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Edmonton Oilers: What Can They Learn From the Avalanche?

By Zane Tomich

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 5: Ryan Spooner #23 of the Edmonton Oilers talks with Ty Rattie #8 and Jujhar Khaira #16 during a break in the third period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on January 5, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 5: Ryan Spooner #23 of the Edmonton Oilers talks with Ty Rattie #8 and Jujhar Khaira #16 during a break in the third period of the game against the Los Angeles Kings at STAPLES Center on January 5, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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In order for the Edmonton Oilers to finally “get this right” as CEO Bob Nicholson has iterated, they must take a look at how other teams have found their success.

There are different types of good teams. Each one revolves around a basic framework or foundation in which to build on and perform with.

Here are a few examples of playoff teams that are built a certain way:

The Tampa Bay Lighting are loaded all over from top to bottom. They have world-class goaltending and rock-solid defence. Their offence is potent and their depth is limitless. They win with speed and skill.

The Carolina Hurricanes do not have as stacked offence as Tampa does; but they have quality depth players beyond their top two lines that make significant contributions. They have built a terrific blue line of good young defenders and have above-average goaltending. The Canes are a relentless team and will keep coming at you hard from all angles.

Finally we have perhaps the most intriguing of the bunch, the Colorado Avalanche. This is a team that is “front-loaded.” They have a three-headed monster driving the bulk of the teams offensive output, decent depth in their bottom six, solid goaltending, and in my opinion, the potential to have one of best blue lines in the NHL as soon as next year.

A healthy mixture of youth and veteran experience on their blue line really puts them over-the-top. I think they have a future top 10 NHL defensemen in Cale Makar and one of the smartest, smoothest defenders I have ever seen in Samuel Girard.

Add in offensive dynamo Tyson Barrie, and reliable veterans like Erik Johnson and Ian Cole and you got a very good backend in Colorado.

So how does this connect to the Edmonton Oilers? Well, I believe that they are similar to the Avs in a lot of ways. If new GM Ken Holland is looking for ideas on how to improve his club, he should look no further than Colorado.

The Oilers have front-loaded offence as well led by Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. They have good pieces on the blue line and quality prospects waiting in the wings.

In all honesty, the Oilers are a few pieces away from being the front-loaded, balanced team the Avs are. All they need is cap-space, increased forward depth, above-average goaltending, and a dynamic puck-moving defensemen or two.

Easier said than done.

I’m not saying they have to become exactly like another team; but they sure as heck have to look at what others are doing right. Many times I have heard the Oilers “really aren’t that far off from being a playoff team.”

I happen to agree with that statement.

The Avs have built around Nathan Mackinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog. The Oilers need to do the same with their big three by balancing the roster.

A blowup isn’t in order for the Oilers. They just need to move out anchors and insulate where the holes are.  The great news is that insulation could come as soon as next year with a handful of prospects seemingly ready to take the next step in their development paths.

One can hope that a player like Caleb Jones or Evan Bouchard will be able to lock down a role in the top four at some point next season.

Taking a talented forward 8th overall at the draft in June will also give the Oilers more options and high-end skill.

Balancing out the current roster is key for any success this team will have next season. The Avs can serve as a model and inspiration for what the Oilers can potentially be.

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