On Monday morning, I touched on Saturday night’s embarrassing loss to the Calgary Flames and mentioned how I think the Oilers core is becoming an issue and that we need to start considering if it is better to break it up than proceed with it. My basic premise still stands, the Oilers effort level is just not good enough and this team has almost accepted losing.
That’s not to say that these guys don’t care, but when you get beaten down so much, you just believe that it’s going to happen every time. TSN’s Bob McKenzie stated as much on Monday on TSN 1260 in Edmonton:
The fact that they didn’t (rally around story-lines V Calgary) suggests to you just how badly flawed this group is right now. Outside of Connor McDavid, and probably Leon Draisaitl and Darnell Nurse – there’s probably no option on the table that shouldn’t be considered – at least considered if you’re Peter Chiarelli and Todd McLellan.
The full slate of comments is here, and I highly suggest that you check them out. What McKenzie is saying echos the exact thoughts that I laid out yesterday, that this Oilers team is deeply flawed past it’s roster build. Yes, the team isn’t good enough on paper, but it’s not getting any help from a losing culture and a group that is used to losing all the time.
I understand that a losing culture isn’t something that can be measured, but folks, it’s a real thing. When you get beaten down time after time, it’s tough to learn how to win. After six years, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and the rest of Edmonton’s young core has not learned how to win and has done nothing but lose. Is it all on them? No, but when you see the lack of urgency and same old mistakes like we saw on Saturday, it makes you wonder.
Peter Chiarelli’s Bruins and Todd McLellan’s Sharks rarely had performances like that, and when they did, they were corrected immediately. Judging from their recent comments and more insider info, we are looking at a GM and coach who both agree something needs to change. We aren’t talking about the 4th line and 3rd pairing defenders either.
LeBrun: “Peter Chiarelli, I think, will be one of the more aggressive GMs in the entire off-season, and w/ good reason.” #Oilers
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) April 4, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsNothing new, but worth mentioning again because this is the second time in about a one week span where LeBrun went out of his way to mention Peter Chiarelli being very busy this summer. Usually, we hear insiders and reporters telling us not to expect much, but not this year. With so much smoke so early, it’s fair to expect a major shake-up in Edmonton.
You also get the sense that Chiarelli is a frustrated man, and while that can spring movement, that can also be a very dangerous thing. Don’t do something that you’ll regret down the road, ala Seguin.
LeBrun: “I would say, ‘Brace yourself,’ to a lot of players on that team right now.” #Oilers
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) April 4, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThis, at least to me, indicates that Edmonton is willing to touch the core of it’s roster and players who were once seen as untouchable no longer have that safety. While they were not named here, I feel that this statement can be directed at the $6 million players. At least one of Eberle, RNH or Hall will be moved if I am reading this correctly.
Not only will Edmonton get a good return for one of those players (Eberle for Travis Hamonic keeps coming to mind) but that will also send a message that it’s no longer a country club in Edmonton, it’s time to win or get out. Personally, I love that.
McKenzie: “No question” one of the potential obstacles for Chiarelli will be market value of #Oilers on the trade front.
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) April 4, 2016
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsThis is extremely interesting to me because I think the value is skewed everywhere you look. Oiler fans will value these players VERY highly. While I tend to think both Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins get overrated by this fanbase to a degree, I think for the most part Oiler fans are right.
The Nuge is a very good two-way center while Eberle is a fantastic goal scorer. Taylor Hall is one of the best offensive wingers in the NHL, no real debate about that in my mind.
However, those in other NHL cities do not see it that way. I’ve had people tell me that the Oilers would be in tough to get Hamonic or Kevin Shattenkirk for Jordan Eberle, that they would need to add more. That shows the difference in perceived value. I’m of the belief that people inside the game are also torn on the value of these young Oilers.
29 other teams would love to get their hands on one of these guys, but do they view RNH as a franchise center? Do they view Eberle as a consistent 30 goal guy? Do they view Hall as a top five left winger? Taking my personal opinion out of this, I can tell you that there are some varying views on that, a lot that Oiler fans may not like.
It’s not getting much traction right now, but I think one of the big questions that must be asked is how much value these guys ACTUALLY have around the NHL. While Oiler fans may disagree, the losing HAS stained the reputations of these players, whether that is fair or not.
McKenzie: No question in terms of trades Chiarelli “is going to be active and some bodies are going to be flying out the door.” #Oilers
— Chris Nichols (@NicholsOnHockey) April 4, 2016
I don’t have much to add to this, but when you watch the final two Oiler games of 2015-16, I want you to remember this line. There will be changes this summer folks. When we next see the Edmonton Oilers in September, this roster will be markedly different and there will be a different feel to it. Hell, we might even see a balanced team for the first time in eleven falls. Wouldn’t that be something?
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