Why Oilers Fans Shouldn’t Worry About Poor Preseason Results

As the preseason rolls along, Oilers fans might be feeling a bit on edge, especially cause the team’s results aren’t looking great. But here’s the thing, it’s way too early to hit the panic button. Preseason games are a totally different animal compared to regular season hockey, and there are plenty of reasons not to let these early struggles get to you.

First off, the preseason is not about racking up wins. These games are meant for coaches to try out new line combinations, give prospects a shot, and see which fringe players might make the cut. You’re not going to see Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl going all out just yet. Instead, they’re using these games to get their legs back under them, work on their timing, and shake off any rust. They know the real games are still ahead, and risking injury in a preseason game just isn’t worth it.

On top of that, the roster you see in preseason is not what you’ll see when the season starts. The lineup is full of AHL players, prospects, and guys on PTOs trying to make a name for themselves. It’s a mixed bag of talent, so don’t expect everything to click right away.

And let’s not forget, the Oilers just came off a long postseason run. That kind of grind takes a toll on players, both physically and mentally. Some guys are still recovering, and preseason is a good time for them to ease back into game shape. It’s better to see a few rough games now than in October when the points really matter.

Plus, this year, is the first training camp for Kris Knoblauch. That means that Knoblauch has a whole training camp to get his players introduced to how he wants things to be done. While most of his changes may have been implemented last season a training camp is a good time to make a couple more improvements.

So, Oilers fans, take a deep breath. The preseason is all about preparation, not perfection. Once the puck drops on opening night, the real Oilers will show up, and that’s when it’ll be time to get excited.