Hot Links: Friday, July 16

Morning, folks!

Sorry for the absence yesterday, the old publisher had a few technical difficulties in the morning. But WE’RE BACK with all of those sweet, tasty, naturally-cased links you’ve come to expect when you roll through here before, during, or just after your routine poo.

We’re elbow-deep in silly season here in Edmonton, as the latest rumors surrounding the club involving them trading for Zach Hyman’s rights ahead of Free Agency (for a reason I have yet to discern) and sniffing around the hot dog loving husk of one Phil Kessel.

No links to either of Tomas Tatar or Taylor Hall, two players I’d prefer and, at least in Tatar’s case, almost certainly to be far better value against the cap than Hyman will be over what I presume will end up a 6x$6MM contract or worse.

Tyler Benson is pipped to be exposed in the expansion draft by Ken Holland and his band of merry idiots, and as such is perhaps the most likely Oiler lost to the Seattle Kraken.

I’m not sure the Oilers will ever win anything ever again. Honestly. As long as Daryl Katz is the owner, where do you see help coming? Even if he fires everyone, he’ll hire the next Bob Nicholson, who will hire the next Ken Holland or Peter Chiarelli, and the cosmic ballet will go on.

I’m not super optimistic at the best of times but I might simply be out of optimism completely at this point. If they sign Hyman (fine player, mind) for $6MM per with term, I don’t see how this collection of morons ever gets it together. If they ever win anything it will be completely in spite of themselves. I can’t see any other way.

SB Nation NHL Mock Draft 2021: Pick 19 (Copper and Blue)

Oilers Trade G Dylan Wells to Carolina (Copper and Blue)

The SuperFan Podcast – Episode 28 – Dennis King (@dkingbh) (Copper and Blue)

Hot Links: Wednesday, July 14 (Copper and Blue)

With Expansion Draft Looming, Might Edmonton Oilers Make A Last-Minute Move To Upgrade Their Protected List? (EJ)

Who Will The Oilers Protect From The Expansion Draft? (SN)

Will Tyler Benson Be The Seattle Kraken’s Expansion Pick? (ES)

Report: Edmonton Oilers One Of Three Front Runners For UFA Zach Hyman (ON)

Free Agency Warning: Term Crushes Teams (ON)

Seravalli: I See No Scenario That Involves The Oilers Signing Larsson Before The Expansion Draft (ON)

Prospect Of Interest: Complete Offensive Winger Dylan Guenther (ON)

Positively 4th Street (LT)

Weekly Rumours: It’s Officially Silly Season (ON)

A Look Inside How The Edmonton Oilers Blew It With Robert Nilsson And Set Off A Series Of Bad Trade (ON)

How Much Money Can The Oilers Still Spend? (ON)

There’s No Room To Protect Adam Larsson If Signed Now (ES)

Oilers Trade Dylan Wells To Hurricanes, Larsson Talks Continue (TOR)

Getting The Ink Done (ON)

Oilers: Let’s Cut To The Chase (ON)

Source: Oilers Talking To Zach Hyman’s Camp; What He Might Cost And How He Could Fit With Edmonton (TA)

Lowetide: Oilers Must Apply Lessons From Previous Drafts In 2021, From Intel Gaps To Trade Opportunities (TA)