Feeling the Heat: Oilers Under Pressure

Heading into the 2016-17 season, the Edmonton Oilers are under pressure to improve out of the cellar of awfulness.

There was a blockbuster shake up, a marquee signing and hopeful returness from injury. However, I think there are five particular Oilers who will be under the microscope more so than usual due to some unique circumstances.

Without further ado, here is my list of 5 Edmonton Oilers who will be on the hot seat this upcoming season. Please note this does not mean I have an axe to grind with said players, rather it’s about who is likely to be facing the heat this season.

#5. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

I have Nuge at number five because last season he had a bad year. I’m not sure what was going on with RNH last season. Was he fighting some mystery ailment before breaking his hand? I have no clue.

I remember proclaiming that the 2014-15 season would be Nugent-Hopkins breakout year. It still has not happened. In that god-awful season for the team, Nuge matched his career high of 56 points. The next season, envisioning softer competition with McDavid on board, the wheels came off with injuries and lower production: 55 games played, 12 goals and 34 points.

How to avoid the pressure

Putting up points, staying healthy. It would be great if he could post 60+ points while not missing too much time. Otherwise, I can see people really getting on his case.

#4. Oscar Klefbom

Klefbom had a great season last year. With awesome fancy stats, Klefbom is proving to be a possession stud. 

The problem? Oscar Klefbom seemingly cannot stay healthy. The staph infection from last season was a total fluke, but Klefbom seems to get injured frequently. His absence last season was definitely felt. The Oilers were a far worse team without Oscar Klefbom than with him.

There are also the questions of whether he will be able to play at 100%. While Klefbom seems to be certain he will, some fans are rightfully concern if he can skate at the same pace. When fans hear that Klefbom will be wearing specialty fitted skates, they cringe with visions of Ryan Whitney’s derailed career.

Also, it did not help when he made those comments about Taylor Hall. That just caused an unnecessary stir.

How to Avoid the Pressure

Stay. Healthy. 

Klefbom needs to play 70+ games this season to shake that injury prone label. Otherwise, he will (yet again) have that label thrust on him. Worst yet, some might label him as not a reliable enough option for the top pairing.

#3. Milan Lucic

Milan Lucic comes into Edmonton as the biggest free agent signing in franchise history with a six million dollar per year cap hit over 7 years. I am a fan of this signing because he filled a hole that was created by trading Taylor Hall and adds a different element to the Edmonton Oilers.

That said, there is a lot of hoopla about Lucic’s production eventually declining, that it will fall off a cliff. It’s also tough to replace Taylor Hall’s production and fan favorite status. If Lucic struggles in any element of his game, be it point total or his usual style, this will be criticized. If Lucic gets injured? Oh boy, it will be like the sky is falling (and also so Oilers for a guy who missed 10 games his entire career to miss a chunk of a season).

How to Avoid the Pressure

I think Lucic will avoid the pressure because he will win fans over with his blue collar work ethic, his nasty attitude and decent production. If he sticks to his game, he can avoid it altogether.

#2. Adam Larsson

Poor Adam Larsson. Out of all the guys on this list, I feel like he will not get the fairest shake from fans. I am excited for Adam Larsson’s play and I’ve said several times that he fills a need for the Edmonton Oilers.

However, that does not stop people from slamming Larsson out of the gate because he was the return for Taylor Hall. I have seen posted on social media that Larsson is:

• A Bust.
• A Number Three Defenceman at best
• Has no offensive instinct
• Worse than Jeff Petry

I don’t think that’s particularly fair to Larsson, before playing a single game for the Oilers. I read this article from a Devils Blog where they named Larsson as the best defenceman on the team by an overwhelming margin. That’s some lofty praise.

How to Avoid the Pressure

Unfortunately, I do not think Larsson will be able to avoid the pressure as being the guy traded for Taylor Hall. While I’m all for giving Larsson a chance, he will always be unfairly linked to Taylor Hall by some and that will skewer reasonable expectations. I’m expecting a reliable shut down top pairing player, but people will want more.

#1. Nail Yakupov

While Larsson was traded for a fan favorite, Nail Yakupov takes my spot for being the Oiler under the most pressure.

I love Nail Yakupov the person. He’s a great guy from what I’ve seen in interviews, always smiling and having a great attitude. Nail Yakupov the hockey player drives me a bit insane. How many times do we see Yakupov turn the puck over at the blueline on the power play, because he’s trying to do it all himself? Or having to hear that he needs linemates to make him better, rather than the other way around?

Nail Yakupov is on his way to having the “bust” label attached to him and it’s not hard to see why. Last season was his worst as an Edmonton Oiler, posting 60 games played but only 8 goals and 23 points. For a former first overall pick, eight goals in a season is disastrous.

I can understand playing with Mark Letestu will hurt production. However, Yakupov will be playing with either Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Leon Draisaitl. What will happen if he does not produce with any of them?

How to Avoid the Pressure

It’s the put up or shut up season for Yakupov. There are no more excuses if he does not produce with any of those mentioned. There comes to a point where some of the accountability has to be on the player. I would love to see Nail Yakupov put up 50 plus points this season and prove the doubters wrong. That’s the only way he will avoid the pressure.