The Edmonton Oilers are a depth team that plays well when working as an effective unit, capable of dictating the game against opposing teams.
Regardless of what has been said about the Edmonton Oilers during their slump, the fans had observed a few notable traits the team was playing with. The team lacked confidence, the maturity they had played with when it came to puck movement, as well as costly turnovers that resulted in goals against on steals and second-chance scoring.
Another aspect which needs work on is the power play formation, which was record-breaking red hot last season, but has been poor by comparison so far this season. The unit has not been strongly utilised overall in my opinion, as opposed to the argument the only reason they previously racked up so many points was purely because of the two main stars on the team, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
This is an area I am sure new head coach Kris Knoblauch will work on during his first few weeks as coach of the Edmonton Oilers. (Editor’s note: the early signs were promising on Monday night versus the Islanders, going two-for-three with the man advantage.)
Not to mention getting the assistant coaches involved with the roster, including working on the depth players who produce and defend diligently, but some of who have not been able to get going consistently enough so far this season. The prime offensive depth players to consider, are Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Evander Kane, Connor Brown, Zach Hyman and Dylan Holloway.
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Nugent-Hopkins is a well-seasoned veteran, who can help his teammates in many ways on the ice during the game. This is where the assistant coaches will have to come into play and work on his game a bit more, to help improve his play-making ability and scoring touch.
Kane came into the team with toughness and a broad range of talent, that contributed incredibly well to the organisation and its fans. His ability to outplay the defence in the offensive zone and muster up goals is comparable in a sense to Dustan Byfuglien’s game when he played for the Chicago Blackhawks. Given that forward Connor Brown is injured and may need time. It is important to utilise Kane’s skills and leadership on-ice and by producing alongside his teammates.
Hyman has picked up the pace, so to speak. He may be on the verge of breaking out this season and having a personal best type of year.
Holloway is another player who has the ability to impose himself more on games if he wants to. He has shown his goal-scoring prowess and more importantly his physical game, that complements an Eric Lindros-type of player in my opinion.
On the blue line, Vincent Desharnais has the size and grit to play and do the heavy lifting for the Edmonton Oilers team, alongside Brett Kulak. The best part about this pairing is that they are very consistent and make few errors. They don’t allow goals against less skilled opponents, which is key.
Overall, as this season progresses, the play and performance of those mentioned should pick up in my opinion.