Edmonton Oilers 2014-15 Season Preview
Nov 13, 2013; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forwards Jordan Eberle (14), Taylor Hall (4) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) speak at the bench during a stoppage in play at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
EDMONTON OILERS
2013-14 RECAP
In what was expected to be the season the Oilers took great strides, it was more of the same old struggles for Edmonton. Defensive struggles and goaltending turnover caused yet another season near the basement and yet another high draft pick. They finished last in the Western Conference and 28th overall.
Apr 20, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Benoit Pouliot (67) celebrates after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period in game two of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
CHANGES
IN – Teddy Purcell, Benoit Pouliot, Nikita Nikitin, Mark Fayne, Keith Aulie
OUT- Sam Gagner, Ryan Smyth, Anton Belov
Once again the Oilers went outside the organization in an attempt to bring in some talent to elevate the level of the core they have built from within. They probably overpaid for the likes of Pouliot and Fayne, but if they bring some experience and consistency it will be worth it.
Mar 18, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers right wing Nail Yakupov (64) skates with the puck during the warmup period against the Nashville Predators at Rexall Place. Edmonton Oilers won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
3 BIG QUESTIONS
1. Is the Ben Scrivens – Viktor Fasth combo an improvement over previous years? – Scrivens was solid in a backup role in LA before coming to Edmonton, where he had moderate success. Fasth was quickly slipping down a deep depth chart in Anaheim before joining the Oilers. Neither goalie is a proven starter or has the pedigree to do so, so it might be wishful thinking to expect either one to carry a young team for a full season.
2. Will Nail Yakupov ever blossom in Edmonton? – With the bounty of young talent the Oilers have up front, it might be easy to get lost in the shuffle, but a former first overall pick should have more of an impact than he has had so far, and given his style of play and what Coach Dallas Eakins wants to see his team play, they might not mesh.
3. Is Dallas Eakins the right coach for this group? – Last season he was supposed to be the saviour, but more often than not Eakins looked like a deer in the headlights. Perhaps bringing in more veteran players who aren’t going to take anything for granted will rub off on the returning players.
Mar 16, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; Edmonton Oilers coach Dallas Eakins looks on against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Edmonton Oilers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports
PREDICTION
If this isn’t a year of marked improvement for the Oilers, there are bound to be changes across the board. Their philosophy of netting skilled, although smaller, forwards hasn’t worked so far and the core should be entering its prime. Can they really stay out of the playoffs much longer? In the tough West moving up won’t be easy.
6th PACIFIC DIVISION