Deconstructing Myths: NHLers Don't Want to Play in Edmonton

The glass is half empty. It's times like this that being a fan of the Edmonton Oilers frustrates me to no end. Like numerous others on Tuesday night, I bought the ticket, met the height requirement, and rode the vomit-inducing roller coaster of rumour and innuendo that was the Dany Heatley-to-Edmonton saga—even having to pop a few Gravol halfway through, when the disgruntled winger said he would take their offer and “sleep on it.” Close to 48 hours after the fact, I finally took a step back from my refresh button, dejected and furious. Once again, our beloved Oilers had tried to land a hockey megastar, only to be told that Edmonton is too whatever-people-think-is-wrong-with-Edmonton to be a suitable fit. During my downtime afterwards; however, I tried my best to think about Heatley's implied decision rationally within the bigger picture, as it seems a large number of insecure Oiler fanatics struggle to instances of cold-hearted rejection. And why shouldn't they take it ... (link)