Common sense prevails with Oilers in latest NHL power rankings
By Paul Taylor
The Athletic has finally done the right thing and put the Edmonton Oilers where they deserve to be, in their latest weekly power rankings.
From early on this season, things have just not been right with the Edmonton Oilers. However, there was a prevailing thought it was going to get better; that the team was not as bad as they were showing on the ice.
This narrative was reflected in The Athletic’s early weekly NHL power rankings. For example, two weeks ago they had the Oilers ranked 17th out of the 32 teams. (Subscription required.)
Now we appreciate that by nature, power polls are subjective and polarising. However, we still felt the Oilers’ ranking was extremely generous, with their 1-5-1 start to the 2023-24 campaign.
A more fitting ranking
Well, it’s taken a couple of weeks, but The Athletic has finally put the Oilers in a position more worthy of their now disastrous beginning to this season. And by disastrous, we mean a franchise worst-ever start to a season through 12 games level of disastrous, at 2-9-1.
In their latest weekly power rankings, Dom Luszczyszyn and Sean Gentille have placed the Oilers in last place. (Subscription required.) In fact almost literally last place, ranking them 112th behind the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs on skates, the 2014-15 Oilers, the 1984-85 Oilers at their current age using the same gear they had in the 1980s, idiots who picked them to win the Stanley Cup this season, and so on.
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Aside from The Athletic‘s amusing take on the situation, it really is tough to argue with ranking the Oilers last among all 32 teams. There’s a ton of reasons to justify this, with the realisation by many that this is now more than just a tough start to the season.
At the time of posting, the Oilers rank last in the league in team save percentage, and second-worst in Goals Against Average. They are third-worst on the penalty kill and, most shockingly of all, tied fourth-worst for goals scored.
Is there ANY hope?
Despite all this, The Athletic does still have at least one positive in respect of the team. Although it should be noted, one of the themes of the latest power rankings was to find a positive for all 32 teams, with Luszczyszyn and Sean Gentille also admitting the Oilers’ one was spun differently:
"“Connor McDavid is the best player in the world. That’s still true after 10 games (sorry Leafs and Canucks fans). At some point, Connor McDavid will start playing like Connor McDavid and the Oilers’ fortunes should turn once that happens.”"
There was more written, including noting that McDavid still being compromised by his recent injury. Ultimately though, The Athletic is confident in the three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner will turn it around any day now.
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Obviously Oilers fans will be hoping that day comes sometime very soon, to get the season on track. As things stand, it’s tough to envision the team even challenging for a playoff spot in 2023-24.