Decision Time

With the Edmonton Oilers pre-season schedule officially over, the time for Ken Holland and Dave Tippett to decide who will be part of the equation in Wednesday’s season opener has arrived. Chances are both will lean towards a more experienced lineup but lets us hope that won’t be deciding factor in determining who ultimately makes the roster to start the 2019-20 campaign. 

One Question...Why?

There is nothing quite like going into the National Hockey League Christmas Break with a bang or at the very least…a rather noisy thud. As if the Edmonton Oilers 2014-15 campaign wasn’t already tough enough to take, last night’s 5-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes was a little extra special.

Hall Returns But Oilers Still Lose

Heading into their Sunday night tilt with the Arizona Coyotes at Rexall Place, the Edmonton Oilers were hoping they could celebrate the 100th game of Dallas Eakins’ National Hockey League coaching career with the team’s first win of the season against a Western Conference opponent. 

An Unjust Result

As far as an evening of hockey goes, Saturday was one that both the Edmonton Oilers and their fans would love to forget. As if dropping a third consecutive decision to the Vancouver Canucks in their first eleven outings of 2014-15 wasn’t already bad enough, the Oilers managed to also lose the services of Taylor Hall during yesterday’s 3-2 loss at Rexall Place. 

Gagner out, Purcell in

On Sunday evening, Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish finally pulled the trigger on a deal fans had been expecting to happen for some time. Sam Gagner was shipped off to the Tampa Bay Lightning in what had to have been a very difficult move for everyone inside the Oilers organization. 

Bolland will certainly be on MacT's radar

With the 2014 UFA market set to open in roughly three and a half weeks, Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish is likely in the midst of putting together what has to be a rather lengthy shopping list. Unfortunately for him, this year’s crop of free agents is arguably the weakest we have seen in some time and his roster still needs more than a little tweaking.

Tread very carefully Mr. MacTavish

It is no secret that Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish was devastated by David Clarkson’s decision to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer. Instead of taking up Edmonton on their obscene 7 year/$42 million offer, the former New Jersey Devil decided to take a little bit less to play in his hometown. 

Sam Gagner and the NHL Entry Draft

With the Edmonton Oil Kings having just completed the junior hockey double by bringing home the 2014 Memorial Cup after winning their second Western Hockey League crown in three years, the focus in good ol’ Oil Country will quickly shift back to the Edmonton Oilers and the fast approaching NHL Entry Draft.

Gagner's time in Oilers silk is done

Does he stay or does he go? That is ultimately the question when it comes to Edmonton Oilers centre Sam Gagner. After seven years in the National Hockey League it appears as though the former sixth overall pick and the organization have reached a crossroads in their relationship.
It has become painfully obvious, even to the staunchest of Gagner supporters, that a one-two punch of #89 and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is one that simply doesn’t work in today’s NHL.

Can You Say Ugly?

It wasn’t supposed to go like this. 2013-14 was the year the Edmonton Oilers were going to play meaningful games deep into the season. While few had them slated to qualify for post-season play for the first time since 2006, almost everyone felt this team was good enough to compete for a spot.

Will Arco see regular duty in 2014-15?

There have been few bright spots in what has been an absolutely disastrous 2013-14 campaign for the Edmonton Oilers.

Get these kids some help already!!!

On the heels of the Dallas Eakins – Taylor Hall incident and a pair of disappointing losses to the Buffalo Sabres and Calgary Flames, the time has come for Craig MacTavish and the rest of the Edmonton Oilers management team to take a long hard look in the mirror and figure out exactly what it is they are trying to accomplish.

Time to show RNH some love

Heading into the Olympic break, the Edmonton Oilers trio of Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov looked to have formed a bit of chemistry. Unfortunately, the young Russian took a shot off his ankle in their first game back against the Minnesota Wild which forced him to sit out Edmonton’s next game against the Calgary Flames.

Oilers 2014 = Avalanche 2013 ???

With roughly one month left in the 2013-14 NHL season, you would be hard pressed to find a team who has surprised more people than the Colorado Avalanche. After beating the Chicago Blackhawks by a score of 3-2 on Wednesday night, the Avs find themselves in tie for third place in the Western Conference with the San Jose Sharks and a point up on the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

Calling it like he sees it

It is rather funny how things tend to work in the world of sport. After spending a good chunk of the last eleven years in the city of Edmonton as a member of the Oilers, Ales Hemsky was shipped to the Ottawa Senators for a couple of draft picks during last week’s NHL Trade Deadline.

Can you say predictable?

For some unknown reason, many Oilers fan seemed to be almost disappointed with last night’s predictable outcome against the Los Angeles Kings. Edmonton dropped a 4-2 decision to fall to 0-2-1 against their Pacific Division rival and have now been out shot 138-69 in their three games against a suddenly red-hot Kings side.

Taylor Hall...centre...yes or no?

While the most glaring hole on the Edmonton Oilers current roster is unquestionably their backend, the need for another top flight centre and changing the overall mix of their top six forwards isn’t that far behind.

64-93-4

Two games prior to the Olympic break, Edmonton Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins decided to make a switch to his top line. Instead of continuing to truck along with his regular #1 unit of Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the rookie bench boss decided to replace Eberle with none other than Nail Yakupov.

Time to get busy

With the NHL Trade Deadline less than two weeks away, one can’t help but wonder how many players will ultimately find their way off the Edmonton Oilers roster. While the names of Sam Gagner, Ales Hemsky and Nick Schultz continue to make the rounds in rumour mills across the league, there are a number of other players who general manager Craig MacTavish could send packing prior to the March 5th deadline.

What's the rush?

Not surprisingly, the Sam Gagner to Los Angeles Kings rumours have started to quiet down. While the Kings could definitely use another skilled player in their top nine forwards, the Edmonton Oilers centre doesn't exactly fit the bill for what they need.