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Oilers Recent Floundering Show Failure To Address Real Issues |
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The Oilers lost twice over the weekend against the Leafs and Senators. Against the Leafs the Oilers played arguably two of their worst periods all season before trying to push back in the third period. Unlike some games where Edmonton has gotten away with playing only one period, the Leafs proved too good a team to try that against.
Against the Senators, it was a different story. The Oilers actually controlled play for most of the game but a brutal penalty kill and lacklustre goaltending proved to be their undoing.
But hey, at least Adam Henrique scored a goal.
My intention here is not to rag on Adam Henrique. He is a solid NHL player and adding a player like him does make a team better. The issue remains that adding a "Adam Henrique" or a "Carrick" was not what this team needed.
The biggest issues for the Oilers going into the deadline were a top six forward to push play with Leon Draisaitl and a second pairing RD to play with Darnell Nurse. Cody Ceci had shown repeatedly he was not suited for that role anymore and while Foegele and McLeod both have shown some chemistry with Draisaitl, they were both likely suited better for a third line role.
Instead Holland spent his first round pick on a third line centre who could play on the wing in the top six potentially... why? Tyler Toffoli would have been a better acquisition for a first round pick and he ended up only costing a second and a third.
Since the trade deadline the Oilers have gone 4-2-2. In the games that they have lost we have seen a lack of a legitimate second line and the struggles of Cody Ceci leading the way as major issues. There have been other contributors, while Bouchard has been an excellent player this season, his last two games have not been good at all. That being said, prior to the Leafs game, he was only on the ice for 1 goal against at 5 on 5 in March. That top pairing is not the primary issue right now on this team.
Evander Kane has been a non-factor for a long time now. Kane has not scored a goal since February 19th. The last goal that Kane has scored against a current playoff team came on December 22nd against the Rangers. Yes Kane can hit players good but if you're being paid 5 million a season at some point you need to be producing. Knoblauch has given the power forward a few chances up in the top six and every time he is bumped back up in that position, he is almost immediately taken off because the play dies on his stick.
Maybe Kane is nursing a bit of an injury right now which is why he didn't play the last game but to me it really looks like this is a healthy scratch being disguised as an injury.
Another player that isn't doing nearly enough is Ryan Nugent Hopkins. I love the Nuge and he does play an excellent two-way game but he has not scored in his last 14 games. For the amount he plays with McDavid and on the top PP unit he just is not doing enough right now. In the playoffs last season, his lack of production hurt the Oilers and right now it's looking like we are heading down the same path again.
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On a positive note, a huge congratulations are deserved for Zach Hyman scoring his 50th goal of the season. He leads the Oilers in goals this season by 13 (Draisaitl is next with 37). When Hyman was signed, Oilers fans hoped this player could be a solid 50-60 point player at best (his previous career high in points was 41). Hyman exceeded all expectations last season when he had 83 points in 79 games and has once again, blown expectations out of the water with a 50 goal season.
Hyman may not be the best UFA player ever signed but he is certainly looking like the best value contract of a UFA player with a cap hit of only 5.5 million. Today, Hyman would likely be getting at least 9 million on the open market.
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Ken Holland went "all-in" and this is the result. He absolutely failed this team at the deadline to make a meaningful add. Now it is on the players and the coaching staff to figure things out and get the best possible effort out of this roster.
Thanks for reading.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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