Edmonton Oilers: Twelve Days of Chirstmas

Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Edmonton Oilers Twelve Days of Chirstmas

The Edmonton Oilers are everyone’s favorite hockey team, right? Yeah, well, we decided to do something fun for the Oilers this Christmas holiday. I mean, it is getting kind of boring with no games going on with our favorite team. So, let’s present to you today’s slideshow.

We all know the song “12 Days of Christmas.” It’s a classic, and it’s a fan-favorite Christmas song on the long list of carols and songs that seems to go on forever. So, the lyrics go like this: “On the first Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…”  They then go on to list twelve different days and a ton of different things that they got, corresponding to that number.

So, we’re going to have fun here today on the site and write a “12 Days of Christmas” for the Edmonton Oilers. Maybe we can call it “12 Days of Hockey.” The same rules from the original English carol are that we list each day and then list whatever we got, again matching up to the number of the day. We’re going in order, from one to 12, because it would be rather odd to start off with the twelfth day of Christmas, right? The lyrics will go like this to start each slide: “On the (blank) day of Christmas, the Edmonton Oilers gave to me…” Without further ado, let’s start.

Next: On the First Day of Christmas...

Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

A First-Overall Pick (again!)/h]

Haha! Yes, we are starting off the slideshow discussing our first overall pick. I mean, it is the first day of Christmas, right? So let’s talk about the greatest gift of all to start this season. At the NHL draft in June, the Oilers won the number one lottery pick, beating out a ton of teams that needed it (sucks to suck, Buffalo). But hey, we walked away with Connor McDavid.

He threw on that jersey and called being drafted to the Oilers “a dream come true.” He also said he wanted to spend his entire career in an Oilers jersey and to play with the team forever. An extremely humble and modest player, he enjoys compliments comparing him to the likes of Steven Stamkos and Wayne Gretzky, but explains he is just playing hockey and is trying to be the best that he can be.

The kid has stolen all of our hearts, and though he sits out injured now, we are eagerly awaiting his return. He’ll be back sooner rather than later, and maybe a miracle will come and he’ll be back on the ice in January. He’s starting to shoot and skate now, so let’s wait and see.

Next: On the Second Day of Christmas...

Number Two, Andrej Sekera

We are going with Andrej Sekera on this one. Peter Chiarelli came in and established the seriousness of rebuilding this team when he signed Andrej Sekera to a six-year deal. The defenseman has had a long NHL career and shows great speed and strength when he this the ice. Yes, he has made mistakes on the team this season, but every defenseman has, and he has been a surprise for us this year.

Playing overtime hero in recent games, Sekera has four goals and nine assists this season. He is able to generate and provide offense, while also creating opportunities. He is our first-pairing defenseman, and a literal one, not just a small player called a “number-one defenseman” (Justin Schultz, anyone?).

However, he is a minus-9 this season, but that is not the worst statistic on an Oilers team that is usually drowning in the negatives. He has been a plus for us this season and is starting to find his edge, especially with the help of Todd McLellan.

Next: On the Third Day of Christmas...

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Three Front Office Changes

The Edmonton Oilers established that it was time for a change for the better and certainly time for a total rebuild. Sure, it took more than three changes to the front office, but there were three that were important. First off, they finally fired Craig MacTavish, taking away his influence and power and giving him a job in the Oilers Entertainment Group. Next, they hired Peter Chiarelli, former manager of the Boston Bruins that built a Stanley Cup championship team in 2010-11. After that, the team hired Todd McLellan as their head coach.

These three changes have been a gift for the Oilers. Under McLellan’s reign, the Oilers have won twice as many games at this point than they did last season, and the team is not out of it by December. Next, under Chiarelli, certain individuals did not make the cut. Nikita Nikitin did not make the opening night roster. Darnell Nurse and Leon Draisaitl are now on the team (after not making training camp) and are doing better than ever. How about Mark Fayne being sent down to the AHL to be taught a lesson?

This team is definitely headed in the right direction, and it is, in large part, from the front office changes that this team has made.

Next: On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Fourth Place for Taylor Hall

This season has been a complete turn around for Hall. He has racked up 15 goals and 24 assists for an impressive 39 points this season. Hall is fourth in the league for the point lead and is in sixth when it comes to goal scoring. He has gained much more confidence and maturity this season and has shut up all the “trade Hall” haters.

He has already surpassed the 38 points he scored last season in a lowly campaign and is on pace for one of his best seasons in a while. In addition, he is trying to make a case for captain, and I think the organization and the team is hearing him loud and clear. This year, he has given his heart and soul to this team, as well as full dedication and devotion.

So, with this performance this season, as well as great chemistry with Leon Draisaitl and mentorship over Connor McDavid, Taylor Hall has been a great surprise for this team and is definitely an important asset and member for years to come.

Next: On the Fifth Day of Christmas...

Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

Five Points from Brandon Davidson

Some of you probably don’t think this is a big deal. However, it is a huge deal to me, as well as to the Oilers organization. Brandon Davidson has made a huge triumph to get where he is today. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer not long ago, and had to leave hockey in order to battle a horrifying cancer. He then, against all odds, recovered and made his way back to the ice last year with the Oklahoma City Barons.

He battled through training camp as one of the toughest players in the lineup, and due to hard work and dedication, he overcame all obstacles to earn a spot on the Oilers Opening Night Roster.

Davidson’s story is a huge one, and his stats this season aren’t too shabby, especially on a plagued Oilers defense. He has two goals and three assists this season, and he has shown us a wicked point shot that is a secret weapon for the Edmonton team. Also, he is a plus-3 this season. A plus-3. He has stolen all of our hearts and has worked hard, so those five points he has contributed this season is a gift that the Oilers got this year.

Next: On the Sixth Day of Christmas...

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Six Goals from Lauri Korpikoski

Another surprise for the Edmonton Oilers this season has been the likes of third-line winger Korpikoski. The 6-foot-1 Oiler made his start with the Rangers as the 19th overall draft pick in 2008-09. He then played for the Coyotes and put up somewhat impressive numbers, and then, the Finland native made his way to Edmonton. He could only put up six goals last season with the Yotes, but this year, Korpikoski has already tied that number in 27 games.

With the potential to score at least 30-40 points a season, Korpikoski has shown flashes of greatness, which is why we’re taking these six goals as a good sign. He recently put up a hat trick against the New York Rangers, something that would be impossible to do for the Oilers in past seasons. He has also proved the capability of playing on the top six or the bottom six and giving his 100 percent effort on either line.

With his hard work and dedication this season, and with eight points so far on the year, I expect great things from Korpikoski to come in the future.

Next: On the Seventh Day of Christmas...

Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Seven Points from Darnell Nurse

Darnell Nurse originally didn’t make the Oilers Opening Night Roster. After yet another disappointing cut from the team, he was sent down to Bakersfield, but after seeing the horrifying defense from the Oilers this season, Chiarelli called up Darnell Nurse to join the team.

And boy has he made a difference. He has two goals and five assists this season, and is a minus-1. He has given his entire effort for the Oilers this season and is proving to be one of the finest additions to the roster, as well as a potential first-pairing guy. He’s young, big and quick, and his hits are rough. He’s also a tough guy and gives that mentality when he’s on the ice, and he will be so aggressive on the back check that he occasionally will not even let forwards into the offensive zone.

That is why Darnell Nurse’s point total is the seventh gift this season. Without him, who knows where the Oilers would be, due to the fact that he is one of our best defenseman in a team that lacks skill in that area.

Next: On the Eighth Day of Christmas...

Nine Games from Jujhar Khaira

The Edmonton Oilers recently made an interesting callup for a forward, and that forward was Jujhar Khaira. With the callup, Khaira became the third-ever Punjabi player to play in the National Hockey League. In addition, he has two assists and seven penalty minutes this year, and is creating great opportunities every shift he is on the ice.

“JJ” also provides a toughness that is hard to find in the league these days. He can deliver a hit while he can also take one, and he is able to play. He is also a plus/minus-0, and plays a tough game each night he is out there on the ice.

Sure, he’s not scoring, but he will eventually get there; he’s just a kid. But if he’s not a fan-favorite already, or if you’re not routing for him night in and night out, then you must not be a fan at all. He’s a great kid who’s young and exciting to watch, and he will develop great under McLellan and the other players dressed in orange and blue silks this season and maybe even next.

Next: On the Tenth Day of Christmas...

Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

Ten Wins from Anders Nilsson

Ah, Anders Nilsson. What a pleasant addition has he been to the Oilers roster this season? Let’s go all the way back to when he was traded to Edmonton. Everyone thought, “Who is this?”

Then, going into training camp, the question was, “Which goalie was going to backup Cam Talbot this season?” While many thought that Ben Scrivens would obviously return, Nilsson had an unbelievable training camp. The 6-foot-5 goaltender took that spot from Scrivens and earned himself a place in the NHL. Then, after Talbot struggled, Nilsson stayed red-hot, and he eventually started many more games for the Oilers so far.

Coming off a recent six-game winning streak, “Anders the Giant” has been simply sensational. He is big, he can move quickly and does fine with lateral movement. With a 10-9-1 record, a 2.79 GAA and a .910 save percentage, Nilsson has been great for Edmonton thus far.

Nevertheless, thus far, he is undefeated in the shootout this year and has been a key asset for the Oilers this season. With Talbot coming in hot now, and with Anders Nilsson’s determination, will we rotate between two goalies and have inconsistency, or will McLellan put the foot down and name a starter?

Next: On the Eleventh Day of Christmas

Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

11 Points from Jordan Eberle

Like Nuge, it has also been a rough season for Jordan Eberle. Not drawing back into the lineup until November thanks to an awkward preseason injury, Eberle has struggled to produce in the same numbers that he has in the past. He has eight goals and three assists with 11 points this season, and like Nugent-Hopkins, he is rumored to be a trade candidate.

The former All-Star hasn’t been the same, and with his struggles comes a story of hardship that is all too-familiar to the Edmonton Oilers. He has been in the Oilers system since being drafted by them 22nd overall in 2008, and he is nowhere near the same as he was years ago. A great scorer and puck handler, he is having trouble on all ends of the ice this season. He is also a minus-14, and his backchecking is almost nonexistent.

However, thanks to the 11 points he has put up, as well as recent overtime heroics, we should be thankful to even have Eberle in our lineup. In fact, without him, we would not have a lot of the moments that we have basked in in recent years of hardship.

Next: On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...

Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

12 Points from McDavid

Ah, this still hurts to talk about, but since it corresponds with 12 and was a happy time for the Oilers, let’s not be afraid to discuss it. Connor McDavid had a rough two games to start the season. Both results ending in losses, McDavid didn’t really know what was wrong. He was creating speed and offense, but the puck just wouldn’t find the back of the net… until game three of his career.

Just like Wayne Gretzky. Just like Sidney Crosby. McDavid tipped in the puck for his first of the season, and it is a face we will never forget. Surrounded by joy and pride from his teammates, McDavid was the happiest kid we ever saw. A huge weight was lifted off his shoulder… but uh, hey, that doesn’t mean that he stopped there.

Next: Connor McDavid Making Huge Progress in Recovery

He went on to ride a seven-game point streak, and scored 12 points in 13 games before his injury that we all know about. With McDavid on the fast road to recovery, he is almost ready to hit the ice again, and what a gift would it be to see him back in January when he was supposed to be back in March?