Monday Mailbag – Thoughts on the Canadian teams moving south?

Happy Christmas week, dear citizens, and welcome to a fresh Mailbag where I’ve taken your Oilers questions, emailed them to our writers, and copied and pasted their answers right here on this very website. This week, we’re looking at the Canadian teams moving south for the season, a fanless World Juniors Championship, the new guys, and a whole lot more. If you’ve got one, email it to me at baggedmilk@oilersnation.com or hit me up on Twitter at @jsbmbaggedmilk and I’ll get to you as soon as we can.

The last thing we need. I thought it was unlikely that it would actually happen, but still it wasn’t ideal. I think a Canadian bubble or moving teams to the provinces that would allow games to be played is more likely. Thankfully we have the Canadian division for one year. I can’t wait to watch all the games.

Don’t like it for lots of reasons and I don’t think it’ll fly — I’m answering this before the NHL board of governors call on Sunday. I suppose I’d prefer it to no hockey at all, but I’m willing to bet we’re going to see substantial changes to what’s been voted on already when the post-Christmas COVID numbers start to soar. Finally, a Canadian division, but based in the U.S.? No.

Like most fans, I wasn’t thrilled with it and honestly, I don’t think it’s going to happen. At the same time, it’s not like the Oilers were going to be having any fans at their games next season so there is a part of me that thinks, does it really matter where they play? If it’s the only way that we’re going to get NHL hockey next year, then I won’t complain about it, but I would really prefer if they kept the seven Canadian teams north of the border.

Seeing as it already happened with the Raptors and Maple Leafs, maybe we shouldn’t have been surprised to see this idea pop up? That said, I think it’ll still be the all-Canadian Division but that’s me just guessing on a Sunday morning.

I don’t see any advantage, other than possibly if you gain momentum, one play by your opponent that might have ignited the crowd and give your opponent momentum, won’t happen. I think it is a slight disadvantage to Canada as they clearly would have had the crowd behind them. The players are fired up for this tournament and I think it will be fun to watch, because there will be many scoring chances. Most of these players haven’t played much hockey this year, so there will be more mistakes, which leads to more opportunities.

No. Same conditions for all the teams. Will miss the atmosphere because it’s a great tournament to watch live.

At first, I thought it was a pretty big disadvantage for Team Canada. The crowd in Edmonton would have been INSANE in a normal year and that would have given the players a huge boost. At the same time, maybe this takes away some of the pressure that the kids are feeling and allows them to just focus on hockey. So I guess it’s both a curse and a blessing.

I think it will be a disadvantage for Team Canada as they won’t have the home crowd behind them, so in that sense, maybe an advantage for whoever we play? Just spitballing here.

Tyson Barrie for sure. He will play the most minutes and have the biggest impact. I’ve always liked how he engages in the rush and Ethan Bear and Caleb Jones will learn a lot from watching how good he is at joining the rush. They will benefit from it.

Tyson Barrie and Kyle Turris. Both players will be in significant roles and both are looking to rebound after difficult seasons elsewhere.

It’s Tyson Barrie for me. His puck-moving ability really excites me and I look forward to watching him hit McDavid with beautiful stretch passes all season. If he returns to the level he was at in Colorado then the $3.75 million deal that Holland gave him will be a bargain. He could also help their powerplay hit another level. I’m also excited to see how Kyle Turris handles his new role and how Dominik Kahun fits into the top-six.

To be different, I’m going to go with Dominik Kahun because I think he has a real opportunity to play with a skilled centre that could help him break out offensively. Dare to dream?

I’ll go with McDavid. He should be healthy. I expect both will be top-five in the league.

McDavid. He’s healthy, unlike the start of last season when he was coming off an injury, and he’ll be ready to go.

I’m going to say McDavid. He’s going to be coming off probably the longest offseason of his career and he will likely be 100% healthy, which he wasn’t at the start of last season.

McDiesel. With this much time off to train, I imagine he now has four PCLs and that his rocket legs received some kind of software update.

Received many bad sweaters from aunts when I was 16-19. It became a funny joke between me and my brother. They did work well for working outside at the farm, but I wouldn’t have worn them anywhere else.

Got a toy safari hunter set — rifle, pistol, ammo belt, hat, holster etc — when I was about five. Surprised my uncle when I shot him in the head and he fell down the stairs.

Merry Christmas everybody.

Oof, I honestly don’t think I have an answer for that. Sorry!

One time I bought my dad a Columbo boxset but completely forgot that he didn’t have a Blu Ray player to even watch them. Those damned Blu Ray discs stayed in his closet for a year before I got him the player he needed just to watch them. Moral? I’m an idiot.

During this time of pandemic, Oodle Noodle will be donating 10% of all takeout and curbside delivery sales will be donated to local charities on a weekly basis. To order pick up, call into the store directly or order at the till. If you’re staying in and practicing your social distancing, no-contact delivery is available at www.oodlenoodle.ca.