The alarm sounded with a pleasant chime rather than its normal sleep-shattering blare. Try as it might, the bed just couldn’t hold me down. I was up and around before the morning sun, making breakfast (okay, blending an instant shake) and greeting the day with the vigor of a man half my age and twice as attractive. Why? The Edmonton Oilers are undefeated and play tonight, opening their season at Rexall Place against the Calgary Flames. At the end of a long and miserable offseason, it’s time for a few new season’s resolutions.
It’s Never Too Early
Each and every season, some people try to silence the sky-is-falling panic with a reminder that it’s early. Early in the season, early in the game, early in the shift, whatever the case may be someone is always trying to inject this line of reasoning. I’m done with it. The Oilers were effectively eliminated from the playoffs after eight games last season, starting the season in a 1-6-1 hole they could never climb out of. It’s early right up until the first game’s opening faceoff. After that, each moment matters and the results speak for themselves.
Stop Measuring Yakupov’s Leash
Yak-bashing has been trendy since the Oilers announced his name at the 2012 NHL Draft, but it’s time to move on. He was drafted first overall for good reason, and if Daryl Katz was the one to make that decision I’ll be the first in line to buy him a beer. Unless he wants a Bud Light. I wouldn’t even buy that swill if Bill Ranford requested it. Nail Yakupov’s growing pains are well documented, but it’s time to stop measuring his leash. I hope he scores 40 this year, just to stick it in the craw of all the flapping heads out there with nothing better to yap about.
Breakout player: Leon Draisaitl
He’s the biggest question mark on the Oilers roster, but I’m convinced that Draisaitl’s poise and productivity are going to shock people this season. His vision sets him apart, and the only thing keeping him from Calder contention would be his linemates’ failure to keep their heads on swivels and sticks on the ice. Just trust me on this one. I’m listening to music as I write this, and Bon Jovi’s “Wanted Dead or Alive… just began playing. That has to be a sign from the hockey gods that great things are in store for the Deutschland Dangler.
No Tracking Tkachev
I don’t care how many points Vladimir Tkachev racks up in Moncton, I’ve made the decision to turn my back, walk away, and move on with my life. Tracking his stats is the hockey equivalent of slowly driving past your ex-girlfriend’s house at night with Chris Isaak playing. It doesn’t diminish the pain, just exacerbates it. If you love something, let it go (or misinterpret the CBA and embarrassingly botch an entry-level contract offer). If it comes back to you, then you’ll know it’s meant to be yours forever. Okay, this is getting awkward.
Keep the Ultimate Goal in Mind
Watching the Los Angeles Kings’ Stanley Cup banner raising last night was unexpectedly emotional. It made me ache for the Cup, reliving the pain of 2006 and longing for the day when the Oilers will hold it again. Nothing tastes sweeter. We’re so focused on seeing improvement, or simply avoiding embarrassment, we sometimes forget that winning the Stanley Cup is the ultimate goal. It stings when you think how far we are from that goal, but Oiler pride never dies and pursuit of the Cup should drive each member of the organization.
Give Nikitin a Chance
I’ll admit, I haven’t given Nikita Nikitin a fair shake. I see the two-year contract, examine the role he played with Columbus last season, note how little that team misses him, regard him as a bridge to future defencemen, and it all leaves a bad taste in my mouth. That’s on me, and I need to get over it. Nikitin looks to be healthy and ready for the opener tonight against Calgary. But did he really have to go and choose number 86? 86?! That’s the worst possible number he could have chosen! Oy, this is going to be more difficult than I thought.
Biggest Surprise: Justin Schultz
After all the Norris Trophy rhetoric Craig MacTavish lobbed at us, Justin Schultz faces major expectations this season. Personally, I think he’s going to be the Oilers’ biggest surprise, smashing projections and cementing himself as one of the league’s best offensive blueliners. Taking you back to the ’80s for a moment, if the Oilers were Police Academy then Schultz would be Tackleberry—goofy and awkward at first, but gradually rounding into the baddest-ass cop on the force. The Tom Poti comparison is apt, but it won’t be after the season’s first 10 games.
Don’t Entertain Petry Trade Rumours
The Jeff Petry-for-unnamed-centre rumours have already begun but don’t buy into this nonsense, because it’s just not happening. Anton Lander will score 10 points before Petry gets dealt. Draisaitl is going to lock down the second-line pivot and Jeff So Deft is finally going to earn the respect he deserves as the Oilers’ most well-rounded defenceman. That might cause MacTavish some problems negotiating a new deal next summer, but that’s what he’s paid for. I would hate to see Edmonton sacrifice Petry to address a perceived short-term need.
Stop Dissecting Eakins
At times, Dallas Eakins has to feel like a bullfrog sprawled out before a high school biology class. Picked, poked, and prodded with equal parts curiosity and disgust, the Oilers bench boss has a difficult job. Of course, he didn’t do himself any favors entering town with a brash and boastful attitude. He’s toned it down this season, focusing less on winning and more on the process. He’s putting his stamp on the team, we’re just not sure exactly what it is (fitness? defense? disingenuousness?) or whether it can produce results. Feels like I’m already failing.
Pick a Goalie Horse and Ride It
I hate goalie tandems. Remember, during the 2006 Stanley Cup final MacTavish went with a rotating backup tandem, with Ty Conklin and Jussi Markanen alternating games. We all saw how well that turned out. The following season San Jose Sharks coach Ron Wilson alternated starts for Vesa Toskala and Evgeni Nabokov regardless of how they played, keeping each one from getting into a groove. The Oilers need to pick either Ben Scrivens or Viktor Fasth and give him the majority of the starts. I’ll throw my support behind one of them early on.
Don’t Get Too Attached to Nurse
Darnell Nurse is that shiny new toy you receive on Christmas morning. You know, the talking Optimus Prime robot with flashing lights and authentic truck sounds. Everyone wants to pull him out of the packaging and see how he looks under the bright lights of NHL competition. Unfortunately, like your parents telling you to put your toys away until after Christmas dinner, it looks like we’ll have to wait for Nurse’s debut. He’s an intriguing package of grit and athleticism, but barring injury he’s probably headed back to the Soo.
Enjoy the Journey
If we’re on the road to better days, Oiler fans are the ones shouting from the backseat “Are we there yet?!… The Oilers will not look great every night, and will not inspire confidence from start to finish. Just as every season, we’re going to see ups and downs, peaks and lulls. There will be injuries, hardships, struggles and turmoil. We could see another couple jerseys hit the Rexall ice in disgust, and that’s fine. But through it all, try to enjoy the journey and savor days like today, when the Oilers are undefeated and a new season awaits.
ryan.garner@hockeybuzz.com
It's a great day to be alive! Oilers are undefeated and play tonight. Drop the Puck: #Oilers New Season's Resolutions http://t.co/aMdl0bmO6u
— Ryan Garner (@RyGarner) October 9, 2014