STAUFFER: “OILERS SHOULD BE RIGHT THERE WITH VEGAS
By: Andrew Benson
RP Show Intern
After a disappointing end to last season when the Edmonton Oilers were swept in the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Winnipeg Jets, it is time for the Oilers to do something with all the talent they have on the roster.
Connor McDavid is largely considered the best player in the NHL, and yet the Oilers have not been able to use that talent to make a deep playoff push. How long is McDavid willing to keep losing in the first or second round?
On Tuesday’s The Rod Pedersen Show, we had the chance to ask Bob Stauffer, the Edmonton Oilers colour commentator, his thoughts on the upcoming season.
“The reality is they have tremendous top end talent at the NHL level, but they need to support that with some younger forward prospects moving forward,” said Stauffer.
Those young prospects have been playing against other rookie teams over the last week, to try and prove they belong on the team. They have played two games against the Calgary Flames, winning the first 4-3 and losing the second 4-1.
“ I don’t think they built the deepest team for the rookie tournament,” said Stauffer. “They have a lot of prospects on the defence, but they are very light up front.”
“We did the game Saturday night and the whole rookie experience from Edmonton’s perspective changed. Dmitri Samorukov got hurt three minutes into the game. He is one of the Oilers two best defence prospects that won’t be with the big team to start the season, the other being Philip Broberg.”
Aside from the lack of depth in the rookie tournament, Stauffer believes this years Oilers forwards to be as deep as it has been in years, and will certainty take some weight off their top 8 guys. Both Rod Pedersen and Stauffer believe this team is built to challenge the Vegas Golden Knights for the top spot in the Pacific division.
“They finished three points behind Vegas two years ago with a lack of depth at forward, and they finished second last year in the Canadian division,” said Stauffer. “And Vegas doesn’t have Marc Andre Fleury, so absolutely Edmonton in theory, assuming McDavid and Leon Draisatil don’t get hurt, I think Edmonton should be right there with Vegas.”
“At minimum, a division title should be the primary goal. The Oilers have a way deeper set of forwards than they have had in the past, that to me is the biggest thing.”
We will have to wait and see how the Oilers forwards hold up and perform during the regular season after having one of the best power plays in the league the last few years. Aside from depth, Stauffer also has questions surrounding the Oilers goaltending.
“There is one equalizer in hockey and it’s goaltending,” said Stauffer. “I don’t think Mike Smith is going to replicate a .923 save percentage , and I don’t think Mikko Kosekinen is going to come back with an .899 save percentage.”
Who will step up to provide consistent goaltending for the capital of Alberta.
The Oilers begin their regular season on Oct. 13 against the Vancouver Canucks. Only time will tell if the Oilers finally make a deep playoff push after coming up short time and time again.
