Canadiens: Thanksgiving, Xavier Bourgault and the Oilers’ first pick – Canada Boosts

We’re at the moment a month (and a bit) away from Christmas. Extra exactly, it’s Thanksgiving in the USA. Completely satisfied holidays to those that have a good time… and good soccer to those that don’t.

Good hockey to all, however the NHL has chosen, for the second time in three days, to not current any video games as we speak.

However hey. My level is that for hockey followers, American Thanksgiving is synonymous with a pivotal date. A minimum of, that’s what individuals who’ve labored within the NHL say.

Why is that? As a result of the pattern measurement is giant sufficient to say that groups which are already far sufficient behind within the standings received’t have the ability to climb their manner again into the playoffs. It’s not 100% true, nevertheless it usually applies.

In fact, we’re not saying that the highest eight groups in every affiliation as of as we speak are assured to make the playoffs. If a membership knocks on the door of the playoffs in November, it has an opportunity.

But when a crew is already a good distance off, its possibilities of qualifying are slim. That is notably true of the Blue Jackets, for instance.

As you may see, the Montreal Canadiens are three factors out of the playoffs. So it’s too early to throw within the towel, even when we are able to see that issues aren’t getting any higher.

Even so, there are some good groups to overhaul as a way to climb the standings. It received’t be straightforward.

That’s why, increasingly more, we’re speaking about buying and selling gamers elsewhere across the deadline. And within the case of goalkeepers, there’s even speak of doing so quickly. #Edmonton

Clearly, if we go by Thanksgiving logic, it’s too late for the Oilers… however in actuality, the gifted Alberta membership can’t throw within the towel in November. It wouldn’t move.

However on this American vacation, Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton can attempt to place themselves in order that it’s the Oilers, a membership in a precarious place, who need to pay greater than their fair proportion to get out of the outlet.

Bear in mind: no one’s going to assist the Oilers with out getting one thing out of it.

Earlier this week, Darren Dreger raised the (very hypothetical, but still) possibility of the Canadiens and Oilers making a very big deal. #Blockbuster
Will it undoubtedly occur? Not essentially, no.

However given the CH’s veterans, the Oilers’ wants and the goaltending state of affairs, there’s a manner for the 2 groups to work one thing out.

On this topic, Brian Wilde (Global News) made some headway in his column by mentioning a number of names that might be of curiosity to the Oilers. Might Sean Monahan or David Savard, with a goalie, go to Alberta? And what about Josh Anderson?

The attention-grabbing factor about all that is that the Oilers have some attention-grabbing belongings to bop round. If the CH is prepared to assist the Oilers with their goaltending state of affairs and provides them an attention-grabbing skater, there are Xavier Bourgault and others who could also be within the CH’s sights.

However there’s additionally the membership’s first selection. And Edmonton might not have a excessive draft choose…

For a Canadiens with only one player in the NHL’s top 50 young players/ prospects under 24 (or two, depending on how you tell the story), getting one other first-round choose might be an excellent asset, no?

It’s a considerate one… and with the cap going up, who is aware of how a lot the Oilers may assist the CH assist them.

In gusto

– Powerful break.

– An addition to the CH.

– Patrik Laine absent from coaching.

– No particulars on Corey Perry’s absence.

– There it’s…