Oilers Make Playoffs, But Arguments on Bench Make Headlines
Plus, goaltending talk and is there a rivalry with the Flames anymore?
Welcome to the THW Edmonton Oilers Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Oilers writers.
The Edmonton Oilers are in the playoffs and chasing down first place in the Pacific. But, bench arguments are getting all of the attention from the media. Meanwhile, Calvin Pickard is putting together a nice season.
Enjoy today’s edition.
Oilers Should Avoid Trading for Jordan Binnington This Offseason
April 9, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
The Edmonton Oilers are preparing to make a deep playoff run this season, but one of their biggest question marks heading to the season’s conclusion is their goaltending. Stuart Skinner has been solid between the pipes while Calvin Pickard has provided stability as a backup this season, but it would be nice to strengthen their depth a bit next season. Jack Campbell has been a massive failure since signing a massive contract with the Oilers and hasn’t bounced back since being sent to the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Bakersfield Condors. In the recent 32 Thoughts podcast, it was revealed the St. Louis Blues could have someone the Oilers could use as a replacement, as Elliotte Friedman believes Jordan Binnington could be a potential trade piece if the Blues decide to rebuild in the offseason.Â
Celebrating Calvin Pickard’s Remarkable Season With the Oilers
April 8, 2024 by The Old Prof
Calvin Pickard is having a standout season with the Edmonton Oilers, and if any NHL goalie has earned their shot, it’s Pickard. His rise is a story marked by the kind of stick-to-it-ness few players have.Â
Flames More of a Little Brother Than Rival to Oilers
April 8, 2024 by Rupert McDonald
It feels like forever ago, but it was only two years back that the Calgary Flames finished the regular season first place in the Pacific Division, with their provincial rival Edmonton Oilers finishing seven points behind in second.
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Oilers’ Perry, Kane Argument Should Be Nothing to Worry About
April 8, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
Edmonton Oilers fans may have gotten a bit of a scare when they noticed two of their key players being animated on the bench in their last game against the Calgary Flames. Corey Perry and Evander Kane were both angry and yelling on the bench, and while it didn’t look like either of them blamed each other or were being rude in any sense, it has been blown out of proportion on social media with fans and journalists around the league accusing both of them of being toxic players, and claiming showing emotion like that during a game on live television isn’t professional. While Kane has been through a lot in the past, there is no reason at all to worry. Players being animated and caring as these two do is a great thing to see and isn’t something the Oilers have had in a while. If anything, this should scare their opponents heading into the postseason.
Oilers Clinch Playoff Spot For Fifth Straight Season
April 6, 2024 by Jim Bay
It sure didn’t look like this would happen back in October, but the Edmonton Oilers have clinched a spot in this year’s NHL playoffs following a 6-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night (April 5).
In addition to qualifying for the playoffs, the game saw two of the Oilers’ biggest stars reach milestones. Connor McDavid has now scored 30 or more goals in each of his last eight seasons, while Leon Draisaitl is at the 100-point plateau for the fifth time in his last six seasons.