameo, More In B/R AMA (B/R)
At Random: 55 Down (ON)
The Biggest Weakness For Every Canadian Playoff Team (ON)
JONES: Huddy Factor Not On Oilers’ Side Against Jets These Playoffs (ES)
Home For A Rest (LT)
Lowetide: Adam Larsson Contract Talks Give Us An Idea About Oilers’ Offseason Plans (TA)
2021 NHL Playoffs: Jets Vs. Oilers Schedule, TV Channel, Games, Scores, Guide To The First-Round Series (TA)