After only days since the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins swapped netminders, they are set to meet on Tuesday which will be the big event for the day in Oil Country.
It has been an eventful last week or so for the Oilers that has seen multiple player transactions and multiple important and high event hockey games. As the Holiday season comes around and with the schedule over the next few months, things do not seem to be settling down either.
McDavid receives recognition from the league
On Monday, it was announced that Oilers captain and star, Connor McDavid had been named as the NHL's first star of the week. It pales in comparison to the hardware the Oilers star has collected throughout his decade-long career in the league but is still a nice honour to recognize his contributions and play over the last week.
The 28 year old recorded 10 points (four goals, six assists) through the Oilers four games played last week. He is a large part of why the Oilers were able to collect five of a possible eight points with a 2-1-1 record.
Oilers recall top rookie
Speaking of recognizing great performances, the Oilers announced Monday they had recalled forward Quinn Hutson from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. The 23 year old has been having quite the rookie campaign with 16 goals and 12 assists for 28 points in 24 games, leading the league in rookie scoring.
He comes up with the hopes of improving the Oilers secondary offence, something they have struggled with this year.
Around the NHL
Blackhawks star sidelined
Amidst a coming out party this season, former first overall pick, Chicago Blackhawks star Connor Bedard has been placed on injured reserve it was announced on Monday. He will be sidelined for quite some time in what is being referred to as an 'upper-body injury' and is expected to be reevaluated in the new year.
Buffalo Sabres shakeup management
The situation in Buffalo has been heavily speculated on and Sabres' owner Terry Pegula finally pulled the trigger, firing general manager Kevyn Adams and replacing him with Jarmo Kekelainen. Kekelainen was named as the Sabres' senior advisor earlier this year, a move that inevitably turned up the heat on Adams' chair.
Intriguing names on waivers
Two players were placed on waivers Monday that caused a stir. Former second round draft pick in 2018, Jonatan Berggren, whose name has circled around in trade rumours for some time was placed on waivers by the Detroit Red Wings. In 15 games this season, the 25 year old has two goals and four assists for six points. In his entire career he has played 169 games with 64 points (31 goals, 33 assists).
Another person of interest is a name that should be familiar to Oilers fans, goaltender Laurent Brossoit. He has been sidelined since the start of the 2024-25 NHL season with a knee injury and hip surgery but is now ready to return to action, having completed his conditioning stint with the Blackhawks AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. Before his brutal injury, Brossoit had emerged as one of the top backup netminders in the NHL before signing a two-year contract worth $3.3 million per season.