bcurlock

Personal update: today my time at @OilersNation comes to an end. Was my choice and it was very tough. I owe a lot to @zjlaing and @jsbmbaggedmilk who gave me a chance and guided me along the way. The people at ON are passionate about their craft and I’ll miss that. 1/2

@EdmCaper Hyman’s puck skills are substantially better than Dach’s. His ability to win space in close quarters by beating guys is something Dach will need to work on. Also Hyman has an incredibly heavy stick. Not something in the Dach repertoire at the moment.

@bcurlock I liked how he was talking about watching game video of Hyman protecting the puck. Using his body to create space.

Nice deal for Colton Dach. As some know I was high on him when the deal was made at the deadline. IMO puck skills will separate him from 4L and a spot up the lineup. Being pigeonholed as a “physical presence” only would be a disservice to his potential upside. Puck skills are key

You think you’re ornery

Stampede has taken its toll on me….

@terry16894591 He was in a 7D rotation for sure and that would hurt his production.

@bcurlock Thanks for this. On Robinson- Pracey said he took off when Windsor traded some D at the deadline. He had 4 points in his first 27 (.15 ppg) games and 20 in the next 36 (0.56). Pracey said he lucked out by living so close to Windsor for viewings, they considered him in the 2nd/3rd

The Edmonton Oilers 2026 NHL Draft. My views. open.substack.com/pub/bcurlock/p…

@NHL_Sid Oh wow. That means a bunch to me. Thank you.

@bcurlock This was a fantastic and really informative read! Very intrigued by Berzkalns. NHLe-based models aren't high on him because of the offence, but there seem to be a lot of tools there for a player who could maybe suppress chances against NHL elites one day.

Pat Verbeek is an excellent talent evaluator. That’s only part of being a general manager though. I say that as someone who’s watched the Oilers through the McDavid era. So I say the above with empathy and knowing sadness for Ducks fans.

@TrumpsLiver45 Actually for 8

@bcurlock He was a ghost in six playoff games and you want to lock him up for 5 years now?

Signing Matt Savoie long term asap would be a fairly wise decision.

@TrumpsLiver45 Please tell me you’re kidding

@bcurlock Is he more Jack Roslovic or Brayden Point? No one knows.

Not sure I could ever love soccer given some of the way it’s played and officiated, but congrats Team Canada you had my family completely engrossed for 3 weeks.

@TheStalwart Try being Canadian.

Most boring half of soccer this round?

Best analysis of the Leo Carlsson offer sheet.

@Woodguy55 Can you summarize? Too many big words for me to make it through.

This is a really good analysis of the decisions that have to get made

Neutral Zone is expanding our scouting staff to provide more insights, evaluations and rankings across the globe. Come work at the largest and most respected hockey scouting platform in the world! neutralzone.com/2026/07/03/neu…

"But a goal will not count if a player is offsides." "When is a player offsides?" "Whenever anything exciting happens."

The thread on Oilers goaltending you need to read.

@marker1199 That’s the one for sure. Even Hyman which was later in summer also had Ceci and Nurse extension so not good.

@bcurlock The Peca Pronger year was pretty exciting.

Did the Edmonton Oilers win July 1? I cannot remember them having a better one including the Zach Hyman year.

The forward I would like is Claude Giroux. Right shot, multi-faceted player who could play up and down the line-up. Yes he’s slow, but he would be fine. Doubt he will come west but for one crack at the Stanley Cup….