Training camp is officially underway and I will say, as much I love that passionate fan bases are itching to start debating about their favourite teams once again, I am getting a pretty good chuckle out of some of the reactions to the Oilers’ first full day of doing line rushes.
Why won’t they give Jeff Skinner a chance next to McDavid?
Why is Ty Emberson starting in the top four?
Are they really going to play Josh Brown over Troy Stecher?
Let’s pump the brakes a little bit here. We haven’t even played one pre-season game yet, so there’s no reason to start thinking that anything is even close to definite.
It’s not surprising to see Josh Brown get a bit of a leg up coming into camp considering the organization liked him enough to give him a three-year deal in free agency. I also will not be the least bit surprised if Brown ends up getting outplayed by one of Stecher or Travis Dermott.
Also, whatever the Oilers end up starting the season with will probably end up looking a lot different than what they end the season with.
Here’s what the Oilers threw onto the ice for their season opener last season:
The lineup will change a bunch of times throughout the season and that’s a good thing. The Oilers have a pretty clearly defined top-six right now and moving those players around so everyone is comfortable playing with one another is a smart thing to do.
So yes, it’s fun to be talking hockey once again and training camp is an exciting time, but let’s pump the brakes when it comes to dishing out criticism.

MORE EXPANSION?

Kevin Weekes is once again reporting that the NHL is considering expanding and they might not stop at 34 teams either.
I will stop at saying this idea is baffling to me, because it’s not surprising to see the NHL chasing a chance to make quick money. From a hockey perspective however, this is a terrible idea.
First off, 32 teams works perfectly in the NHL’s current format. 32 teams divides perfectly into four divisions of eight and I personally like that exactly half the league makes the playoffs. It’s a good number and keeps it at a point where you need to be a truly good team to make the playoffs but it isn’t impossible for a team to go from bottom-feeder to a playoff team the next season. The balance is perfect.
Also, I already think the NHL has a problem with not having enough games between divisional rivals. The fact that the Oilers only play the Canucks and Flames three times each is criminal. Adding two or possibly even four more teams would either mean a longer regular season, which no one expect the owners would want, or it would mean fewer rivalry games. The fans lose.
The NHL is clearly fourth when it comes to the four major sports leagues in North America. Why should they be the first ones to grow larger than 32 teams? Especially when the NBA and MLB haven’t even budged off 30 teams yet!
Sure, it’s easy revenue for the owners and it would be exciting for the markets that end up getting teams but it would be bad for the sport and it would water down the product. The fans lose and I’m not convinced that it would actually help grow the sport in the long term.

ON OHTANI…

I’m going outside of the sport of hockey here for a second to acknowledge the historic moment that happened last night in Major League Baseball. Shohei Ohtani homered three times in his matchup against the Miami Marlins and not only was it one of the greatest single-game performances in the history of the sport, but it pushed him to 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases on the season.
He is the first player in the history of the sport to accomplish this, which is wild considering the sport has been around for close to 150 years.
Ohtani is the greatest athlete to ever play the sport of baseball and when you look at unicorn athletes across the sporting world, there is a case to be made that he’s one of the greatest athletes we’ve seen… ever.
To do something that no one in the history of your sport has ever done, in this day, is incredibly rare.
And don’t forget, he’s currently recovering from Tommy John surgery. Not only is he a dominant hitter, but he’s also one of the most talented pitchers in the game. He’s a true two-way star and baseball hasn’t had one of the those in 100 years.
Also, there’s talk he could come back and pitch out of the bullpen for the Dodgers in the playoffs.
It’s remarkable. Enjoy greatness.

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