Evan’s NHL Daily: Oilers Hit Rock Bottom, Bedard Makes History

It was the tale of two Connor’s in the NHL on Thursday evening. One became the youngest player in NHL history to record two goals and two assists in the same game, while the other saw his team lose to the worst squad in the league.

In Colorado, the Avalanche fell to the Seattle Kraken, but lost an important forward in the process, and Riley Tufte discussed the “frustrating” waiver rules that are potentially keeping him out of the NHL.

All that and more in this Friday edition of Evan’s Daily.

Colorado Hockey Now

Before their game Thursday, the Avalanche brought up Riley Tufte, who talked to me about staying patient and the waiver situation that is keeping him off the roster full-time for now.

Colorado lost to the Seattle Kraken, but the greater concern after the game was the health of Artturi Lehkonen.

After the loss, the Avalanche were upset at a hit thrown by Vince Dunn on Andrew Cogliano, where Colorado ended up shorthanded once Bowen Byram stepped in.

Around The NHL

The shine on Jonas Johansson seems to be coming off just a little bit.

On Thursday, the Chicago Blackhawks scored five goals in the first 23 minutes, and took down the Tampa Bay Lightning. They were led offensively by Connor Bedard, who scored two goals and two assists. He became the youngest player in NHL history to do so, and did it just minutes into the second period.

On the flip side, you have what’s happening with Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. If there was ever a “get right” game for that team, it was Thursday in San Jose.

Instead, they hit rock bottom.

The Sharks beat the Oilers 3-2, moving them into a tie with Edmonton at five points on the year. Yes, that means the Oilers are now tied for the least amount of points in the NHL. Many predicted the Oilers to win the Stanley Cup (not me), and I guess that could still happen, but they’re digging themselves a massive hole and we’re not even a month into the NHL season.

Don’t be surprised if they have a new head coach by Saturday, but that probably won’t fix all their problems.

National Hockey Now

Bryan Rust scored twice in overtime, but only one of them counted, as the Pittsburgh Penguins downed the Los Angeles Kings.

Charlie Coyle led the way with a hat trick in the Boston Bruins victory over the Islanders.

Are the Florida Panthers even going to be able to afford Sam Reinhart?

Five observations on the start to the season for the Philadelphia Flyers

Grading the summer moves the Detroit Red Wings made, including early returns for J.T. Compher (+)