GENE'S BLOG: Thankful for the return of Oilers hockey

I woke up this morning feeling full. In fact, stuffed, kind of like the turkey we had to celebrate Thanksgiving. You know me, I can be kind of corny which was also on the menu. Throw in mashed potatoes, gravy, bread (sorry, Italian thing), peas, stuffing, salad, cranberry (insert Tyson Barrie reference if you'd like), pumpkin pie topped with ice cream and whipped cream and that about covers it.
We actually forgot to cook the ham, otherwise that would have been another addition to the menu. It was a feast to be thankful for and this looks like a season that the Edmonton Oilers will be thankful for as the 2021-22 NHL season arrives.
Let's just say Connor McDavid set the table for the season a month ago when he said four little words that when you string them together have a big impact: "The time is now." It was during the captain's September skates at Rogers Place that he was asked about the season. He used a total of 12 letters to make his stance abundantly clear.
Connor is becoming more and more comfortable in explaining how he feels and what he thinks about his team and his league. He's not the only player in it, but he's within a handful of NHLers (Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Patrick Kane, Nathan McKinnon, to name a few) that have elevated themselves to a pedestal of power with their words and actions making a difference.
It's what he's done from childhood to adulthood. It's what he continues to do. A general (or captain in this case) is only as good as his soldiers.

One of those very high-ranking soldiers who stands next to McDavid is Leon Draisaitl.
While we celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada, in Germany it's called Erntedankfest which falls on the first Sunday in October. It's known as a holiday to celebrate autumn and show gratitude to people working in agriculture. Here we'll show some gratitude to those working in hockey for being able to feast our eyes on Leon. It's nothing short of incredible what he has done and what he continues to do. The most power-packed pair of players the league has to offer and they spend their winters in Edmonton. We have been blessed to be able to watch them grow into the NHL's elite.
However, it has been painfully proven that while these two young men are superstars, they have finished their seasons earlier than expected. With that in mind, Ken Holland wasn't afraid to make the moves necessary to move the playoff needle in Edmonton. In comes Duncan Keith. His resume described as "perfect" by McDavid. Filled with individual and team accomplishments.
Along came Zach Hyman. Not a bad word spoken about a hard-working, tireless and talented top forward. Also arriving was Warren Foegele. An up-and-down winger. Big-bodied and willing to use it in the top nine. Signed was Cody Ceci. Lose one stay-at-home defenceman, go get another one. The Edmonton GM following the same timeline as set by the captain.
As you enjoy a holiday Monday, it was back to work for the Oilers. The goal, like the other 31 teams, is to win the Stanley Cup. The Oilers have made it clear they aren't forgetting about the regular season, but it is the post-season that will determine their success story.
It begins on Wednesday night with fans welcomed back into the stands at Rogers Place. As you enjoy your leftovers, don't forget the team will be heating up like a microwave, and not just for seconds but firsts... in their division and in their league.
Happy Thanksgiving!