Edmonton Oilers Talk: “…where wins and losses are concerned, he could be exactly what they need.” Says Tychkowski

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Edmonton Sun

McDavid wouldn’t be opposed to Kane joining the Edmonton Oilers

“I’m not really here to discuss optics issues. If fans don’t like it and media doesn’t like it, I think it is what it is. I think there are a lot of things that go on the ice and whatnot that fans don’t like and we don’t necessarily have to discuss that up here with you guys” – Connor McDavid
“I think Evander is a great player and can help us a lot on the ice and that’s first and foremost.” – Connor McDavid
“Public opinion is obviously something that matters a lot, but we’re here to try and win games and try to put together a good team on the ice. If Kenny thinks that’s what he can do, then that’s what he can do, Kenny’s got our full support in what he does.” – Connor McDavid
The Oilers are all aware of Kane’s reputation for being a disruptive influence and they all realize adding a player who flouts safety measures in the middle of a pandemic won’t be popular with everyone in the market. But where wins and losses are concerned, he could be exactly what they need.

BLH’s Thoughts: Is this where Connor McDavid’s teflon-like image finally gets a scuff? I mean, I love it that he’s in it to win it and he’s willing to do anything to make that happen which includes adding the NHL’s version of Dennis Rodman. I’m just wondering, if this is the opportunity some vultures out there are looking for to take shots at Connor.

However, I would appreciate some more of this Connor. Basically telling the fanbase and media to f*ck off and leave the game to the professionals.

The reality of the situation is, these guys want to win and they’re confident in their ability to keep a guy like Kane under wraps and it’s only for four months as it stands.

Kane won’t be a big boy in that locker room when it comes to voices either. He’ll be behind McDavid, Draisaitl, Nurse, RNH, Hyman, Smith, Keith, and Kassian. Surely, if he signs, there’ll be a behavioural understanding between him, the coaches, and the management as well.

Until it’s official though, and that might take some time thanks to that little visit to Vancouver at New Year’s, all of this might mean jack shit.

It’s all entertaining nevertheless.

Sportsnet

NHL investigation gives Oilers more time to ponder questions about Kane

So, if Kane received a 21-game suspension earlier this season for violating COVID-19 protocols — reportedly by submitting a fake vaccination card — what kind of suspension might the NHL levy for having crossed an international border while on COVID protocol?
It is true that, because Kane was technically an American Hockey League player at the time of that latest transgression, the NHL does not have jurisdiction to suspend him at all?
If Kane does sign in Edmonton, does he play on the top line with McDavid? Does Nugent-Hopkins fill the Oilers’ hole at third-line centre? Does Hyman slide down to play with RNH, giving Edmonton the deepest Top 9 they have had in forever, thanks to Kane?
Kane favours jersey No. 9. But in Edmonton that number hangs in the roster honouring Glenn Anderson. And No. 99, well… Number 19? That’s Mikko Koskinen. No. 29? Ever hear of a guy named Leon Draisaitl. Is this karma telling Holland there is no place on his team for Kane?

BLH’s Thoughts: Yes, Mark. Because there are no other jersey options available, that’s karma telling Ken Holland that Evander Kane has no place on the team. We’ll just blissfully ignore the #90 that no player has ever worn in Edmonton…

And who’d ever want the deepest top-nine in the league? F*ck that noise…

With regards to that flight he took, I don’t know what the difference in regulations are between public and private flights. I would imagine that is what folks are digging into right now and hence why the league told teams to hold their horses on signing Kane.

If I’m being honest, I don’t like Kane’s odds of surviving this, but if he does, I’m glad the Oilers are the team that is reaching out to him to offer their helping hand. Further to that, if things go well and he decides Edmonton is a place he wants to stay, I don’t see any problem asking him to get some help before the Oilers agree to another contract with him. I think if I were GM, I’d have a number of heavily incentivized 1yr deals pre-made and on the table for him with strong conditions attached.

This very well could be last chance Texaco for him.

The Daily Goal Horn

Chris Johnston of the Toronto Star is reporting that the Vancouver Canucks are looking to offload back up goaltender Jaros Halak.
Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun is one of the hottest names on the NHL’s trade market.
“A couple of offers have given the Coyotes cause for pause,” Marek said. “Here’s what they are looking for in exchange. It’s not unlike the old Brent Burns deal, which was Devin Setoguchi, Charlie Coyle, and a first round pick. So what the Coyotes are looking for is a young player, a high-end prospect, plus a first round pick.”
Marek also added the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Anaheim Ducks have the prospects and desire to make that deal.

BLH’s Thoughts: If the Oilers wanted to make that Chychrun deal as it’s structured the way Jeff Marek is suggesting, does that mean it’d cost them Puljujarvi, Holloway or Bourgault, and a first rounder?

Chew on this proposal, would you trade Mike Smith for Jaro Halak?