Sean Maloughney: 4 Reasons Why The Oilers Will Improve This Season

1st!
Go Holland! Go any where but Detroit!

They really dropped the ball on goaltending. So many upgrades available and they did nothing. Barrie for Klefbom also doesn't improve them defensively. Not a legit contender until these flaws are addressed.

Maybe they will, maybe they wont. It’s a waste of time speculating, and even a greater waste of time pouring through player stats and trends to try and come up with what amounts to little more than a guess about a teams success or lack of in a season that might not even go down.

Maybe they will, maybe they wont. It’s a waste of time speculating, and even a greater waste of time pouring through player stats and trends to try and come up with what amounts to little more than a guess about a teams success or lack of in a season that might not even go down.
- HonkyTonkMan

True story.

They really dropped the ball on goaltending. So many upgrades available and they did nothing. Barrie for Klefbom also doesn't improve them defensively. Not a legit contender until these flaws are addressed.
- Kooleus

Really, Koski made some significant strides last season and while he started to struggle as the season wore on, I would like to know if he can handle an increased workload.

I'm also curious if Holland has something up his sleeve this season, or over the next off-season; the signing of Smith smelled of something cooking.

Really, Koski made some significant strides last season and while he started to struggle as the season wore on, I would like to know if he can handle an increased workload.

I'm also curious if Holland has something up his sleeve this season, or over the next off-season; the signing of Smith smelled of something cooking.
- JayArr

I’m not sure betting on a goaltender in his 30s to improve his performance under an increased workload with a defence like that is the way to go

Maybe they will, maybe they wont. It’s a waste of time speculating, and even a greater waste of time pouring through player stats and trends to try and come up with what amounts to little more than a guess about a teams success or lack of in a season that might not even go down.
- HonkyTonkMan

The kind of "holier than thou" hot takes I missed

The kind of "holier than thou" hot takes I missed
- MaximumBone

Hey you're a bright kid, but last I heard you were serving coffee. Nothing wrong with that but imagine what you might he doing if you applied that brain of yours to something more, uh, productive?

Umm... so why do you say the Americans have a "fake" Thanksgiving exactly ??

Most of us are very thankful for a lot of things. For Red Wings fans, that includes the fact that Ken Holland is no longer our GR. Amen.

Umm... so why do you say the Americans have a "fake" Thanksgiving exactly ??

Most of us are very thankful for a lot of things. For Red Wings fans, that includes the fact that Ken Holland is no longer our GR. Amen.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Well the story of Thanksgiving taught to Children is complete bullpoop. Not saying that 6 year olds need to be told about trading blankets full of pox and other nefarious actions resulting in the mass genocide of the indigenous people of the Americas or anything but when people still believe the yarns about sharing and friendship between the Pilgrims and Natives well into adulthood.....well, that is some fake ass poop.

Hey you're a bright kid, but last I heard you were serving coffee. Nothing wrong with that but imagine what you might he doing if you applied that brain of yours to something more, uh, productive?
- HonkyTonkMan

Interesting; did you last hear something back in 2014?

Appreciate the compliment and, rest assured, I'm working towards something more productive than that now

Umm... so why do you say the Americans have a "fake" Thanksgiving exactly ??

Most of us are very thankful for a lot of things. For Red Wings fans, that includes the fact that Ken Holland is no longer our GR. Amen.
- Vladdie_Kon1

K maybe I’m getting old but what the Fuk is a GR?

I’m not sure betting on a goaltender in his 30s to improve his performance under an increased workload with a defence like that is the way to go
- Rexypoo

Goaltenders usually peak later, with the exception of some freaks out of junior, but I get what youre saying.
I’m more concerned with Smith tho, this will be like returning from a lockout . I doubt we’ll see Hockey at all until fall and thats a long layoff for an old fart at the age when the body starts rapidly breaking down.

Goaltenders usually peak later, with the exception of some freaks out of junior, but I get what youre saying.
I’m more concerned with Smith tho, this will be like returning from a lockout . I doubt we’ll see Hockey at all until fall and thats a long layoff for an old fart at the age when the body starts rapidly breaking down.
- HonkyTonkMan

Smith is a free agent in the fall. I can see Holland taking another shot at Mrazek next year.

Goaltenders usually peak later, with the exception of some freaks out of junior, but I get what youre saying.
I’m more concerned with Smith tho, this will be like returning from a lockout . I doubt we’ll see Hockey at all until fall and thats a long layoff for an old fart at the age when the body starts rapidly breaking down.
- HonkyTonkMan

On the contrary, it gives him a lot of time to get into good form as an extended break would help when it comes to recovery and preparation for the next season.

Smith is a free agent in the fall. I can see Holland taking another shot at Mrazek next year.
- Vanillaface

How is the FA market looking for goalies next off-season? Are there other options available?

How is the FA market looking for goalies next off-season? Are there other options available?
- EdmHockeyMan

Rask (if he doesn't retire), Andersen, Raanta, Binnington (if you think much of him), Grubauer, Mrazek, and- my current preference- Ullmark.

How is the FA market looking for goalies next off-season? Are there other options available?
- EdmHockeyMan

The Oil need more old overpriced FA's that scored 20 goals like 6 years ago.

Focus on those.

On the contrary, it gives him a lot of time to get into good form as an extended break would help when it comes to recovery and preparation for the next season.
- EdmHockeyMan

Take a look at older players that came back from the last 2 lockouts that had an uptick and compare to those that regressed. I’ll wait.