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It’s the canine days of August.
In baseball, it’s the grind that leads towards the promise of the post-season. In Hockey, it’s actually the slowest time of the 12 months.
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However in hockey hungry Edmonton there’s nonetheless sufficient occurring behind the scenes to heat up that Sunday morning espresso and tuck into one other version of…
9 Issues
9. Nothing new but on the Evan Bouchard deal. The chatter is that the 2 sides are “shut”. Whereas I nonetheless anticipate the AAV to come back in at round $3.9m, I’m wondering if we’d see a deal that escalates a little bit from 12 months 1 to 12 months 2?
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8. One of many “should see” video games on the Oilers schedule this 12 months would be the two occasions Connor Bedard and the Black Hawks go to Rogers Place. The membership’s Energy Packs (starting from 4 to 11-game packs) for each Chicago visits bought out quick.
7. There are tell-tale indicators within the business that tiny AM sign CKJR Wetaskiwin could quickly carry some Sports activities-Speak programming. The station is non-rated, with a transmitter a 5th of the ability of others within the space. However within the wake of AM 1260 going “darkish”, CKJR has a chance to fill among the void left behind, offered it doesn’t run into any regulatory points.
6. I’ve seen mentions on-line about whether or not the Edmonton Oilers would think about extending a coaching camp invitation to Sam Gagner. I’ve not heard that from my sources. However hey, who doesn’t like Sam, me included? However as I’ve learn earlier than, lots of his expertise are duplicated by Derek Ryan. I do suppose Sam may find yourself in participant growth sometime as soon as his taking part in days are carried out.
5. I usually don’t write concerning the spouses of Oilers as a strongly consider they’ve a proper to privateness. However I do hope Lauren Kyle’s new design studio in Edmonton turns into a convincing success. She featured Kyle & Co not too long ago in a collection of Instagram posts. Lauren is Connor McDavid’s fiancée. However she additionally has a profitable profession in her personal proper, in inside design. Good luck to her.
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4. I heard Ron MacLean as a visitor on Oilers Now from the Battle of Alberta Golf Match in Crimson Deer this previous week. I perceive that operate raised $1.5m for Youngster Advocacy Middle. After McLean’s look, I reached out to Host Bob Stauffer who stated all indications are that Hockey Night time in Canada legend will be part of his present as a daily visitor in 2023-24. Ron is a strolling hockey encyclopedia, an elite-level storyteller and (from private expertise) a genuinely good man. Nice add.
3. This Fall could possibly be a career-altering camp for Vincent Desharnais. The 6’6 215-pound D-man has confirmed to be sturdy at breaking apart performs, retrieving the puck in his personal finish and on the penalty kill. He’ll most likely at all times want to enhance his footwork, that won’t be new to him. However extra vital to my eye can be his puck dealing with. Turnovers had been too frequent in his recreation final season. A Much less-is-more strategy, with fast, brief passes can be vital to him remaining an NHL common because the Oilers 3RD. He’s a straightforward man to cheer for. Time will inform.
2. Like many Canadians, I spent summers at hockey college. For me, particularly, it was the Dunn-Munroe Hockey College in Swift Present. So, I get pleasure from seeing the likes of Stuart Skinner and Dylan Holloway instructing on the Oilers hockey college. I’m wondering if these gamers understand the influence they’ll make with these youngsters in the present day. I had Terry Ruskowski, Brad McCrimmon, and Kelly Pratt (amongst many others) educate me as a younger man. And three higher guys you possibly can not hope to satisfy, by the best way. And I nonetheless bear in mind the expertise 50 years later. At the moment’s youngsters possible will, too. I perceive that Holloway, Skinner, and James Hamblin additionally contributed to the aforementioned charity match in Crimson Deer. Neighborhood service has at all times been an enormous a part of being an Oiler.
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1.Brandon Sutter has inked a Skilled Strive-Out with the Edmonton Oilers. Sutter has missed the final two seasons as he has handled the consequences of Lengthy COVID. I had advocated for the Oilers to have a look at Sutter just a few years in the past, lengthy earlier than his sickness. And I cannot fake to have forecast this growth. However I do agree with it 100%. As a result of the beauty of PTO’s is there’s subsequent to zero-risk concerned, to anybody. He doesn’t take up a contract (but). There is no such thing as a value in opposition to the cap (but). And since you must costume “X” numbers of veterans in pre-season anyway, he’s not blocking prospects, both. However what there’s…is significant potential profit.
If Sutter can are available and present he has been in a position to correctly situation and shake off the inevitable rust to be able to compete once more at an NHL stage, it might be like discovered cash. A 13-year veteran of 770 NHL video games, Sutter would deliver a 6’3 190-pound body, sound defensive instincts, a powerful presence within the room, and a proper shot who has gone almost 53% within the faceoff circle the final half-dozen seasons. Translation: Simply what they want in that 13F slot.
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Having checked round a little bit, I’m advised that Brandon Sutter is certainly “in form”, and at his normal taking part in weight. So, I can see him getting 3-5 video games in exhibition. Then, if he wants time within the AHL to stand up to hurry (that might be comprehensible underneath the circumstances), or if he finds he merely can not reply the bell bodily, no hurt, no foul for the participant or the membership. Nearly zero-risk to Ken Holland.
You hope for all concerned that this works out. Given the appreciable checklist of issues Sutter wants to have the ability to overcome, I might counsel that hopes needs to be set appropriately.
It will be cool, although. Regardless of the quantity of Alberta lore surrounding the Sutter household, not one among them has ever performed a recreation for the franchise.
Maybe that’s about to vary.
Now on Threads @kleavins. Additionally, discover me on Twitter @KurtLeavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and Mastodon at [email protected]
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