Most of the Edmonton Oilers are on a much-needed break.
Despite the consternation of some people over smaller-sample struggles, this squad is a top three NHL team. Among the elite.
So, with the trading deadline looking ever closer (certainly in terms of games), what should be at the top of the Oilers’ shopping list?
That and more in this edition of…
9 Things
9. The Pittsburgh Penguins have terminated the contract of former Oilers first-round pick Jesse Puljujarvi. He was 3-6-9 in 26 games.
8. Leon Draisaitl now has six 40+-goal NHL seasons. That puts him one back of the legendary Oiler Jari Kurri. Wayne Gretzky had nine while in Edmonton.
7. It made good sense to send Noah Philp back to Bakersfield for the break. The last thing he needs is to sit and twiddle his thumbs. In his twelve games with the Oilers, Philp has only played more than 10:00 three times.
6. This is only barely related to Oilers because I watched him play Edmonton this past week. But those harshly criticizing Connor Bedard should direct at least an equal amount of scorn at the Chicago organization for building such a poor excuse for a hockey team around him.
5. Should the Oilers acquire a goaltender at the deadline? Only if we are talking about a veteran depth guy if one of your two existing tenders gets hurt. Otherwise, who is the clear #1 ahead of Stuart Skinner that is available? I am hearing the John Gibson rumors too. But he has been very mediocre for five years, now, and at a cap hit of $6.4m that presents other roster implications.
4. Most Edmonton Oilers fans will surely wish that more of their guys were in the Four Nations Face-Off tournament. But the Oilers played more hockey games last season than any other NHL team. It was a short summer. And it was difficult to watch Team Canada candidates such as Stuart Skinner, Evan Bouchard, Ryan-Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse, and Zach Hyman against Colorado on Friday night and not think that they could sure use a rest.
3. I still think Canada will be sorry they did not bring along Zach Hyman. Fifty-goal scorers do not grow on trees and Hyman can do so many other things for you as well. Hyman’s nineteen goals are off last season’s pace. But I still see Zach going to the right places on the ice. He is second in the NHL for Inner Slot Shots with eight-two. And he is number one when it comes to those kinds of chances per game (1.67, via Sportslogiq). They just are not going in for him like they did last year, when Hyman’s shooting percentage was 18.6, five points higher than his ten-year career average.
2. So, how are the other Oilers Top 9 forwards from the Colorado game shooting? Way lower than you might expect for a top three NHL squad. Get a load of these numbers: Connor McDavid is currently at 14.2%, down one percentage point from his career average. Viktor Arvidsson is at 7.2%, down almost three. Adam Henrique is 9.3%, down 5.5. Jeff Skinner is 9.6%, down 1.5. Vasily Podkolzin is 7.3%, off two. Connor Brown is 9%, down 1.5. Mattias Janmark is 5.0%, down 4.3. In fact, the only two regular Oilers forward firing above their career average right now are Leon Draisaitl (21.4%, up almost 3) and Corey Perry (18.5%, up 5.5).
1.What addition (or additions) will the Edmonton Oilers make at the deadline? It is a foregone conclusion that this team is a Stanley Cup contender. They are worth spending the assets on. This organization is and should be in “go for it” mode. Now, it is equally clear that, while they are a top team in the league in terms of standings points, there are a few areas that could use a shoring-up. To be fair, you could say that about all clubs. But nonetheless there are still some remaining boxes to be ticked. So, let us put on our Stan Bowman hats and get to work GM-ing this team to a Stanley Cup Championship. Where to start?
First, if the Oilers had more certainty on the Evander Kane front, then this would be a much easier decision. I do think Edmonton could use a rugged, shooting winder who can comfortable play up and down your lineup. Even an average Kane would give you that without sending another asset (or two) out. If he comes back as “the old Evander,” you stick him on Leon Draisaitl’s right wing and walk away. And if Kane cannot come back at all, use his cap hit elsewhere. Perhaps Chicago’s Ryan Donato is an option at a reasonable price.
Let’s assume for the purpose of this article though that Kane can play, and at least at a middle-six level. Unless a legit top-line shooter falls into your lap, the General Manager turns his gaze elsewhere. But where? I have already made the case against a goalie unless you come upon some magic beans and a puck-stopped you never dreamed would be get-able is. This tandem already got you to Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals once.
Well, again the Evander Kane element factors in. If Kane can play in your top six, then you can afford to go McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins and Henrique down the middle as we have seen the last couple of outings. That is a pretty strong spine.
In which case, I think job one is to acquire a top four Defenceman. I like John Klingberg. But this club needs another guy you can put on the ice with a one-goal lead in the final two minutes of a series-deciding game.
I see the Oilers with three of those guys right now: Mattias Ekholm, Darnell Nurse and Brett Kulak.
A fourth might just help win this team a cup.
Newly on Bluesky @kurtleavins.bsky.social. On Twitter @KurtLeavins, Threads @kleavins, Instagram at LeavinsOnHockey, and even on Mastodon at [email protected]. This article is not AI generated.
Recently, at The Cult…
STAPLES: Blood in the water surrounding the Rantanen negotiations
STAPLES: Oilers lose high-event game to the Avalanche
McCURDY: Should Cal Pickard get more starts?
LEAVINS: Oilers storm back, beat Blues
Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.