Edmonton Oilers preview: Connor McDavid gives team hope for playoffs
The Edmonton Oilers are hoping to bounce back from a very disappointing 2017-18 season. Connor McDavid will lead the way.
Going into last season, many expected the Edmonton Oilers to make a second straight postseason appearance. Coming off a second-round loss to the Anaheim Ducks, people saw them as potential Stanley Cup contenders. Things didn’t go as planned and perhaps no team disappointed more last season than the Oilers, despite an amazing season from star center Connor McDavid.
This season, the team is under a ton of pressure. No major changes were made this summer save for a few assistant coaches being replaced. But if the Oilers manage to once again waste a Hart Trophy caliber season from captain McDavid, there should be some significant changes.
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The Oilers are bringing back most of the same roster from last season, but are expecting more from their younger players. They have the best player in the world in McDavid, but that got them nowhere last season. If the Oilers want to rebound and return to the postseason after a one season break, they’ll need more from everybody else on their roster.
Offseason Review
Additions: D Evan Bouchard (draft), F Alex Chiasson (PTO), F Scottie Upshall (PTO), F Tobias Rieder, D Jakub Jerabek, D Jason Garrison (PTO), F Kyle Brodziak, G Mikko Koskinen, D Kevin Gravel, F Josh Currie
Departures: F Anton Slepyshev, D Yohann Auvitu, G Laurent Brossoit
The Oilers didn’t add much to their roster from last season. But perhaps that’s a good thing. The Oilers focused on depth this offseason. Bouchard will likely at least get a cup of coffee in the NHL at some point this season.
Edmonton’s bottom six should be better thanks to Rieder and Brodziak. Chiasson and Upshall could be contributors there as well. If restricted free agent defenseman Darnell Nurse doesn’t sign soon, Garrison or Gravel could have a spot on the NHL roster for Opening Night.