1) Get a new owner: The success of a franchise usually starts from the top and flows down through the organization.
2) Actually purge the dead wood: the fact that both Kevin Lowe and Craig MacTavish still have jobs with the Oilers is remarkable.
3) Improve the drafting: The Oilers have been relying on top draft picks to turn it all around. The teams that are successful typically will also hit on the occasional late round pick or undrafted free agent. I don't know if it's the same scouting staff or if Chiarelli has changed it up so it's possible this has already been addressed.
4) Hold players accountable: The Oilers "superstars" have been able to, more or less, do what they want on the ice. The inmates have been running the asylum. Even last year, although Coach Koala called out the players in the media it was rare for them to be held accountable via ice time. Yes, Hall did get benched but it was temporary and the same rules weren't applied to other players like Eberle.
5) Be patient with young players: Stop trying to rush high draft picks into the lineup. Leon shouldn't have played his first year although he did bounce back well last season. Nurse was probably rushed a little. That's not to mention Yakapov and RNH, both of whom probably could have used more seasoning to set them and the team up better long term.
6) Acquire better players: Okay, this one is a little obtuse and obviously goes without saying. But really the Oilers need to stop reaching and overpaying players to fill an immediate need (example: Ferrence, Fayne, Sekera, Lucic). I guess this is also the result of being impatient.
And finally...
7) Stop telling us how great the Oilers are going to be: It seems like every offseason the Oilers management, players, media and fans assure everyone that this (no, really THIS) is the year that everything turns around. Just you wait. This player is > than that player. We drafted whats-his-face and he's just the best. The new coach will really help. Generational stadium or something. Etc. Etc. Etc. (x 10). For just one offseason can we please not hear how great the Oilers are going to be? Let's just see what happens before we proclaim dynasties, Hall of Fame careers, scoring trophies, record breaking seasons and other amazing feats of future endevours. Even Miss Cleo (R.I.P.) was like "oh chile, that be some crazy voodoo futuring you be doin..." Yes, the team's management is largely to blame for this since they drive the hype train hard every year and especially in the offseason. The media (Edmonton, TSN, SNET, CBC, etc.) totally buy into it and stoke the fire ("it's not a matter of when they win the Cup but how many", "it's simple math", "They're building something special", etc). The fans eat it up (as would any desperate group of passionate people that have had to endure this mockery for 10 years...and counting?) and every offseason proclaim themselves all over the place. This in turn puts more pressure on the team to overpay free agents, make lousy trades and rush prospects. Take a deep breath and let it play out.
Of course, I hope none of this happens.
Katz owner for life!
Re-instate Lowe as Hockey Pres. and promote MacT to GM!
Bring back Eakins!
Play Puljarvi 30 minutes a game focussing primarily on the defensive zone!
This is the year. The Oilers have to win the Cup this year or trade McGoliath!
