Through three games this season, the Oilers have been rather poor as indicated by the results. Many analytics cowboys point to some underlying numbers that look good, but unfortunately games are not won or lost in a computer and this squad desperately needs to simplify some things in order to get back on track, on the ice.
This isn't to scoff at analytics by the way, we use them and are proponents of fancy stats here, but to constantly point to them when the actual results aren't there grows tiresome to us all, especially to frustrated players.
The eye test tells us quite a few things that directly affect the aforementioned numbers. Speed is just not a part of this roster's identity nor is physicality, which are two very simple things you can use in hockey to will yourself out of a funk. The defending as a unit has been bad overall, too many turnovers and missed assignments, and both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard need to be better.
Sunday night against the Flames, Mikael Backlund slashed Skinner on the back of his leg where there is no padding and not a single Oilers player did anything about it. Edmonton totalled 13 hits on the night as a team to Calgary's 27.
Their speed according to NHL Edge is in the bottom quadrant of most bursts, at 18-22 km/h. They aren't handling the puck well when they do possess it, and when they are getting decent looks they aren't able to finish them.
So, is it time to hit the panic button? Definitely not, but the noise is already getting loud and some of it is warranted and while there is a plethora of issues that can be discussed, there is one key takeaway I believe needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Darnell Nurse's partner needs to be solidified
In these three games thus far, Nurse has played with all of Troy Stetcher, Ty Emberson, and Travis Dermott and none of the three pairings have produced tidy results. All three players are fine as depth guys and Emberson could turn into something more eventually, but this team needs results right now. They cannot afford to keep running this experiment that is a revolving door on the second pairing, with a guy who is under the most pressure and criticism in this market often times for good reason. Management elected to go with this group instead of bringing in one of Justin Schultz or Kevin Shattenkirk (or Tyson Barrie I may add) in order to accrue cap space to put towards a deadline acquisition, and through three games that decision looks to be a poor one.
It is definitely a small sample size and I must reiterate I don't view this current state of affairs as a time to completely overreact and/or push the panic button, but both things can be true. This team's offence will not stay this stagnant forever. It will turn the tide which will help get some wins, but they also need a solution for this pairing right quick. A trade is unlikely. A recall for Max Wanner or bringing in one of those UFA's is the only immediate fix they can turn to and Wanner is not a guarantee to deliver different results being a rookie. Nor is it a guarantee that Schultz or Shattenkirk improve the pairing. For the sake of speculation though, let's explore a trade.