GENE'S BLOG: The one where the Oilers went 9-1-0

We know Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid are friends, but they took their friendship to a new level with their Halloween attire this past weekend.
Amazing what the three Oilers and their three female friends (Ryan's wife Breanne, Connor's girlfriend Lauren and Leon's girlfriend Celeste) were able to re-create with their costumes as the team celebrated Halloween six days late due to the confines of their game schedule.

It's always hard to know exactly how players and teams get along but there should be no misunderstanding about Edmonton's three core forwards. It's been clear from the beginning that RNH was a building block for this franchise and along the way the Oilers were able to add Leon and eventually Connor. All three were high-profile juniors who carried the attention of the hockey world into their draft year and into the NHL.
I understand in the case of Leon and Connor that people might sometimes wonder how they get along. Two guys who are highly competitive and often competing for the same awards whether it's a Hart Trophy, the Art Ross, the Ted Lindsay or even the title as the best player in the world.
It might seem like a potential clash, but it is not or never has been between these two. It says something about their personalities and upbringing that they push each other, but at the same time pull for each other. It's easy to see how they celebrate together on the ice and take photos together off the ice. The better Connor does, the better Leon does, and vice versa. These two young men understand they are the present and future of the franchise. They've come a long way in a short time as players and people.

Then there's Nuge. He might be one of the most likeable Oilers of all time. A big reason for that is his play but also his willingness to share the spotlight and oftentimes hand it over to his 'Friends' on the team. When you are a first-overall pick there is an aura that comes with it. With RNH, it was impossible to tell if he was the first pick of the first round or the first pick of the sevent.
He has never let others like Leon and Connor impact the way he feels about himself and his game. He's a great player who just happens to have two really great players on his team and sometimes on his line. Again, from the outside it might seem like a challenge to watch others take the spotlight. It never has been for Nugent-Hopkins and he proved it this past summer, signing a long-term deal to stay in Edmonton.
The Oilers are off to their best 10-game start in terms of wins in franchise history at 9-1-0. A big reason for that is the chemistry of Nugent-Hopkins, Draisaitl and McDavid.
It's clear they are "Friends" on and off the ice and have told each other during their hockey journey together that, "I'll be there for you, 'cause you're there for me too."