Last year’s Edmonton Oilers played with confidence and had a strong team overall. This year’s lineup is lacking the experienced players who could change the outcome of a game.
Sometimes a player speaks out loud about what’s really happening. That happened recently when Leon Draisaitl mentioned that the Oilers aren’t playing as well as they should, and Elliotte Friedman added his thoughts: the players on the lower lines seem to be waiting for the star players to do something instead of taking action themselves. When that happens, nobody seems to know what they are supposed to do.
Last Season, the Oilers Were a Much Different Team
Interestingly, that wasn’t how the Oilers played last season. They were completely different.
Last year, the Oilers had players who really knew their roles on the team. The roster was filled with experienced athletes who understood their skills and contributions. Connor Brown, Evander Kane, and Corey Perry played with experience and confidence. They didn’t need anyone telling them what to do.
There was no need for someone to guide Corey Perry on where to position himself or how to annoy the other team. Connor Brown didn’t need help to apply pressure on the opposing team. And when Evander Kane was healthy, he brought energy, confidence, and skill to the game, which made the team feel stronger than just a collection of players.
Corey Perry Oilers extension talk
Corey Perry was effective for the Oilers because he knew how to play without being told.
The Oilers’ Backbone Is Missing This Season
Now? Well, the core of the team isn’t nearly as reliable.
The Oilers tried to bring in younger players to take the place of the experienced ones. These younger players are fast and talented, and they really want to help the team win. The problem isn’t their effort; it’s that they lack experience. There’s a big difference between having skills and knowing how to use them when things get tough in an NHL game. Brown, Perry, and Kane didn’t wait for others to step up—they took charge. They sparked the team’s energy and made it easier for the star players to shine.
People often forget this: a solid lower line doesn’t just focus on defense. They help shift the game’s momentum back in their favor.
The Oilers’ Bottom Six Looks Uncertain in How to Play
Right now, those moments are a bit shaky. You can sense it. A small pause here, a mistake there, and suddenly Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are in a tough spot again. This is exactly what Draisaitl meant: Edmonton lost some players who used to step up for a little while, calm things down, and let the star players shine.
Good teams know who their key players are. Edmonton let go of too many of them.
The Oilers aren’t struggling by chance. They are missing the players who brought energy, toughness, and the kind of experience you gain from doing tough jobs right for many years. Until they build that strong foundation again, this team is going to feel a bit shaky—no matter how well the top six players perform.
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