Bring On Hitch

Heading into the 2018-19 campaign, Edmonton Oilers head coach Todd McLellan had to know he was on borrowed time and that time finally came to an end earlier today. With his team struggling to the degree it has since the calendar flipped to November, no one could have been surprised with today’s announcement but the fact the organization decided to hire Ken Hitchcock certainly cut many off guard. 

Time For Another Bold Move

Despite having gotten off to a better start than most had envisioned, the outlook for the Edmonton Oilers remains relatively unchanged. As we all know, the expectation for the tandem of Peter Chiarelli and Todd McLellan were rather lofty, so the fact this group is still viewed as being, at best, a fringe playoff team isn’t a good thing. Those results, combined with a newfound opportunity may force Daryl Katz into making a move quicker than expected. 

It's Go-Time For The Orange And Blue

Heading into the NHL’s mandated Christmas Break the Edmonton Oilers appeared to have finally started to right the ship. Despite going into the annual hiatus on a four-game win streak and with seven consecutive solid outings on their dance card, the next ten games on their schedule were always going to be imperative in determining whether or not this group could actually get back into the playoff contention.

The Arrival Of Darnell Nurse

To have expected Darnell Nurse to come out of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and immediately turn into a bonafide top-four defenceman for the Edmonton Oilers was never a realistic ask. After all, up until last season, this was an organization that had been void of impactful veteran blueliners for so long that there was zero chance of a kid coming in and knocking it out of the park on the backend.

Khaira Carving Out His Spot

It may have taken longer than both he and the organization wanted but it appears as though Jujhar Khaira has found a home with the Edmonton Oilers. After a rather indifferent start to his 2017-18 campaign, a minor injury and an extended stay in the press box, the 2012 third-round pick has started to show signs of consistency in his game and the results speak for themselves.

Don't Look At Todd

As the Edmonton Oilers 2017-18 campaign continues to spiral out of control, we have reached the point in the season where many have officially hit the panic button. With the losses continuing to pile up, the calls for the firing of Todd McLellan have started to become louder and instead of pointing a collective finger at the man who put this team together, many have decided to take the easy way out.

Puljujarvi Time

The sample size is awfully tiny but it appears as though Jesse Puljujarvi has “improved” his game enough to ensure he remains with the Edmonton Oilers from here on out. Though the argument could be made his game wasn’t in need of further rehabilitation but rather an opportunity. Either way, the opportunity he was after has been granted and it looks as though the youngster plans on making the most of it.

The Importance Of November

Over the course of an 82-game schedule, it is not uncommon for both experts and fans alike to go on at great length about a stretch of games being the “make or break” point of a struggling team’s campaign. Though most tend to be accurate to an extent, it is not impossible for a red-hot team to erase a slow start but it is no easy task. This is what makes the next two weeks on the Edmonton Oilers schedule so critical. 

Take Whatever You Can Get

As much as the Edmonton Oilers slow start irked Todd McLellan, chances are the way his team was losing games is what bothered him most. Though they still give up their share of chances, last night’s overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins was the club’s third consecutive 2-1 outcome. Despite the loss, the head coach is likely pleased with their progression but man is it a drag to watch.

The Special Teams' Specialist

As far as fourth line players go, Edmonton Oilers centre Mark Letestu is a rare breed. Like most bottom six forwards, the Elk Point native plays a key role on the man advantage but sees minimal time at even strength. A role which is typically filled by your prototypical energy guy, in this particular case, it has nothing to do with energy and everything to do with the offensive production he delivers on the man advantage.

A Coaching Blunder

It’s no secret Cam Talbot hasn’t been good out of the gate for the Edmonton Oilers. Despite being pulled from two of his first four appearances, the hope was Todd McLellan wouldn’t hit the panic button and sit his starter against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night. Unfortunately, he did just that and likely cost his team two points in the process and sent the wrong message to his No. 1 goalie.

Far From An Ideal Start

The key to the Edmonton Oilers 2016-17 campaign was the month of October. They used a pillow soft schedule to go 7-2 and used it to help propel them to a great season. Fast forward to the present day and while their schedule isn’t quite as cushy as a year ago, there was every reason to believe this year’s edition of the Orange and Blue would get off to another strong start in 2017-18.

What To Do With Mark Fayne?

It was a signing that was supposed to be a turning point of sorts for the Edmonton Oilers. After years of struggling to get their hands on legitimate veteran NHL talent to play on the backend, the club signed defenceman Mark Fayne to 4-year/$14.5 million deal on July 1, 2014. Fast forward three years and unfortunately things have not played out in the fashion either the club or player had hoped.

Time For McDavid To Shine

For the first time during the 2017 playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers officially find themselves in a must-win situation. Starting with tonight’s showdown over at Rogers Place and Wednesday’s potential "winner take all" return engagement in Anaheim, losing to the Ducks is something this team can no longer afford to do. With their margin for error now a thing of the past, it will be up to Connor McDavid to lead the charge and ensure this group finds its way back to the Western Conference Final for the first time in a decade. 

Staying The Course

It is next to impossible to go out and find an NHL coach who doesn’t make his share of bad decisions over the course of a season. No matter who we are talking about, mistakes are going to be made. In a campaign that has seen little go wrong for the Edmonton Oilers, very few of Todd McLellan missteps have come back to bite him or his team. However, the decision to start Cam Talbot against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night could potentially prove problematic. 

Nothing Has Changed

The 2017 NHL Trade Deadline came and went with the Edmonton Oilers not being a major player. While they did add veteran centre David Desharnais in a deal with the Montreal Canadiens which cost them defenceman Brandon Davidson, it was not a move that is likely to have the kind of impact some are hoping. Which means their chances at experiencing playoff success remain unchanged from 48 hours ago.

Disaster Averted

As the gap between the Edmonton Oilers and the Western Conference playoff cut line continues to shrink, there are those who are starting to worry about what the immediate future might hold for their favourite hockey club. There is no question Todd McLellan’s crew has been a model of inconsistency since the NHL All-Star break but the month of February was about survival and to their credit, this team has done just that. 

Mark Letestu Quiets Critics

From an Edmonton Oilers‘ point of view, the first four months of the 20116-17 season could not have gone much better. Thanks in large part to the play of Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Andrej Sekera and Cam Talbot, this group sits third in the Pacific Division and tenth in the overall league standings. While the aforementioned quartet has rightly received the bulk of the credit for the club’s turnaround, veteran Mark Letestu has been the team’s unsung hero.

Opportunity Awaits Leon Draisaitl

It may have taken longer than yours truly was hoping but it looks as though the Edmonton Oilers have finally come to their senses and shifted Leon Draisaitl over to the wing. To be fair, it appeared as though Todd McLellan was leaning towards doing just that during training camp but an ill-timed injury to Drake Caggiula forced his hand and put the move on hold. While the duo of Connor McDavid and Cam Talbot carried much of the load early on, that was never going to be a viable long-term solution and everyone knew it.

Another Benchmark Moment for 2016-17 Oilers

Heading into the 2016-17 season, it was no secret that the Edmonton Oilers had something to prove. After making major changes to their roster over the course of the summer, Peter Chiarelli’s group was always going to have the spotlight squarely on them from the drop of the puck on opening night. No question it is still awfully early in the season, but this group has done a fantastic job of taking on every challenge thrown their way.