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4 Reasons Why The Oilers Will Improve This Season

November 27, 2020, 6:13 PM ET [19 Comments]
Sean Maloughney
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Happy Friday everyone and let's stay positive at the end of what has been a long work week (less so for many American's with their fake Thanksgiving) and be optimistic.

Here are 4 reasons why I believe the Oilers will improve this season from their 2nd place finish they took last season in the Pacific Division.

1.) A BETTER FORWARD CORE

Here is the forward lineup that the Edmonton Oilers iced on opening night last season:
Nygard-McDavid-Neal
Draisaitl-RNH-Kassian
Granlund-Haas-Chiasson
Khaira-Cave-Archibald

And here is a best guess on what the forward core will be on opening night this season

RNH-McDavid-Puljujarvi
Kahun-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Ennis-Turris-Kassian
Neal-Khaira-Chiasson

With how great he was in the second half of last season, it's easy to forget that Kailer Yamamoto was only with this team from the end of December to March when the season shut down. This year he will be out there on opening night. Ditto for the steady jack of all trades that is Tyler Ennis who came over at the trade deadline.

Of course there are all the other new additions as well. Kyle Turris may not be a defensive juggernaut but he is still a good skater with elite vision who should push the river much better than Riley Sheahan ever did.

Dark horses could be Dominik Kahun and Jesse Puljujarvi both who I believe will be in the Oilers top six. Kahun has shown well in the NHL playing with elite level players and producing at 5 on 5. Puljujarvi meanwhile has been one of the top producers over seas and is returning to the NHL with renewed confidence.

All in all this is a much better forward group than the Oilers have mustered in over a decade, most importantly with talent away from McDavid and Draisaitl.

2.) A STRONGER POWERPLAY

In my last blog I discussed that there was reason to expect the penalty kill to drop more to league average next season but I see no reason why the powerplay cannot continue to be top 3 in the NHL. The trio of RNH, Draisaitl and McDavid are arguably the best in all of the NHL on the powerplay with how quick and effectively they move the puck. The fourth man might end up being Turris, or Chiasson, or maybe even Puljujarvi.

The biggest X factor I think will be Tyson Barrie on the backend. Barrie has been an elite offensive defenseman throughout his career, most notably with Colorado as their deadliest weapon on the point. While Klefbom has been good on this unit he is a left shot. Having a right shot in Barrie opens up a completely new dynamic for this unit, providing one more way to get the puck into the net.

3.) GROWTH FROM THE BACKEND

If Bear and Jones struggle in the top four there is reason to be concerned; however there is also plenty of evidence to suggest both players are ready for this burden. Bear and Jones are young players and have made mistakes, as any young player does. Playing more games will begin to eliminate these from their game, making them more effective players. Bear in particular is currently the Oilers best first pass out defender and played with a poise last season that is almost never seen in a rookie.

The biggest dark horse here will be Evan Bouchard who likely will be getting a callup at some point this season. Once he does, I believe he will make it extremely difficult for management to ever send him down again.

4.) A HEALTHY MCDAVID

It feels like forever since I have discussed the Oilers captain and the best player in the National Hockey League.

Connor McDavid suffered a serious injury at the end of the 18/19 season and spent his entire summer in rehab to heal. Coming back, McDavid on many nights was still the brilliant player we have all come to expect but there were also more noticeable gaffs. He wasn't always blowing past the defenders as he did in the past, the puck bounced off his stick more...

McDavid has now fully rested, healed, and is back to training as he once did. It's wild to remember that Connor is only 23 years old and by technical standards is only now entering his prime. In a "bad year" McDavid put up 97 points in 64 games. Be very afraid NHL.
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