Hot Links: Wednesday, June 30

Morning, folks!

Apologies for being a bit late this morning, especially after such a positive news day in Oil Country.

First thing in the morning, news broke that Northern Alberta’s favorite son, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, put pen to paper on a brand new, 8 year, $41MM contract. The move locks down a great complementary piece to the two MVPs through the entirety of their current deals and beyond.

Here’s RNH on his new deal:

Here’s his boss’ boss:

Talk about a good morning.

Then, later in the day, news broke that Oilers captain, Connor McDavid, won both the Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award for the second and third time respectively. The former, he won unanimously. 100 out of 100 first place votes, becoming only the second player in NHL history to sweep the award after Wayne “Don’t Call Me Shane” Gretzky did the same in 1982.

Rare air, indeed.

So, a good start to Ken Holland’s summer. He’ll need to do at least this good on every move he makes over the next couple of months to really kick the Oilers into high gear ASAP. It doesn’t really track for me that the Oilers have had the Hart and Lindsay winners two years running — and they’re different dudes — and they have one playoff game win to show for it.

Connor McDavid Wins Hart, Lindsay Trophies (Copper and Blue)

SIGNED: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Signs Eight Year Extension (Copper and Blue)

Hot Links: Tuesday, June 29 (Copper and Blue)

Ken Holland Prepares to Fumble Expansion (Copper and Blue)

Are Oilers, Adam Larsson Close To Contract? (TOR)

2021 NHL Draft Countdown No. 75-71: Kyle Masters, Olivier Nadeau, Viljami Marjala, Aleksi Malinen, James Malatesta (ON)

It’s Unanimous! Edmonton Oilers’ Superstar Connor McDavid Recognized As The Best Player In Hockey (EJ)

NHL Announces 1st And 2nd All-Star Teams, All-Rookie Team (TS)

Hart History: McDavid Unanimous Choice For MVP (ESPN)

Darnell Nurse Finished Seventh In Norris Trophy Voting (ON)

Cap Comparables: Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Inks Unique Contract (SN)

Oilers Looking For Defensive Help? (TOR)

Thoughts On RNH’s Eight-Year Contract (ON)

Everything Is Fine (ON)

Hallelujah (LT)

The Gifted: Evaluating Oilers Prospect Carter Savoie Is About What He Is, Not What He Isn’t (TA)

‘You’ve Got To Take Risks’: How Re-Signing Ryan Nugent-Hopkins For Eight Years Could Help And Hurt The Oilers (TA)