It’s been a question I can’t seem to stop thinking about the last few days, and it’s one that I tweeted out to my twitter followers on Monday afternoon. Are the Edmonton Oilers are legit threat to make the 2014 NHL playoffs? It’ll be eight years since their last appearance, and a year removed from what looked like a decent step-forward…until the trade deadline passed by.
There has been a lot of change in Edmonton, and not just on paper. The philosophy is different, the message is no longer patience and development, but rather that the time is now. A new voice, a new GM in Craig MacTavish came in April, and a new front office man in Scott Howson followed suit, adding another mind.
In June, a new coach, in the form of fitness freak and highly hyped AHL coach Dallas Eakins took over the show from Ralph Krueger, who lasted just 48 games. He brought along Keith Acton, a new associate coach.
The draft brought forth another strong defensive prospect in Darnell Nurse, one who could easily become the next great Oilers defender a few years down the road. He, Justin Schultz and Oscar Klefbom could form a deadly trio three or four years from now. Promising prospects like Marco Roy, Bogdan Yakimov, Anton Slepyshev and Greg Chase joined the organization as well.
Then there was the trade, the one that sent the captain and longest tenured Oiler Shawn Horcoff to Dallas for a 7th round pick, defender Philip Larsen and some major cap relief. It was the end of an era, and one that truly singled change in Oil Country.
Out go Nikolai Khabibulin, Yann Danis, Ryan Whitney, Darcy Hordichuk, Eric Belanger, Shawn Horcoff, Lennart Petrell, Jerrod Smithson, Magnus Paajarvi, Theo Peckham and Mark Fistric. All non-factors and mostly dead-weight players, with the exceptions of Horcoff and Maggie. We might be able to soon add Ales Hemsky and possibly, but unlikely, Sam Gagner to this list too.
In come better, more competitive players like Jason Labarbera, Richard Bachman, Andrew Ference, Anton Belov, Boyd Gordon, Jesse Joensuu, Ryan Hamilton, and David Perron. It’s a pretty expansive list of change, from the top of the management chain all the way to the OKC Barons. The Oilers were shaken up this off-season, and it still might not be done.
The burning question is though, was it enough to put this team into the second season? Will the faithful finally be rewarded?
The answer? It’s pretty cloudy right now, and I can honestly say, it could go either way at this point. Moves to get third line wingers or a top four defender would certainly help at this point though.
Up front Edmonton has it’s best top six forward group in years. Led by a top line of young stars in Taylor Hall, Ryan-Nugent Hopkins and Jordan Eberle, the Oilers have some real lethal weapons to work with. David Perron’s acquisition will really help the second line, and Nail Yakupov will be a year older and better.
While Sam Gagner is still a question mark to return, I expect that he does and I expect him to put up solid numbers once again this season.
The bottom six was an area of focus this off-season, and while it is better it still isn’t good. Admittedly, it’s still a work in progress. Boyd Gordon is a good third line center and will replace Shawn Horcoff easily. Ryan Jones returns after a bad season, but he is finally 100% healthy, and it should be expected that he has a bounce back season. Ryan Smyth, playing limited minutes in his natural LW spot, should also have a better season than this past one.
Jesse Joensuu joins the club, and with his range of skills and build, he has the potential to be a gem of a find. That being said, he should at worst be an upgrade on Lennart Petrell and last year’s Teemu Hartikainen. That’s something right? Mike Brown will play limited games and minutes too this year, which suits him better.
The Oilers are still a physical third line winger away from having a decent bottom six, and I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that they get that player in a potential Ales Hemsky trade at some point this summer. If not, Hemsky joins this group, and my thoughts on that are pretty mixed.
On defense, Edmonton can expect improvement from youngsters Justin Schultz and Jeff Petry, both who are solid young players. Veteran Andrew Ference provides an upgrade on Ryan Whitney and provides a tough, physical and calming presence to this group.
Ladi Smid and his stay-at-home game should also be back, and it’s safe to say that he too will be back in a top four spot on this roster. Anton Belov is a total wildcard, and could very well surprise some people. The KHL’s top defender could very well prove to be a difference maker on this Oilers club, but like a lot of defenders in Edmonton, he is a question mark.
Philip Larsen and Corey Potter will both fight it out for a roster spot, and both are fine in a depth puck-moving role. Nick Schultz is currently on the roster, but I believe he will most likely be moved at some point before the deadline. It’s easy to think he could be part of a package for a bigger fish on that blue-line.
In goal, veteran Jason Labarbera brings the Oilers a legit NHL backup, one who knows how to handle the sparse starts and have a positive influence on the starter. He should help and be an underrated signing for this Oilers team. In the starting spot is Devan Dubnyk, whom the fan base is totally split on.
DD has potential to be a very good NHL starter in his career, and his numbers last year were pretty good, even better when you consider the defense he was playing behind for most of the season. Dubnyk wasn’t Edmonton’s problem and I don’t see a better option on the market that is realistic for Edmonton to acquire. Why give up assets when you have a guy that could be what you are looking for?
Overall, I think Edmonton has an improved roster over the 2012-13 edition and will show improvement in the standings. It looks like, to me at least, that the days of top ten picks are over in Edmonton. The Oilers, as constructed right now, are a playoff bubble team and one whose young talent could push them over that hump.
Edmonton would be wise to add a third line winger or a depth center to fix those question marks up front, and if possible a top pairing minute munching defender would be a welcomed add.
In the new format, Edmonton has a few options for a playoff spot. They will be better than Calgary, and I also think they will be better than the Coyotes will be. They won’t catch the Kings or Sharks, so the best bet is to catch Vancouver or Anaheim. The Ducks are the prime target, as they lack depth, don’t have a great defense, and lost star Bobby Ryan this summer. It’s possible, but will be tough.
The wild-card options will be interesting too for Edmonton. They are better than a number of teams in the other west division, like Winnipeg, Nashville, and Colorado. It isn’t out of the realm of possibility that they can pass Dallas and make it as the four-seed in a cross over format.
It’ll be interesting to see how the season unfolds, but as we currently stand, the Edmonton Oilers are 2014 playoff bubble team. MacT can push this team over the hump with a move or two.
I’ll be back tomorrow with a look at Maple Leaf’s captain and defender Dion Phaneuf and see if there is really a fit with the Edmonton Oilers. Until then, follow me on twitter @Alex_Thomas14!
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
