The Oilers are in Trouble

Via Sportsnet

Sigh. This article will be quite shorter than my usual ones. There’s a lot to talk about but to summarize, the Edmonton Oilers are not good enough. No matter how unworldly performances Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are currently having, this organization is still barely over .500 in years eight and nine of these players respectively. Sure, it’s only 15 games in. But, that’s a strong enough sample size to inform us that what we see is what we’ll likely get for the remainder of the season.

Calling the Oilers lack of depth scoring disappointing is putting it lightly. While the aforementioned McDavid and Leon have been doing the obvious majority of the scoring, along with players like Hyman, RNH and Kane who is expected to miss 3-4 months, the rest of the lineup has been putrid. Yamamoto, Puljujarvi and Warren Foegele have a combined THREE goals. Each get paid around $3 million a season. It’s time to start playing like it. The only bottom six guy who’s been decent is young speedy Ryan McLeod. The depth scoring has always been considered an issue in Edmonton until last season where we saw glimpses of others finally chipping in with offence. To start this season however they’ve been awful and they need to be better.

Jack Campbell has a GSAx near -6.05 right now. For a supposed starter who’s making 5×5 he has to be better as well. Stuart Skinner thankfully has shown well thus far and should be the starter for the rest of the season. The PK…. doesn’t even need to be talked about. They went 1/5 against Washington on Nov 7 which easily costed them the win. Surprise Surprise. The defence is also terrible. They’re letting up 3.12 xGA 5v5 which is 31st in the league. The only teams worse are the Flyers, Ducks and the Coyotes. This stat is screaming Tippett levels of play style right now and I’m getting sick of just looking at it.

All in all. This team is the very definition of average. The run last year looks like an anomaly. Even with your captain on pace for almost 80 goals and over 164 points, this team sits in the first wild card spot IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE. Unacceptable.

You can find me @Shae_Nuge93 on twitter.