The Edmonton Oilers just had a devastating loss in the Stanley Cup Final. After going down in the series 3-0, they climbed back to force Game Seven.
The hype surrounding that match was as big-time as we've ever seen in the history of the NHL. Either Connor McDavid and his squad will make the greatest comeback in the history of the sport or the Florida Panthers would avoid an all-time embarrassment.
And, of course, the Panthers got it done. The Oilers, after all of that great work, now have to start from scratch to even have a chance at that Cup.
Life comes at you fast as the 2024 NHL Draft and free agency have already come in the week since this game-seven loss. The Oilers are awake though and they are ready to get after it again.
The Oilers must have a good summer and return to camp ready to go
Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evan Bouchard will certainly be back again trying to fight for that trophy.
Management did a great job on the first day of free agency. The Oilers did a great amount of spending as they look to get over that hump finally.
For one, they extended guys like Corey Perry, Connor Brown, Adam Henrique, and Mattias Janmark who were all huge for this team en route to the Stanley Cup Final.
They also added from the outside which is what makes this thing exciting. They signed Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, and Troy Stecher to new contracts.
Stecher is a defensive defenseman who will provide depth to their blue line. The other two are high-end offensive players that can score.
In 2023-24 playing with the Los Angeles Kings, Viktor Arvidsson had six goals and nine assists for 15 points but he only played in 18 games due to injury. This pace shows that when he is healthy, he is a guy that can have anywhere from 50-70 points.
Jeff Skinner has been an elite goal scorer for a long time now. 10 of his 14 seasons in the NHL have seen him end with 20 goals or more. He has scored 30 or more five times and 40 once. His career year points-wise was 2022-23 when he had 35 goals and 47 assists for 82 points in 79 games.
Both of these forwards could also see the McDavid/Draisaitl effect. If they get an opportunity to play with them at even strength and the power play, they could see their numbers get even better.
For a sniper like Skinner and a playmaker like Arvidsson, you could see some big totals from them going forward.
All three of those players signed will help the Oilers take another step. Arvidsson and Skinner will add even more forward depth to this team. With everyone else they have on the roster, it may be the best pile of 12 forwards in the NHL.
The reality of the NHL is that you win and lose some. There is nobody above losing at any point, even Connor McDavid.
If this entire team, McDavid included, comes back next year with the additions that they have and plays hungry every single night, there is no doubt that they can get back to the Final.
Being aggressive with these moves is exactly what the Oilers needed to do to rebound next year. They should be excited up there.