What If the Oilers Miss the Playoffs?

The Edmonton Oilers are in trouble, and on the outside of the playoff picture, looking in. An early .750 winning percentage was hidden behind unsustainable special teams, while also outscoring their problems. What should happen if the Oilers miss the playoffs?

Clean house. There’s nobody to blame but management at this point. Any worry that fans had about this team before the season started, is what’s hurting them. Goaltending, even strength play, depth, defense, you name it.

It’s clear management has lost touch with what it takes to win in today’s NHL.

Every time the Oilers take a step forward, it seems like management fails to make that jump, into contender status. NHL clubs are showing that it can take just one summer to add depth to help win, not years.

Analytics has proven to be beneficial to the modern NHL. Edmonton has to ditch the “old ways” and get up to date with what it takes to win now.

Notable teams that are heavy into analytics are the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes. Two teams that have been near the top of the standings for at least the last few seasons. Other top teams driven by analytics are: Tampa Bay, Colorado, Vegas, and Florida.

Lately, there’s been a few teams like Detroit, Los Angeles, Anaheim and the New York Rangers that have sped up the rebuild process and are noticeably succeeding.

Obviously, analytics doesn’t work for every team as there is clubs like Seattle and New Jersey who are struggling this season. It’s not hard to realize that analytics is the new age of sports, and finding the right people to fill the department can be crucial to success.

The Oilers missing the playoffs could be a blessing, but the negatives could lead to a major loss.

The downside could be Oilers’ fans biggest nightmare. Connor McDavid requests a trade, or even Leon Draisaitl. I believe if one of them does, the other will too and the panic will start in Oil Country. Any trade that involves trading McDavid is a loss for Edmonton. No matter the haul you could get for the either of the two superstars.

At the same time though, the return for McDavid and Draisaitl could give this team an asset in every area they are lacking in. Giving this team the depth they’ve always been missing.

In reality…

Missing the playoffs will inevitably lead to ownership having to re-evaluate management and where this team is headed. If personnel from Bob Nicholson down, stays the same, I don’t see this team improving anytime soon.

I don’t believe anybody will be requesting a trade. The core of McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH and Nurse have made it clear they want to win together. Some of the blame is obviously in their hands as this is their team, and they’re the leaders.

In the end, management put this team together and they failed to fix any holes they had in previous years. Cleaning house and bringing in a modern, analytically driven perspective is what Edmonton needs.

In my opinion, there’s no other option at this point.