I think last year McDavid and Draisaitl still had some young, optimistic energy...they really thought they could win and it pushed them higher. I'm worried that the top players know this year that they do not have the team to get them there and some realism/negativity can creep into their mindset.
Are the top guys realizing that their team has some major weaknesses? There has to be some serious leadership on the Oilers and I just don't see where it will come from. The leaders look like they are at Stage 3...they know they need to be better and they don't have the surrounding players they need...and I do not see one player on EDM that can overcome this with pure optimistic energy needed in a leader (Perry is probably the closest and he's not a top guy anymore).
Here's to hoping, but I don't think this team goes deep in the playoffs. Only McDavid magic can overcome their weaknesses.
