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

[mkatcherin00]

They will be good, but they need another #4 dman. Have to see how goaltending is. Also, have to see how they play their new dzone system. Something CGY is also experimenting with.

I lump Edmonton in with Toronto and a bunch of other teams. Would it surprise me if they win a cup? No. Are they top favs? I am an Oiler fan and I can't say they are one of the top 3 teams to be favored to win it.

So let me preface this by saying I am totally indifferent to Edmonton and in fact, if Florida can't win the Cup, would love to see McDavid lift it because he's insane. But I'm seeing them as a universal top 3 Cup pick (hell the Athletic has them as the highest odds to win) and I'm just not seeing it? This is a team that has not won a 3rd round game with McDrai and added Connor Brown, who is solid but I don't think anyone is calling him a superstar. Meanwhile you have Vegas running it back with essentially the same team, Dallas who was very close added Duchene for pennies on the dollar, and Colorado who are a legit team if healthy. I would have those 3 teams' Cup odds ahead of the Oilers in the west and would probably still put Carolina, Tampa, NJD over them in the East.

I make this thread only because I see all the buzz about this being the year and I'm just wondering if I've missed anything notable. Will be funny to bump this in June after they win the Cup in 18 games I'm sure.

I think Edmonton has been the 2nd best team for almost two years behind Boston.

It's hard to win in this league. Oilers were a top 10 ES scoring team. Generational PP. PK needs work. Defense not set IMO. Goaltending is still a half question mark. They will run roughshed in the regular season.

COnnor Brown has fit like a glove.

Campbell has looked excellent against full rosters (knock on wood).

Edmonton also has the most wins the last year or two with sub 900 goaltending lol

Just goaltending will vault edmonton to a playoff run

 

[mkatcherin00]

I think Toronto and Edmonton fans are in the same boat. We don't give two sh*** what we do in the regular season.

I would rather McDavid score less, Drai score less, and win some tight games. Nothing matters until the playoffs.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

The last time the Oilers made the Stanley Cup final was an 04 - 05 and what do you know It was from the play of a superstar defenseman and a goalie who was playing out of his mind, who carried them all the way to the cup final. Defense and goaltending, two areas where the oilers currently lack.

They would likely need to find a defenseman and a goalie who can get hot at the right time. Erik Karlsson was probably the closest to a superstar defenseman that was available to them recently. But they couldn't land him due to cap issues.

 

[mkatcherin00]

If they cannot consistently separate McDrai at ES to create offensive depth, then why would this year being any different than the past?

Does this dude even watch hockey? I know you wrote that to troll.

They only play together if they are desperate in a game and down. Do you seriously watch hockey?

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

They are stuck with Nurse. There is no way out of that, but they could still work on the D core to maybe get the pressure off him and drop his minutes. I’ll see what they do at the deadline. I think they still need to replace Ceci with someone who’s a similar role like him but just better…

Their goaltending just needs to be stable. They don’t need them to be 2021 Vasi if they fix their D a bit and their offence is still good enough to mask some mistakes, but it’s still an issue if those guys can’t just be stable.

Their division isn’t exactly the strongest which works in their favor. Vegas is of course there but they might be at risk of a cup hangover and recent years have showed them to kinda flip flop the next year. LA is there and maybe gotten better but Oilers have been their dad’s last few years. They probably won’t have to deal with a Colorado or Dallas until 3rd round, which is more ideal than dealing with them early in playoffs. Their record against central playoff teams isn't great though..

If you even wanna look further ahead and assume they make it out of the west finally, they are teams out East I think that pose even bigger issues. Another team with hype this year that’s trying to get over the hump as well is Carolina. That team would be an awful match up for the oilers.

All in all I do think they have potential to make it their year, but it’s not a given. I think they still have issues that they gotta figure out throughout the season. I think some things out of their control has to go their way as well.

Usually too many questions and issues going into a season I would so no they won’t but this year feels different. There’s no clear favorite going into this year. Every team seems to have some kinda issues or questions about them. It’s another reason why I think this might be their best opportunity as well. But it’s just not a given.

“Stuck with Nurse” lol
Oh darn, just top 11 in ES points, top 15 in ES TOI and 3rd on the team in goal differential

How will we survive? Lmao

 

[mkatcherin00]

“Stuck with Nurse” lol
Oh darn, just top 11 in ES points, top 15 in ES TOI and 3rd on the team in goal differential

How will we survive? Lmao

It's a bad narrative now. Yes, he is overpaid. We know it.

BUT, guess who is underpaid guys?

RNH has MORE points than Torontos core lol. Doesn't matter that he plays with McDrai. Watch how bad our PP looks when RNH isn't on it. It's weird

Show me a team who has a guy who scored 100+ points at less than 6 mill? Same with Hyman. He was close.

That's why our big boys get paid and will get big raises. They make everybody better.

Hyman is UNDERPAID

Kane is UNDERPAID

That takes away from Nurse being overpaid. No team will have 100% overperforming contracts

Connor Brown is also going to look underpaid.

 

[daver]

Does this dude even watch hockey? I know you wrote that to troll.

They only play together if they are desperate in a game and down. Do you seriously watch hockey?

2023 Playoffs ES linemates: Line Combinations - Frozen Tools

2022 Playoff ES linemates: Line Combinations - Frozen Tools

McDavid and Draisaitl are easily the most common ES linemates in all periods and in the 1st period.

I guess you are the troll.

 

[Akrapovince]

Skinner and Campbell has as much of a chance to go hot for 7 games as any goalie in the world, and McDavid and Draisatl can drag them into the finals.

You pay goalies to be consistent but Skinner and Campbell can string together 4-7 great games.

The same way an absolutely stacked team’s goaltending can crumble in 4-7 games.

It's a bad narrative now. Yes, he is overpaid. We know it.

BUT, guess who is underpaid guys?

RNH has MORE points than Torontos core lol. Doesn't matter that he plays with McDrai. Watch how bad our PP looks when RNH isn't on it. It's weird

Show me a team who has a guy who scored 100+ points at less than 6 mill? Same with Hyman. He was close.

That's why our big boys get paid and will get big raises. They make everybody better.

Hyman is UNDERPAID

Kane is UNDERPAID

That takes away from Nurse being overpaid. No team will have 100% overperforming contracts

Connor Brown is also going to look underpaid.

You are basically paying 12.5 for McDavid plus whoever two they want to put beside him. He’s a line on his own.

4m - McDavid - 4m or even ELC - McDavid - ELC would be palatable I swear.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

It's a bad narrative now. Yes, he is overpaid. We know it.

BUT, guess who is underpaid guys?

RNH has MORE points than Torontos core lol. Doesn't matter that he plays with McDrai. Watch how bad our PP looks when RNH isn't on it. It's weird

Show me a team who has a guy who scored 100+ points at less than 6 mill? Same with Hyman. He was close.

That's why our big boys get paid and will get big raises. They make everybody better.

Hyman is UNDERPAID

Kane is UNDERPAID

That takes away from Nurse being overpaid. No team will have 100% overperforming contracts

Connor Brown is also going to look underpaid.

It’s wild how many people are personally offended and insulted by the Nurse contract, like they’re the ones paying for it or something lol
He’s a very good defenseman despite the overpay

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Nurse contract, like they’re the ones paying
He’s a very good defenseman despite the overpay

I'd say Nurse is a good (not great) defenseman. He personally wouldn't be on my Blueline by choice especially on a contender. I could probably choose 50 dmen Id rather have over him and most don't make 9.5M per year.

 

[hangman005]

No, I'm predicting a first round exit based on nothing more than basic pattern recognition. 2022 WCF exit. 2023, WCSF exit.... If the patterne continues its 2024 WCQF Exit.

In all seriousness though they have a good shot at it, but i wouldn't say i'm bought in, and part of that is I don't like the oilers so I don't want to buy in Hopefully Vegas gets in the way again on the way to back to backs

 

[Three On Zero]

It's a bad narrative now. Yes, he is overpaid. We know it.

BUT, guess who is underpaid guys?

RNH has MORE points than Torontos core lol. Doesn't matter that he plays with McDrai. Watch how bad our PP looks when RNH isn't on it. It's weird

Show me a team who has a guy who scored 100+ points at less than 6 mill? Same with Hyman. He was close.

That's why our big boys get paid and will get big raises. They make everybody better.

Hyman is UNDERPAID

Kane is UNDERPAID

That takes away from Nurse being overpaid. No team will have 100% overperforming contracts

Connor Brown is also going to look underpaid.

Hyman and Kane are not underpaid, they are both paid what market value was for them at the time of signing. That is still what they wound be worth if they hit UFA, they just play with two very good players

 

[CheckingLineCenter]

Yeah hate to say it but I think they’re gross. My top Prez and Stanley Cup contender.

 

[CantHaveTkachev]

I'd say Nurse is a good (not great) defenseman. He personally wouldn't be on my Blueline by choice especially on a contender. I could probably choose 50 men Id rather have over him and most don't make 9.5M per year.

Lol “50 d-men”

 

[Matty Sundin]

“Stuck with Nurse” lol
Oh darn, just top 11 in ES points, top 15 in ES TOI and 3rd on the team in goal differential

How will we survive? Lmao

Didn’t exactly say he was bad player. That contract definitely could be better though for a team that’s constantly cap strapped.

Yes I’m aware they have some good contracts in others and he plays huge minutes but I think that’s kinda where the issue is. I don’t think can be depended on. His playoff performance kinda showed that. I know Eklholm is a good pick up but they still need more depth still. They don’t have a legit top league defenceman , which is hard to find and just replace obviously.

Not saying they are doomed because of that but they need more depth, or guys they already have to step up create that depth within. Kinda like Vegas last year which didn’t have Makar or Hedman like player in the backend but their Defensive core was still deep, as with every other position they had.

 

[Three On Zero]

Didn’t exactly say he was bad player. That contract definitely could be better though for a team that’s constantly cap strapped.

Yes I’m aware they have some good contracts in others and he plays huge minutes but I think that’s kinda where the issue is. I don’t think can be depended on. His playoff performance kinda showed that. I know Eklholm is a good pick up but they still need more depth still. They don’t have a legit top league defenceman , which is hard to find and just replace obviously.

Not saying they are doomed because of that but they need more depth, or guys they already have to step up create that depth within. Kinda like Vegas last year which didn’t have Makar or Hedman like player in the backend but their Defensive core was still deep, as with every other position they had.

He’s the perfect middling #2 paid like a high end #1. If his salary started with a 6 or 7 it would fit perfectly

 

[Dynamic]

If they get any semblance of decent goaltending in the playoffs they can go far as is. They gave Vegas a good run with some absolutely soul crushing goaltending that was like playing handicapped. Especially seeing what Aidin Hill did when he was called upon.

But its a crapshoot. Injuries? Running into a hot team first round? Honestly the regular season means shit. I don't want McDrai playing 25 mins a night. I don't give AF about the PP. I don't care about who wins the division. We need a rested team to make the dance that has decent goaltending. Another top 4 D would be icing on the cake.

 

[Voight]

Can they get past Vegas? Thats the real million dollar question for the Oilers. They can handle almost anyone else, but Vegas just completely destroyed them and shut down McDavid. If you want me to be as brutally honest as possible, I just wish that the Oilers stopped depending on Nurse so much defensively, and got themselves someone who was defensively responsible. Mario Ferraro should be on their radars. Get someone to make defense easier on the Oilers.

Anythings possible come playoff time but Vegas was missing their top 2 goalies and still beat them last year.

 

[Voight]

Oilers are a top 6 team in the NHL. They got Connor Brown on a sweetheart deal.

Kane is underpaid. Nuge is underpaid.

This roster has 2 top 30 Dmen. This roster is good.

Not really.

He carries a $5,125,000 cap hit and paced for 56 points last year. I wouldnt say hes underpaid at all.

RNH might look underpaid on paper, but he was apart of the best power play int ecent NHL history. If he pulls off multiple high scoring seasons, you might have an argument.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Skinner and Campbell has as much of a chance to go hot for 7 games as any goalie in the world, and McDavid and Draisatl can drag them into the finals.

You pay goalies to be consistent but Skinner and Campbell can string together 4-7 great games.

The same way an absolutely stacked team’s goaltending can crumble in 4-7 games.


You are basically paying 12.5 for McDavid plus whoever two they want to put beside him. He’s a line on his own.

4m - McDavid - 4m or even ELC - McDavid - ELC would be palatable I swear.

‘Skinner and Campbell has as much of a chance to go hot for 7 games as any goalie in the world.’
Not sure if you’re serious. There are a lot of goalies with a much better chance of going hot than this duo.

 

[Bounces R Way]

They had a historic powerplay and two players nearly at 2 points per game in the playoffs and still got taken out by a 3rd string goalie. Couldn't even win a game against the Avs the year prior.

If that's not the mark of a fatally flawed team I dunno what is.
Maybe Connor Brown will fix it. Either way Kenny is running out of bullets in the chamber.

 

[The90]

Does this dude even watch hockey? I know you wrote that to troll.

They only play together if they are desperate in a game and down. Do you seriously watch hockey?

I mean they played 36% together 5v5 and had an insane amount of pp points so it’s not exactly wrong

 

[WetcoastOrca]

The bottom line is that as a general rule depth wins in the playoffs. Until the Oilers get it I just don’t see them being able to beat the top few teams who have depth at every position to cover for injuries and to provide offense when the stars on both teams inevitably get shut down.
I mean Vegas just dominated them even with their top two goalies injured. That’s the kind of depth you need.
Now having said that, if there’s a few upsets early on then sure they could go on one of those runs and possibly win a Cup.

 

[mkatcherin00]

2023 Playoffs ES linemates: Line Combinations - Frozen Tools

2022 Playoff ES linemates: Line Combinations - Frozen Tools

McDavid and Draisaitl are easily the most common ES linemates in all periods and in the 1st period.

I guess you are the troll.

I am talking about the regular season. What happened in the playoffs? COL won 4 games by a goal. Oilers were up on Vegas every game. Coach did what I said he does. He combined them. Man, Crosby is a legend, but fanboys like you do everything you can to discredit others lol.

The bottom line is that as a general rule depth wins in the playoffs. Until the Oilers get it I just don’t see them being able to beat the top few teams who have depth at every position to cover for injuries and to provide offense when the stars on both teams inevitably get shut down.
I mean Vegas just dominated them even with their top two goalies injured. That’s the kind of depth you need.
Now having said that, if there’s a few upsets early on then sure they could go on one of those runs and possibly win a Cup.

??

Oilers out chanced Vegas and were up every game. Look at the goaltending. Are you serious? At least research.

They had a historic powerplay and two players nearly at 2 points per game in the playoffs and still got taken out by a 3rd string goalie. Couldn't even win a game against the Avs the year prior.

If that's not the mark of a fatally flawed team I dunno what is.
Maybe Connor Brown will fix it. Either way Kenny is running out of bullets in the chamber.

Tell me which team outchanced the other and were up every single game? This isn't CGY that just chucks up shots without high danger chances or elite players.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

I am talking about the regular season. What happened in the playoffs? COL won 4 games by a goal. Oilers were up on Vegas every game. Coach did what I said he does. He combined them. Man, Crosby is a legend, but fanboys like you do everything you can to discredit others lol.


??

Oilers out chanced Vegas and were up every game. Look at the goaltending. Are you serious? At least research.

I’m not interested in the usual excuses.