2015-16 NHL Season: Preview and Power Rankings
By Adam Savard
Jul 2, 2015; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; NHL draft number one pick Connor McDavid , front left, listens to the description of a play with his teammates during the Edmonton Oilers rookie camp at the Rexall Center. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Number 22: Edmonton Oilers
If great teams are falling that means historically bad ones are rising. Oilers fans shouldn’t believe the 2015-16 NHL season will look anything like the 1980’s yet. But they can stop looking for Edmonton’s record at the bottom of the league.
The offense should give opponents nightmares. Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle, Nail Yakupov, and Connor McDavid have speed and skill enough to give anyone in the league trouble. It still has to come together, on the ice, but this is a hell of a start for your forward crew. It also allows Benoit Pouliot opportunity for more favorable matchups which should boost his production.
On defense, the Oilers have also made significant improvements. Andrew Ference remains the elder statesman of the team, but the youth and potential around him should have Oilers fans excited for the 2015-16 NHL season. Young defensemen Oscar Klefbom and Justin Schultz won’t have to carry massive minutes with Nikita Nikitin and newcomer Andrej Sekera providing stability and some offense. Behind them, Darnell Nurse and Griffin Reinhart don’t have to be rushed into the NHL. Defense in Edmonton improved over seasons past.
A big part of that is the goaltending. Cam Talbot gets the chance to show he is more than a product of a solid defensive New York Rangers system and talent. Talbot won’t have to be excellent for the Oilers to make a big jump in the 2015-16 NHL season. If he is, Edmonton can start thinking of the playoffs for the first time in years.
Inheriting talent sure helps, but new GM Peter Chiarelli is in line for GM of the year consideration if the Oilers can dramatically improve. I see him getting the nod because I don’t see him being done adding to the roster. Watch Edmonton as buyers this year, not sellers.
The Edmonton Oilers will make the playoffs if: they can slow their big guns up front down enough to improve possession and quality of chances, not just quantity. Don’t play like it’s 1984, you won’t need your defense or goalie to bail you out. The more controlled Edmonton is, the better they will be.
A successful 2015-16 NHL season looks like: Yakupov continues to progress, McDavid is 75% of what people think he is, and Talbot is the definitive answer long-term in goal.
Player to watch: Taylor Hall. His name came up in trade conversations last season. At some point, Chiarelli will decide who he will and won’t pay. This feels like an important year for Hall, who should be very productive, but it might not be enough.
Next: Number 21: Sabres Return To Competitive Hockey