The Oilers will try and salvage their final week before the All-Star break tonight as they host the Nashville Predators. Edmonton sits eight points back of a playoff spot but, honestly, I’ve stopped looking at the standings. In my mind, the playoff chase has ended and we’re now looking for improvement and some wins.
My expectation was 30-35 wins this season. I still believe the Oilers can do that and show signs. To me, that would be a successful season for this hockey club, seriously. That said, if you are still keeping an eye on the standings for the playoffs, God speed and keep rooting like hell, folks.
Not All Is Lost:
There has obviously been some frustration watching the Oilers this season for everyone, myself included. That said, the Oilers are in a transition year and I think it’s important to remember that. This team was a train wreck for nine seasons before Peter Chiarelli and Todd McLellan took the show over. Expecting it to turn around in one season just simply wasn’t realistic.
That said, there are some very positive signs with this Oilers team. On a team level, this group is playing a much more structured game, in fact I haven’t seen this kind of buy-in since the second year of Tom Renney’s tenure with the club. You can see that this group is playing a much more structured game than they were in October, that’s progress.
This team has been in far more games than in years past and is, in fact, having more success. The Oilers are on pace to have a better record than last season, that’s progress, folks.
Individually, some players are taking off. Prior to injury, Brandon Davidson had emerged as a legit NHL defender. Iiro Pakarinen has emerged as a legit bottom six forward while Zack Kassian has adapted incredibly well in Edmonton. Not to mention, but Taylor Hall is back to normal levels and Leon Draisaitl has taken off as a pro.
Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse continue to develop as well, that sets up the blue line quite nicely. Goaltending seems to be temporarily taken care off with the settling in of Cam Talbot.
The fact is, the Edmonton Oilers are a better and improved hockey team in 2015-16. The problem? This team has some real roster holes and doesn’t have balance on the roster. If they want to take the next step, they’ll need to improve things like the defense. That simple.
To me, the foundation has been laid, but now the house must be built. Adding a top six forward with some size and adding a real top four defender has to be high on Peter Chiarelli’s summer list. Do that, and the improvement will be even bigger next season. Health will help that as well.
It’s tough to see right now, but there is a future in Edmonton and it’s actually quite bright. The Oilers are actually building a team now, and while it’s frustrating today, the improvements are being made on the ice. It’ll be on management to make this roster better and on the coaches and players to keep working on the ice. This team is close to turning it around, I believe that.
Another One Down:
Brandon Davidson’s injury sucked to see on Thursday night. He had been a bright spot this season for the Oilers. To me, Davidson has emerged as a legit NHL defender and has earned a contract for at least next season, if not longer.
He can play physical and is pretty strong defensively, but he can also move the puck and makes smart decisions. He might not be a sexy player and he might not play high on the depth chart, but he’s a valuable piece of the Edmonton Oilers.
Losing him, especially for an extended period of time, is a tough blow for a unit that is already minus Oscar Klefbom. Griffin Reinhart was recalled on Friday, I’ll be interested in seeing what he brings this time around.
Deadline Incoming:
It is becoming more and more apparent that Oilers will be sellers at the upcoming trade deadline. The last time Peter Chiarelli was a seller? 2007 in Boston, his first year with the Bruins, a transition year there too.
I’ll have a more in-depth look at PC’s work that year, but it’s worth noting that he made a number of hockey deals, not just player-for-picks deals. I think we could see something similar this time around too.
Eric Gryba and Teddy Purcell are the most likely to go for picks. Purcell is a pending UFA and although I think he deserves another deal, I can see Edmonton moving him for some solid value. Gryba is a veteran D and those always have value for picks at the deadline.
Justin Schultz, Mark Fayne and Anton Lander are also players that should be watching their back in my mind, but I’m not sure there is a market for Fayne (there should be) or Lander.
One thing to keep an eye on? Kevin Shattenkirk. Peter Chiarelli was recently spotted at the Blues/Red Wings tilt on Wednesday night and Bob McKenzie indicated on TSN1260 yesterday there is some interest there.
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