Pandastyle
Registered User
Forwards:
Martin Rucinsky – Patrik Stefan – Martin Havlat
This line showed some chemistry late last season, and it is expected the Oilers will give this all-Czech group another opportunity to shine. Havlat’s recent emergence as a bonafide scoring threat will be a very important component to the Oilers’ success.
Ryan Smyth – Oleg Kvasha – Dave Andreychuk
The offseason acquisition of Dave Andreychuk was intended to give the team the veteran presence it needed, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that Dave is capable of potting 20 goals too. Ryan Smyth is expected to be solid per usual, and the coaching staff is hopeful that Oleg Kvasha has turned the corner towards consistency.
Ryan Malone – Wayne Primeau – Rob Niedermayer
This group is not just expected to play a checking role, but to provide the occasional goal as well. The strength of this line may cause some interesting mismatches during the course of the season.
Mike Eastwood – Tim Taylor – Vladimir Orszagh
Though likely not to get much even strength time, they will be relied on to handle a good share of the penalty killing.
Reserves: Radim Vrbata, Jody Hull, Mike Zigomanis, Erik Westrum
Not the best group of backup in the world, but with a player like Orszagh on the fourth line, the Oilers can likely handle 2 forward injuries without completely going in the toilet.
Defense:
Paul Mara – Jason Woolley
Mara is starting to come into his own as a defender, and the addition of Jason Woolley brings a veteran presence to a blueline corps that is rather inexperienced.
Kyle McLaren – Barrett Jackman
The Oilers have apparently tried to put together a shutdown D-pair this year, and this one could prove to be effective. Both McLaren and Jackman are known to give opposing forwards headaches.
Mark Eaton – Vitaly Vishnevski
This seems to be a pretty solid 3rd pairing for a bottom-tier playoff team. Eaton has long been a favorite of GM Gledhill for his ability to log a lot of minutes in difficult situations, and Vishnevski has that knack for delivering the big hit at crucial times.
Reserves: Tom Preissing, Alex Henry
Tom Preissing would likely start on many teams, and it is rumored that Henry was coveted by several teams at the waiver draft. Like the forwards, this squad could likely survive 1-2 injuries.
Goaltending:
Evgeni Nabokov – Garth Snow
Nabokov is probably one of the top 10-15 goaltenders in the league at a time when good goalies seem to be growing off of trees. Nabokov also has the capability of playing lots of games over the course of a season. Snow, acquired in free agency, should be a capable backup.
Outlook:
The Oilers squeaked into the playoffs last season, but managed to give St. Louis one of the most exciting series of the year, bringing the Blues to 7 games. This year, the Oilers are improved and should be expected to make the playoffs, likely between the 6th and 8th spot.
Martin Rucinsky – Patrik Stefan – Martin Havlat
This line showed some chemistry late last season, and it is expected the Oilers will give this all-Czech group another opportunity to shine. Havlat’s recent emergence as a bonafide scoring threat will be a very important component to the Oilers’ success.
Ryan Smyth – Oleg Kvasha – Dave Andreychuk
The offseason acquisition of Dave Andreychuk was intended to give the team the veteran presence it needed, and it certainly doesn’t hurt that Dave is capable of potting 20 goals too. Ryan Smyth is expected to be solid per usual, and the coaching staff is hopeful that Oleg Kvasha has turned the corner towards consistency.
Ryan Malone – Wayne Primeau – Rob Niedermayer
This group is not just expected to play a checking role, but to provide the occasional goal as well. The strength of this line may cause some interesting mismatches during the course of the season.
Mike Eastwood – Tim Taylor – Vladimir Orszagh
Though likely not to get much even strength time, they will be relied on to handle a good share of the penalty killing.
Reserves: Radim Vrbata, Jody Hull, Mike Zigomanis, Erik Westrum
Not the best group of backup in the world, but with a player like Orszagh on the fourth line, the Oilers can likely handle 2 forward injuries without completely going in the toilet.
Defense:
Paul Mara – Jason Woolley
Mara is starting to come into his own as a defender, and the addition of Jason Woolley brings a veteran presence to a blueline corps that is rather inexperienced.
Kyle McLaren – Barrett Jackman
The Oilers have apparently tried to put together a shutdown D-pair this year, and this one could prove to be effective. Both McLaren and Jackman are known to give opposing forwards headaches.
Mark Eaton – Vitaly Vishnevski
This seems to be a pretty solid 3rd pairing for a bottom-tier playoff team. Eaton has long been a favorite of GM Gledhill for his ability to log a lot of minutes in difficult situations, and Vishnevski has that knack for delivering the big hit at crucial times.
Reserves: Tom Preissing, Alex Henry
Tom Preissing would likely start on many teams, and it is rumored that Henry was coveted by several teams at the waiver draft. Like the forwards, this squad could likely survive 1-2 injuries.
Goaltending:
Evgeni Nabokov – Garth Snow
Nabokov is probably one of the top 10-15 goaltenders in the league at a time when good goalies seem to be growing off of trees. Nabokov also has the capability of playing lots of games over the course of a season. Snow, acquired in free agency, should be a capable backup.
Outlook:
The Oilers squeaked into the playoffs last season, but managed to give St. Louis one of the most exciting series of the year, bringing the Blues to 7 games. This year, the Oilers are improved and should be expected to make the playoffs, likely between the 6th and 8th spot.
