The Edmonton Oilers’ struggles proceed, and areas of want are rising
B/R Open Ice: Frank Seravalli, on the Edmonton Oilers and their struggles, particularly with the secondary scoring. The Oilers want some assist in internet and depth up entrance. They aren’t getting the returns, and the seat is getting hotter for head coach Kris Knoblauch. They want some scoring assist.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
“Look, it’s been a catastrophe on so many alternative fronts. And we talked very early on in in the present day’s present in regards to the thought of the over reliance that the Oilers forwards have had on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Consider it or not, if you happen to look again during the last 10 years, the Oilers have gotten fewer factors in manufacturing out of the underside half of their lineup this 12 months than some other 12 months within the McDavid and Draisaitl expertise. Which is type of exhausting to consider.
Whenever you discuss a internet objective share thus far this season with the Oilers, McDavid and Draisaitl on the ice versus off of it, there, they’ve been outscored 30 to 9 thus far this season with Conor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl off the ice. That’s loopy.
So the place do the Oilers go from right here? Nicely, David Tomasek hasn’t labored. Isaac Howard is again in Bakersfield. Matt Savoie is trending in the precise course. He appears like a man who’s approaching, goes to be a participant for this group. The Oilers needn’t simply assist defending, not simply in internet, the place their goaltending has been poor, however additionally they want some extra expertise on their ahead group. That’s positively evident thus far.
NHL Rumors: Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers
And man, this depth has eroded in a really brief order for Edmonton. So keep watch over what Edmonton does subsequent. As a result of, you recognize, I feel the seat has gotten a bit hotter underneath Kris Knoblauch as this street journey has gone on. They’re not seeing the returns, and Jay Woodcroft was fired underneath fairly related circumstances. Although Kris Knoblauch has taken this group to 2 straight Stanley Cup Finals, the seats getting hotter.
However past that, in some unspecified time in the future they’re going to should do one thing as a result of lacking the playoffs this 12 months, they usually’re type of, consider it or not, teetering nearer to that edge, as we’ve needed to readjust some expectations for Edmonton. It’s been ugly. How do they discover their approach out of it? How do they discover extra talent?
Stan Bowman has his work reduce out for him. He’s tried to search out options. David Tomasek, the Swedish main scorer final season, he’s barely performed. And so looking for diamonds within the tough that hasn’t been it both.
They’re going to should make some robust selections, because the Edmonton Oilers are tied with the Calgary Flames, consider it or not, for regulation wins thus far this season. They each have simply 4, and Calgary has performed one fewer sport thus far this season, and Calgary is on the backside of the West standings alongside St Louis.
Have you ever subscribed to our YouTube channel? Rumor roundups and sizzling subjects from across the league. We’re additionally posting some stuff on Instagram.
