As 11 NHL teams join the Edmonton Oilers bubble, a vital ingredient is still missing: 9 Things - Edmonton Journal

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4. A lot of bleeding hearts have written me over the past month complaining about the Oilers pursuit of the HUB. A lot of them have also been anti-arena types. Well all I can say, to borrow a phrase, is “go ahead and bleed”. In the middle of a recession and a global pandemic this tournament will bring in approximately $40m in desperately needed economic stimulus and 1,500 jobs to Edmonton. And none of it would have happened had Daryl Katz not built Ice District and then lobbied the NHL hard to come here this Summer. Tell me again how all this isn’t great for this town.

3. Two broader thoughts for you from the Colby Cave Memorial scrimmage Saturday on the lines. It is clear the unit of Connor McDavid–Ryan Nugent-Hopkins–Zack Kassian works. But the Leon Draisaitl–Kailer Yamamoto–Tyler Ennis trio clicked as well. Ennis had a strong, gritty performance and by most accounts has out-performed Andreas Athanasiou for that 2nd line spot. But I also think AA has the edge for the spot with Sheahan and Josh Archibald on the 3rd line.Jujhar Khaira looked more comfortable between Neal and Alex Chiasson. I like that threesome in a playoff series. They’re heavy but with some skill. I believe this is how Tippett will start Game 1.

2. The omission of any reporter not directly affiliated with the NHL from the bubbles in Edmonton and Toronto is troubling. As fans, we shouldn’t like this. Journalists have an obligation to the public that is in our (fans) best interest. It is written right into the codes they abide by. They place the public’s interests ahead of commercial, political and personal interests. They empower viewers, listeners and readers to make informed decisions for themselves. They do not tell people what to believe or how to feel. The fewer of those voices that are heard, the more two-dimensional the understanding of the truth becomes. I get the logistical challenge during a pandemic. But generations of reporters have employed pools to cover events where circumstances did not allow (like war time, for example). And never has the composition of that pool been at the whim or leisure of the subject. Not the best look, NHL.

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2020-07-26 05:03:45Z
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