Report: Shake up coming in Edmonton

It's about time!

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 5 years ago
Report: Shake up coming in Edmonton
Zuma Press

To the surprise of many fans and analysts around the NHL, the Edmonton Oilers have managed to turn things around as of late. Despite starting off the 2018-19 season pretty rocky, the Oilers managed to work their way back into respectability in the latter half of October. The problem is, with just five wins in their last ten games, the Oilers look the be on the verge of yet another losing skid. Such a skid could cost the team another season, before it really begins in earnest. After missing out on the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the heat is on the team’s coaching and management staff to qualify for the playoffs this spring and, should they falter, there’s no question that Oilers owner Darryl Katz will clean house. Thing thing is… could change be coming before things get away from the Oilers?

In his latest 31 Thoughts column for Sportsnet, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reports that a “shakeup” - on or off the ice - is coming in Edmonton. 

Check it out:

There is a lot of debate as to whether playing Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid together is a recipe for long-term, team-wide success, but after watching them dominate Montreal on Tuesday night, you can’t blame Todd McLellan for doing it. First, those two are tremendous to watch. Draisaitl could have scored eight goals if it wasn’t for Antti Niemi. Second, no one is running away with the Pacific Division, keeping the Oilers very much in it. Third, Boston and Colorado benefit from loading up one line. And, while I don’t profess to know which direction the organization will go, everyone from top to bottom is expecting some kind of a shakeup — on or off the ice — eventually. Go with your best.

This report comes hot on the heels of Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli slamming his defence corps, saying, “None of our D-men are exceptional passers.” So, could it be that the shake up Friedman talks about will happen on the Oilers’ blue line? Here’s the problem with that theory… literally EVERY defenseman on the Oilers’ roster was acquired by Chiarelli himself. If he’s not confident in his team’s blue line, he has only himself to blame. And if he hasn’t been able to overhaul his team’s defense corps in the three and a half years that he’s been GM of the team, fans certainly won’t hold out much hope for him doing it in the future.

So, while we don’t know whether change will happen on or off the ice for the Oilers, we do know that the team is in desperate need of a shake up. Aside from Connor McDavid leading the league once again in scoring and Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins providing some secondary scoring, the Oilers’ offence has been woefully inept. After McDavid, Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers next highest scoring forward is veteran Alex Chiasson… that’s not great in terms of depth. The Oilers NEED guys like Milan Lucic, Tobias Rieder, Drake Caggiula and Ryan Strome to step up. Hopefully Kailer Yamamoto and Jesse Puljujarvi begin to foster some offence with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, because the Oilers could use their talent and skill, as well.

In the meantime, we all await the shake up that this team desperately needs.