Three years ago Connor McDavid chose to live with Taylor Hall during McDavid’s rookie season in Edmonton. Both were #1 overall picks, and McDavid felt comfortable residing with Hall and Luke Gazdic. Gazdic did most of the cooking, and the trio got to know each other off and on the ice.
Nine months later Hall was traded to the New Jersey Devils.
Twelve months later McDavid won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player.
Then twelve months after that, Hall won the Hart trophy.
Things can change quickly in the NHL.
McDavid and the Oilers made the playoffs in 2017, but plummeted down the standings last season.
Hall and his Devils struggled in 2017, but rebounded with a playoff berth last year. Hall was openly upset about the trade, but as in most cases, time heals all wounds and he has moved on and is enjoying his time in New Jersey. McDavid was very frustrated last April, due to missing the playoffs, not the trade, but he too is excited and optimistic the Oilers will be better this year.
Some will argue Hall wouldn’t have won the Hart if he played in Edmonton, and there probably is truth to that, but he had been a point-a-game player twice in Edmonton before scoring 93 points last season. He could drive a line, and of course, so can McDavid, at an even higher rate. Many will wonder what could have been had Hall stayed and played on a line with Leon Draisaitl, while McDavid was flanked by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
No one will know how it would have played out, but those four would have created a lot of excitement.
Hall and McDavid are still creating excitement, just on different teams, and they will faceoff tonight in Sweden (this morning in Edmonton).
If McDavid wins the Hart this season he’ll become the sixth player to win the Hart, lose it, and win it again the following season.
Eddie Shore won it in 1933, Aurele Joliat won in 1934 and then Shore won it again in 1935. Shore also won it in 1936 and 1938 with Babe Siebert winning in 1937.
Gordie Howe won in 1958 and 1960, with Andy Bathgate winning it in between.
Bobby Clarke won in 1973 and 1975 while Phil Esposito took home the hardware in 1974.
Wayne Gretzky won in 1987 and 1989 with Mario Lemieux winning in 1988.
And Mark Messier won in 1990 and 1992 with the Oilers and Rangers respectively, while Brett Hull won it in 1991.
McDavid is stronger. He looks quicker and many are expecting big things from him. Hall is in the same boat.
Neither team is a lock to make the playoffs, but both clubs are confident they can return to the postseason and their quest begins today.
LINEUP…
Oilers
RNH-McDavid-Rattie
Lucic-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Khaira-Strome-Puljujarvi
Reider-Brodziak-Kassian
Klefbom-Larsson
Nurse-Benning
Russell-Bouchard
Talbot
The Oilers sent Ethan Bear to the minors to activate Kris Russell. I think Bear has outplayed Evan Bouchard, but if the Oilers reassign Bouchard they can’t recall him from junior, whereas Bear can be sent down, and recalled once they send Bouchard to junior. I don’t love this plan, and while I understand why they did it, I’d rather play the players who are playing the best. For me, Bear is better defensively, which isn’t a surprise considering he is older and more experienced. The gap isn’t huge, but I have seen one. I expect Bouchard to be back in junior before he plays ten games, so this isn’t a big deal, but I believe Bear played well enough to be in the opening night lineup.
I’ll be curious to see how long Yamamoto and Rieder stay on their respective lines. After a slow start to preseason, Rieder has looked very good the past three games and I won’t be surprised if he moves up.
Devils
Hall-Hischier-Palmieri
Johansson-Zacha-Noesen
Wood-Zajac-Quenneville
Boyle-Coleman-Dea
Mueller-Vatanen
Greene-Severson
Butcher-Lovejoy
Kinkaid
Jesper Bratt took a puck in the face on Thursday and is out with a broken jaw. Edmonton product John Quenneville will play his 15th NHL game. He played 12 in 2017 and two last season. The 30th pick in 2014 hasn’t been a regular yet, because of his conditioning, or lack thereof, not his skill. “John is a very strong prospect,” said Devils head coach John Hynes. “He is extremely competitive with good hockey sense, but the thing that’s held him back was his conditioning. If he wasn’t going to be in top physical shape, he wasn’t giving himself a chance to make the team. He’s had to learn what it takes to be a pro and credit to him for taking our advice.” said Hynes.
Quenneville came to camp in the best shape of his young career and he’s earned himself a spot in the opening night lineup. Good for him.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING…
Hall willed the Devils to the playoffs last season so it’s tough to imagine how much better a 39-goal scorer could get, but coming into camp he said his shot had improved as well as his release.
This will no doubt be an emotional meeting for Hall, who once harbored resentment for the Oilers after he was traded for defenseman Adam Larsson. But the one-for-one trade changed the course of the Devils and the winger has now let go of his anger and moved on to embrace his life and the culture of the club in New Jersey.
TONIGHT…

GAME DAY PREDICTION: Oilers open the season with a rare road victory, only the fourth in franchise history, and they defeat the Devils 4-2.
OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: McDavid scores his first career goal v. the Devils. He has eight assists in five games, but pots his first goal tonight.
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: Oscar Klefbom has never scored in his first game of a new season, but he loves playing the Devils. He has three goals and five points in six career games. Klefbom is fired up to play in his home country and scores his first goal of the season. His first goal of last season, in game #12, also came against the Devils.
This is awful. Jersey Devils making us look like slow slugs. I said during the preseason, that Nurse Benning pairing is awful but yeah lets just go with that. Sad to see teams rebuild for two or three years and sail right by us. Guess this is the permanent reality for Oiler fans. Could say its just one game but blah blah we barely can even compete with these guys right now after our first line.
DOD #2 is here, 2nd year of it. Gonna be a long donkey of a season. Thanks PC! Stay the course right?!?
7albot’s five-hole looks one heck of a lot bigger with those new pads, yes … lolo, does 7albot get an assist on that third Joisey goal …?
Time of possession seems all Devils
We do not have a starting goaltender. Gonna be another long season
Good thing we’ve got our pre-season AHL team dressed for this ‘away game’…oh wait
McLeod/Benson/Jones/Marody >>> Benning/Drake/Kassian/Russell/Strome
Oilers are being totally outplayed.
Outplayed. Outclassed. Out coached. Out of excuses.
Todd didn’t have them prepared yet again and the special teams look WORSE than last season. That wasn’t supposed to be statistically possible.
Larson should get an oscar for his performance on the dive
did someone forget to let Draisaitl know that the preseason is over and this is the real thing?
Hows the flames season so far? Hit the bricks.
my NHL app must be broken, it says the Oilers only have one shot on net in the 2nd period…
Your team got pumped game 1 too. Go away.
flames laid a fatturd in game one. no two ways about it
Nope thats a stone cold fact. The shot didnt come until the final few seconds of the period too 😛 GOILERS!
You lost to the Canucks, at least the Devils were in the playoffs last year!
Once again your fighting over who the biggest loser is…quite funny
Pre season allstars.
John Shannon on SN is desperately trying to find positives. There are no positives to take away here.
Well when you’re outshot 10-1 and are only down by 2, it’s a positive. One goal and Edmonton is right back in this
Chia is that you? You should be looking for a new job.
Same old, same old. More things change the more they stay the same.
Except they didn’t really change…and here is the sad sack result
Your right. Only thing that changed was the calendar. And the overpaid NHL backup.
Hear that Hughes kid looks pretty good.
seems like devils are true at home in Goteborg
well that’s enough oilersnation for me today
Fair weather participant?
Powerplay looks as wooden and predictable as it did last year. What have the new assistants done?
I don’t know what is worse, listening to Remenda or watching the Oilers. My goodness I want to cut mt ears off listening to that Douche.
Step 1: mute TV
Step 2: synch up CHED with the visuals on your TV.
Problem solved. I did it after the first.
Step 3: turn off tv. Turn off radio. Go outside for fresh air. Let Oiler induced ulcers calm down.
? Too funny! Thanks for the laugh!
best post in this blog entry so far
Hey Chris. What’s the secret to synching. ? When I try bob and jack are always way ahead or behind. Thanks
Leon looks like he’s dragging around a boat anchor today. Why hasn’t he spent the offseason working on his speed? Tavares did it years ago when he was knocked for his lack of pace. Leon’s buddy and teamamte just happens to be the fastest man on skates and he can’t pick up some pointers? I don’t get it. I really don’t.
He has always been lazy, tempermental and plays when he wants. Sign him a long-term deal.
A strong 3rd period will go a long way in my hopes for the season. If NJ continues to dominate it will be highly worrying.
Lmfaoooooooo!!!!!!
Another Benning giveaway another Jersey goal. 4-1 that’s all folks. See ya Thursday, lets do it all again.
Benning is……….[in Gregor’s voice] BRUUUUUTAL!!!!!!!
Benning = Cory Cross
Poor Gothenburgians paid money for this one sided garbage of a game.
They’re probably wondering why the league only sent one NHL team to play in this game today.
Poor Oiler fans who shelled out a ton of money to go to Europe to watch this trash. Oktoberfest might have made worth the trip.
This is looking a lot like last year………..
In reality, why would we expect anything different. The team is basically the same sad sack team it was last year. They did nothing to get a stud d-man or a starting goaltender
Chia needs to be fired effective immediately.
Where can you buy a Jack Hughes’ Oiler sweater? Asking for a friend.
Hands up if you thought Lucic was going to be the Oilers best player in the opener.
Mcdavid has been better.
And yes lucic seems more aware than he did in preseason and last season.
We just need McDavid to keep up a 4.0 ppg pace for the entire year and we will be just fine.
#FreeMcDavid
Every time Drew says “Global” series I hear of Ben Stiller (White Goodman) say “Globo” gym.
Seriously though he sounds giddy that the Devils won
Looch showed up, McD was ok. The rest looked like a bunch of IKEA meatballs.
Reall?
What game where you watching?
Looch looked slow and just benefited from McDavids hard work.
Looched showed up. … yeah good one lol.
At least Looch showed emotion and for on the scoreboard