And thats the rub.. when 5v5 play becomes even more important because teams in the playoffs play better defense and there are fewer penalties called. Last year Edmonton lived off its PP but 5v5 thy were the 4th worst team in the league when it came to high danger scoring chances for. That combined with being a general tire fire in HDA was not a good combination for playoff hockey.
Maybe I'm missing something but I just don't see how Holland has improved the team this offseason with perhaps the exception of acquiring Hyman. Also, your goaltending is still suspect and the pool of available good goalies is drying up fast.
Hopefully for Oiler fans Holland still has something up his sleeve.
We likely aren't getting external goalie help, thanks to Sakic having a panic attack. I really don't get the idea that Barrie is a bad fit, Holland has made some questionable and risky moves this year, this isn't one of them.
If we lose Barrie we have to replace his offense somewhere. So is that, trade for Risto? Can't beat fletchers conniption. Sign Yandle? Hes even worse defensively.
There's just not that many out there, unless we give Hamilton 9.5, which ruins any chance we have of getting nurse around 8. Rest of these D are paid out the nose, werenski just signed a stupid contract.
The team is certainly better upfront, not sure how it can be argued otherwise. People saying this deal is bad have an agenda because he sucked for their team or are just lost.
