Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers forward Colby Cave died Saturday at the age of 25 less than a week after suffering a brain bleed.

Cave's wife, Emily, issued the following statement:

Awful news from Colby Cave’s wife Emily. #RIP Colby. pic.twitter.com/9SIp19m12S

— Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) April 11, 2020

According to ESPN, Cave was airlifted to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto on Tuesday to undergo emergency surgery. A colloid cyst was removed, and he was then placed in a medically induced coma.

The Oilers tweeted the following in memory of Cave:

Rest in peace, Colby Cave. 🖤 https://t.co/oHBUdNAGII

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 11, 2020

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman also released a statement:

Statement from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on the passing of Colby Cave. https://t.co/Uk56BzS7qk pic.twitter.com/06V3AFQPra

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) April 11, 2020

Oilers legend Wayne Gretzky tweeted his condolences as well:

Janet and I are so sad to hear of Colby’s passing. He was a wonderful hockey player with a bright future, but an even better person. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Emily and his entire family. 🙏

— Wayne Gretzky (@WayneGretzky) April 11, 2020

Cave was a North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, native who fought his way into the NHL as an undrafted free agent after starring for the Western Hockey League's Swift Current Broncos.

He signed with the Boston Bruins and appeared in three games for them during the 2017-18 season and 20 games in 2018-19, but Cave spent most of his time in the Bruins system with the AHL's Providence Bruins.

The Oilers claimed Cave off waivers in 2018-19, and he went on to appear in 33 games for the Oilers last season and 11 games this season.

Cave had one goal for Edmonton during the 2019-20 campaign and 23 points in 44 games for the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.

All told, Cave recorded four goals and five assists for nine points in 67 career NHL games.

Bakersfield Condors forward Colby Cave, a prospect in the Edmonton Oilers organization, remains in a medically induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery to remove a colloid cyst on his brain. 

"Colby is still in a medically-induced coma. This is giving his brain time to heal and rest from all he's been through. We would like to thank the Oilers organization, the entire hockey community, all of our friends, and family, and everyone who has shown us love and support," Cave's family said a statement Thursday.

"We would like to send a big thank you to Colby's critical care team, neurosurgeons and nurses at Sunnybrook Hospital. We appreciate all that you are doing for our Colby."

Cave, 25, underwent surgery Tuesday in Toronto and was placed into a medically induced coma for a brain bleed. His wife, Emily, asked for a "miracle" in an Instagram post on Monday: 

"Please wake up. Please wake up. It’s all I can keep asking, 'he’s going to wake up right?' We need a miracle. Colby’s parents and myself, got to see him through a window and talk to him with a walkie talkie last night. We are no longer allowed to be in the hospital because Covid-19 rules. We have no idea when we will be allowed to see him again. The nurse has tied his wedding band to his ankle. I am dreaming of being able to touch you, hear your voice, squeeze your hand (3 times), and kiss you again. I love you so much, and my heart is shattered into a million pieces without my best friend "

Cave has made 67 career NHL appearances for the Oilers and Boston Bruins, scoring nine points. He made 11 appearances, scoring one goal, in 2019-20. 

Edmonton Oilers prospect Colby Cave was placed in a medically induced coma after suffering a brain bleed, the team announced Tuesday. 

"Please keep Colby & his wife Emily in your thoughts & prayers at this time," the Oilers said.

Emily Cave addressed the situation on Instagram: "Last night and today have been the worst days of my life. Colby is currently in surgery and they are fighting to keep him alive. We need a miracle. Please pray for my husband and best friend."

The Oilers provided an update on Cave as well:

UPDATE: #Oilers & @Condors forward Colby Cave is out of emergency surgery at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto. Doctors removed a colloid cyst that was causing pressure on his brain. He remains in a medically-induced coma. Emily & his family ask for continued thoughts & prayers.

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 7, 2020

The 25-year-old appeared in 11 games for the Oilers this season and spent most of the year with their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. He had 11 goals and 12 assists in 44 games for Bakersfield.

Cave went undrafted in 2014 and signed an entry level contract with the Boston Bruins in April 2015. He made his NHL debut in the Bruins' 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Dec. 21, 2017.

The Oilers claimed him off waivers in January 2019 and he made 33 appearances (two goals, one assist) over the second half of the 2018-19 season.

Although it's unclear when the 2019-20 NHL season will resume, Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid lobbied to play the campaign to its completion when the league restarts.

"I think [the standings] look pretty good right now," McDavid said, per ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "But you want a fair season. And a fair season is a full season. If we can do that, I think that's something we'd obviously prefer."

The NHL suspended the season March 12 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and it's unclear when the league will come back. TSN's Bob McKenzie reported NHL officials inquired about when teams will have available arena dates in August.

Upon announcing the NHL's indefinite hiatus, commissioner Gary Bettman indicated he wished to formally finish this season as usual.

McDavid expressed reservations with any plan that would have the playoffs start immediately or shortly after the NHL returns.

"I don't think we can just step into the playoffs and Game 1, it's Calgary coming to Edmonton, and guys are running around trying to kill each other that haven't played for two months," he said. "It'll end up the [AHL] Stockton Heat vs. the Bakersfield Condors if that's the case. We want to keep the guys healthy."

Dr. Willem Meeuwisse, the league's chief medical officer, echoed McDavid's comments earlier in the week.

Meeuwisse cautioned against rushing players back, thus putting them at an increased risk injury. He told reporters the players would have a brief training camp for conditioning purposes.

Like their counterparts in other sports, NHL players have been unable to properly train because of self-quarantining guidelines and recommendations to avoid large public gatherings. The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported the league instructed teams to continue self-quarantining until April 6. 

The NHL announced that Edmonton Oilers right wing Zack Kassian has been suspended seven games after kicking Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak in the chest in the first period of Tampa's 3-1 home win on Thursday. 

TSN's Bob McKenzie also reported the news on Kassian, who was suspended two games in January for attacking Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk.

Sportsnet provided video of Kassian's kick:

Diana C. Nearhos of the Tampa Bay Times offered background:

"Cernak was sitting on Kassian and fellow winger Josh Archibald, which should have been an interference penalty, but is a common move to keep someone (in this case someones) out of the play. Kassian pushed himself free and then aimed the kick at Cernak to get him off Archibald.

"The play started when Kassian grabbed onto Cernak. Archibald lost his footing and barreled into the pair, upending them. Cernak stayed on top of the pile for an extra few seconds.

"A linesman came up behind the play to break up the trio, but only a referee can call a penalty. Both referees were away from that pile watching the puck in play."

Kassian was not penalized Thursday and finished the game.

Chris Johnston of Sportsnet reported that the suspension will cost Kassian $166,463.41.

In its video explaining the suspension decision, the NHL Department of Player Safety said that there was no justification for the kick even if Kassian was trying to get untangled from a pile of three players (including himself) on the ice and that he could have accomplished that task without kicking Cernak.

The league acknowledged Kassian's assertion that the kick was not forceful or malicious. However, the department said that the intent is irrelevant considering that the kick was illegal and put Cernak at "immediate risk of serious injury."

In summary, the league said that Kassian clearly kicked Cernak and noted that he's a repeat offender, having been suspended now four times during his career.

Sportsnet Stats noted that Kassian has been suspended a total of 47 games over his entire professional career, including stints with the OHL, AHL and IIHF.

Kassian is eligible to return to the ice on Saturday, Feb. 29 against the Winnipeg Jets at home.

Edmonton Oilers right wing Zack Kassian was caught kicking Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak in the chest following a pile-up near the Oilers' blue line. 

Sportsnet had the footage:

Cernak discussed the incident after the game, per USA Today's Mike Brehm: "He kicked me when he was on the ice. I think he was a little mad at me."

Diana C. Nearhos of the Tampa Bay Times provided some context for the incident:

"Cernak was sitting on Kassian and fellow winger Josh Archibald, which should have been an interference penalty, but is a common move to keep someone (in this case someones) out of the play. Kassian pushed himself free and then aimed the kick at Cernak to get him off Archibald.

"The play started when Kassian grabbed onto Cernak. Archibald lost his footing and barreled into the pair, upending them. Cernak stayed on top of the pile for an extra few seconds.

"A linesman came up behind the play to break up the trio, but only a referee can call a penalty. Both referees were away from that pile watching the puck in play."

As noted by Mike Stevens of Yahoo Sports Canada, Kassian has made the news recently for physical confrontations, most notably jumping the Calgary Flames' Matthew Tkachuk in January. He was suspended two games.

As for Thursday's matchup, Kassian did not receive any punishment for his actions at the time, and he finished out his team's 3-1 road loss to Tampa Bay.

However, Nearhos noted that the NHL's Department of Player Safety could be giving a call to Kassian about the act, with TSN's Darren Dreger tweeting that it "would be hard" to believe that such a conversation won't occur.

Edmonton Oilers superstar center Connor McDavid is expected to miss two to three weeks because of a quad injury, general manager Ken Holland announced Tuesday.

#Oilers GM Ken Holland touches on Connor McDavid’s quad injury that’s expected to sideline him for 2-3 weeks. pic.twitter.com/pkUUGUB6MD

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 11, 2020

"We're hoping less than that," Holland noted.

McDavid suffered a bruised left knee during Saturday's 3-2 victory against the Nashville Predators. At that point, head coach Dave Tippett deemed the injury "nothing serious."

However, Edmonton will now be without its star for the time being.

McDavid has lived up to the hype since the Oilers selected him with the first overall pick in the 2015 draft. He scored 48 points in 45 games during his injury-shortened rookie season and led all NHL players with 324 points (112 goals and 212 assists) over the past three years, per Hockey Reference.

He's on another scoring pace with 30 goals and 51 assists in 55 appearances during the current campaign.

The 23-year-old Canadian missed nearly half his rookie campaign because of a fractured clavicle. He's been durable since that initial setback, missing just four games over the previous three seasons combined.

Leon Draisaitl, who's swapped between McDavid's wing and second-line center in recent years, may now be tasked with leading the top line with his fellow star is out. It will also lead to more playing time for depth centers Riley Sheahan and Gaetan Haas.

Ultimately, McDavid is one of the NHL's most valuable players, and the Oilers don't feature a ton of secondary scoring, which makes his potential absence an even greater concern. Any type of extended absence would have a major impact on the team's playoff hopes.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid's slight PCL tear in 2019 was reportedly far more serious than the team initially let on, according to a report from Ryan Rishaug of TSN:

Some additional info on McDavids knee injury in more detail than a simple tweet allows. pic.twitter.com/6OWRe1nH8a

— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) January 21, 2020

McDavid has established himself as one of the NHL's most dynamic players since the Oilers selected him with the first overall pick in the 2015 draft. His 324 points (112 goals and 212 assists) over the previous three seasons (2016-17 through 2018-19) led all players, per Hockey Reference.

The 23-year-old Canadian superstar suffered a fractured clavicle early in his rookie season that forced him to miss nearly half his debut campaign. He's remained mostly durable since that setback, missing just four games over the last three years.

This season, he's registered 27 goals and 49 assists (76 points) in 49 games, a ridiculous scoring pace. 

Edmonton's depth would be seriously tested if McDavid ever missed any time. Ultimately, there's no chance the Oilers would be able to match his production in any absence. He's a generational talent who's just now reaching the peak of his powers and keeping him healthy and on the ice is the team's top priority. 

James Neal has been with the Edmonton Oilers for all of three games, but the 32-year-old winger is right at home.

Neal scored four of the Oilers' five goals in their 5-2 win over the New York Islanders on Tuesday night:

Count 'em... 1... 2... 3...

That's an @Enterprise hat trick for @jneal_18 (James Neal)!!! #NHLFaceOff pic.twitter.com/BNww8yPI6K

— NHL (@NHL) October 9, 2019

Give @jneal_18 four on the night. ✔️ #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/H2RtYLdzbT

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 9, 2019

According to the team, Neal's last hat trick came on March 14, 2016—ironically against Edmonton as a member of the Nashville Predators.

As an Oiler now, Neal is already writing history:

From @SNstats James Neal is the first @edmontonoilers to score 4 goals in a road game since Alexander Selivanov on Nov 14, 1999 at Chicago

— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) October 9, 2019

Make that six in 97–his first four-goal game. I can keep going, we’re here all week, try the veal. https://t.co/xQnSdTF1Qu

— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) October 9, 2019

Neal's performance against New York brought his goal total to six on the season. He scored two goals against the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. To make matters more impressive, Neal scored seven goals across 63 games with the Calgary Flames last season.

Edmonton is Neal's sixth NHL team since the Dallas Stars selected him in the second round (No. 33 overall) in 2005. The Oilers acquired Neal through a trade with the Flames in July, and so far, the All-Star is proving the move successful.

If Neal continues at this pace, the Oilers won't mind keeping him through the 2022-23 season under his current five-year, $28.75 million contract.

In the short term, the Oilers are 3-0 to start their 2019-20 campaign.

The 2019 NHL draft is fast approaching, but franchises aren't waiting until then to reconstruct their rosters as rumors begin to churn concerning the offseason.

Several defenseman have already been on the move, according to the league's 2019-20 Trade Tracker.

Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins dealt defenseman Olli Maatta to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for forward Dominik Kahun and a fifth-round pick in this year's draft. 

Monday, the New York Rangers acquired defenseman Jacob Trouba from the Winnipeg Jets, who received Neal Pionk and a first-round pick in this year's draft. 

Tuesday, the San Jose Sharks traded defenseman Justin Braun to the Philadelphia Flyers for, in part, Philly's 2019 second-round pick. 

Rumblings of other potential trades are gaining traction around the league.

Below is a look at three rumors to keep an eye on ahead of the draft Friday (Round 1) and Saturday (Rounds 2-7) at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada. 

      

David Clarkson Submits No-Trade List to Vegas

Clarkson hasn't played in the NHL since the 2015-16 season due to a chronic back injury, but his contract is still burdening the Vegas Golden Knights. 

According to The Athletic's Jess Granger, the 35-year-old winger has submitted a no-trade list to Vegas in case the team wants to move the one-year, $5.25 million still pending on a seven-year contract he signed with Toronto in 2013:

Yes it is strange for a player who hasn't stepped on NHL ice in 3 years to submit a no trade list.

This move is simply clerical. The team has to do it. It doesn't necessarily mean they'll move the contract, but it gives them the option to make the move if they want to.

— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) June 18, 2019

The currently constructed roster bogs Vegas down, as Spotrac listed the Golden Knights as having the highest estimated cap hit in NHL at $83.125 million.

Clarkson's contract was dealt to Vegas in June 2017 from the Columbus Blue Jackets, who also gifted the Golden Knights their 2018 first-round pick and 2019 second-round pick for their trouble. 

         

Jesse Puljujarvi Wants Out of Edmonton 

Puljujarvi departing Edmonton seems not an issue of if but when. 

TSN's Darren Dreger reported early Wednesday that the 21-year-old winger "has made it clear" to the Oilers that he's seeking to be traded.

"It's believed the Oilers are willing to accommodate, but won't give him away and intend on being patient in finding a right fit," Dreger added.

Markus Lehto, Puljujarvi's agent, confirmed the speculation later Wednesday.

"It doesn't make sense to go back where we were last season," Lehto said, according to Tommi Seppala of Finnish broadcaster Yle Urheilu (h/t TSN). "It's not good for either side. Discussions about parting ways have been going on for weeks already.

"Jesse needs a fresh start, and it's nothing against the Oilers."

While all indications are that Edmonton is on board with moving Puljujarvi, it's not entirely that simple. TSN's Ryan Rishaug, for example, suggested that the Oilers "may stand pat" if a deal can't land them a third-line forward.

If that's the case, Lehto confirmed that Puljujarvi will play in Europe and not Edmonton, per SportsNet's Mark Spector.

"The Oilers have until Monday to issue a qualifying offer to Puljujarvi, 21, in order to retain his NHL rights," Spector added. "Puljujarvi will refrain from accepting that offer until he has been traded, as a contracted NHL player cannot sign in Europe."

With draft weekend nearly upon us, The Athletic's Allan Mitchell wouldn't be surprised if Oilers general manager Ken Holland drags the Puljujarvi trade proceedings into July and the free-agency window. 

In Mitchell's assessment, Holland might find an inviting talent pool in Winnipeg, St. Louis, New York Rangers, Minnesota and Carolina. 

In three seasons with Edmonton, Puljujarvi has appeared in 139 games, scored 17 goals and assisted 20 scores. His best season came in 2017-18, in which he scored a career-high 12 goals in 65 games.

     

Nikolaj Ehlers Believed to Have Been Offered to Carolina

Trading Trouba might just be the start of offseason moves made by the Winnipeg Jets, as TSN's Frank Seravalli reported that "the belief is the Jets have offered Ehlers to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for one of their right-shooting defenseman."

The right-shooting defensemen Carolina has to offer are Dougie Hamilton, Brett Pesce, Trevor van Riemsdyk and Justin Faulk. 

Faulk has reportedly been linked to the Blackhawks in trade discussions, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Ben Pope, which at least indicates that the Hurricanes are open to dealing him. 

Winnipeg's cap situation is tough but it's not "trade Ehlers for less than good value" tough, either. I don't particularly expect an Ehlers trade, although with the Jets D issues, I see why discussions might exist.

— Murat Ates (@WPGMurat) June 14, 2019

Ehlers was a first-round draft pick by Winnipeg in 2014. The 23-year-old has scored at least 20 goals in each of the last three seasons, with his career-high 29 coming in 2017-18.