We’re two months away from being able to try this because we gave up a bunch of assets for one injured player and are leaning on another to have a 110% recovery, but I think this combo could be the best use of our random collection of wingers and LHD:
Frederic-McDavid-Drai
Kane-RNH-Hyman
Skinner-Henrique-Arvidsson
Podkolzin-Janmark-Brown
Perry, Jones
Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Kulak
Walman-Emberson
Klingberg
Do I think it’s a very good lineup? No. Do I think it can beat anyone but LA? No. But it’s possibly the best configuration of deck chairs on the S.S. Tita… err Oilers.
wow. You're writing this team off already? That's insane. The playoffs don't start for 2 months. If they started today, I'd be way more concerned, due to the slump that this team is in, and not having Kane or Fredric. Do I like this team both right now, and on paper better than last year's no. They have been struggling for about a month, playing their worst hockey of the season, and guys like Holloway and Broberg were both pretty good in the playoffs. McLeod had some moments in the playoffs, but didn't produce much, he was far from the McLeod that is playing this year. Foegel was not good in the playoffs, and even got healthy scratched at times. So, I don't see the Foegel and McLeod losses as major, seeing as how they were not impact players for the Oilers in the playoffs.
Then you have to add in how our players are currently playing, 97, 18, 93, 33, 19, 28, 14, and 2 are all not having great seasons, but, all of them are vets, and all of them have played well in the playoffs in the past, many, as recent as last year. Would it be hard to believe that some, or even most of these guys step up and play better in the playoffs? No, in fact, I think it's actually more likely than not for all of them. These are pros, they are vets, they know what it takes, they know how the game is played at that time of year.
The D core is better on paper than it was last year. 2 and 14 have not been near as good, but they are both still very good players, who have it in them to be elite when they are on the top of their game.
Nurse is playing way better than last year, Kulak is playing way better than last year. So, I'm not worried about those 4 at all. As long as their healthy, I believe those 4 will be fine. Add in Emberson, looks solid, and more reliable than Ceci, but has no playoff experience. I do like him and his game. Stetcher is a solid 6/7. Klingberg is struggling, not sure if he can get up to speed in time for the playoffs, so probably a 6/7 at best, and an emergency guy. That brings us to Walman, basically playing as well as a number 3 this year, but hard to judge on a poor SJ team. If he fits in well and moves the puck well and can play like a top 4 D, that is huge. That's a solid D, not dominant, but solid, with some good, well rounded D men. Walman is the biggest wildcard to see how he fits in with this group.
Lastly goaltending, this tandem, the same as last year, not quite as consistent as they were last year, but it's not like they have lost their game totally and fallen off the cliff. They just have had too many iffy goals, and too many off games. Could they step it up and play like they did last playoffs? For sure, why not? Would it of been nice to add a guy? for sure, but there weren't many options out there, I would of tried to at least grab a guy like Alex Lyon to give us one more option, but that didn't happen. If they don't find a way to limit those bad goals/games, it will be tough to win for sure. You can say that about any team.
Ok, so that's the team, now look at the path they will probably face. It's probably LA, maybe the Wild, maybe Vegas. Can they beat those 3 in a 7 game series? for sure they can, we were in 1st place in the division about a month ago. So, to me, very doable, that a McDavid/Draisaitl team can get to the WCF. So let's say this team ramps it up and beats LA and then Vegas, then they get to the WCF, and get probably one of Dallas, Colorado, or Winnipeg. All 3 very good teams, all 3 would be a tough out, but all 3 are beatable, if Edmonton gets average or above goaltending, and starts to ramp it up. We've seen them do it. Could Walman be as good as Broberg last playoffs? sure, why not. They just need for some of their vets to find their games, and get going. We will see if this team is just waiting for the playoffs to turn it on, it could be what they are doing, we will know when they drop the puck for game 1.
Do I think they are going to? not sure, I hope so, but I for sure am not ready to write this team off in March. The core of this team is still all here, 97 and 29 are still here, they still want to win. I can't believe any Oiler fan would just give up on this team in March, a team who is comfortably in a playoff spot, with an outside shot at the division still.
My playoff lines...
Fredric McDavid Hyman
Kane Draisaitl RNH
Jones Henrique Arvidsson
Perry Janmark Podkolzin
Extra Forwards...
C. Brown
J. Skinner
Savoie
D. Ryan
Philp
if someone struggles or is hurt in the bottom 6, Brown comes in.
if someone struggles or is hurt in the top 6, either you move up Arvidsson or Perry, and then Brown fills in OR J. Skinner or Savoie goes into the top 6.
if they need a C in the bottom 6, they can try Fredric there, or they could bring in D. Ryan or Philp
they have a lot of options, it's just about finding the right combinations and chemistry once Fredric and Kane are healthy.
they also have the option of playing 29 and 97 on a loaded up line, with any number of wingers (Hyman, RNH, Fredric, Kane, Perry, or Savoie) - lots of options and possibilities.
D
Ekholm Bouchard
Nurse Kulak
Walman Emberson
Extra D...
Stetcher
Klingberg
i like that top 6, now it's just figuring out who plays with who, they can hopefully figure that out over the last 20 games. I also think Stetcher and Klinberg, if he can keep improving and find his old game, are pretty solid depth, both are vets, and should be able to fill in when there are injuries.
Goalies are the goalies, and not much in the minors, so if they are to go on a run, they need one of Stu or Picks, if not both to play an average or better level. To me, the biggest question mark for sure. The team will need play better D as a team, but the goalies will need to limit the bad goals. simple as that.
obviously, due to their recent play and results, this team isn't inspiring much confidence right now. 6 weeks ago, they were going great, they have it in them, they have 97 and 29, they have lots of vets with lots of playoff experience and a track record of better play and results, as recent as last year. This team is 100% capable of winning the Stanley Cup this year, they just need to play and produce like they can. No chance am I ready to say that this team's ceiling is the 2nd round, no chance.
