Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Why the Edmonton Oilers Will Win the Stanley Cup; Mon's Buzz

September 20, 2021, 12:15 PM ET [60 Comments]
Eklund
RSSArchiveCONTACT
Hello Hockey World!

As we start off this week we are only days away from pre-season games and less than a month away from everything happening for real. So while I will continue as always focusing on rumors (when they are out there) it is time to start team previews.

With the world still being so "covidy" and many out there struggling, I decided why not focus my preview energies on the positives going into this very new thing we call a "FULL NHL season."

Therefore in each of my previews I will be explaining why each of the 32 NHL teams will win a Stanley Cup. I don't like to predict, but I do see one of these 32 articles proving out to be quite prophetic...

Each day I will spin the Hockeybuzz wheel and that is the team I will be talking about...click, click, click......And we start with a great one...





Why the Edmonton Oilers Will Win The Stanley Cup.

It is at first easy to go with the negative about a team coming off some VERY lousy playoff performances. Especially after losing some key players this off-season...on the defensive side...But again, those players were part of some very lousy playoff runs and perhaps bringing in some new blood, especially one with three Cups to his name could be just what the doctor ordered..

The Oilers offense is the only NHL offense to feature two of the top 5 forwards in the game today. And of course they are the only NHL offense to feature the BEST forward in the game today. But they need more options and need to not always play McDavid and Draisaitl together in order to create more difficult matchups. Remember, the Penguins once were in this situation with Crosby and Malkin but they found the depth to only play them together at some key moments and that made a huge difference.

With that in mind, the Oilers went out and focused their energies on not only another key top 6 forward, but a forward who has looked his best when playing with top star players.

*Getting Zach Hyman will be the key and allow the rest of the forwards to slot into where they should be in the kind of roles that will see the Cup finally return to northern Alberta.

*The Oilers yesterday also signed Yamamoto, the exciting speedster to a one-year deal. It feels like at Yamamoto is on the verge of becoming a true top 6 and I believe he will benefit with Hyman on the ice...as will Jesse Puljujarvi who will be gunning for a spot on team Finland and whose talents may finally catch up with him in North America.

* The Oilers also added more tenacity with the addition of Warren Foegele.It took alot to get Foegele, but he is another guy who can net double-digit goals while playing a responsible game.. Finally...getting Brendan Perlini was another sneaky move. While he struggled in Detroit, prior to last season he was a VERY capable second/third-line player.

On the defensive side of things...

*The experience of Duncan Keith, along with the fact that Keith picked Edmonton and wants to play there, will be huge.

* Codi Ceci also joins the defense after a strong year in Pittsburgh, and while he won't do anything spectacular for you he does provide needed minutes to keep their top guys Nurse and Barrie further away from the 30 minute per game mark.

* I also love Evan Bouchard and many other teams tried to convince the Oilers to move him to them this off-season. The Oilers deserve some props for Bouchard and the way they didn't ruch him when they surely could have. I think we will see the benefits of that patience this season...

In goal...

* Mike Smith takes too much blame when you consider he had a fantastic season last year. I like Smith's compettiveness and he is the kind of goalie who will benefit his defense by playing the puck and if he is the #1 that confidence could fuel him.

* Looking for a surprise candidate to propell this team to glory? Alex Stalock is signed for under 800k. However, in his NHL career Stalock has shown soem interesting moments, and I believe he is way better than people realize. If he gets a shot in Edmonton he could be the true story of the year.

In conclusion... The Oilers are Stanley Cup ready. They are that great combination of talented players who have gone through the highs and lows to this point. They have a great coach and the players now know what it takes. They have the best player. They have a serious shot at the big prize..

Agree or Disagree?
Join the Discussion: » 60 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Eklund
» 14 Games Tonight with SO Much on the line. Previews and Picks
» Best Night of Hockey Yet..With Drama, Comebacks, Upsets!..Picks;Wed's Buzz
» 12 HUGE GAMES. THE BUZZTRON TELLS YOU EXACTLY WHAT WILL HAPPEN...
» Buzztron 7-3 last night. New Tie in Projected President Cup; Mon's Buzz
» The Buzztron Wins another Night Calling Leafs and Rangers Wins. Tonight?