This Week in the NHL: The Offer Sheet Boys return to Edmonton

With 32 teams and seemingly infinite storylines, it’s hard to keep track of all the weekly goings on during the NHL season. That’s why I’m here to help. Every Monday from October to April, I’ll preview the key events, games, narratives and milestones in play for the week.

So what’s on tap for Dec. 2-8?

Dec. 3: Blue Jackets visit Calgary for first time since Gaudreau brothers’ deaths

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Calgary Flames, 9:00 p.m. ET

Last week, the Flames visited Columbus for the first time since Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau’s tragic summer passings. On Tuesday, the Blue Jackets will make their first trip to Calgary since the brothers were killed by an alleged drunk driver Aug. 29. Gaudreau’s family will be in attendance Tuesday as the Flames say farewell to one of their all-time greats; Gaudreau was drafted by Calgary and spent nine great seasons there as their franchise player.

Dec. 4: Roster announcements for the 4 Nations Face-Off

The moment finally arrives this week. The deadline for Canada, Finland, Sweden and the U.S. to submit their rosters is Monday, Dec. 2. The teams will be unveiled publicly Wednesday. Finland and Sweden will announce their teams at 2:30 p.m. ET, and Canada and USA will announce theirs at 6:30. The tourney begins Feb. 12, 2025. Click here to read our final projection for each roster.

Dec. 7: The Offer Sheet Boys return to Edmonton

St. Louis Blues @ Edmonton Oilers, 10:00 p.m. ET

Well, this could get awkward. The Blues and GM Doug Armstrong delivered one of the summer’s hottest storylines when he poached two of the Oilers’ young first-rounders, left winger Dylan Holloway and defenseman Philip Broberg, by signing them to offer sheets that Edmonton didn’t match. The Blues, armed with mid-season coaching replacement Jim Montgomery, face the Oilers for the first time since the offer sheets on Saturday night. Holloway should be in the lineup. Both players have flourished with their increased roles on their new club, with Broberg returning from a four-week injury layoff last week.