Stepping Up In Weight Class

While it certainly hasn’t always been pretty, the Edmonton Oilers have managed to do exactly what they needed to during the opening week of their 2016-17 season. Outside of an ugly showing against the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday night, this group has found ways to win hockey games and take advantage of what is arguably the easiest October schedule this organization has seen in ages. However, that will change this evening as Ken Hitchcock, Nail Yakupov and the rest of the St. Louis Blues pay their first-ever visit to Roger Place.

What About Plan B?

Offering an NHL veteran the opportunity to make your team via “Professional Try Out” is always a risky proposition for any organization. The Edmonton Oilers found that out the hard way earlier today, as Kris Versteeg decided to jump ship and sign a one-year $950,000 deal with the Calgary Flames. By the sounds of it, Peter Chiarelli offered the two-time Stanley Cup winner a contract but the 30-year old winger decided to go in a different direction. A tough break for sure but not one that should have come as a complete surprise to the former Boston Bruins general manager. 

Low Risk With Potential High Reward

While his name had already worked its way through the rumour mill over the past few weeks, it appeared as though the Edmonton Oilers decided inking unrestricted free agent defenseman Kris Russell to a deal for the upcoming 2016-17 campaign was a road they did not want to go down. However, with the start of the season just around the corner and the club not satisfied with the current state of their backend, the two sides decided to circle back and take another kick at the proverbial can. 

A Predictable Ending

From the moment the Edmonton Oilers decided to use the No. 1 selection in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft to select Nail Yakupov, there were those who questioned the decision. After adding the quartet of Jordan Eberle, Magnus Paajarvi, Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins over the previous four drafts, bringing in another forward seemed to be a bit of overkill in the minds of some. With that said, there is no question the vast majority of Oilers Nation wanted the club to use their first round pick on the talented Russian…yours truly included. 

Puljujarvi Time

While the hockey world is focused on Toronto and the start of the reinvented World Cup of Hockey, that isn’t the case in Edmonton. Keeping tabs on the trio of Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Connor McDavid on the “world stage” is all well and good but fans in this neck of the woods are just as curious to see how this year’s batch of Oilers kids do in Penticton at the 2016 Young Stars Tournament. 

Time's Up For Nail

There has arguably been no player in recent Edmonton Oilers history that has created as a much a divide among the fan base as Nail Yakupov. After being selected first overall in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and putting together a fairly productive rookie campaign, the sky appeared to be the limit for the former Sarina Sting standout. Yet here we are, four years later and Edmonton is on the verge of moving the 22-year old in a trade that will likely net this organization a rather underwhelming return. 

Parting Ways

It wasn’t supposed to go like this. After having the good fortune of winning the 2012 NHL Draft Lottery, theEdmonton Oilers used their third consecutive No. 1 pick to select Sarina Sting forward Nail Yakupov. With fellow first overall selections Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins already in the mix, adding the talented Russian to the equation looked to be a move that would eventually help put the Oilers rebuild over the top. Unfortunately, that is not how things have played out and we are now on the verge of watching the two sides part ways after just four seasons together. 

What To Do With Nail?

Yesterday was just another run-of-the-mill day for the Edmonton Oilers in 2015-16. Things got started early in the day when Peter Chiarelli felt it was necessary to come out and “officially” declare his club as sellers heading into next Monday’s NHL Trade Deadline and came to an end with another uninspiring effort in falling 4-1 to the Ottawa Senators over at Rexall Place. Sandwiched in between were more rumours surrounding the potential trading of Nail Yakupov courtesy of TSN’s Darren Dreger and Bob McKenzie. 

Earning A Spot

Zack Kassian may not have been a member of the Montreal Canadiens for very long but you can bet the Edmonton Oilers forward had today’s date circled on his calendar. Despite being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks on July 1st in exchange for Brandon Prust and a fifth-round pick in the 2016 Entry Draft, the 25-year old never suited up for a single regular season game before being shipped out-of-town for netminder Ben Scrivens following the NHL’s Christmas break. 

No McDavid = Struggling PP

As odd as it may sound, the Edmonton Oilers were the hottest team in the NHL heading into last night’s showdown with the New York Rangers. With both teams streaking in opposite directions, the Oilers having gone a perfect 6-0 and the Rangers winless in their previous three outings (0-2-1), the outcome seemed rather predictable and it played out in exactly that fashion. 

Losing Nail Yakupov

Contrary to what some may suggest, the Edmonton Oilers did not make the wrong decision in selecting Nail Yakupov with the first overall pick of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. With the circumstances being what they were, also known as an unhealthy Alex Galchenyuk, drafting the gifted Russian was an absolute no-brainer. Unfortunately, things have not played out in the manner that either the player or organization were hoping. 

No. 4, No. 14 and No. 29

With Connor McDavid unavailable for the foreseeable future and the Edmonton Oilers lack of centre depth being what it is, Todd McLellan has been put into a rather difficult situation. He either moves Anton Lander up to the second line in hopes the hard-working Swede catches lightning in a bottle and starts producing offence or he bumps Leon Draisaitl from what is the hottest line in all of hockey and into a role the 19-year old is truly not ready for.

Surviving October

While a 5-7 record for the month of October may not sound like much to write home about, when it comes to the Edmonton Oilers, finishing the opening month of their 2015-16 schedule in such fashion would have to be viewed as nothing but a step in the right direction. Considering just how difficult their schedule was out of the gate and the fact they dropped their first four games in regulation, closing out the month with 10 points in the standings would actually be quite an accomplishment.

Finally!!!

While it was far from a perfect performance, the Edmonton Oilers still found a way to beat the Detroit Red Wings in regulation for the first time in a very long time on Wednesday night. On the strength of another solid outing by netminder Cam Talbot and some timely production from the trio of Connor McDavid, Benoit Pouliot and Nail Yakupov, the Oilers managed to sneak past the Wings with a 3-1 win over at Rexall Place. 

An Opportunity Earned For No. 10

It was a trio which first saw the light of day during the Edmonton Oilers second game of the season against the Nashville Predators and one Todd McLellan has turned to in every game since. While Connor McDavid, Benoit Pouliot, and Nail Yakupov didn’t necessarily hit the ground running, the three have combined to give the Oilers new bench boss another legitimate scoring option. 

Getting On The Board

It is no secret the Edmonton Oilers still have a fair bit of work in front them before becoming one of the better teams in the NHL. However, with the likes of Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov now in place, it really is not a matter of if this team will become a force to be reckoned with but rather when. 

Game 5 - An Offensive Outburst

After facing three of the better teams in the Western Conference during their first four games of the season, the Edmonton Oilers were finally thrown a lifeline of sorts on Saturday evening. While the Calgary Flames have owned the Battle of Alberta over the last number years and are coming off a fantastic 2014-15 campaign, they were exactly what the doctor ordered for Connor McDavid and company. 

Game 3 - A Two Man Show

On an evening in which Connor McDavid potted the first goal of his career, the Edmonton Oilers were badly outclassed by the Dallas Stars. While a final score of 4-2 may suggest a different story, in actuality it was the performance of netminder Anders Nilsson that kept this one from being a blowout. 

Hurry Back No. 14

It may have taken a little longer than most had hoped but Edmonton Oilers rookie Connor McDavid ended the suspense on Tuesday night, scoring the first NHL goal of his career against the Dallas Stars. Unfortunately for the 2015 first overall pick and his new teammates, it was not enough to register their first win of the young season. 

Power Play Success Or Bust

So here we are. Mere hours away from the start of another Edmonton Oilers season and hockey fans across Oilers Nation can barely contain themselves. While winning games during the 2015-16 campaign will still prove to be a challenge for this group, the addition of Connor McDavid has allowed the masses to focus on the future with renewed optimism.