Well-known Toronto-based podcast producer mocks Oilers' Stanley Cup chances

If you were to do a poll for all seven NHL Canadian fan bases, asking which team they disliked the most, the likelihood is that the Toronto Maple Leafs would 'win'. However, the Edmonton Oilers still get more than their fair share of hate themselves, unsurprising given they are tied for the most Stanley Cup wins since joining the NHL in 1979-80 and have the most appearances in the Final in this same time period.

As such, you know there were plenty of fans amused when the St. Louis Blues tendered their double offer sheets for Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. With the Oilers being in such a precarious salary cap position already, it was going to be tough for them to justify matching one of the offers, never mind both.

If anything, the dislike of the Oilers was only intensified after their decision to hire the controversial Stan Bowman. As such, there are those out there who will look for any excuse to criticise Bowman and the Oilers, and revel in whatever bad fortune is bestowed upon them.

As a result, there were many who took great glee in the Oilers' subsequently not matching either offer for Broberg and Holloway. Yes they theoretically could have done but it would have been at an expensive gamble, thus the organisation has now lost two former first round draft picks with excellent upside, particularly Broberg.

Toronto podcast finds glee in Oilers' woes

This has also understandably led to a lot of people mocking the Oilers, including from fans based in Toronto. Among these is Steven Dangle Podcast Network executive producer, Drew Livingstone.

Giving due credit to David Staples of the Edmonton Journal, Livingstone has said losing Broberg and Holloway marks the end of the Oilers' championship window. He goes on to say the Darnell Nurse contract continues to hinder the Oilers, and claims their championship windows is now realistically only open for one more season.

Now we appreciate a big part of these comments is connected to the banter and rivalry which goes on between the fan bases of teams, particularly the Canadian ones. Of course it makes sense that a Leafs fan would want to tease and mock the Oilers, given the recent turn of events.

However, keep in mind that on some level, a part of this gleeful mocking is linked to jealousy. Yes the Oilers did lose the Stanley Cup Final this past season, but at least they got there, something which the Leafs have not managed since before their Edmonton rivals even joined the NHL.

Is there any truth in Livingstone's comments?

All this aside though, if we take an objective look at Livingstone's comments, is there anything about them which does ring true? Well for a start, he's right to say Nurse's contract hinders the Oilers.

To be clear, you can't blame Nurse for agreeing to the deal, but there's no denying the Oilers are suffering after signing him to a contract which pays 9.25 million per season through 2028-29. This is a ridiculous amount, with the deal even recently named by The Athletic as one of the 10 worst contracts in the NHL.

Another thing worth noting with the loss of Broberg and Holloway, is that the average age of the Oilers roster has increased. In fact as per Elite Prospects, they now have the oldest average age roster in the NHL, at 30.27. (They are also the only NHL team to average 30 or older.)

Draisaitl is a key factor to the future

One final aspect to consider, is that Leon Draisaitl only has one season remaining on his current deal. If the Oilers are unable to get him to agree to a contract extension and he leaves, this will admittedly add a little more credence to Livingstone's comments about a one-year championship window remaining.

However, we're going to be optimistic here and say that the Oilers will find a way to get Draisaitl re-signed. He does love playing for the organisation, and knows it will be tougher to find a better situation in the NHL to pursue a Stanley Cup.

Along these lines, this is a stacked Oilers roster which should still contend for several years to come, led by the best player in the world in Connor McDavid. Add the likes of Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Viktor Arvidsson, Mattias Ekholm and Stuart Skinner who are all signed to multi-year deals, and the core is there to continue contending. (The only reason we haven't included Evan Bouchard is because he will be an unrestricted free agent after this next season, and we now know better than to assume anything.)

Overall, there's no denying it's been a tough week or so for the Oilers; losing Broberg and Holloway is a big blow and worthy of being mocked by fans of other teams. However, we ultimately prefer the Oilers' chances of continuing to contend for the Stanley Cup for the foreseeable future, compared to the likes of the Leafs.

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