Oilers hype: Is HF buying in on a 2024 run?

[Raistlin]

I don't know how a team can win 4 rounds if they play so average at 5 on 5. They are scary on the powerplay for sure, so I don't worry about regular season success. But all these cup talk is so preposterous with their defense even with Ekholm. Vancouver is a borderline bubble team that just humiliated them. I don't understand the lack of fire 2 days later on their home opener.

 

[Edgelord]

I think this point is more common than you think - it's usually hidden as a McDavid vs Crosby debate in how Crosby's skillset is "the gifted grinder" even though he has above average footspeed and could put on the burners a bit early in his career, and McDavid is only perceived as Bure 2.0 with speed that leaves everyone, including teammates, behind.

It's probably fair to a certain extent.

I am thinking they should try slowing up a smidge in the neutral zone, allow the D men to get set, then attack entry. Having Drai move to the middle and McDavid move to the wing on the fly as they set up will open the middle of the ice big time. Every single player in the NHL knows you can't leave McDavid room on the outside so the defensive center will cheat to that side.

 

[Johnny HFBOARDS]

Hilarious...people never learn...never ever ever judge a Hockey team by early season results....especially after 2 measly games.....

Naw 2 we're gud

 

[Breakers]

That 3rd goal by Van epitomizes Nurse and Ceci

3 on 2
Nurse and ceci decide to turn it into a 5 on 2 LOL

Watch the replay
Nurse and Ceci are literally rubbing shoulders as they both decide to join the rush, inches away from each other and they are at the hashmarks they are so so deep on the play.
Just oblivious to there surroundings
Bad shot by Foegele, I get that, but if they are in position they hold the puck in the zone

 

[Mr Kot]

Hmm I think I will say no

 

[Hank Plank]

Why would anyone want to play in Edmonton? If you are not part of the Drai/McJesus in group you are nothing. Last 5 minutes of a close game they never leave the ice. Bad goal goes in McDavid gives everyone the stink eye. Oilers are not a team they are McOilers.

 

[1989]

Why would anyone want to play in Edmonton? If you are not part of the Drai/McJesus in group you are nothing. Last 5 minutes of a close game they never leave the ice. Bad goal goes in McDavid gives everyone the stink eye. Oilers are not a team they are McOilers.

Because you too could get an oversized paycheck just for one season of showing you have a pulse when the duo are on the ice!

Think of your children!

 

[Hank Plank]

Because you too could get an oversized paycheck just for one season of showing you have a pulse when the duo are on the ice!

Think of your children!

Well when you put it that way.

 

[serp]

Goaltending and defense are just not good enough for the Oilers. You can have shaky defense or shaky goaltending and still win but not both.

 

[Zirakzigil]

I mean, I don't know if I can attribute it to him as I have no insight behind the scenes, only on the ice.

McDavid doesn't play in goal. He doesn't make the coaching decisions to overload the line with Draisaitl. He doesn't make Darnell Nurse do Nurse things. And yeah, he very likely has input on many decisions but there's a lot of moving pieces.

I have watched some of his pressers and stuff and I think, "yeah, not the best-sounding captain I've ever heard" but it's not on McDavid to be the captain in a sense, either.
I firmly believe the best player does not have to be the captain on a team.
Leadership isn't natural to everyone even if it is a coachable skill.

The fact that we, the fans, haven't had the chance to watch McDavid really succeed (Olympics, even!) kind of sucks.

He could start by caring about his own end as much as he does about getting points. Yeah I said it. McDavid is the first person to rush out of the zone at the slightest hint of the Oiler gaining the puck.

 

[Love]

Part of it's on McDavid. Great player. Poor leader. Zero personality. He doesn't inspire his teammates. Crosby was able to overcome his issues and mature into a great leader. It's possible mcdavid could do the same, but he hasn't yet.

This is ridiculous and untrue. If he was drafted by a competent franchise he’d probably have 2 or 3 cups by now and nobody would say dumb shit like this.

Is McDavid’s personality the reason Nurse can’t defend yet gets paid like he’s one of the best in the world? Is it McDavid’s poor leadership that’s causing their goaltending to be so bad? Or is it his lack of being able to “inspire” his teammates that’s caused Edmonton’s depth to be horribly inadequate for the last decade?

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

Amusing as it may be, every year it takes about 20 games for things to start to normalize. Everything before the 20 game mark is noise.

 

[HockeyWooot]

Lethal on the PP, absolutely insane. The rest of their game and fundamentals do not look like that of a legitimate contender.

McDavid will finish his career as possibly top3 all time, but hasn't demonstrated strength as a leader. Not a hot take imo

 

[Mr Positive]

This last loss stings but the Oilers controlled the play immensely.

Goaltending is an issue yet again so that could be an Achilles heel but it will likely settle down. At least one of our guys should be good enough

 

[Shane Diesel]

Goaltending is an issue yet again so that could be an Achilles heel but it will likely settle down. At least one of our guys should be good enough

Just like last year?

 

[Mr Positive]

Just like last year?

Pretty much. Both goalies had question marks but one was good enough. So we just need that to happen again

I'd think with a full season of Ekholm, and once he is fully healthy and up to speed, the Oilers should take the division.

There's also the new systems the team is still learning. That was the major problem in the playoffs so it's worth it to work that out now

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

The craziest part is the Oilers were handed powerplays all game it's crazy why can't we see some 5on5 hockey in the regular season it's annoying

 

[Flying Dego]

Lethal on the PP, absolutely insane. The rest of their game and fundamentals do not look like that of a legitimate contender.

McDavid will finish his career as possibly top3 all time, but hasn't demonstrated strength as a leader. Not a hot take imo

Hot dogging on the Powerplay is cool and fun but it's not gonna win them a cup. McD turns 27 and hasn't threatened for a cup.

His peak/prime window isn't staying open forever. He's a guy that thrives on speed...he will need to reinvent his game in the coming years. Can he? Sure. Will he? I don't know.

I still think it'd be fun if he never gets a cup and just has his individual awards piled around him. Will make for a fun trivia question.

Like you mentioned he strikes me as a poor leader. I'm sure Oilers fans would oppose and that's fine. But for the people without rose colored glasses it looks rough.

 

[denverdevil]

I was wondering what this thread would look like after last night and it does not disappoint.

 

[Enga Olly]

Amusing as it may be, every year it takes about 20 games for things to start to normalize. Everything before the 20 game mark is noise.

Essentially this, although I wouldn't characterize games 1-20 as "just noise". It's the indicator on where things are going. There will be ups, there will be downs and the fundamental flaws will be dealt with and either fixed or mitigated by game 20. But every year we all get overexcited or overly pessimistic on a good or bad start. Just like people reading too much into pre-season.

Edmonton will win a couple of games and all will be OK in Oilerland, Auston goes goal less in the next 2 and everyone will calm down.

2 games folks - 80 more to go

 

[Rob]

Essentially this, although I wouldn't characterize games 1-20 as "just noise". It's the indicator on where things are going. There will be ups, there will be downs and the fundamental flaws will be dealt with and either fixed or mitigated by game 20. But every year we all get overexcited or overly pessimistic on a good or bad start. Just like people reading too much into pre-season.

Edmonton will win a couple of games and all will be OK in Oilerland, Auston goes goal less in the next 2 and everyone will calm down.

2 games folks - 80 more to go

Yes, the Oilers are going to be "OK". What they won't be are Stanley Cup contenders.

 

[Czechboy]

As an Oil fan I find it nuts that this is turning into bash McDavid thread.lol So much material to trash the Oilers and how the team is built and people are blaming McDavid? Because he has shitty interviews?

To be clear.. Cody Ceci is in our Top 4 and plays over 20 a night. Do people feel that if McDavid had 'more personality' or was a 'better leader' that Cody Ceci would become a Norris Contender?

His last 4 goalies were Skinner, Campbell, Koskinen and Smith. Is it his fault none of these guys play like a Russian Vezina candidate? Our goalies are both at .750 right now.

He's an elite forward and he scores a tonne and is a huge part of a generational PP.

But I guess until he dons the mask and puts on the pads that he isn't a great leader. Until he starts taking shifts on D in the Top 4 (and let's face it, he'd probably be our 3rd best Dman) then it's his fault.lol

There is a huge shitshow to mock right now, Oiler management and the team they built around McD.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

What is he supposed to do when his goalie faces just 16 shots and gets caved in 4 times? Perceived lack of personality and inspiration isn’t the reason why Edmonton netminders can’t make even one big save it seems.

I understand the criticism at times, but it’s the same issue as before. If management could provide a remotely stable goalie, this team would have won already.

Two goals on tip ins in right in front of the net and a goal on a two on nothing breakaway. Then a fourth line player beating the Oilers top D wide. The problems go a lot deeper than the goalie. The D is just not very good. But I agree it’s not really on McDavid.

 

[AvalancheRy]

I think they Oilers will be fine. Every team ebbs and flows in the regular season.

I think the real worry for this team is how will the get through the West. Last year should've been their run IMO. Lots of good teams went down early or had bad showings. Vegas was really the big threat. And the Oilers were healthy relatively speaking. And they still couldn't do it.

This year? Vegas still looks dominant. And the Stars/Kings/Avs are all on the ascendancy, and all of those teams boast complete rosters built for playoff hockey. The Oilers will always have a chance because they're icing the two best players on just about any given night. But the West is shaping up to be a buzzsaw this year.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Yikes, its uncomfortable in here.