Edmonton's defense was as bad as the Canucks is.
They had goaltending. But it was bad because the team in front of him was bad.
They had plenty of older veterans you could call mentors. But the problem is they were bad players, kinda like what the Canucks have stockpiled.
Justin Schultz, Andrew Ference, Jeff Petry, Philip Larsen, Martin Marincin, and Nick Schultz.
That was the entirety of their defensive core on the ice during an extremely critical development year for several 1st overall picks that ended up becoming major disappointments.
Are you saying that that group of defenders is in any way on par with what the Canucks have?
The problem with the Oilers is they thrusted their top picks into the lineup before they were ready, like the Canucks did with Virtanen. A mistake that the continued to repeat with every single top talent they got their hands on.
The Canucks are doing it differently, Bo Horvat was sheltered on the 4th line until he gradually developed into the player he is today and proved he was ready to handle the increased responsibility.
Brock Boeser was healthy scratched and given limited and sheltered ice time until he forced his way into prime time minutes.
There are players to help shelter the rookies while they figure it out at the pro level, in every position on the Canucks.
Top offensive players like the Sedins, who helped shelter rookies like Boeser from the pressure of being on the top line before he was ready.
Top defensive forwards like Sutter, Beagle who did and will protect players like Horvat, Gaudette, Pettersson from needing to start in the defensive zones against tough opponents and hard minutes.
Top defensive players like Edler and Tanev who sheltered Hutton, Tryamkin and Stecher and will do the same for Juolevi, Quinn, Woo, etc.
Top goaltenders like Ryan Miller, previously, who helped Markstrom who will now be able to help emerging goalies like Demko and DiPietro in the same way.
The entire philosophy of the Canucks is diametrically opposite to what the Oilers did. It's true that the Oilers had some mentors but not enough. They really only had Ference as a long term mentor.