Oilers vs. Bedard-Less Blackhawks, Contract News, and Trade Targets

Can the Blackhawks upset the Oilers and slow down someone like Zach Hyman?

Welcome to the THW Edmonton Oilers Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Oilers writers.

The Edmonton Oilers will take on the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday night. All signs point to the Oilers picking up their 8th-straight win, but Chicago is at home and just beat the Flames. Can they shock the red-hot Oilers without Connor Bedard?

Meanwhile, there’s talk about what William Nylander’s deal means for Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, more possible trade targets, and discussion about Zach Hyman’s continued production.

Enjoy the game tonight and now onto the good stuff!

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What Nylander’s Deal Means for Draisaitl and McDavid Contracts

January 9, 2024 by Jim Parsons

If there’s one thing the William Nylander deal just proved, it’s that Leon Draisaitl is going to get paid. Nylander’s eight-year, $11.5 million AAV extension has put Draisaitl into an entirely new echelon of the NHL contracts. How the Edmonton Oilers navigate that will be a huge issue. Then, when you factor in Connor McDavid’s deal, the situation in Edmonton over the next few seasons is downright scary.

Based on the William Nylander deal, what does Leon Draisaitl get?

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Oilers 2023-24 Trade Targets: Anthony Duclair

January 8, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch

After looking into a few goaltenders that the Edmonton Oilers could acquire, it’s time to take a peek at what else is out there around the NHL. For a team that has holes in their bottom six, defensive holes, and goaltending depth issues, there are more than a few options for the team to pursue as the trade deadline slowly gets closer. One player who will likely be moved based on the situation his team is in and how well he’s been playing is San Jose Sharks’ forward Anthony Duclair, who would bolster the Oilers’ bottom-six.

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Hyman Labeled One of Great Free-Agent Signings in Past Decade

January 7, 2024 by Jim Parsons

The controversial and often extremely biased social account Editor in Leaf said when Zach Hyman left the Toronto Maple Leafs as a free agent in 2022 that the Edmonton Oilers had just signed one of the worst free-agent signings in NHL history. Talk about one of your all-time terrible takes. The post (since removed, but living on in infamy via screen shots from fans) is gaining attention again because Hyman scored another hat trick on Saturday night in the Oilers 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators.

** Related Read:

Hyman’s Hat Trick Pulls Oilers Into Playoff Spot

January 7, 2024 by The Old Prof

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Oilers’ Trade Strategy May Shift if Holloway Succeeds at Center

January 7, 2024 by Sean Panganiban

Edmonton Oilers’ forward Dylan Holloway made strides in his development before being injured on Nov. 13. During the Oilers’ early-season struggles, there were nights when his motor was relentless, making him one of the few early positives, even if he wasn’t scoring. The 22-year-old was activated from long-term injured reserve (LTIR) recently, and he was loaned to the Bakersfield Condors in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the intention of him catching up to game speed, and there’s a deliberate focus from the Oilers for him to play at center with the Condors.

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Oilers vs Blackhawks Pre-Game

Tuesday night promises an interesting clash as the Edmonton Oilers hit the road to face the Chicago Blackhawks. The Oilers, currently riding a stellar seven-game winning streak, are in exceptional form, spearheaded by the extraordinary performances of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard, and Zach Hyman. McDavid is on a seven-game point streak, and Hyman is coming off of his third hat trick of the season.

They’ll be facing a team without Connor Bedard, which is unfortunate for entertainment value, but helps the Oilers as they try to make it eight in a row.

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