News Article: THN's 2014-15 NHL season preview: Edmonton Oilers
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McShogun99
Registered User
Took a pill in Sbisa
2showToffoliIwascool
Very accurate, would agree with all of it except the part that has MacTavish's job on the line.
None if the teams that finished ahead of us got worse in the offseason (you could argue Winnipeg), in fact most of them got better.
We simply haven't improved enough to climb over the teams above us, except for Calgary who played above their level last year.
Best case scenario: Finish ahead of Calgary, Winnipeg, Phoenix
Realistically: Finish ahead of Calgary and one of Phoenix/Winnepeg
Worse case scenario: Repeat of last season
None if the teams that finished ahead of us got worse in the offseason (you could argue Winnipeg), in fact most of them got better.
We simply haven't improved enough to climb over the teams above us, except for Calgary who played above their level last year.
Best case scenario: Finish ahead of Calgary, Winnipeg, Phoenix
Realistically: Finish ahead of Calgary and one of Phoenix/Winnepeg
Worse case scenario: Repeat of last season
I wouldn't be at all surprised if we finished ahead of San Jose next season. They've got some good young players, but not enough to off-set the decline of Thorton and Marleau, which is abound to become obvious soon enough given their age.
They've got some good forwards to off-set their loses, but their goaltending and defence isn't the least bit scary.
Jumptheshark
Rebooting myself
Paralyzer008
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- Jan 30, 2008
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I'd be shocked.
Thornton and Marleau aren't done yet, Couture/Pavelski are probably 60+ point guys, then there's Wingels/Sheppard/Nieto who all took big steps last year, their D will improve with Burns being back there (and they still have Vlasic/Braun/Demers/a maturing Mueller), and Niemi is still Niemi (or Stalock, either way shouldn't be a REGULAR season problem, playoffs we'll see).
I do think Marleau looked slower last year but he's rebounded from that before, and I thought Thornton was beastly until playoff time.
Thorton and Marleau can't keep that pace up forever and when their performance level drops I don't think it'll be as easy for their lighter weights to keep that production up.
But I wouldn't be surprised if Couture had 1 or 2 80+ point seasons in his prime.
Took a pill in Sbisa
2showToffoliIwascool
Thornton had 76 points last season. That's one more than his last full season 2 years ago, and 6 more than his season before that.
Just out of curiosity, how steep do you expect him to fall this season with similar linemates as the last? We can assume Hertl won't be enduring a significant injury this season as well.
Sharks looked really good during the regular season last year. The only reason I see them come crashing down is if there is some kind of issue in the locker room. I'd say there's a greater risk Anaheim has a disappointing season, they're betting on inexperienced guys both on D and in net. I think they'll be fine, but I think there's a greater risk than in SJ that they falter.
Roof Daddy
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- Apr 1, 2008
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The 3 Cali teams are automatic. After that, we are clearly ahead of Calgary and basically in the same conversation with Phoenix and Vancouver. I like our forward depth better than either of those teams, goaltending is pretty even, and our D is the weakest of that bunch. 6th isn't out of the question, but I'll optimistically say 4th. Won't matter though, because both wild cards will come from the other division. Overall in the West, we could be anywhere from 10-13 with VAN, PHX and WPG in the mix (I'm handing Nashville 9th).
CantHaveTkachev
Legends
we're a lock to finish 6th in the division...all California team plus Vancouver and Arizona are better on paper and on the ice
best case: 5th ahead of Arizona and Calgary
worst: dead last again
best case: 5th ahead of Arizona and Calgary
worst: dead last again
How hard is it to see us finishing ahead of Vancouver?
How many goals are they going to score if the Sedins aren't as good as they were 3 years ago? Who do they have to score goals past them? Sounds to me like they're going to let Horvat and their 2014 1st rounder play this year and I'm not convinced in the least that would be a good idea.
Vancouver has a downright horrible group of forwards past their top three this year.
Edler has looked shaky and Bieska has been a little off of his game over the past few years. There's only so much that they can get out of that group of d-men.
If Edmonton has a decent season, I'm sure they'll beat Vancouver.
nexttothemoon
and again...
Edmonton has the potential to have a solid season. On paper... their group of forwards are above average... and honestly they likely have one of the best top 9s in the league... again on paper. We all know how quickly potential and theoretical strengths can be shot to hell when they actually hit the ice and play the game.
Defense is still a weakness... they improved slightly over last year's squad but not so much that I'd call their D group even close to average.
Goaltending is an improvement over what they started with last season... by a LOT... but that's only because they were so horrendous last year. They are probably a lot closer to a middle of the pack team now in net... again a definite improvement. Personally I think Fasth may pull out ahead and take over the #1 role with Scrivens the backup but we'll see how that plays out.. should be a healthy competition between the two of them.
So above average forwards... below average defense and average goaltending. All adds up to what should be an average season. This team theoretically should be able to climb up the ranks in the West to at least be in the conversation for a wild card spot... or at least look to be in the hunt for a wild card slot late in the season.
Unfortunately I think you are only as strong as your weakest link... and for the Oilers it's the defense... so once again they will underwhelm and underachieve because of the perennial sloping of the ice towards their own end and I don't see that reversing this season with this roster.
Defense is still a weakness... they improved slightly over last year's squad but not so much that I'd call their D group even close to average.
Goaltending is an improvement over what they started with last season... by a LOT... but that's only because they were so horrendous last year. They are probably a lot closer to a middle of the pack team now in net... again a definite improvement. Personally I think Fasth may pull out ahead and take over the #1 role with Scrivens the backup but we'll see how that plays out.. should be a healthy competition between the two of them.
So above average forwards... below average defense and average goaltending. All adds up to what should be an average season. This team theoretically should be able to climb up the ranks in the West to at least be in the conversation for a wild card spot... or at least look to be in the hunt for a wild card slot late in the season.
Unfortunately I think you are only as strong as your weakest link... and for the Oilers it's the defense... so once again they will underwhelm and underachieve because of the perennial sloping of the ice towards their own end and I don't see that reversing this season with this roster.
Most people are in agreeance. Much improved from last year but not quite enough to make playoffs. I can see us being in 9-11 in the conference. And just out of the bottom 10 in the league.
CantHaveTkachev
Legends
they brought in Radim Vrbata...a guy who scored 20 goals and 51 points last year
and Nick Bonino had 22 goals and 49 points
that's decent depth
plus I like their defense corps a heck of a lot better than ours...Bieksa, Hamuis and Edler (despite an awful year) is better than anything we have..Tanev is younger and getting better and was a +12...
plus Ryan Miller is a quality proven starting goalie
Moose Coleman
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- Apr 12, 2012
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Best case scenario, I can see them jumping 6 or 7 spots in the league standings. Fifth in the pacific ahead of Arizona or Vancouver and Calgary. And you know what? I'd be satisfied with that.
dustrock
Too Legit To Quit
- Sep 22, 2008
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Delicious Pancakes
Top Pocket Find
By 5th in the Pacific and yet finishing ahead of Arizona, Vancouver and Calgary I'm assuming you mean they finish 4th in the division yet one of the Central teams beats them out for a playoff spot?
This is what I see happening.
Moose Coleman
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KCC
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MacT has done an awesome job since becoming GM. I honestly believe that if he was the GM since day one that the team would be in the playoffs by now.
As for the upcoming season -- Most of the players know the system and what to expect out of the coach. And if the goaltending can hold up, I think this year will be the biggest improvement since the rebuild took place. It won't be enough to get into the playoffs, but I do see a big jump....I hope.
As for the upcoming season -- Most of the players know the system and what to expect out of the coach. And if the goaltending can hold up, I think this year will be the biggest improvement since the rebuild took place. It won't be enough to get into the playoffs, but I do see a big jump....I hope.
On paper the Oilers roster is better than the Flames. So 6th in the pacific seems about right. We did have a better team on paper than the Flames last year though and they were much better than the Oilers.
So yeah... 6th. With little chance at being higher than that and a chance that we are lower.
It's gonna be another miserable year unfortunately.
So yeah... 6th. With little chance at being higher than that and a chance that we are lower.
It's gonna be another miserable year unfortunately.
McArthur
Registered User
RipsADrive
Registered User
I think the write up was very fair.
I think the Oilers finish above one of either Vancouver or Arizona though.
I think the Oilers finish above one of either Vancouver or Arizona though.
SupremeTeam16
5-14-6-1
It's really scary looking at the west and seeing the mountain but on the positive side when you go up against better competition you get better yourself. We just need the coaching staff to come with a good plan and systems and get everyone buying in from day 1. Winning some games early in the season and gaining confidence is a big step.
