Catching Up With The Oilers

So for the last six days I’ve been on vacation in Los Angeles (amen) and away from everything hockey. Now I’ve seen highlights and kept up to date on the scores, but I haven’t really watched the Oilers. Added to that, I haven’t wrote a thing in almost a week, so it’s time to hop back on the train.

Here are some random Oiler thoughts from the last week that have been bouncing around in my head….

Ebs n’ Nuge:

These two are just killing it, like it’s not even funny how good they have been. While I haven’t seen the last three games, I saw them against Toronto, Columbus the first time, Pittsburgh, and well every game dating back to October. This, to me, is the best hockey these two guys have played in their careers.

Jordan Eberle is a very good offensive player, we knew this, but now he is proving it to everyone in the NHL. His recent hot stretch has seen him click both five-on-five, and on the power-play. Nugent-Hopkins, who has been money five-on-five all year long, is finally starting to click on the power-play.

These two guys create so much with their speed and offensive ability, it’s honestly game-changing. Eberle is finally looking confident, while Nugent-Hopkins is finally catching some breaks. Not to mention, Eberle is finally healthy and finally getting more looks this last stretch.

If both of these guys keep playing at a high level next season, Edmonton will be in much better shape. It’ll help the power-play, and it will provide Edmonton with two really good weapons in a western conference where you simply need to be able to put the puck in the net.

In a dark season, this could be a massive thing to build off of if these two keep up their ways. Confidence goes a long way my friends.

Yakupov:

Classify this as a major win by Todd Nelson and his group, Nail Yakupov is finally playing like a number one overall pick at the NHL level. He’s engaged, he’s physical, he’s creating chances, and yes, he’s starting to pile up points too. Now, the advanced stats need to be better, aka he needs to be better in the defensive zone, but I’m really happy with his game right now.

If Edmonton gets this level of production throughout a full season, they’ll be a better team for it. Getting Nail on track is a massive win for the Oilers, even in a completely lost season. This guy is vital to any kind of future success.

Goals, Goals, Goals:

Building off the first two points, Edmonton is putting the puck in the net right now. This is the kind of hockey team, offensively at least, that we expected when the rebuild began. The Oilers are generating shots, generating chances, and finally converting. Eberle, RNH and Yakupov are leading the way, but support players like Pouliot, Roy and Purcell are finally starting to get in there too.

If Edmonton can get Hall clicking next season, and I think they’ll be able to do that, and add a winger, then this offense should be good enough to reach a respectable level. Oh, and the power-play? It’s hot right now, it’s amazing what some confidence and a real system can do for you.

Scrivens:

Inconsistent is the word here folks. I don’t think Ben Scrivens is as bad as this season suggests, I really don’t, but I don’t believe he is a starting goalie at the NHL level. There are some games where he looks elite, and some games where he just doesn’t cut it. I’m not going to blame the whole season on him, that’s not fair, but he has not helped at all.

I think he can be the back-up next season, but Edmonton needs to invest in a legit, proven, NHL starting goalie. I can’t count how many games goaltending has cost this team this season, honest.

Nikitin and The Blue:

Nikita Nikitin has been awful since his return from injury, he doesn’t look like a NHL player right now.

As for the rest of the blue-line, it needs a face-lift. I think Mark Fayne is a keeper, as are Oscar Klefbom and Martin Marincin, who has been dynamite under Nelson. Justin Schultz will be back, but Edmonton needs to make decisions on the blue-line.

Neither Nikitin or Ference are good enough right now, and Edmonton badly needs a veteran option it can rely on. I’m not sure who that guy will be, but they desperately need to find him. Only way this unit gets better is with additions, and they’ll need to come through trade.

To Win or Not To Win:

I’ve seen a lot of people upset because Edmonton passed Arizona in the standings. Let’s be honest people, the Oilers aren’t catching Buffalo or Arizona at this point. I understand missing out on McDavid and Eichel after this season is a tough pill to swallow, but I’m okay with it.

I hate to lose, and I think winning is a much more valuable experience for this hockey club. I’d rather see good signs in these last nine games than the team completely die off like the Maple Leafs have.

I’ll gladly select Noah Hanifin or Dylan Strome third overall this June, they’re both going to be awesome players as well.