The Oilers are blowing it

[Fogghorn]

I just looked, EL started this "The Oilers are Blowing it" thread in 2013. I almost feel sorry for them, but then I start to giggle.

[Chris18]

I just looked, EL started this "The Oilers are Blowing it" thread in 2013. I almost feel sorry for them, but then I start to giggle.

Given how many #1 overall picks they've squandered, screw them.

[E.L.]

I know hockey is a team game, but at a certain point the only conclusion that can be drawn is that Connor McDavid is a loser.

[Pokecheque]

Pretty sure Ken Holland has failed to address any of the issues plaguing the Oilers upon his arrival. They needed better goaltending, better defense, and more depth up front. Nothing has improved. NOTHING.

[Fogghorn]

They do have a PDO of 93.6%, lowest in the league, almost as extreme as the Canuck's 109.9.

[Chris18]

I know hockey is a team game, but at a certain point the only conclusion that can be drawn is that Connor McDavid is a loser.

I'd send any 3 Islanders forwards in exchange for that loser.

[harmfuljays]

Pretty sure Ken Holland has failed to address any of the issues plaguing the Oilers upon his arrival. They needed better goaltending, better defense, and more depth up front. Nothing has improved. NOTHING.

We have a job down here for him. Its called President! Woodcroft needs to go NOW but I guess tomorrow will work.

[E.L.]

Since July:

Connor's Agent -> Oilers CEO

Connor's Jr Linemate -> Oilers UFA splash

Connor's Jr. Coach -> Oilers Head Coach

[Pokecheque]

Yep, this is Connor McDavid's team through and through, Kenny Holland is no longer the GM, and I imagine he retires at season's end in favor of another figurehead/bean counter.

Not letting Holland off the hook here, he did plenty to screw things up all on his own, but his power in the organization has been blunted to a large degree in favor of Jackson, et al.

If McDavid does indeed go elsewhere he can't possibly say the Oilers didn't do everything possible to appease him.

That presser was absolutely ridiculous BTW. Just drove the point home that Holland and Jackson aren't at all on the same page.

[Fogghorn]

Since changing coaches this team has been on a huge tear. They've set a Canadian team record with 13 consecutive wins. Stuart Skinner is playing perhaps the best of his career. Most worrisome is that they have given up the fewest high danger chances of any team in the NHL since they've changed coaches. This team is playing good defense. Well a lot of that is from puck domination so the puck is not in their end very often, can't expose a weak defense if they don't have to defend.

Of all the teams in the west they are the most worrisome. Not only have they already dug themselves out of that deep hole when they were tied for worst with San Jose after 11 games. They look like they should quite easily end up in 3rd in the west and might even climb to first overall if either the Jets or Nucks slip even a little from their .700+ winning percentages.

[E.L.]

Corey Perry joins up after whatever happened in Chi. Does that mean they'll lose in the finals?

[E.L.]

Connor Brown scored his first goal of the season in his 55th game. When he finally got the monkey off his back, the Edmo crowd gave him a standing o. You love to see it, hockey players are people too!

https://twitter.com/zjlaing/status/1768 ... omE6w&s=19" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bosc]

I still rememer Sheahan scoring his first and second goals of the 16-17 season in his 80th game, the last of the season, and his second goal was the last one scored at the Joe.

[E.L.]

Four wins away from no longer blowing it.

The key: finding actual top pairing defencemen in Bouchard and Ekholm. No shade, Darnell!

[Fogghorn]

Bouchard is very, very good. Meshes so well with their big forwards. And yeah Ekholm stabilizes everything so Bouchard can do his thing.

[Chris18]

Corey Perry joins up after whatever happened in Chi. Does that mean they'll lose in the finals?

Months old post could come true now. Well done!

[E.L.]

Corey Perry joins up after whatever happened in Chi. Does that mean they'll lose in the finals?

Months old post could come true now. Well done!

Corey Perry hat-trick: A Cup final loss, a contract termination and Connor Bedard's mom all in the same season

[Chris18]

Corey Perry joins up after whatever happened in Chi. Does that mean they'll lose in the finals?

Months old post could come true now. Well done!

Corey Perry hat-trick: A Cup final loss, a contract termination and Connor Bedard's mom all in the same season

[Pokecheque]

In a move that surprises no one, Ken Holland and the Oilers mutually part ways.

Jeff Jackson says the search for a new GM will begin immediately as he states he doesn't want the role. Clearly though, McDavid is the de facto GM going forward.

[Pokecheque]

Oilers make a really weird move in their first post-GM move.

They trade a first rounder in '25 or '26 to get the very last pick of the first round and take Sam O'Brien.

This doesn't make any sense--why the hell would you trade back into the first round and lock up next year's when your window of contention is CLEARLY open!? Now they can't deal it for any deadline help in 2025.

I don't know anything about this SOB kid but even if he's a gem he likely won't be NHL-ready for another couple years at the least.