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Edmonton Sun
OILERS NOTES: Sceviour signs, McDavid works on his ‘fluffer’
- The Oilers saw enough of Sceviour’s work ethic and versatility to win them over, so they signed him to a one-year, two-way contract Wednesday worth $750,000. They immediately cashed in on that investment when they needed someone to bump up to the third line in place of injured Zack Kassian.
- Sceviour’s new teammates already appreciate the kind of elements he has and brings to the team. When they see a bottom-six guy who embraces the job description and plays it hard, they’re glad to have him aboard — especially when the team needs exactly what he can deliver.
“First of all, he’s a great guy, seems like a great team guy,” said Leon Draisaitl. “He puts the team first, sacrifices his body, does the little things right. He’s someone who is going to be important to our team.”
- Connor McDavid also has some good skills, but a devastating one-timer isn’t really one of them. So, like all superstars, he’s been sharpening that weapon regularly in practice. He’s not there yet, apparently, but nobody doubts he’ll get there soon enough.
- Zack Kassian missed the home opener for precautionary reasons after slamming his head on the ice in a fight last week, but all signs point to a Saturday return against Calgary.
BLH’s Thoughts: Well, both Sceviour and McDavid’s one-timer made their presences known last night. The first time Connor went to unleash this newfound PP beast, his stick broke and Sceviour, without hesitation, dropped the mitts with Tyler Myers after he smoked Duncan Keith as he came out of the corner in his own zone.
Edmonton Sun
Fans not exactly flooding back for first Oilers game in stands since COVID-19
- Fans entered the arena after collecting ‘Welcome Back Fans’ scarves at the gates and were greeted by a scene similar to the one in place for the grand opening of Rogers Place.
- Unfortunately, when the 2021-22 Edmonton Oilers were introduced individually, the atmosphere didn’t resemble a playoff game, although the volume grew as the game went on. It was like a lot of them forgot how to cheer and act like fans.
- The problem was there were perhaps just over 16,000 fans in the building with many of them missing from prime season-ticket territory.
- You can’t duplicate or replicate a playoff atmosphere with so many empty seats in the lower bowl.
- But those empty seats, especially in an NHL city that had 551 consecutive sellouts during the decade of darkness, certainly stand out…
- Going into Wednesday’s games, every single team in Canada had tickets available. A review of each club’s online ticket maps indicated seating selection was available in virtually every section of every arena, including Toronto’s and Montreal’s.
BLH’s Thoughts: Maybe, just maybe NHL games are overpriced? Folks will return to games when the time is right and then all will be okay in hockey land.
For me, I don’t know if I’ll ever pay full price for an NHL ticket ever again. Especially in Edmonton where the fan experience has been shite for decades. On the other hand, I might be willing to shell out a few coins to watch a game in Vegas or Nashville where they know how to have a good time.
NHLRumors.com
- Mike Chambers of the Denver Post: Colorado Avalanche forward Andre Burakovsky, Nazem Kadri and Val Nichushkin are entering the final year of their deals. It’s unlikely that all will be back. Sakic wouldn’t say who they would prioritize.
- Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: There is definitely interest in Vitali Kravtsov and his agent is able to talk to other teams about a trade.
- Don’t believe that Evander Kane’s contract is in jeopardy of being terminated.
- Gary Bettman said yesterday that only four players who are on NHL rosters are not vaccinated.
- Mika Zibanejad’s extension takes the New York Rangers out of the Jack Eichel runnings unless the Buffalo Sabres retain salary.
- There doesn’t appear to be room down the middle for Dylan Strome in Chicago and there had been teams showing interest before.
- Bobby Ryan didn’t get a contract from the Detroit Red Wings by the end of training camp but maybe they will re-visit if they find they need a veteran in the next couple of weeks.
- TSN: Pierre LeBrun said that Claude Giroux, agent Pat Brisson, and the Philadelphia Flyers agreed this offseason that they won’t have any extension talks until after this season. Giroux is entering the final year of his eight-year deal. He will see how he feels and how things play out this year.
