Edmonton Oilers 2015-16 Report Card Thus Far

Edmonton Oilers 2015-16 Report Card Thus Far

How do we explain this season so far for the Edmonton Oilers? One of ups and downs, for sure. The Oilers have had good times, including a recent six-game winning streak and huge breakthroughs. They’ve had not-so-good times, including the injury of rookie Connor McDavid and their skids.

We also have those who have been recalled, those who have been sent down, those who have been waived and those who have been shuffled around in the Oilers lineup. Todd McLellan has had the opportunity to work with many players this season, including in training camp, and we are going to determine who has been good and just awful with the use of grades. Hey, all of you college kids reading just finished finals, so why don’t you feel a bit better about what you got on your transcript by looking at the grades for your favorite Oilers players?

Especially due to the fact that a trade freeze is coming up, and due to my belief that it is most certainly time for the Oilers to make a move and shuffle around the lineup, I believe it is time to go player-by-player and review each and every Oiler, giving them a grade and explaining why. Because honestly, some of them have been great, while others have been awful. We will use in-depth statistics, trends and other information, including flashbacks to certain performances, to help us decide the grades for each player to suit up for the copper and blue this year.

Note that we will not rate the following two players: Nikita Nikitin and Griffin Reinhart, due to a majority of their time out of the lineup and in the AHL.

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Taylor Hall, A

A rather pleasant surprise this season, Taylor Hall is developing and maturing a lot under McLellan’s leadership. The 24-year-old is currently on NHL leaderboards; he is eighth for goals with 15, ninth for assists with 21 and fourth for points with 36. He has racked up six points in his last five games, including a four-point performance over the New York Rangers.

He broke a six-game scoreless drought on Dec. 4, and since then, he has exploded even moreso offensively than he has before. What is impressive about Hall this season, however, is his plus-11 rating. This is the first time since 2012-13 that Hall’s plus-minus is in the positive, and that season, it was only a plus-5. The Calgary, Alberta native is also on pace for a career-high 86 points this season.

Hall is not only proving to be an asset offensively, but he is becoming a leader. A mentor to Connor McDavid when he wasn’t injured, Hall has been leading this team that is blindly playing in the NHL without a captain, but four alternates. He is proving his case that he should be able to wear the “C” for the Oilers, and rightfully so. He even gave McLellan the puck from a powerful win, and he is speaking and acting like a leader. With more maturity this season, but need for more leadership, Hall is definitely worthy of an A this year.

Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Leon Draisaitl, A+

Leon Draisaitl has had quite the story this season. Let’s start after the preseason, when he was cut from the roster. Peter Chiarelli then told the media that they would wait until he was ready, and when the time was right, they would call him up for good. Well, when the season was starting rough for the boys in orange, the Oilers decided it was time to give Draisaitl a change in the NHL. And they were right to do so, and he hasn’t been sent down since.

In fact, he has become a dominant presence on the Oilers first line and a complete clutch, shut down player. The German sensation scored two goals, including an unbelievable game-winner in Edmonton’s amazing comeback win against Montreal on Oct. 29, which was also his first game of the season.

The 2014 third overall draft pick has nine goals and 20 assists this season, and has five points in his last five games, including four assists he picked up in Dec. 11’s 7-5 win over New York. He is on pace for 27 goals and 57 assists. At a time, he was leading the NHL for average points per game, even dominating over Patrick Kane in that category.

An amazing player this season and a wonderful presence on the ice, Draisaitl has been a pleasant surprise this season and definitely deserves an A grade.

Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Eberle, B-

Jordan Eberle had a lot of obstacles so far this season. He suffered a shoulder injury in a preseason bout with the Arizona Coyotes, causing him to miss a big chunk of the NHL season. However, since his return on Nov. 6, he’s been… eh.

He has eight goals and three assists, but the scary stat is his minus-14 rating. He is poor defensively and his performance throughout games is spotty and inconsistent. The usually high-scoring winger is on pace for 35 points this season, and being the core player who has been with the Oilers for the longest amount of time, that is not normal, especially when you see that players like Hall and Draisaitl are aiming for over 80 points this season.

Eberle has just been having troubles finding the back of the twine, and rumors and speculation that he is going to be traded have come up a lot. However, he is absolutely clutch in overtime, which brings his grade up. Also, the fact that he sat out injured for almost a month helps him greatly.

Nevertheless, Eberle’s struggles are evident this season, and he is not showing any signs of improvement. Sometimes there is a flash of the 42-point Eberle we saw earlier in his NHL career, but we haven’t seen that kid in a really long time. So, due to injury, there is a curve on his grade, bringing him up to a B-.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, B

This season has been a tough one on Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The centerman is poorly underrated and underestimated, and while many would claim he does nothing and while many want to trade him, he is truly an asset for this team.

Sure, he’s not scoring every single game, and he has three points in his last five games, which include just one goal. However, he has eight goals and 15 assists so far this season, and he is on pace for 55 points. If that’s not scoring and hard work going under the radar, I don’t know what is. He goes through hard times, but he always triumphs through, as he proves himself worthy of a roster spot.

His face-off percentage is about 45 percent, which is not the worst, but at the same time, means he is losing over half of the faceoffs that he takes. That is not a statistic that you want to see, especially from a first-overall center like Nuge, but hey, it’s something.

He’s a great, hardworking player whose work often goes unrecognized and unnoticed. He is a key asset and with the right coaching that he has been getting this season, he can be a real force for the Oilers in the long run. It is important to realize that all star players go through difficult times when trying to score. Look at Ovechkin in 2010-11. That was a dreadful season for the Capitals, yet the captain still managed to net 32 goals that season. Did he win the Rocket Richard? No, but he did a decent job scoring otherwise.

This is just like Nuge. Every star has his troubles, and right now, it’s a tough time for Nuge. But with better numbers and a great point total for this season, his performance gets pushed up to a B grade.

Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Benoit Pouliot, B-

Benoit Pouliot has been out with injury, but there is no doubt that he is proving to be absolutely insane this season. With Connor McDavid and Nail Yakupov as his line mates, he was generating more offense than ever before. He was out since Nov. 30 with a injury, but now back in the lineup, he skated a nice game last night against Colorado.

However, Pouliot’s production is at the hands of McDavid, obviously. Since McDavid was injured, Pouliot has struggled to tickle the twine, and he only has five goals and seven assists so far this season. He is on pace to replicate the 34 points he tallied just a season ago.

His minus-12 is not impressive at all, especially on one of the Oilers top lines, and he is looking a bit slow out there at times. He is only 29 years old and is a good second-liner for the Oilers, but his performance is just not what we thought it would be after picking him up from the Rangers.

He had an impressive career-high 19 goal season in 2014-15, but by the looks of it, he won’t pass that number. It is tough to give Pouliot a grade, due to his performance when he was on that amazing line combination, but I will give it a B-. He’s great, but only when the right people are on a line with him.

Next: Connor McDavid

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Connor McDavid, NGA

Connor McDavid was off to an amazing start. He was leading all rookies in goals and points. Then, he broke his clavicle, leaving him out of the lineup since Nov.3.

It’s not fair to give him a grade at all. Connor is an amazing player with dedication, heart and a clear head for the game. However, with an injury that he is currently rehabilitating from at above average rates, it is not appropriate to grade him when we haven’t seen him for at least more than 13 games this season.

The rookie, however, was proving amazing after scoring in his third NHL game, much like Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby and other amazing players who have become some of the greatest in the league. His speed was able to help him get the puck quickly into the offensive zone, as well as make plays that were too fast for other players to even keep track off.

The 18-year-old rookie was on pace to play one of the best rookie seasons we have seen from a while in the NHL from a rookie, but we will just have to wait and see what he will bring to the lineup when he finally returns from injury.

He has started to skate again, as mentioned the other day, and that hopefully means that he is almost ready to start practicing. We saw him with a goalie coach and carrying a stick, so that must mean that he is doing some kind of stick work. He will soon be cleared to practice, and when he is, he will be so close to returning to the lineup, giving the Oilers something that has been missing from their lineup for a really long time.

Next: Nail Yakupov

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Nail Yakupov, C+

Alright, I love Yak City more than the next guy. His face and smile bring instant happiness, as well as his Twitter, Instagram and priceless selfies. However, we need to look at the statistics and truly answer this question: what kind of player is Yakupov?

With McDavid, Yakupov was riding an unbelievable seven-game point streak, and he was tallying assists one after the other like it was no one’s business. He made it look easy.

However, with the absence of McDavid comes the disappearance of Yakupov as well. Want to know the last time he scored a goal? October 18. What about the last time he scored an assist? Well, before his injury, he notched an assist when Edmonton played Carolina.

He has only two assists since McDavid was injured on Nov. 3. Yakupov has yet to score a goal since the sixth game of the season.

His performance, as you can see, is not good at all this season. He is highly unimpressive. This just goes to show that he needs a quality center in order to have any sort of production. I mean, the stats don’t lie. Yakupov is struggling without McDavid more than ever.

He has wheels, I will give him that, and his shot is an absolute laser beam. Plus, his minus-1 is much better than the minus-35 he put up last season, giving him a minus-73 for his career.

Yakupov is now rehabilitating from an ankle sprain and will be back around the same time as McDavid, but we definitely need him to prove himself upon his return.

Teddy Purcell, C-

Gah. Teddy Purcell has not been my favorite this season, however, he is absolutely not the worst thing in the world. He’s on pace for a 47-point season, but there are concerns that we see in his play.

First off, it is inconsistent. Purcell will sometimes go out and have amazing games where he pots a goal and maybe an assist or two. However, others, he is an offensive mess. While he struggles, his back-checking is just horrendous and it is not fun to see at all, especially when you were expecting the winger from the Lightning to be among the best players for this roster.

Purcell’s minus-3 is a step up from a minus-33 last season, but he is no help out there on the ice at times. In fact, when he is not not he ice, it seems to help more in certain situations. However, as of late, his play has improved. He is shooting more and scoring, and he is finding ways to make plays. Maybe it’s because of the minutes we are giving him each game, and more time on the ice seems to be an incentive for him.

Keep in mind that while many are quick to bash Purcell and claim he is no good on this team, he is on pace for the best season of his career right now. With six goals and 14 assists this season, along with only four penalty minutes, he is playing a smart season thus far.

Matt Hendricks, B+

I love Matt Hendricks. He is an all-around guy and an amazing person who loves to help others, on and off the ice. A huge supporter of troops home and abroad, he works hard and plays a gritty game, while also always remembering to give back.

One of the pluses I have seen out of Hendricks this season is an increased role in leadership. He was given one of the “As” after Andrew Ference gave up the captaincy, and with that, he is a huge voice on the ice and in the locker room. He always looks out for his fellow players and can be a role player in certain situations.

Let’s look at his role in shootouts for example. Hendricks’s moves are insane, and they have helped us remain undefeated in the shootout so far this season. With his smart play, he is a player that can fake out goalies and possesses hidden skill that take our opponents by surprise.

As far as being Hendricks goes, he’s doing fine. Two goals, three helpers and a plus-4 is fine by me, especially because of what he usually gives us each season. He’s on pace for 15 points and a plus-12, and that’s exactly what he is supposed to deliver.

The reason he is a B+ is because of his maturity and leadership roles, as well as his triumphs through injury and dedication to the team. Also, let’s not forget that he made his way onto Edmonton’s first line for a while, where he proved to produce a bit.

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Jujhar Khaira, A-

Jujhar Khaira has been quite a surprise for the Oilers in recent games. Again, he has not played that many games, but I feel like i can give him a grade. The third ever Punjabi player to play in the NHL, he has made quite a mark since being called up from the Condors.

With two assists and hard skating through nine games this season, I don’t think I can look to far into his performance in an Oilers jersey this year. However, he’s generating chances and crating speed up and down the wing, and he plays a tough game. With that, and the milestones he is pushing through, it is hard not to smile when you think of “J.J.”

He also speaks volumes and talks as if he is an older player, even though he is just up here on a call-up. He is earning each and every minute he is out there on the ice and he is becoming a very smart player, especially under McLellan’s leadership. I give him an A-, because he is accomplishing so much in such a small period of time, however, he has only played nine games and has two points. Not too shabby.

So, let’s see how he continues to progress as we go further into the season. Due to the fact that he is skating hard and is logging minutes on a team that is overall struggling, he might be up here a little bit longer than expected.

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Lauri Korpikoski, B

Lauri Korpikoski hasn’t been the worst player on the ice if you ask me. For him, he usually averages at least six goals a season and maybe over 10 assists. However, this season, he already hit the six goal mark, and with a hat trick performance like his one on Dec. 11 against New York, he hasn’t been playing poorly.

In fact, the former Coyote is more improved than he was last season. He has scored six goals, which has been his average number season in and out, and could even pass a career-high nine goals and make it into the double digits. His minus-27 from last year is non-existent , and he is now maintaining a more improved minus-5 (though that is still a problem; he cannot seem to bring up that number). Plus, he is earning the nickname “Scorpikoski,” which isn’t the worst nickname to go by, especially as a third line winger.

He’s a strong bottom-six winger who can surprise you with a strong performance night in and night out, and with normally low career-numbers, he isn’t really coming up short of expectations but is instead exceeding them. He has been plagued by injury, however, which is a concern for someone like himself, especially due to the fact that if he continues to miss games, he won’t reach his goals.

Nevertheless, I am thrilled with the play he is putting up, but with poor backchecking at times and injuries, I have to give him a B grade.

Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Rob Klinkhammer, C

Rob Klinkhammer hasn’t been around that much, due to the fact that he has spent most of this season injured. He has one goal through about 10 games this season, and that is usually how he performs. The winger isn’t one who is the scoring type, but he has been unable to score much.

In fact, he has only taken eight shots, and he is a minus-5 on the season. If he would just come out and shoot the puck more, good things would happen in the short time that he is on the ice each game. However, he choses to hold back, and because he does hold back, he has no results to show. He is also poor on the backend, and though I love Klink and think he is an incredible person, he is just not a good player-barely on the ice-this season.

I’m not saying it’s his fault at all that he’s always injured, but there is only so much that he able to tolerate playing in an Oilers jersey.

But if you look back, his time with Arizona wasn’t the worst. He scored a combined 36 points in two seasons with the Yotes, and now that the’s with Edmonton, his production has withered away to one goal seasons. And when Edmonton dealt him to Pittsburgh and then got him right back, he still wants scoring. Something’s got to give, and maybe it is just the fact that young Klinkhammer is just not on-balance in Edmonton.

Nevertheless, I have to give him a C grade. Even though he’s been injured, he has more potential. His lack of shots and poor backchecking bring his grade down.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Iiro Pakarinen, A-

Iiro Pakarinen has been one of the better surprises this season. “Iiro the Hero” as I like to call him, has been a pleasure to see this season. After being called up and not making the opening night roster, it is clear that Edmonton made the right choice of putting him in an NHL-crested jersey. He has three goals and two assists through 26 games with the Oil this season.

What is pleasant about Pakarinen is his ability to play on top lines or bottom lines and to remain absolutely consistent. He skates a tough game and is always creating chances in the offensive zone. He is a minus-5, but he seems decent on the backend. Pakarinen arises as a good player who can come in clutch in certain situations, and we are never afraid to put him in strong positions due to the fact that he capable of playing anywhere.

Another thing I like about Pakarinen is his size. He’s a big guy who can surely throw his weight around, and he’s a tough guy. Iiro is someone that I like having on this roster, and he is much better than some of the other guys out there. Though his stats aren’t team-leading or all-star worthy, they’re numbers, and though he might not put too much up on the scoreboard, he is producing chances on the ice.

That is what often goes unnoticed. Though he is not producing statistics, he is creating opportunities and chances every time his skates hit the ice. That’s why he gets the grade he has now.

Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-USA TODAY Sports

Anton Lander, D

Oh, Anton Lander. Why have you let us down like this? Ever since scoring a hat trick in a preseason game, Lander’s performance has gone way down hill. He makes horrifying plays out there on the ice, and at times, it seems as if he is not quite sure of what he is doing. If that’s not concerning, I don’t know what is. But let’s take a minute to look at Anton’s numbers, and then you can see why I am giving him a D grade.

He has two assists this season and no goals. His second assist came Dec. 6, and that has been the only point he has scored in a while. He is unable to find the twine, and he lacks the ability to create chances or grind out there like a fourth line should. The center is also a minus-9 and has been horrific to watch on the backend.

Poor Lander’s performance has suffered so much that it is hard not to ignore the need for more depth at center, aka, the need for Connor McDavid to return so we can move each center down a notch and put Lander in the press box.

Don’t get me wrong. There are good things about the Swede. Usually, he is not the worst player on the ice, but after making the Opening Night Roster after a very impressive preseason, he has not been able to keep up with himself.

Also, he has 38 SOG and is good at winning faceoffs, but otherwise, there is not much to Lander this year. He either needs to step up on the ice or step off, and he has to start showing something quick. Otherwise, the organization will have something to say about his performance.

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Luke Gazdic, C

Luke Gazdic has never been quite the producer. He has always been a fourth liner, a tough guy who is willing to raise his fists up and fight anyone who crosses his team. However, that persona has faded a bit, along with his performance this season.

Gazdic has one goal, a minus-5 rating and 20 PIM through 22 games this season. He has not been fighting too much, and he has not really been doing… well, anything. He lacks the ability to produce and create opportunities, and that is what a fourth line is supposed to do, while it also can serve as a checking line and grinding line for some teams. While he’s out there for the short time McLellan allots him, he doesn’t do much. At all.

That’s where the issue of Gazdic comes to mind. He hasn’t been standing up for our guys or really making any kind of moves as an enforcer, and he doesn’t even have numbers to make up for that lack of presence. At this point, I would think of Gazdic as an enforcer and would therefore want him to breakout and act like one. However, that just hasn’t happened too much this season, and therefore, he is getting a C grade.

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Andrej Sekera, B

Andrej Sekera is going to get a nice, solid B grade from me. While he has had his share of troubles, which he should especially not be having after the huge contract we signed him too in the offseason, he is starting to find his touch again.

He has four goals and nine assists this season and is definitely coming in clutch in recent games, with two goals in his last five games. He has won games in overtime for Edmonton, started a comeback and has even created opportunities here and there. What is concerning, however, is his back check.

He is a defender, first and foremost, and a minus-9. The fact that Taylor Hall is putting up better numbers on the backend than he is is concerning. Sekera’s plays are often confusing at times, and I cannot understand what is happening while he struggling on the ice.

Sekera’s great, and he has been more careful as of late, but he is still struggling on defense. If he’s going to log the most minutes as one of the guys on our top pairing, he needs to step it up and show that he is able to defend the crease instead of leaving our goalies out to dry.

Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Darnell Nurse, A-

I love Darnell Nurse, and I was in complete and absolute shock when he did not make the opening night lineup. The young defensemen had been cut from the Opening Night Roster time and time again, and even after making an impressive push through the preseason, he still failed to make it. However, it was proof that that was the wrong decision when Edmonton was collapsing going into the season.

Nurse soon earned a callup, and he proved his ability to protect house and be a tough guy for this Edmonton team on the backend.

Nurse has a goal and three assists this season, and he is a minus-2. He is by far one of the best defensemen that the Oilers currently have on their roster, and it is true, due to the fact that the young man is manning the top pairing.

Though he struggles at times, Nurse has the ability to toughen up, take a hit and deliver one just fine. He is able to push guys around and maintain a tough guy persona on the ice, while he also has great speed. He is also a great, young player who is able to develop well under McLellan and continue learning, while also taking constructive criticism. I love Darnell Nurse, and there is no one more deserving than he is this season. I’m giving him an A-.

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Oscar Klefbom, A-

Oscar Klefbom is coming off of signing a huge seven-year contract extension earlier this season, and boy is he earning it. The Swedish defensemen is proving to be a great force on the Oilers blueline. With four goals and eight assists on the season, Klefbom is proving himself worthy of sticking with the Oilers for a long time as a core defender.

Klefbom’s shot is one of the things that I want to address. He goes by the “Klef-Bomb” and it is easy to see why; that shot is a laser beam. It blows our minds, and it makes us go nuts. He comes in clutch constantly and he is always able to create opportunities and plays, while also playing smart defense.

The minus-4 is a bit concerning, but I honestly don’t see too much struggle for Klefbom on the back check. He usually knows what he is doing, despite a few times where he can make a rough play and we will question what he is doing. Nonetheless, I think an A- is a good grade for Oscar.

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Brandon Davidson, A

Brandon Davidson is yet another surprising and exciting addition to the Oilers roster. He is an excellent, young defenseman who works great behind Klefbom and Sekera. He is quick, young and one who can triumph through anything. It is incredibly amazing to see him come back to the AHL OKC Barons from testicular cancer and become one of the best defensemen that the Oilers have in their lineup in the following year.

He is quick, speedy and knows how to play a smart game. He has two goals and three assists… and a plus-3 rating. His backcheck is outstanding, though it can fall apart at times, but he always improves on his play and knows how to play the game right.

A left-handed defender, Davidson has a quick, hard shot and the ability to create opportunities on the fly. Though a third-pairing defenseman, you can get a lot of ice time out of him and make use of him on the penalty kill. He is more than deserving of an A grade. Though he makes mistakes from time to time, he is still learning, and with his triumphs and obstacles, he is one of the strongest men in the Oilers lineup.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Schultz, C-

Justin Schultz has been Jultz this season. Seriously. Given a one-year extension in July, he hasn’t done much to prove himself worthy of staying.

The former Badger has struggled for years with the Oilers, and this year isn’t getting better. He has yet to score and has three helpers, but his defense is where the problems lie. He is a minus-9, and he often forgets how to even play the position.

He has been a hard skater in some games, even proving to be a force that drives the Oilers towards a win at times. However, it is often the opposite- he is the force that leads to the opposition scoring, and often leads to an “L” for the orange and blue.

Justin Schultz has a lot of potential, but his trade value and overall value has gone way way down. He struggles to keep up with the pace and he at times looks confused. This isn’t the NCAA anymore, and though the stakes were high there, they are even higher with Edmonton, so I don’t understand why he went from one of the best players in college hockey to one of the worst defenders on the Oilers roster.

I will give him a C-. There are other defenders who have been worse.

Eric Gryba, B

Eric Gryba’s going to get a pretty solid grade here. He has four assists and an even plus-minus rating at 0. He plays a smart defensive game and knows how to step up and play a tough game.

He is pretty tough himself, and he’s not afraid to push others around or stand up for his teammates. However, his performance is that of a third-pairing defenseman; it is nothing special. He goes out, does his job, and goes back on the bench. He has 31 PIM and 63 hits, so he shoes that he’s not a guy to be reckoned with on the ice.

Not only that, he is constantly shooting the puck and working on creating opportunities. With his game log comes a plethora of shots on goal, and that is something that the Oilers need from the blue line: a defenseman who is not afraid to shoot the puck. And thankfully, that is something that Gryba can deliver game in and game out.

Overall, I think a B is a pretty solid grade. He’s not spectacular and he still has flashes of mistakes and troubles on the blue line, but otherwise, he is a pretty good defenseman overall. No complaints most of the time, but no all-star votes or constant shoutouts.

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Fayne, D

Mark Fayne has not been good this season. At all. In fact, we don’t need to whip out any statistics to prove our point. The defender is struggling now more than ever, and it is evident that the front office staff is getting fed up with it.

Fayne has always been one of Edmonton’s higher-up defenders. He knows how to play the game and can make good defensive plays, while also generating offense. However, this year, that has completely disappeared.

The defenseman has made constant mistakes on the first and second pairings and has often messed up. He has shown no signs of improvement or even trying to step up. No one would think that the front office would dare move him, until just a week ago, he was put on waivers. No one picked him up, and he was sent on his way down to Bakersfield to spend some time with the Condors.

Fayne recalls it was humbling, and he was absolutely sent back down to Earth and snapped back to reality. He will get the chance to draw back into the lineup Monday against Winnipeg, but he will have to show that he is worthy of staying on this team’s roster.

Next: Cam Talbot

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Cam Talbot, B-

It has been a rough going of it for Cam Talbot. The former Rangers netminder thought he had the starting position after being traded to the Oilers, and so did the rest of Edmonton. The debate in training camp was which goalie was going to back him up. But now, it has taken a turn for Talbot.

The goaltender is 4-9-1 on the season with a 3.14 GAA and .897 save percentage. Those stats are the worst of his short career in the NHL; those numbers were incredibly better when he was with the Rangers backing up Henrik Lundqvist.

However, if you look at the stats,you will see that it is not entirely Cam Talbot’s fault. In fact, he is left out to dry by the Oilers defense most of the time. He did, however, impress with a career-high 47-save performance against Boston earlier in December, however, that was the only bright spot of this season for Talbot.

It seems as if those good old days are in the past, and he is having trouble now more than ever. He is getting the opportunity to redeem himself and take the starting spot back, but he will have to learn to play “hero” like he did in New York; this time, without a strong defense in front of him.

Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Anders Nilsson, A

What an underdog story has Anders Nilsson showed us. Coming in from a trade with the Islanders, Nilsson has proved himself to this organization. He was first competing with Ben Scrivens for the backup spot to Talbot, and with an incredible training camp, stole the spot away from him. He then took the starting position from Talbot within a quick couple of games.

“Anders the Giant” is his nickname, due to the fact that he’s 6-foot-5 and isn’t afraid of anyone. He is 10-9-1 on the season and has a 2.79 GAA and .910 save percentage behind a terrible defense. He was in part responsible for Edmonton’s six-game winning streak and has been a hero for the Oilers in shootouts, as well as overtime.

He is a great goaltender with skill and determination. He is dedicated to the organization and is always able to prove himself capable of going the extra mile. However, with a poor performance in recent December games, he will have to step it up to keep the starting spot over Cam Talbot, who’s trying to play the same game Nilsson did when he robbed Scrivens and Talbots of the Oilers’ crease.

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However, the goaltender gets an A. Though he has too struggled and has been hung out to dry, his underdog story and his dedication makes him an outstanding goalie capable of starting in the NHL.