McDavid and Oilers All-Star Talk, Getting in on Trades, and Perry's Grievance
Plus, will the Oilers pick up where they left off?
Welcome to the THW Edmonton Oilers Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Oilers writers.
Most Edmonton Oilers are coming off a break, except Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Can they pick up where they left off and keep winning? Will they want some trade deadline help to do so? And, what if Corey Perry files a grievance against the Blackhawks? Might that affect anything?
Enjoy today’s edition. Don’t forget to consider going premium! Today is the last day for an incredible discount offer!
3 Big Trades Oilers Can Make as Deadline Deals Already Go Down
February 3, 2024 by Jim Parsons
The Edmonton Oilers want to be buyers at this season’s NHL Trade Deadline. They’ll have to be cautious about disrupting team chemistry or where they spend their money, but if they can make an upgrade, the team will be looking to do so. The problem is, the market is already starting to establish itself and big moves are happening. Elias Lindholm was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks and Sean Monahan to the Winnipeg Jets. These were two players who might have looked good in Oilers’ colors.
The price was too high for either player. This is something the Oilers will have to wrestle with ahead of March 8. Does that mean all big deadline deals are out of the question for GM Ken Holland? Perhaps not.
Oilers Will Have a lot on the Line vs Golden Knights on Feb. 6
February 3, 2024 by Dale Bochon
I don’t know why the Edmonton Oilers game against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, Feb. 6 makes me think of Game 1 of the 1984 Stanley Cup Final. But it does. Back then their biggest hurdle in reaching the promised land was the New York Islanders. And when Grant Fuhr got a 1-0 shutout, and Kevin McLelland scored the only goal, you just knew the Oilers were going to win the Stanley Cup. Fast forward to Feb. 6, 2024. The Oilers are unbeaten in 16 games, and could tie the all-time NHL record for 17 wins in a row if they beat their nemesis the Golden Knights. It’s a big game because there’s so much more on the line than a winning streak.
How Perry’s Potential Grievance with Blackhawks Affects Oilers
Jim Parsons | February 2, 2024
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman recently disclosed that Corey Perry has a pending grievance against the Chicago Blackhawks. When asked about the way the Blackhawks handled his contract termination, Bettman said there is a pending grievance, but noted, “I don’t have any problem with what the Blackhawks did.”
Still, some fans in Edmonton are wondering, what happens if Perry files the grievance? Is there a chance he wins, and would that mean the Blackhawks have the option to take the player back, thus making his deal with Edmonton null and void?
Edmonton Oilers’ Top 3 Greatest NHL All-Star Game Performances
Brian Swane | February 3, 2024
Edmonton Oilers forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl hit the ice (Feb. 3) at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto for the 2024 NHL All-Star Game. McDavid and Draisaitl served as captain and assistant captain of Team McDavid, respectively.
It was the 37th time the All-Star Game has taken place since Edmonton joined the NHL in 1979, and the Oilers have had at least one player in all of them, with a high of nine Oilers appearing in the 1986 edition.
It’s not easy for a player to shine brightest when they’re surrounded by stars, which makes a standout performance at the All-Star Game extra special. Here are the top 3 performances by an Oilers player at the NHL’s midseason classic.
Other Oilers Must-Reads
Oilers Shouldn’t Waste 1st-Round Pick on a Centre at the Deadline
February 2, 2024 by Rob Couch
Friedman Suggests Oilers Interested in Alexandre Carrier
February 2, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
Oilers Need To Re-Sign Warren Foegele
February 2, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
Oilers’ Perry Could Leave Lasting Pest-Like Impact on Holloway
February 2, 2024 by Sean Panganiban
Who Is The Better NHL Player: McDavid or MacKinnon?
February 1, 2024 by Jim Parsons