It’s time to dig into this week’s Letters to the Editor. Want to join in the fun? Details about how to reach out are at the bottom of the article.

“The more you win, the more you want to win.”

Larry Ellison said this in an interview with Charlie Rose, and he could not have been more right. Coming close doesn’t count. You want to climb the mountain and get the monkey off your back.

Dylan Larkin seems to feel the same way. After winning Olympic gold, he wanted more. Detroit sat first in their division before another March collapse left them just short of the playoffs. After scoring only four even-strength goals in the second half, he demanded out. As the overly optimistic Oilers fan, there’s a chance he ends up in Edmonton.

We’ve seen what Larkin can do with talented players. He was one of the league’s best in February. Put him beside McDavid or Draisaitl, and good things will happen.

After talking with Detroit fans, the consensus is that Larkin would cost roughly three 1sts. Isaac Howard and a 2028 first cover two of them, while the 52nd pick and Beau Akey could make up the rest.

Detroit will want a talented player to replace Larkin. Could they flip those assets for Robert Thomas?

Now, does Larkin fit better with McDavid, Draisaitl, or as the 2C?

– Kaden from Edmonton

Dear Darnell Nurse,

We both know that professional sports is a difficult and high-pressure world, but I still want to say how sorry I am that things in Edmonton have come to this pass. Over the years, I’ve watched Oilers fans (or at least some Oilers fans) turn on players, and it’s always ugly. When this happens, these fans always forget two things: 1) the great plays and performances that the player has put up in the past, and 2) that the player in question is an actual human being. So nothing new here.

I just want to say thank you for what you have done for the Oilers so far in your career, and add this: if you’re with the team this coming season, I’ll be cheering for you, and if you’re with another team, I’ll still be cheering for you.

Good luck,

Tom Fuller
Edmonton, Alberta

Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s managing editor, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the Daily Faceoff DFS Hockey Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.