Oilers vs. Red Wings, Draisaitl's Extension, and Deadline Whispers

Oilers could tie a franchise record with a win Thursday night.

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The Edmonton Oilers will take on the Detroit Red Wings Thursday night. If they win, they tie a franchise record with nine in a row, but Detroit is a more solid team than the Blackhawks, who gave the Oilers a run for their money on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, there is chatter about comments from Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard’s continued strong play, and possible trades.

Enjoy the game tonight and now onto the good stuff!

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Oilers’ Draisaitl Not Focused on Upcoming Extension Talks

January 11, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch

The Edmonton Oilers have had one of the most surprising first halves they’ve ever had as a team. They came into the 2023-24 campaign with plenty of confidence behind them and many considered them Stanley Cup favourites, but their start did not back up any of those beliefs. After starting the season 3-9-1, the team made some massive changes, opting to fire Jay Woodcroft and Dave Manson who were replaced by Kris Knoblauch and Paul Coffey. They have seemingly turned this Oilers’ squad from a struggling defensive team into what could be a Stanley Cup winner..

What is Leon Draisaitl thinking about his extension… or is he?

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Bouchard is Oilers’ Best Offensive Defenceman Since Coffey

January 11, 2024 by Brian Swane

Evan Bouchard is playing the best hockey of his young NHL career for the Edmonton Oilers. The 24-year-old defenceman has honed his offensive game and made great strides defensively over the last several weeks since the Oilers hired Hall-of-Famer Paul Coffey as an assistant coach who works most closely with the team’s rearguards.

So it’s perhaps not coincidental that Bouchard is now on course to have the greatest statistical season by an Edmonton defenceman since Coffey was leading rushes from the Oilers backend.

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Insider Links Oilers to Flyers & Senators for Top-6 Forward

January 10, 2024 by Rob Couch

The Edmonton Oilers just rattled off their second eight-game win streak since Kris Knoblauch took over as head coach and are 16-3-0 in their last 19 games. The team has stormed their way into a playoff spot for the first time this season after a horrid start, and they aren’t looking back.

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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.

Draisaitl, a bona fide superstar, and whose current eight-year, $8.5 million AAV contract signed in 2017 concludes after the upcoming season and is a steal of a deal. It’s also a deal that is close to needing an extension. When it comes to his next contract, an average annual value (AAV) starting at a minimum of $12.5 million for a similar duration, might be the best-case scenario. The possibility of a $13 million per season deal, maybe even $14 million isn’t a stretch.

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Oilers vs Red Wings Pre-Game

In a clash at Little Caesars Arena, the Edmonton Oilers aim to tie a franchise record by securing their ninth consecutive victory as they face off against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night. Led by dynamic duo Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, the Oilers have been in sensational form, with Draisaitl recently notching his 19th goal of the season.

The Oilers, with a 21-15-1 record, have surged into fourth place in the Pacific Division, riding the momentum of their eight-game winning streak. McDavid, currently on an eight-game point streak, and Mattias Ekholm, who's nearing 300 career points, have been pivotal in this impressive run.

Their opponent, the Detroit Red Wings, boast a 20-16-4 record and are on a three-game winning streak.

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