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G63: Oilers @ Ducks - Time For Some Fun

February 25, 2020, 6:02 PM ET [100 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Trade deadlines have been one of those events that have hardened Oilers fans over the years and why it’s been difficult for fans to grow attached to some players. “What’s the point, he is just going to get moved for a third round pick that will never become anything.”

Yesterday was an exciting day for fans and today everyone seems a little happier; there is a noticeable buzz in the city. Aside from maybe the first Battle of Alberta rematch this season of Tkachuk vs Kassian, I can’t recall a regular season game that has been more looked forward to.

All of this is because Ken Holland made some additions on Deadline Day… real additions that addressed some of the critical needs of this team. No one should be jumping the gun to call this a Cup Contender yet, but fans should be amped and enjoy the moment.

Here are my thoughts on the four deals that Ken Holland has made in the last couple of days.

MIKE GREEN

Hearing that the Oilers were interested in Green, my first reaction was to roll my eyes and think “here we go again, another GM overvaluing his old players.” Upon closer look however, there is a ton to like here.

When healthy, the Oilers will be able to deploy the following defensemen: Klefbom, Larsson, Nurse, Bear, Benning, Lagesson, Jones, Green. I am not including Kris Russell in this list because the player has been put on LTIR and might be out indefinitely.

Even with the above roster healthy, there are question marks. Will Klefbom be fine after having work done on his shoulder? Is Matt Benning, who has had a miserable season of injuries going to be fine through a long playoff series? Despite being on a horrendous roster, the puck moving ability and powerplay prowess that Mike Green has can help Edmonton.

ANDREAS ATHANASIOU

The biggest boom or bust play by Ken Holland. Athanasiou has been productive through his young NHL career. The now 25 year old winger/centre has posted goals throughout his career:

2015/2016: 37GP - 9-5-14
2016/2017: 64GP - 18-11-29
2017/2018: 71GP - 16-17-33
2018/2019: 76GP - 30-24-54
2019/2020: 46GP - 10-14-24

It is that 2018/2019 number that fans are hoping for. Athanasiou is one of the fastest players in the league and one of the few that can keep up the McDavid stride for stride. It is a tantalizing notion to see these two players click and cause grief for defenders for years to come. Defensively AA is another story but if Tippett can get him to follow the system that has made the Oilers successful this season, Holland might have found McDavid’s winger for years to come.

TYLER ENNIS

Like Athanasiou, Ennis has been tied to Edmonton as a potential option for months. When AA was added, most (including myself) expected the Oilers to be down. Adding one more scoring winger to this team was a good 8move; adding two was great.

A 5th round pick for a winger who has scored 14 goals this season is a no-brainer. Ennis has the hands and wheels that could be a good compliment next to Connor McDavid, or he could slide in alongside Riley Sheahan and Josh Archibald, or even take some shifts next to RNH if Tippett wants to pair Draisaitl and McDavid together later in a game.

What Ken Holland has done for Dave Tippett and this team is provide balance and depth for a group that was already playing a strong team game, making up for the glaring deficiencies.

Time will tell how these moves will pan out but right now optimism is high in Oil Country. The GM has answered the call and made moves because he believes this group is good enough to make some noise. Now it’s up to the on-ice product to prove to him he was right to do so.

LINEUP

OILERS

Athanasiou-McDavid-Ennis
RNH-Draisaitl-Archibald
Granlund-Sheahan-Chiasson
Khaira-Haas-Russell

Nurse-Bear
Jones-Larsson
Lagesson-Green

Smith

Yamamoto is now week to week with an ankle injury. It seems the Oilers can’t escape from the injury bug now. It might be the end of March when the whole roster is avaiable.

DUCKS

Milano-Getzlaf-Rakell
Heinen-Henrique-Sherwood
Jones-Steel-Silfverberg
Deslauriers-Agozzino-Rowney

Lindholm-Manson
Larsson-Del Zotto
Djoos-Irwin

Gibson


3 KEYS TO VICTORY

1.) New Top Line -
It honestly sucks that Yamamoto goes down to injury the moment the Oilers get some forward depth. I have confidence that tenacious winger Archibald will fill in fine next to RNH and Draisaitl but tonight all eyes will be on the Ennis, McDavid, and Athanasiou combo. Watching new players on a team is always exciting and that effect is tripled when it is new players next to Connor.

2.) 100 Leon - Tonight Leon Draisaitl will be going for his 100th point and his second consecutive 100+ point season. Draisaitl remains that top candidate for the Hart Trophy and will look to keep boosting his numbers.

3.) New Faces On Both Sides Mike Green, Andreas Athanasiou, and Tyler Ennis will all be making their debut for the Oilers. Meanwhile the Ducks also have a number of new faces in Heinen, Agozzino, Djoos, Milano and Irwin. The Ducks are in rebuilding mode while the Oilers are pushing for a playoff spot but both teams will be getting used to new faces on their lines tonight.

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FILM OF THE DAY

Being the new guy around can be an awkward experience and the Oilers and coaching staff are hoping their new adds mesh right into the team. Hopefully it will be a better intro than this one from Mean Girls.

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