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Bill Hanson

Bill Hanson

Edmonton Journal

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Opinion: Solid systems, not superstars, will take Oilers to the Cup Mike Babcock’s arrival in Edmonton prompted expected questions: Can he improve the team? Can Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard reach another level? Can the Oilers win this year’s Stanley Cup? All of which are good, reasonable questions.

Opinion: Solid systems, not superstars, will take Oilers to the Cup Mike Babcock’s arrival in Edmonton prompted expected questions: Can he improve the team? Can Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard reach another level? Can the Oilers win this year’s Stanley Cup? All of which are good, reasonable questions.

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previous day 10

Edmonton Journal

Bill Hanson

Opinion: Why the Oilers' next coach matters less than you think Romanian playwright Eugène Ionesco once observed: “It is not the answer that enlightens, but it is the question.” Edmonton is overflowing with answers. Fans, media, players, and hockey traditionalists seem convinced they know exactly what is wrong with the Oilers. But perhaps the most enlightening question is: What if many of the things we confidently believe about winning are simply wrong?

26.05.2026 10

Edmonton Journal

Bill hanson

Opinion: Edmonton Oilers have the skill to win; what about the will? Before this year’s trade deadline, I offered a polarizing opinion on trading Evan Bouchard . It wasn’t, in fact, about Bouchard per se. It was about the Oilers’ penchant of sacrificing defence for offence. It was also about the tendency to wear rose-coloured glasses when evaluating prized, point-scoring defencemen.

17.04.2026 30

Edmonton Journal

Bill hanson

Opinion: How the Oilers can win a Cup by — gasp — trading Evan Bouchard It’s time to do something shocking, that is, something surprising, potentially distressing, and emotionally intense. It’s heresy to say it, but it’s time to trade Evan Bouchard.

04.03.2026 40

Edmonton Journal

Bill hanson