This is where I disagree. If you look at all of the analysts prior to the start of the finals or even 4 games in, everyone was saying that this version of the Oilers was better than last year's.
Its those final 2 blowout games that really stick with us. IMO, we were better situated this year than last year. Unfortunately, so was Florida. A big part of the problem last year was that guys like Foegele, McLeod and Broberg (no longer here) and Janmark/Brown were useless the first 3 series but helped in the finals. This year no one was able to step up.
The core of this team isn't very old. A lot of guys are still in their prime. Should we just not sign Perry so we arent the oldest team anymore? Savoie will step in next year and the Oilers are trying to add some speed and youth into the lineup. However that's not why we lost. Adding rookies for the sake of it isn't worth it.
Look at other contenders prospects. Out of Florida, Edmonton, Dallas, Colorado, etc. we've actually done a pretty good job finding some guys like Savoie, O'Reilly, Akey, Berezkin, etc. as well as young free agents like Hutson, Samanski and Lappanen.
We've literally gone to 1 game and 2 games of winning it all. Its more than a bounce or two but its also not possible that with a few changes were right back in the finals with better depth and goaltending. We need to change it up similar to how Florida changed coaches and improved after winning the presidents trophy in 2022.
We didn't luck into back to back finals.
