NHL Notebook: Edmonton Oilers eighth in Daily Faceoff power rankings, Alex Formenton turns self into London Police amid World Junior investigation, and more
By Zach Laing
5 months agoThe Edmonton Oilers check in eighth for the second consecutive week of Daily Faceoff’s weekly power rankings.
And while considering the team is undefeated in January winning all 11 games amid a record-setting 16-game winning streak, a few stipulations in Daily Faceoff’s ranking limit how far the Oilers can be.
Their rankings, assembled by Scott Maxwell and Mike Gould, limit teams from being ahead of another that’s more than five points ahead of them in the standings. So, in thanks to the Oiler’s terrible start to the season, they’re limited from being ahead of any of a number of teams.
Nonetheless, here’s their write up on the Oilers:
8. Edmonton OilersRecord: 29-15-1, +36
Last Week: 8th (0)
Mike’s Rank: 7th
Scott’s Rank: 9thScott: I can’t even find reasons to be mad at this team’s success anymore. They’re legitimately good this year, and right now they can’t be stopped. They’re a win away from tying the NHL record for longest win streak, and two from claiming it as their own. The Golden Knights are the first opponent which will be tough, but the Ducks after that are promising. It’ll be interesting to see if the All-Star break disrupts their groove at all or rests them to keep the streak going even longer.
THE NHL NOTEBOOK IS PRESENTED BY BETWAY
Formenton turns self in
The first of five members from the 2018 Canadian World Junior team asked by London Police last week to turn themselves in connection to an alleged sexual assault has done so.
As reported by The Globe and Mail, Alex Formenton turned himself in to police Sunday, flanked by high-profile criminal defence lawyers Daniel Brown and Lindsay Board.
“The London Police have charged several players,” Formenton’s legal team said in a statement. “Including Alex Formenton, in connection with an accusation made in 2018. Alex will vigorously defend his innocence and asks that people not rush to judgment without hearing all of the evidence.”
Formenton, 24, was playing this season in Switzerland and is one of five players who, over the course of the last week, took leaves of absence from their respective clubs. A week ago Sunday, Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube, who captained that World Junior team, took a leave of absence, citing mental health reasons.
As the week progressed other players from that team including Philadelphia Flyers netminder Carter Hart took a leave of his own, citing personal reasons, and New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod and defenceman Cal Foote were announced to be taking leaves of absence. Despite being on the Ottawa Senators’ reserve list, Formenton has spent the last two seasons playing in Switzerland.
No charges have officially been laid, nor have police identified any of the players, and last week, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli said he was “not entirely certain that every person who has taken a leave up to this point is going to be part of this process moving forward.”
London Police are scheduled to hold a press conference on Feb. 5.
Shore lands on waivers
The Seattle Kraken placed former Oilers forward Devin Shore on waivers Monday.
It came three days after the club activated Matty Beniers off the injured reserve, and the club’s placement of Shore on waivers is to assign him to the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Shore, 29, was placed on waivers earlier in the season, clearing, and landing with the Firebirds.
In 21 games with the Kraken this year, Shore has scored one goal and four points, while adding three goals and six points in nine AHL games.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.
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