Monday means a fresh Mailbag, friends. This is the weekly feature where I take your questions and send them off to the crew for their take on whatever is on your mind. This week, we’re talking about the Oilers’ decision to hire Stan Bowman, Craig MacTavish to the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame, and a lot more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at baggedmilk@oilersnation.com or hit me up on Twitter at @jsbmbaggedmilk, and I’ll get to you as quickly as possible.
1) Yves asks – How can I not ask for everyone’s thoughts on the Oilers going with Stan Bowman over anyone else that didn’t carry the same kind of baggage?
Jason Gregor:
Best way to sum up my thoughts on the entire matter is here. I wouldn’t have done it, but now that they have, Bowman needs to use his position for more than just hockey.
Baggedmilk:
It was a decision that proves, once again, that the Oilers don’t care at all about the opinion of their fanbase. I’m not saying they should always care what the fans think, but this was just another reminder that they don’t.
2) Brayden asks – The team is basically set for the season outside of maybe a change on defence so what does Bowman have to accomplish in his first six or seven months on the job to be deemed successful?
Jason Gregor:
His only main decision in 2024 will depend on the health of Evander Kane. If he is ready to play for the start of the season, the Oilers will need to clear some cap space. If he isn’t ready and goes on LTIR, I don’t see any real decision that lead to a success or none success review.
Baggedmilk:
He has to sign Leon Draisaitl to an extension or this GM hiring will look even worse.
Photo by: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
3) Oilers fan in Van asks – Saw on the site that Craig MacTavish was named to the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame and it made me wonder what is everyone’s favourite MacT moment?
Jason Gregor:
Telling Brad Winchester to grab the octopus off the ice in Detroit in the 2006 playoffs.
Baggedmilk:
Not one specific moment — ripping Harvey the Hound’s tongue out would certainly count — but rather how MacT was always so sharp in the media when giving his answers. The guy is hilarious and he often had me laughing with the way he would or would not answer varying questions.
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Matthew Savoie during Team Canada 2024 World Junior Championship Selection Camp on Dec. 10, 2023. (Photo from Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)
4) Aiden asks – What percentage would you put on Matt Savoie playing more than 10 games with the Oilers this season?
Jason Gregor:
Very low, unless the Oilers have a few injuries in the top-nine. There is no need to rush him and frankly the Oilers top-nine is set.
Baggedmilk:
I’m going to predict that he gets into games in the final quarter of the season and that he produces 10 goals while he’s at it. Kool-Aid season, baby!
5) Brian asks – I went to see Simple Plan at K-Days this past week and I don’t think I’ve ever felt older. Help me out here guys when was the first time something made you feel old?
Jason Gregor:
It was 2006 or 2007 and it was the first game of men’s league in Div 1. I had played in the league for years, but the prior season I banged up my knee and missed the last half of the season. In the first game of the new season, we played a team who had a few younger guys and I felt like I was skating in quick sand. I knew instantly my time in this division was over. I couldn’t keep up.
Baggedmilk:
I went to Ludacris at K-Days last night, and there were literal children in there that didn’t know who he is. Dammit, Father Time. Dammit.
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