Are these really the “true” Edmonton Oilers?
That and more in this edition of…
9 Things
9. The Oilers have signed free agent Tomas Cibulka to a two-year entry-level contract. His salary cap hit will be $955,000. Cibulka, who is almost twenty-two years old, stands at 6 feet tall and weighs 176 pounds. He shoots with his left hand. He played four years in the QMJHL and then two years in the Czech league. Last season, he recorded 7 goals and 15 assists for a total of 22 points in 47 games. He is good at positioning himself on the ice, but his best skill is moving the puck quickly.
8. I don’t live in Edmonton anymore, so I don’t listen to the radio there like I used to. However, I did hear the hour-long conversation between former Edmonton Investors Group chair Cal Nichols and Jason Gregor on Sports 1440 this week. It was a detailed look back at that important period in the history of the team and a great lesson for those who weren’t around during that time.
7. I’m really happy with how Ty Emberson has improved his game. The team looks a lot weaker when he’s not in the lineup. However, I’m not rushing to say he should be a second-pairing player just yet. Emberson isn’t an excellent skater, he’s not a fantastic passer, and he’s not particularly tall either. It’s tough for any player to secure a spot in the top four without being good in these areas. We will have to see how things go.
6. It’s very early to judge, but so far, the combination of Connor Murphy and Darnell Nurse looks promising. Murphy’s contract is ending soon. If this pair continues to perform well, bringing Murphy back could not only strengthen the right side of the defense for a couple more years but might also help get the most out of Nurse’s contract. Of course, both players need to work well together for that to happen, but it’s worth thinking about.
5. Another thing I noticed since the trading deadline is that the whole team seems to be playing with more toughness and determination. Here’s what I think about it: I don’t believe the current Oilers were any less tough before. However, even though many players from Edmonton have played hard-fought games to reach the Stanley Cup Finals, Jason Dickinson, Connor Murphy, and Colton Dach have not even had the chance to play in the playoffs. They are eager to prove themselves. This drive shows in how they play, and that kind of intensity can spread to the other players.
4. The Oilers are getting healthier all of a sudden. Curtis Lazar came back to play on Saturday. Trent Frederic is almost better from his concussion and is on the ice again. He might be back for the game on Tuesday against Seattle. Don’t be shocked if Colton Dach plays against his old team, the Black Hawks, on Thursday because he is also skating again. Then there’s Leon Draisaitl. So far, he has missed six out of the ten games he needs to be out on LTIR. On Monday, it will be 15 out of the 24 days he has to be out. The Oilers will face the Kings on April 11, which is one of the last three games of the season.
3. Evan Bouchard is working hard to get his name on the Norris Trophy list. Bouchard is dealing with some of the same challenges Paul Coffey faced before people took him seriously for the Norris votes: Evan’s main talents are with the puck. Some might forget that scoring points is actually harder for any player to do well. It requires the most talent. And if keeping the puck in the attack zone is the best defense, Bouchard is really good at that too. Plus, Evan is one of the top defensemen in the NHL when it comes to limiting Expected Goals Against (xGA) and he has one of the lowest turnover rates among all defensemen compared to how much he handles the puck (which is a lot). I’m not sure if Bouchard should win the Norris, but I believe he has done enough to be in the top three.
2. After thinking about the victory against Las Vegas on Thursday, I was left with one main idea: Better defense, stronger goalkeeping, and a tough attitude I really like should all help with an exciting playoff journey. But what makes the Oilers stand out is their speed. The Golden Knights are not fast at all. Actually, many teams in the Pacific Division are slow too, like the Kings, the Kraken, and the Sharks. The Ducks are the closest team to the Oilers in terms of speed, but as we noticed, their defense is not great. In the end, we often forget how important speed is for attacking, defending, and everything else. “Playing fast” is how the Oilers use their strengths.
The Oilers showed a big improvement in their play on both offense and defense during their game against Anaheim on Saturday afternoon. Watching the Ducks is really entertaining. They play with energy and skill, making them an exciting team for the future. They put up a tough fight in the Oilers’ 4-2 victory. While other NHL teams have found it hard to stop Anaheim from making comebacks, the Oilers managed to hold their ground. What really stood out to me was not just that they did it, but how they successfully controlled the game.
A few years back, the Edmonton Oilers were just like the Anaheim Ducks: a thrilling team with incredible talent that could score more than they messed up. But now, it seems the Oilers have realized they’re the seasoned team. They have played in the Stanley Cup Finals two years in a row. They are no longer a bunch of young players acting recklessly; they are experienced veterans who have faced challenges. This is a team that knows how to win when the situation gets tough. They have playoff experience.
The Oilers’ season has been frustrating. Everyone is aware of it, including them. But now, with only eight games left and a chance for a division title before the playoffs, it looks like they’ve decided to focus and get the job done.
Am I completely sure that this team won’t fall back into the problems that have bothered them for most of the season? Well, “sure” is a strong word.
However, I do notice some good signs. One sign shows things are improving.
This article was written by a human, not generated by AI.
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