I'm surprised the Oilers are struggling this much this year overall.
I'm impressed they are hanging around the playoffs with so many key injuries and key personel severely underperforming.
If the Oilers can stay within 2 to 4 points of a playoff spot like they are. Once Klefbom comes back we "should" be in a good spot to potentially make a playoff run.
Lot of ifs at this point but I really hope they make it into the playoffs. Everybody needs it. Organization, players, and us fans.
I'm cautiously optimistic about the team moving forward because our prospects and youth are at least respectable. One or two diamonds in the rough or even just solid growth of a guy like Puljujarvi could really change the effectiveness of the team.
I dont buy into the team sucks bs. People forget what awful looks like even though it was only a couple years ago. I take this team over that team every time. A couple missing pieces is what is keeping us from greatness imo.
Goaltending being the main thing we just need more from overall.
They need at least another top 6 winger for Nuge. They are too easy to shut down right now since the NHL refuses to call penalties when guys hook and hold McDavid. If they had a legitimate second scoring line, teams couldn't just load up on McDavid and Drai.
The wingers they have are being forced to play above their skill level. I don't think it's a lack of effort, they are playing against guys who are just flat out better than them.
With Klefbom back they can run
Klefbom - Larrson
Nurse - Russell
Gravel - Jones
It's not a world beating D corps, but it's at least a good defense by committee arrangement. They don't even need vezina level goaltending, as long as they get league average, I think they can do ok.