The Nikita Nikitin Mess

So here we are. On the verge of the quarter pole mark of the2013-14 National Hockey League season and the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in their usual spot at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. 
Despite having shown signs of marginal improvement in certain aspects of their game, it has essentially made zero difference when it comes to the win column. 

Time for Mr. Eakins to change the look of his backend

While the results haven't been what either fans or the organization were hoping for, there is no question Craig MacTavish tried to upgrade the Edmonton Oilers blueline during this past off-season. It was no real surprise that he fell short of acquiring a legitimate top pairing defenceman but he did manage to bring in better players.

2013-14 Preview: Belov is a wild card

He may have arrived late to the Edmonton Oilers training camp due to visa issues but defenceman Anton Belov has done nothing but impress since his arrival to the Alberta capital. In just under two weeks, the talented Russian has already shown enough to cement himself a spot inside the top six and don’t be surprised to see him push for a bigger role as the year progresses.

2013-14 Preview: Grebeshkov will be Grebeshkov

Denis Grebeshkov is one of those players that generally splits a teams fan base. There are those that love the puck moving abilities that the talented Russian defenceman brings to the table and than there are those that could do without watching the mind numbing turnovers and questionable on ice decisions.

Will Klefbom start in the NHL or AHL?

Ever since being selected with the 19th pick of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Oscar Klefbom was anointed as the next great Edmonton Oilers defenceman. While we have seen our fair share of talented blueliners come through town over the years, one could easily make the argument that current assistant coach Steve Smith was the last high end defenceman this organization actually drafted and developed. To put that into perspective, the Oilers grabbed Smith in the sixth round, 111th overall, of the 1981 Draft.

2013-14 Preview: Smid will play a key role under coach Eakins

Outside of perhaps George Laraque, no other "out-of-market" player has ingrained himself more into the fabric of this community than defenceman Ladislav Smid. The seven year vet has not only become a stalwart on the Edmonton Oilers backend over the last number of years but also one of the most visible and interactive guys within the city itself.

2013-14 Preview: Oilers hoping Ference is as good as advertised

When a franchise decides to enter the National Hockey League's Free Agent Sweepstakes, they generally tend to go big game hunting.The Edmonton Oilers did exactly that this summer, pulling out all the stops in trying to sign former New Jersey Devils winger David Clarkson to a long term extension.

RNH remains the key to the Oilers power play

Prior to the start of the 2011-12 campaign, the Edmonton Oilers had gone five consecutive seasons with what was essentially a bottom third National Hockey League power play. Not surprisingly, that all changed with the arrival of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Edmonton put together the league's third best power play during the former first overall pick's rookie campaign and followed that up with an eighth place finish in 2013.

Schultz could be battling for a spot come September

The moment Craig MacTavish decided to bring aboard defencemen Anton Belov, Andrew Ference, Denis Grebeshkov and Philip Larsen as potential blueliners for the upcoming 2013-14 season, veteran rearguard Nick Schultz instantly became the man on the hot seat.

2013-14 Preview: Is Petry still part of the solution?

The 2013 season was not kind to Jeff Petry. After taking a major step forward in his overall development during the second half of the 2011-12 campaign, the Edmonton Oilers blueliner had his fair share of struggles during an abbreviated 48 game schedule. Be it because too much was being asked of the former second round pick and partner Ladislav Smid or simply chalking it up to just being one of those seasons, the final result wasn't pretty. 

Signing Grebeshkov could guarantee Klefbom time in OKC

Since taking over as the Edmonton Oilers general manager, Craig MacTavish has repeatedly gone on about wanting to add depth to his lineup at the NHL level. With the signing of blueliner Denis Grebeshkov to a one year $1.5 million deal on Thursday afternoon, the Oilers now have nine defencemen under contract for the 2013-14 season.