4 Oilers players set to step up in 2023-24
We take a look at four players who should see their level of play improve during the 2023-24 season for the Edmonton Oilers.
Just like that, the 2023-24 regular season is upon us. Expectations have never been higher for the Edmonton Oilers, whether it be from themselves, their fans, or the media.
The pieces are undoubtedly in place, for the Oilers to finally fulfill their potential. However, we appreciate the game isn’t played on paper; it’s all about producing the goods on the ice on a consistent basis.
Along these lines, there are certain individuals who will need to raise their game in the coming months, if the Oilers are to finally return to Stanley Cup glory. Here is a look at four players who appear set to step up and provide the necessary boost to get this team over the hump:
Jack Campbell
Seeing Jack Campbell on this list won’t really be much of a surprise to most Oilers fans. After all, plenty of hockey media have been discussing his play so far during preseason.
Granted, it’s fully appreciated there’s a world of difference between performing well during preseason games and when the real action begins. Regardless, the indications are that Campbell will step up his game in 2023-24.
Some would argue it’s the least the 31-year-old can do, after a disappointing debut campaign in Edmonton. He set career-worsts with a .888 save percentage and 3.41 Goals Against Average. (He did have a .872 save percentage and 6.00 GAA back in 2013-14, but this was achieved in just one appearance.)
This was not what was expected from a player who was signed to be the team’s main goaltender. Instead, Campbell started just 34 regular season games and was essentially relegated to backup, behind the emerging and surprising Stuart Skinner.
This led to the question of if the Oilers had made a mistake in signing the 2010 11th overall draft pick to a five-year deal? However, it wasn’t as if he’d suddenly lost his ability; rather, he had lost his confidence and was just having one of those seasons.
In this respect, Campbell did improve his play considerably, when called upon in the playoffs. With Skinner struggling, his teammate came off the bench four times and produced a .961 save percentage and 1.01 GAA. (Albeit in a small sample size which effectively translated to just two full games.)
There was still some concern the former Toronto Maple Leaf wasn’t playing with full self-belief, but the playoff performances surely helped in this respect. Along those lines, fast-forward to this year’s training camp.
Again acknowledging it’s just the preseason, Campbell has looked strong in two appearances. This is evidenced by a combined .971 save percentage and 0.98 GAA.
Overall, the Port Huron, Michigan native is playing with more self-assurance and showing why the OIlers invested $25 million in his services in the first place. All signs point towards him being back and if so the defence — which needs to be better to help the team advance further — is going to prove more formidable for opposing teams to break down.
Evander Kane
There has never been any denial of just how skillful Evander Kane is. Combined with his physicality and scoring ability, he’s essentially a prototype of the ideal forward.
However, for as talented as Kane is, he’s still yet to reach his full potential. Yes there’s been glimpses over the years, but his various injuries and off-field controversies have stopped him from producing on a more consistent basis.
Which brings us to the Oilers, who took a chance on the 32-year-old just when it seemed like he’d wasted his last opportunity, in San Jose. He subsequently justified the gamble by showing some of the best form of his career to date over the second half of the 2021-22 season.
Kane finished with 39 points (22 goals and 17 assists) in 43 games, as he set career-bests with a +25 plus/minus and 14.5 shooting percentage. He continued his excellent form into the playoffs, with 17 points (13 goals and four assists) in 15 games.
As a result, the Oilers rewarded the 2009 fourth overall draft pick with a four-year, $20.5 million deal. And he started off the 2022-23 season continuing where he’d left off, with 13 points (five goals and eight assists) in 14 games.
Unfortunately for everyone concerned, Kane suffered a wrist injury in the 14th game, which required surgery. He did return sooner than expected, but just couldn’t get back on track.
However, aided by an offseason to get fully healthy, we predict this is the season the Vancouver native finally shows what he’s fully capable of. And not just because he will be regularly lining up alongside Connor McDavid.
Kane is just that talented, exemplified by improving the Oilers’ even-strength play when he’s available. In addition, he feels a debt of gratitude to an organization willing to bet on him, when many others wouldn’t.
Yes, there’s still the underlying concern the winger could revert to his previous penchant for indiscretions. However, as long as he can remain healthy, he should prove to be a key component in the Oilers’ quest for Stanley Cup glory.
Mattias Ekholm
Admittedly, including Mattias Ekholm has to come with a bit of a qualifier. After all, he’s already essentially stepped up for the Oilers.
More specifically, after Ekholm arrived in a trade from the Predators. He proved to have an immediate positive impact on the blue-line, which had previously received plenty of justified criticism.
The Swedish native had a significant influence on Evan Bouchard in particular. He improved the youngster’s confidence, which in turn led to better performances.
Interestingly, Ekholm also saw the best offensive production of his 12 years in the NHL, with the Oilers. Consider that his four goals, 10 assists, 14 overall points and 11.1 shooting percentage in 21 games would have all translated to career-highs over the course of a 82-game season. (He also had a single-season best of a +28 plus/minus, with this total purely compiled in Edmonton after his trade.)
With all this said (written), it’s now about the 33-year-old producing this kind of consistency over an entire campaign in Edmonton. He’s going to be even more important than before, for an Oilers team with genuine Stanley Cup hopes.
In this respect, all Ekholm has to do is to carry on doing what he’s done throughout his time in the NHL. In others words, continue to be hard-working, durable and consistent.
As already alluded to, the 2009 fourth round draft pick must also continue to mentor the younger players on the team, specifically the blue line. This will be of vital importance, given the Oilers are implementing a tweaked defensive strategy, while also experimenting with different pairings.
About the only concern — if you can call it that — is Ekholm has been unavailable during the preseason, due to a hip flexor injury. However, all indications are he will be back for the home opener versus the Canucks at the latest.
Overall, the Oilers’ biggest obstacle to success this season, is getting the defence to play to a higher level and compliment the NHL’s best offence. This is what makes Ekholm so important, and we fully expect him to step up and meet the challenge head-on.
Connor Brown
Unlike the other players in this article, Connor Brown is in his first season with the Oilers. Regardless, he is the fourth player we predict to step up and have a positive effect in Edmonton.
While not exactly an impact player, Brown has enjoyed some decent years over the course of his eight seasons in the NHL. He’s renowned as a fine two-way player, who offers versatility and good instincts.
From an individual perspective, intriguingly the 29-year-old performed better with an average Senators team as opposed to a talented Maple Leafs side. Regardless, there’s enough there to indicate he still has more to give in the NHL.
Brown was unfortunate last season, as he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury just four games into his Capitals tenure. He underwent surgery, with it resulting in the end of his 2022-23 campaign.
The Oilers decided to give the winger a chance in Edmonton, signing him to a one-year deal which has a base salary of $775k. He’ll be supremely motivated to succeed though, in large part due to another possible $3.225 million in performance-related bonuses. (This will be achieved if he plays 10 games this season.)
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It says something, that Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft is placing Brown on the first line with McDavid. As much as the NHL’s best player can make anyone look good, they do have a history from previously playing together for the Eerie Otters.
While it was only versus an under-strength Flames side, the duo showed what they could do together on Wednesday night in a resounding 7-2 win. Brown scored two goals and added an assist, while McDavid registered a goal and a trio of assists.
In general, Woodcroft is confident in what Brown offers to the Oilers. As per Reid Wilkins and Brenden Escott of 630 CHED, he said:
“I think we’ve managed him in the right manner and I think he’s going to fit our team like a glove. He’s got life on the bench. He’s someone that brings energy– says good things – and I think that’s contagious.”
Next. Oilers put NHL on warning with impressive preseason. dark
As per this article from Rob Couch of The Hockey Writers, we appreciate there are also some underrated players who could step up and help the Oilers reach the promised land. However, the four players we’ve referenced are already excellent and influential players who just happen to be capable of even more, which is a scary proposition for opponents in the coming months.