Edmonton Oilers Checklist: How to Return to the Playoffs
By Sammi Silber
As we all know, the Edmonton Oilers are going under major construction right now. After failing to make the playoffs yet again, the Oilers cleaned house, hiring new General Manager Peter Chiarelli and new head coach Todd McLellan. They also took top prospect Connor McDavid first overall in the NHL Draft and traded and signed new, talented players, such as New York Rangers goaltender Cam Talbot.
MORE ON OIL ON WHYTE– IS THIS THE OILERS’ REBOUND YEAR?
With a new roster and McDavid looking hotter than ever out on the ice at Rexall Place, we are all asking the same question: Is this rebuild good enough to finally return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs? Well, here at Oil on Whyte, we’re going to show you the playoff checklist, what the Oilers have accomplished as of this far and what else they must do to return to the quest for the Cup.
Accomplishments
So far, the Oilers have stepped up and have taken action. They hired a new NHL GM and head coach, as well as drafted the top prospect and acquired many big-name players, such as Talbot and defenseman Andrej Sekera. These additions will surely help the team in its depth, but there’s much more to be done, as the offseason is just getting started.
What to do Next
From the last paragraph, we know the Oilers have already completed two of the tasks on here: 1. Clean out office and hire a new staff and 2. Rebuild the roster to form a powerful team. Next on the checklist, the Oilers must find more help on the blueline and put the right players together on the ice and form chemistry and unity if they want to win.
Darnell Nurse will surely help the Edmonton Oilers‘ defensive needs, but so would more big-name, experienced players who are not new to NHL hockey. Hopefully, the Brent Seabrook rumors are true, meaning we will be fine when it comes to defense.
As for chemistry, we know we have talent, but in order for the team to function and utilize that talent, they must find chemistry with one another on the ice, using each other’s skills to capitalize and dominate opposing teams. If all goes well here, the Oilers will win more games and surely raise their numbers when it comes to the standings.
Checklist
All that being said, here is a checklist of things the Oilers must do in order to return to the playoffs. We will jump back to this chart, so pay attention!
__ Good trades instead of Free Agents
The free agency market this year isn’t the most star-studded thing that’s ever existed. With that being said, the team can trade for talented players. We have a lot to offer, including valuable draft picks, talented prospects and skilled players that are no longer responding to our team.
__ Form Team Unity and Chemistry
I will remind everyone of this again. The most important part of a successful hockey team is… it’s teamwork. If a team works together and forms unity and chemistry, they will all buy in. When they buy into the system, especially McLellan’s coaching system, they will become more powerful and successful, making them unstoppable.
__ Improve on the defensive end
The defense must protect the blue line if they want to make it to the playoffs. Talbot’s a great goaltender and we know his potential, but we need a good defense to improve his play, as well as stop goals from coming in. The less work Talbot has to do in net, the less shots will come and the less goals will come, leading to Oiler wins.
__ Utilize the First-Rounders
Taylor Hall. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Nail Yakupov. Connor McDavid. These players are here for a reason: they are all Oiler’s former first-round draft picks. Many of them were selected at number one. Therefore, they should be number one on the ice. McLellan must work with these young talents to get them back to how they should be playing: tough and offensive with at least 20 goals and 20 assists per season. The more goals, the better the chance at winning.
__ Capitalize on opportunities
If a great player becomes available for trade that would benefit the team, Chiarelli has to go for it. If a minor-league player is showing an amazing performance each game, call him up. We must capture each opportunity we have to become better. With this mindset, we will be successful.
Let’s go, Oil, and let’s return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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