The Edmonton Oilers are set to face their provincial rivals in a classic Battle of Alberta matchup against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday. It comes as the last game for the Oilers before the holiday break, set to return on the 27th against the Flames once again.
It has yet to be confirmed whether or not Connor Ingram will get his second straight start or if Calvin Pickard will be given the start but we expect to know more before puck drop.
Last game was a big one for the Oilers with Ingram making his debut with the club and also welcoming back forward Jack Roslovic from injury.
NHL clubs not releasing players for World Juniors
A big theme this year seems to be the lack of team's that are willing to release players from the AHL or NHL roster to represent their countries at the 2026 World Junior Hockey Championship. The San Jose Sharks, in a surprising move, released their second overall pick Michael Misa to represent Canada at the tournament but not defenceman Sam Dickinson.
On top of Dickinson, there are many other young players who will not be allowed to compete. The Seattle Kraken chose not to loan out Berkly Catton and the Buffalo Sabres are not allowing Konsta Helenius to represent Finland.
On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Penguins did allow defenceman Harrison Brunicke to attend but not Benjamin Kindel. The former, was even bonding with his Canadian teammates over their mutual respect for Brunicke's NHL teammate, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.
Crosby breaks Mario Lemieux's record
After scoring a goal and assist against the Montreal Canadiens, Crosby at 38 years old recorded the 1,724th point of his NHL career, putting him in first place on the Penguins points leaderboard. A record that was held by Mario Lemieux since the 2005-06 season, Crosby's rookie year.
It is fitting that a player who will undoubtedly be a first ballot Hall of Famer and was arguably the best player in his generation, to hold such a big record as the all-time Penguins points leader.
ECHL players vote to strike
In what has been one of the biggest developing stories in North American hockey of the past week, the Professional Hockey Players' Association's ECHL players chapter voted to strike against the ECHL.
The ECHL PHPA released a statement with the announcement saying; "We have informed the ECHL that we are willing to continue discussions to resolve all outstanding matters. For several months, we have been engaged in bargaining with the league, and their unlawful and coercive conduct throughout this process has been incredibly disappointing."
Continuing; "We are asking for basic standards around health, safety and working conditions that allow the players to remain healthy, compete at a high level and build sustainable professional careers."
It will be an interesting story to follow given the variety of factors at play. It is rare that the player's vote to strike and especially in the middle of the regular season. This move will effect many players and a league that has becoming more and more important as a rung on the development ladder.
Currently, multiple Oilers prospects are playing in the ECHL like goaltenders Nathaniel Day and Samuel Jonsson as well as forwards Jayden Grubbe and Brady Stonehouse.