Hot Links: Thursday, July 8

Morning, folks.

Well, the 2020/21 NHL season is officially over after the Tampa Bay Lightning put the finishing touches on a 4-1 series victory over those plucky — or is it still Plecky? — Montreal Canadiens.

Now, the real season — the one we’ve been conditioned to care more about over the past 15 years — begins. Will Ken Holland’s work pass muster? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, I’ll predict.

No, it won’t. These Duncan Keith rumors won’t go away and that’s probably because it’s definitely happening and the Oilers are doing that thing where they prepare us for the inevitable. I can’t remember where I saw it, but the idea that the Stauffers and Spectors of the world are talking about a Keith deal being so dear today to set the stage for the Oilers to trade just Caleb Jones for him and then be applauded for showing restraint and refusing to add a pick makes a lot of sense to me.

You know, because just Jones would be a win for Edmonton. Evidence of Holland’s shrewdness and ability to get a deal for a ‘good player’ over the line. Etc.

Please.

Trading Caleb Jones for Duncan Keith would be worse than letting Jones go to Seattle for free.

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