The Edmonton Oilers have been more than disappointing this season as the team currently sits 28th in the league with a 12-16-2 record.
The saddest thing in it is that, according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, changes via trades do not appear to be in the works, as the reporter explained on the air of SiriusXM NHL Network Radio this morning.
GM Peter Chiarelli did try to make moves in order to fix his club in time to make the postseason, but nothing has worked out for the Oilers.
“I just think that they’re going to stay the course,” said Friedman. “They’ve tried to make moves. I don’t think there’s any doubt that Peter Chiarelli – Peter Chiarelli and Marc Bergevin are kind of the same. They’ve tried to make moves. They could make a bad move if they wanted to. Chiarelli did make the one trade, Jokinen-for-Cammalleri. I think he did look at Ian Cole too, but he didn’t like the asking price.
“I think they’re kind of sitting there and saying, ‘We could make a trade, but it’s not a trade that makes any sense.’ And I think the worst thing a GM can do is make a trade when things are going badly because you’re looking for a short-term fix. So I think they’re going to try to fight their way out of it if they can."
Friedman added that the Oilers' current trade plan shows that the Canadian team rather focus on the future then on the postseason.
“I’ve got to tell you: I was talking to one GM last week in the West who is still terrified they’re going to get it figured out and make the playoffs just because McDavid is so good and Draisaitl can be. I don’t like the odds. The math isn’t good for them this year.
“I think if anything, if they’re out they might trade a guy like Patrick Maroon, a guy like Mark Letestu, to see what they can get and try it again for next year."
A tough blow for Edmonton, who made an impressive playoff run last spring.
Let's just say now that things have not gone according to plans, and the new plan is to improve the future and make sure to clinch a playoff berth... next season!
