Edmonton Oilers must find ways to tweak roster for the playoffs

Following Thursday night's 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, the Edmonton Oilers are now on a 15-game win streak which is just two short of the Pittsburgh Penguins' all-time record of 17 straight. The winning run has come as a result of excellent goaltending complemented by new developments and success in the defensive game plan since Kris Knoblauch's arrival, as well as excellent chemistry among the players.

The Edmonton Oilers are indeed a dominant team right now, but even with the winning streak there is still the question of if the current success and momentum will carry over into the playoffs. To be on the safe side the Oilers needed to prime the roster for their likely postseason run, which is why they signed Corey Perry to better secure the forward situation in the bottom-six.

Perry brings that added level of comfort to the Edmonton Oilers' bottom-six forwards, although he could also potentially help the top-six lineup as well. He ensures that the penalty kill will be handled accordingly, bringing much-needed toughness and heavy intensity on-ice, together with a wonderful skating ability that complements the current roster and gives them more depth at forward.

The four-time All-Star is still also capable of scoring goals, which can prove valuable in tight games. Not to mention he has valuable playoff experience which includes winning the Stanley Cup in 2006-07, that can help the Oilers pending their qualification this season.

The Edmonton Oilers need a defenceman and a top-six winger

The best part of this stretch of the season is that the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline is shaping up to be one of the most watched and most interesting shows this season. Similar to last year's spectacle, a lot of moves are expected to take place between now and 1 pm MT on Mar. 8.

The Oilers are nearly a complete roster, but, the need now is to replace forward Connor Brown and see what is available for the likes of defencemen Codi Ceci and Bret Kulak. Ceci and Kulak have great skating abilities and know how to get to both ends of the ice, but can be upgraded for someone such as Jakob Chychrun of the Ottawa Senators.

Their value is predominant in getting a good return and if it all goes well, the Oilers may be able to snag a backup goaltender with an elite type of defenceman, including a top-six winger, if necessary.

The team is firing on all cylinders and one can only hope this momentum is carried over into the post-season. It is an exciting time to be an Edmonton Oilers fan, as the team continues to take charge in the NHL with their historic winning run.

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