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Morning, folks.
The searing disappointment from two nights ago still looms, but the decade-plus of disappointment with no real, tangible sign that it’s changing helps take the edge off a bit.
For me, at least. Not caring helps. Hard to care when you know who the decisions are in the hands of, IMO.
First and foremost, from former Oiler Andrew Ference (I know, barely):
Ethan Bear is a very good hockey player. Lift him up and he will be an integral part of any success the Oilers have in the future.
— Andrew Ference (@Ferknuckle) May 26, 2021
More importantly, Ethan Bear is an incredible human. If you’re sending racist remarks his way, you’re just a dickhead. Hockey doesn’t want you. https://t.co/jIfp7vaTFO
That was in response to Ethan Bear’s girlfriend’s post about her boyfriend being verbally harassed with racist comments. In case there is any crossover between people who did that to Bear and people who happen upon these links this morning — go fuck yourself, forever. I hope you have a lonely life and nobody cares about you. I’m quite sure that’s already the case, because you wouldn’t be behaving that way if you weren’t lonely and you were cared for, but just so you’re aware: you aren’t welcome here and you need to walk into traffic.
Yesterday, the Oilers addressed the media before breaking for the summer:
An excellent and engaged Connor McDavid in his year end zoom call. Very honest about his feelings on the team, his leadership, room for growth in his game and the disappointment. Made it clear he’s not looking to go anywhere, and wants to see it though here with this group.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) May 25, 2021
That’s comforting.
RNH identifies his skating andshot as 2 areas where he will work on and get back to where he wants them to be.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) May 25, 2021
Said he wasn’t thinking last night could have been his last game as an Oiler. Said he’s encouraged by the fact there was dialogue this year and will see where it goes.
Keep Nuge forever.
Adam Larsson makes no bones about it, he loves it here and would like to stay. Says he hasn’t had much in the way of talks in the last month.
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) May 25, 2021
Talks rarely happen around playoff time. My expectation is it will resume in short order, and a deal is quite likely to be found.
I’m fine to keep Larsson, too, but they for sure should be waiting until after expansion. They have to know that’s Holland’s best chance to make the team better. If they really love being Oilers, they need to understand.
“I’m sure we’ll have a couple discussion and see where their interest is and mine.”
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) May 25, 2021
Barrie on contract talks with Oilers - also says he’s looking for stability in a longer term deal.
This seems like it’s over, which, it needs to be. Let’s hope I’ve got the right read on that, and that Bear’s rough G4 doesn’t change where he fits into this club moving forward.
But, then you see this crap:
Tyson Barrie returning to #Oilers next season will likely depend on Oscar Klefbom's status. #NHL
— Derek Van Diest (@DerekVanDiest) May 25, 2021
WTF?
Wayne Gretzky is leaving the Edmonton Oilers to become TNT's lead NHL analyst. https://t.co/TOFNyAgpX9 pic.twitter.com/7LCZSQZUnP
— theScore (@theScore) May 25, 2021
More changes coming to OEG?
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
The Copper and Blue Podcast: Episode 11 — “Cool, you’re Jets.”
It’s playoff time baby!
Preston, Shona, and Corey break down what to expect from the Oilers in their first round series against the Winnipeg Jets. We go line-by-line and pairing-by-pairing as we give our thoughts on Edmonton’s roster and how it stacks up against Winnipeg’s.
Stick around for the second half of the episode as the crew looks at the other playoff matchups, complete with predictions and all!
In Goal With Gherson - Game 4 Oilers / Jets Goaltending Review (Copper and Blue)
The UGLY (Copper and Blue)
Hot Links: Tuesday, May 25 (Copper and Blue)
I Bet You’ll Go All In Next Time (Copper and Blue)
GAME 4 RECAP: Winnipeg 4, Edmonton 3 (3OT) (Copper and Blue)
2021 NORTH DIVISION PLAYOFF GAME THREAD: Game 4 Edmonton Oilers @ Winnipeg Jets (Copper and Blue)
Joakim Nygård Returning to Sweden for 2021/22 Season (Copper and Blue)
Wednesday Letters: Onto Next Season, Oilers (ES)
Changes Coming To Oilers Entertainment Group? (TOR)
Nugent-Hopkins Set To Become Free Agent After Decade With Edmonton Oilers (ES)
McDavid Not Ready To Quit On Oilers Despite Another Early Playoff Exit (SN)
OILERS NOTES: Swept From Playoffs, Nurse Ushers In First Child (ES)
McDavid Wants Out? No Chance. Edmonton Oilers Core Intends To See This Through (ES)
Wayne Gretzky Resigns As Edmonton Oilers Vice Chairman (ON)
Where Do The Oilers Go From Here? (SN)
Edmonton Oilers Finish Season With $328k In Cap Overages (ON)
Smith Sees Lots Of Potential For Oilers To Grow After Facing Adversity (SN)
Epics Highs And Crushing Lows: Edmonton Oilers 2020-21 Rollercoaster Ends (TOR)
Draisaitl & Oilers ‘Just Getting Started’ And Excited For Future (SN)
State Of The Nation — So, The Oilers Got Swept… (ON)
Let The Speculation Begin (LT)
‘We Want So Much More’: McDavid, Draisaitl, Nurse Not Messing Around, Oilers Free Agent Updates, Fatherly Perspective (TA)
LeBrun: Another Year Where McDavid Can’t Add A Stanley Cup To His Trophy Case, But His Day Will Come (TA)