Murray Wood: Riders' revenge, Putin optics, storm beauty
In this Friday "Who's Hot and Who's Not," Murray Wood looks at the Riders' shot at payback in Calgary, Trudeau...
A young Edmonton Oilers team did a terrific job putting last night’s Game 7 loss to the Anaheim Ducks into perspective.
Moments after a disheartening defeat, 20-year-old captain Connor McDavid said: “not many gave us a chance to take it seven.”
Coach Todd McLellan said: “We basically got a college degree in a month. That experience going forward is going to be very helpful.”
Every owner,GM or coach responsible for building a Stanley Cup contender will admit that it’s a process.
It could be argued that the process started two years ago in Edmonton.
Owner Daryl Katz lured Bob Nicholson away from Hockey Canada to be team president. Nicholson hired Peter Chiarelli to be GM, then came coach Todd McLellan.
Then the brain trust not only added a superstar in McDavid, but bolstered a defensive unit that needed an upgrade.
The process is working. The Oilers are a much improved team.
Now, that talent needs to come of age.
