Article content continued
4. A lot of bleeding hearts wrote to me last month that I complained about the Oilers’ pursuit of the HUB. Many of them were anti-arena types as well. All I can say to borrow a sentence is “go ahead and bleed”. In the midst of a recession and a global pandemic, this tournament will bring Edmonton much-needed economic stimulus and 1,500 jobs of around $ 40 million. And none of that would have happened Daryl Katz not built Ice District and then used the NHL hard to come here this summer. Tell me again that none of this is good for this city.
3. Two more thoughts for you from the Colby Cave Memorial Scrimmage Saturday on the lines. It is clear the unity of Connor McDavid– –Ryan Nugent-Hopkins– –Zack Kassian works. But the Leon draisaitl– –Kailer Yamamoto– –Tyler Ennis Trio clicked too. Ennis has had a strong, grainy performance and has outperformed most reports Andreas Athanasiou for this 2nd line point. But I also think AA with Sheahan and has the edge Josh Archibald on the 3rd line.Jujhar Khaira looked between Neal and Alex Chiasson. I like this threesome in a playoff series. They are heavy, but with a little skill. I think that’s how Tippett will start game 1.
2. Leaving a reporter who is not directly connected to the NHL out of the bubbles in Edmonton and Toronto is worrying. As fans, we shouldn’t like that. Journalists have a public obligation that is in our (fans) best interest. It is written directly into the codes they stick to. They put the interests of the public ahead of commercial, political and personal interests. They enable viewers, listeners and readers to make informed decisions for themselves. They don’t tell people what to believe or how to feel. The fewer of these voices are heard, the more two-dimensional the understanding of the truth becomes. I get the logistic challenge during a pandemic. But generations of reporters have used pools to cover events that couldn’t be accommodated in circumstances (such as wartime). And the composition of this pool was never in the mood of the topic. Not the best look, NHL.
