Oilers followers: how are you feeling about your group after a lukewarm efficiency within the 2024-25 NHL pre-season? In the event you’re a pessimist, you’re most likely considering the sky is falling in as a result of the protection has holes, Jeff Skinner hasn’t discovered chemistry with Leon Draisaitl, and so they could possibly be headed for the same begin within the upcoming NHL season than that they had final season.
Nevertheless, for those who’re a glass-half-full form of individual, there are some stable the explanation why try to be excited heading into the 2024-25 NHL marketing campaign. Listed here are 5 the explanation why Oilers followers must be optimistic in regards to the season.
1. The Oilers Have the Expertise to Win it All
Like so many nice NHL groups, the worry of shedding is nearly as highly effective as the need to win. The Oilers’ present core group understands that. The 2024-25 Oilers remind me numerous the 1982-83 Oilers who had been swept in 4 video games by the New York Islanders within the 1983 Stanley Cup Remaining. As former Oilers head coach and normal supervisor (GM) Glen Sather put it, “The Islanders confirmed us what it took to win, as a result of they had been a troublesome group to beat.”
The 2024-25 Oilers at the moment are one of many NHL’s elite groups, and you’ll’t underestimate all that the group gained on their strategy to shedding the 2024 Stanley Cup Remaining to the Florida Panthers by one aim in Recreation 7. On a latest Lowedown with Lowetide podcast, two of my favorite hockey commentators, Alan Mitchell and Steve Lansky had a really clever and insightful dialogue in regards to the Oilers heading into the 2024-25 season. Lanksy summed up the Oilers present frame of mind one of the best: “If you attain the Stanley Cup ultimate, you change into a distinct participant. You perceive what it took to get there. You perceive what it took to lose and also you don’t need to do this once more.” Oilers followers, regardless of a mediocre preseason, try to be enthusiastic about your group’s possibilities of competing for the Stanley Cup in 2024-25.
2. Wage Cap Administration
The present Oilers administration group, led by CEO & President of Hockey Operations, Jeff Jackson, and new GM Stan Bowman, could have some money to play with by the point the 2025 Commerce Deadline approaches, particularly if Oilers ahead Evander Kane is positioned on long run injured reserve (LTIR) after offseason surgical procedure. Having Kane totally rested and recovered from two seasons of great accidents will likely be a bonus for the Oilers ought to they make the postseason. Having Kane’s LTIR wage out there (like Mark Stone’s Vegas Golden Knights annual LTIR transfer) might give the Oilers some important cash to play with to select up a stable defenceman or two for the NHL’s stretch drive in March and April. A lot is dependent upon Kane’s restoration, but when I had been him, and the Oilers, I’d take so long as wanted to get 100% wholesome, so he can return to be a bodily offensive drive like he’s been for many of his profession.
3. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard & Zach Hyman
Having 4 of the NHL’s Prime 50 gamers (in line with TSN’s Prime 50 Gamers Record) in your group is a feather within the Oilers’ caps. This core group is battle examined, centered, and able to make one other run for the Stanley Cup. Managing ice time, and benefiting from alternatives to relaxation and refuel through the grind of an 82 recreation common season may even be key for this core group which additionally options Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mattias Ekholm, and Darnell Nurse.
4. Oilers Goaltending
The tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard look poised and able to assist the Oilers make some noise in 2024-25. Skinner particularly seems and talks like he’s realized some precious classes once more from the earlier season, and could possibly be even higher within the new season. Pickard can be benefiting from his alternative, and regardless of a small damage within the preseason, is certainly greater than prepared to offer stable backup providers.
5. New Additions
The additions of Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, and Ty Emberson might show to be shrewd strikes by Oilers administration this offseason. Arvidsson had an excellent preseason, and whereas the ebook remains to be out on Jeff Skinner and Emberson, the NHL season isn’t a dash, however a marathon. You possibly can count on the brand new additions to contribute. You may need some questions on Emberson heading into the brand new season however I feel the Oilers have discovered an sufficient substitute for the departed Philip Broberg.
Associated: Oilers Have a Goal On Their Again
Broberg was signed to a proposal sheet by the St. Louis Blues this previous August together with promising ahead Dylan Holloway. It’ll be compelling to see how these two first-round draft picks carry out in St. Louis this season. Perhaps they’ll ship a Stanley Cup for Blues GM Doug Armstrong and make him appear like the second coming of former Montreal Canadiens GM Sam Pollock.
It’s a Nice Time to Be an Oilers Fan
With the “Decade of Darkness” clearly within the rearview mirror, Oilers followers have each proper to really feel optimistic about their group this season. They’ve what it takes to make it to the Promised Land, and it’s going to be attention-grabbing (to not point out entertaining) to look at the Oilers get nearer to the last word aim of successful Lord Stanley’s Mug. Put in your seatbelt, Oilers followers, it’s going to be an thrilling rollercoaster journey in 2024-25.
