Hot Links: Monday July 26

Morning, everyone.

Well, the 2021 NHL Entry Draft has come and gone. The Oilers made at least one decent pick, getting F Xavier Bourgault in the first round after trading out of the path of G Jesper Wallstedt.

After that, as I see it — and admittedly I’m really not basing these opinions off of any sort of rigorous anaysis — all but one of the picks following was some degree of a reach.

Luca Münzenberger (90 OV) appears to be quite a reach:

What do you even say there? Talk about a discrepancy. But then you see things like DNB’s “Have the Oilers taken the next Darnell Nurse?” and you get why the Oilers took a swing. Not only do they overvalue Nurse but they clearly overvalue guys they believe are the second coming of Nurse. Naturally.

People smarter (as smart?) than me seem to believe in Jake Chiasson (116 OV), but:

Not super encouraging for pick 116. But, as Young Willis notes, a 6’1’’ winger with his points per game is an easy mid-round pick in a normal year. Everyone is working with limited information this time around, and I do have to remember that.

F Matvey Petrov (180 OV) looks to be a fine bet:

Skill? Late? Can it be?

Then there’s F Shane LaChance (186 OV), who is apparently gigantic:

Cool. Nothing gives me confidence like the Oilers betting on themselves to be smarter than the consensus. That definitely usually works out.

And, finally, there’s D Maximus Wanner. Another large boy, Wanner, like LaChance, wasn’t ranked by a few services:

Good stuff.

Two good picks, a few bizarre reaches, and thus concludes another episode of Ken Holland sucks and can’t do the job anymore. Stay tuned for the next episode, almost certainly coming this week.

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PODCAST SZN RETURNS

It’s dark days in Oil Country.

The crew discusses all the recent news surrounding the team ranging from Adam Larsson’s departure, Mike Smith’s return, and the prospect of Zach Hyman signing a 7 to 8 year contract with the club.

Does Edmonton deserve better than Ken Holland? Listen to hear what we think in the latest episode of the Copper & Blue Podcast!

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Oilers Extend Qualifying Offers to Four Players (Copper and Blue)

FANPOST - Want to retain Nurse? Go Big Game hunting on defense (Copper and Blue)

Oilers Select Matvei Petrov, Shane LaChance And Max Wanner To Wrap Up 2021 NHL Entry Draft (Copper and Blue)

Oilers Select Jake Chiasson At 116th Overall (Copper and Blue)

#Oilers Select D Luca Münzenberger With 90th Overall Pick (Copper and Blue)

Oilers Select RW Xavier Bourgault (Copper and Blue)

Hot Links: Friday, July 23 (Copper and Blue)

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Monday Mailbag – The Adam Larsson Hole (ON)

Edmonton Oilers Poised To Move On From Khaira, Kahun, But Who Is The Likeliest Buyout Candidate? (EJ)

Edmonton Oil Kings Make Big Splash In NHL Draft (ES)

Are Oilers Eying Coyotes G Darcy Kuemper? (TOR)

Women Of Oilersnation: Melanie Makowecki (ON)

What’s Next For Oilers With NHL Draft In Rearview Mirror? (TOR)

Sixteen Shells From A Thirty-Ought-Six (LT)

Off The Top Of My Head (ON)

In Maple Leafs’ Talks With Oilers About Hyman, Dubas Isn’t Bending The Knee (SN)

Hands Tied, Edmonton Oilers Make The Best Of Limited Draft Picks (ES)

The excuses, man. It’s never-ending.

Harvest Moon 2021 (LT)

Edmonton Oilers 2021 draft wrap: A mishmash of prospects and projects in a difficult draft cycle (EJ)

The Winners And Losers From A Busy 2021 NHL Draft Weekend (SN)

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Lowetide: Oilers Top 20 Prospects, Summer 2021 (TA)

Buyout Watch: 8 Players To Monitor Ahead Of NHL Free Agency (TA)

Mike Smith Is ‘Very Motivated’ After His Latest Contract, And Have The Oilers Taken The Next Darnell Nurse? Oilers Draft Day Notebook (TA)

Oilers’ 2021 NHL Draft Picks: Grades, Fit And Full Scouting Reports (TA)