It’s one of the most used statements for NHL hockey players. Normally after a disappointing season, the media will report that player X is “in the best shape of his life.” We heard it said about Nikita Nikitin after he struggled to earn his $4.5 million in his first season with the Oilers. This year, we have a few more players who have been labeled as being “in the best shape of (their) life.”
MARK FAYNE
As a die-hard Oilers fan, I find the word of Bob Stauffer to be that of the messiah in Oiler world. Stauffer’s 630 Ched show “Oilers Now” is the best place to here year-round Edmonton Oilers coverage, and during the summer Stauffer mentioned that Mark Fayne is “in the best shape of his life” and wants to prove he can still be a top four d-man in the league.
Fayne will be entering the third year of his four-year contract signed in Craig MacTavish’s first summer as GM. Fayne was expected to be a solid defensive d-man, who would provide stability on the blueline after spending the first four seasons of his career in New Jersey.
Fayne was not the same d-man in Edmonton as he was in New Jersey, and last season he fell even further down the depth chart which resulted in a mid-season assignment to Bakersfield. Fayne would play four games in the AHL before returning a much better player.
This season will determine if the Oilers keep Fayne for the remainder of his contract, or if they cut their losses and buy his contract out.
NAIL YAKUPOV
The Twitter videos of Nail Yakupov have been well-documented as he tries to revitalize his NHL career. The 2012 1st overall pick has been passed in development by the likes of Ryan Murray (2nd overall), Alex Galchenyuk (3rd overall), Morgan Rielly (5th overall), Hampus Lindholm (6th overall), and Filip Forsberg (12th overall).
Yakupov is also said to be “in the best shape of his life”, but conditioning has never been Yakupov’s trouble. Yak needs to show he can become a smarter player at both ends of the ice to revitalize his career. Chase Stewart and I discussed this on Wednesday’s podcast, and Yakupov is at a crossroads.
ZACK KASSIAN
Zack attack seems to have cleaned up his act after rehabbing his alcohol addiction and in his own words, he eats, sleeps and breaths hockey. Kassian comes across as very grateful for another opportunity to be an NHL hockey player, and he’s hoping he can carve out a career as not only a good agitator, but a seconday scoring bottom six option.
Kassian looks skinnier in his face, which is a sign of losing body fat that should aid in Kassian’s game. He’s on a low risk/high reward deal and he has stated he would love to spend the rest of his entire career in Edmonton. If he wants to do that, he’ll have to produce more than the eight points he produced last season in 36 games.
Peter Chiarelli tends to like gritty players who are skilled enough to contribute on the scoresheet, so his acquisition of Kassian bodes well for the player.
PATRICK MAROON
Out of all the players on this list, Patrick Maroon has the upper-hand as he thrived in orange and blue after the trade deadline acquisition. Maroon scored 16GP 8-6-14 during his tenure with the Oilers last season, which pro-rates to an outstanding 82GP 41-30-71 over a full season. While nobody expects Maroon to put up those kind of numbers, it’s outstanding to see.
Todd McLellan mentioned that Maroon was a bit out of shape when he acquired by the Oilers and that he was motivated to come to camp in better shape to become a mainstay in Edmonton. Maroon gelled well with Connor McDavid, but may see most of ice time on the third line with either Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Leon Draisaitl.
Maroon quickly became a fan favourite and if his new-found conditioning contributes to a more consistent and productive season, he will be an Oiler for a long, long time.
TRIN POTRATZ
Ah yes, the last on the list is yours truly and through omitting alcohol, going to the gym on a regular basis, crying while eating salads instead of steaks, and working on a farm, Potratz has begun to add muscle definition unlike he’s ever had before.
Potratz believes this new healthy life style will contribute to a stronger voice, stronger mind and stronger radio skills as he settles in to his new position as Rig Radio Host.
Potratz will be working on some new Edmonton Oiler songs, following up on the success of “I’m Still A Fan” and possibly even recording a music video if our readers will get behind it. Pucks in your end readers and listeners!
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