The Sky Isn't Falling

It may have taken a little longer than almost anyone had anticipated but for the first time this season, the Edmonton Oilers hit a wall of sorts on Thursday night at Madison Square Gardens. While yesterday’s 5-3 loss to the New York Rangers was their third straight, it was the first time in 2016-17 that Todd McLellan’s side were thoroughly dominated from start to finish. And yet, they were 1:21 from earning at least a single point for the ninth time in eleven games.

How Much Change Can Be Made?

It is no secret general manager Peter Chiarelli will be looking to give the Edmonton Oilers roster yet another facelift during the upcoming offseason. While a change on the back end is a forgone conclusion, the former Boston Bruins GM might have his hands tied when it comes to his forward ranks. Surprised? Well, you really should not be because if you take a look at the contract situation facing this organization for the coming year, making wholesale changes could prove to be rather difficult. 

An All Too Familiar Scenario

So here we are. Thanks to Connor McDavid crashing into the end boards against the Philadelphia Flyers and breaking his collarbone, the Edmonton Oilers suddenly find themselves in an all too familiar situation. For the last number of years, this organization has lacked depth at the centre position and, while it was still an issue heading into 2015-16, having No. 97 in the mix allowed them to be competitive on a nightly basis. 

What To Do With Leon?

As dominant as Leon Draisaitl looked during the Edmonton Oilers rookie camp, his performance during the big club's exhibition games was always going to be the sole determining factor as to whether or not he would start the 2015-16 season in the Alberta capital.  In order for him to make the cut, the 19-year old was going to need to send a very clear message to Todd McLellan and his coaching staff that he was ready to contribute at this level. 

Will It Be Lander or Letestu?

When the Edmonton Oilers announced the signing of Mark Letestu to a three-year deal worth $5.4 million, most felt the organization had found their replacement for Boyd Gordon as the team’s fourth line centre. While on the surface it may look like a fairly straightforward swap, chances are the Elk Point native will give Anton Lander a run for his money as the team’s third line centre.

Please...Not This Again

If the decision to use Taylor Hall at centre ice during yesterday’s 4-0 loss to the Calgary Flames was solely due to the fact Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was unable to suit up after taking a shot off his skate against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night, than it is no big deal. 

Thump!!!

Last night’s 8-2 thrashing handed the Edmonton Oilers what is essentially perfect bookends to what truly has been a season to forget. 

The Finish Line Is Finally In Sight

While playing out the string is something the Edmonton Oilers have specialized in for far too long, the conclusion of their 2014-15 campaign simply cannot come soon enough. 

Time To Take A Step Back

As painful as last night’s 4-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild may have been to get through, there is one thing fans of the Edmonton Oilers simply cannot lose sight of. This team is not very good. They were not very good under Dallas Eakins and the same holds true under Todd Nelson. 

OT Magic

Despite holding their own against an Eastern Conference powerhouse for a second consecutive outing, it looked as though the Edmonton Oilers were going to have to settle for nothing more than another hard fought loss against the Montreal Canadiens. 

Close But No Cigar

Despite being severely hampered by the absence of Taylor Hall and Benoit Pouliot from their starting lineup and coming off what was just a dreadful performance in losing 5-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night, the Edmonton Oilers have responded with a pair of splendid efforts against the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. 

Winning Ugly

Heading into last night’s game with the Buffalo Sabres, Anton Lander had registered a grand total of twelve points in his 105 appearances as a member of the Edmonton Oilers and had not scored a goal in the National Hockey League since January 17th, 2011. 

Tinkering

After watching the roster he put together win exactly one game over what was essentially a quarter of the 2014-15 season, Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish decided the time had finally come to start making some changes. 

Anton Lander

Of all the Edmonton Oilers draft picks who have failed to meet expectations over the last number of years, the two that likely stand out above all the rest are Magnus Paajarvi and Anton Lander. While the ninth of overall pick of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft has been unable to find his way since been shipped off to the St. Louis Blues in the summer of 2013, it is the play of his good friend that has many an Oilers fan scratching their head. 

Oilers win another but the waters remain rather muddy

It certainly wasn’t pretty but the Edmonton Oilers found a way to send 16, 839 home from Rexall Place with a smile on their collective faces on Monday evening courtesy of a 3-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. 

Time For Pitlick To Claim A Roster Spot

The moment Edmonton Oilers general manager Craig MacTavish decided to bring Benoit Pouliot and Teddy Purcell on board for the upcoming 2014-15 campaign, Tyler Pitlick had to have been wondering if he had missed his opportunity to stick with the team that drafted him back in 2010. 

The Draisaitl, Perron and Pouliot Experiment

The moment Craig MacTavsih announced the Edmonton Oilers signing of winger Benoit Pouliot to a five year $20 million deal, it was obvious the role in which the organization envisioned using the former New York Ranger during the upcoming 2014-15 season.

Draisaitl signs and looks to be headed for regular duty in 2014-15

It may have taken longer than many across Oil Country would have hoped but as of this morning, Leon Draisaitl is officially a member of the Edmonton Oilers. The two sides finally agreed to dot the “i’s” and cross the “t’s” on a three year entry level deal that will likely all but guarantee the former Prince Albert Raiders star centre starts his National Hockey League career in the Alberta capital this October. 

Time for Pitlick to sink or swim

It wasn’t supposed to go like this for Tyler Pitlick and the Edmonton Oilers. 

The Quick Fix

As of this moment the Edmonton Oilers top six forwards consists of Jordan Eberle, Sam Gagner, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, David Perron and Nail Yakupov. That said, if we are to take general manager Craig MacTavish at his word and do a little bit of reading between the lines, there will be at least one, if not two, different names as permanent fixtures on his first two lines