As of this moment, the Edmonton Oilers sit in the basement of the Western Conference with 38 points and find themselves ahead of just one team in the overall league standings. While this club has shown signs of improvement in some areas, they are still staring at the very real possibility of heading into the 2016 NHL Entry Draft with yet another lottery pick.
Heading into the 2015-16 NHL season, Leon Draisaitl made it known to those inside the Edmonton Oilers organization that he was not pleased with starting the year in the AHL. While one could certainly understand his disappointment with the decision, it was a move that made sense from a developmental standpoint.
It is no secret the Edmonton Oilers have been in need of an upgrade to their backend for some time and not surprisingly many targeted the Nashville Predators as a potential trade partner. However, following yesterday’s blockbuster deal between the Preds and Columbus Blue Jackets, which saw Seth Jones and Ryan Johansen switch uniforms, those rumblings can now be put to rest.
Considering the Edmonton Oilers closed out 2015 with just one victory in their last eight games and are currently riding a four-game losing skid, one would think this group was due for some good fortune to kick off 2016. Something tells me having Connor McDavid return to practice for the first time since breaking his collarbone in early November against the Philadelphia Flyers would certainly qualify.
