#edmonton-oilers

#edmonton-oilers

Just excitement, obviously. I am excited for a fresh start. Seeing the team, how competitive they are, and where they are in the standings, I knew it would be a motivated group I'd be joining. It kind of goes hand-in-hand with the way I play; I play with a lot of motivation and a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I think that is the way the team is as well.

Connor Bedard's contract extension with the Chicago Blackhawks remains in a "fluid delay," according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic. Discussions between Bedard's camp and Chicago started conceptually over the summer but were paused until an undetermined time. My understanding is neither side has pinpointed exactly how far down the road they've kicked the ball. It's a fluid delay. Perhaps they pick it back up in the new year. Perhaps it waits until after the season. Either way, nothing is imminent on that front.

This truly feels like Canada's team, as this run has been the talk of the sports world. Canadian fans of hockey and basketball know that what's happening with the Blue Jays is special. This isn't my first rodeo covering a team in their respective championship. In the last two seasons, the Edmonton Oilers have made the Stanley Cup Finals, losing both to the Florida Panthers.

The Oilers didn't make huge splashes in free agency, with their biggest addition being winger Andrew Mangiapane from Washington and Issac Howard brought in from Tampa Bay. Mangiapane will be a solid option on the wings in the Oilers top nine and has shown in the past that he's capable of a 25 to 30 goal season when put in the right position. Expect to see him used in all situations, and potentially seeing some action on the top line with McDavid throughout the season.

"I was counting on a different role, I signed the contract hoping to play, but after I arrived they made it clear: your job is to fight," he explained. "It was a shock for me. They left no room for maneuver."

Neither Connor McDavid nor Leon Draisaitl scored in a recent pickup game, surprising fans and demonstrating their casual approach to offseason hockey.