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"Oilers and More"
Canada • 2013 Years Old • Male
Anyone can say that the Oilers have been rebuilding since 2007 but have they? Sure they have added some big name talent in proven players such as Eberle, Hall, RNH and Nail. Plus hopefuls such as Reinhart, Nurse, Draisatl and even Schultz for some prospecting sites. Still this is the first real year of anything resembling an attempt to improve the franchise all around.

Obviously the biggest factor has to be from an entire organizational stand point. Until this year we have basically been sending great young talent to the wolves. Continual new coaching and GMs have made any development by these players in leagues with a miracle. This year Katz finally realized he had a team and not just a lucrative real estate venture. A change from the top down and it looks like a proper development structure is in place.

Sending the young talent down to the AHL helps in a big way. It improves the new franchise substantially and sells seats. Which, as a fan is not the biggest part. Sold seats means cheering fans and marginally more pressure for the young players to improve. They also get a chance to learn the new coaching strategies in a setting where they can dominate while they learn. This will also boost confidence and allow for them to move more seamlessly into the NHL club.

One of the best moves done by the new coaching staff has been to give Nail a chance to fight for a spot on the PP. Something that he never got with Eakins and was rare with MacT. Nail was not the Oilers best hopes for leading the team to victory but he may be one of the only wingers other than Hall and Eberle that can keep up with the talent of the Oilers centers.

Many will argue with me and say that McDavid is the best thing to happen to the team this year. There is no doubt that this kid has already proven he is everything he was built up to be. Not only is he dangerous in any situation but he makes his line mates better. Plus he has an infectious winning attitude that as a fan I can sense and I can only imagine what that does to the Veteran Oilers that have become okay with losing.

With all the success Nail has had so far, a lot of credit has to go to RNH. Obviously McDavid seemed to be ear marked for the top line position. Nuge has stepped up his game substantially and allowed McDavid to play without the pressure of being the top center. Not saying that he would fail if he were put in this role but it has to make it easier knowing you aren't expected to carry the NHL franchise... yet.

The Oilers have added two goalies. One is a prospect we got from Calgary who looks to be the real deal. Nilson may very well be the Oilers future star net minder. However Talbot also appears to be a solid starting goalie in the NHL. I would think the team would want to lock him up or deal him before the trade deadline. Not doing so would mean they gave up a ton for a one year rental in a season where they were not projected to even make the playoffs.

This time next year the talk will be all about the young squad. No doubt the club will play its four amazing wingers in Hall, Eberle, Draisatl (he will play wing) and Nail. I think there is increasingly less doubt that these players won't develop in a big way this season and be ready to open the new arena as part of the top 6. The blue line will most likely see Klef, Schultz, Nurse and Reinhart as 4 of their top 5. I think by the end of the year, Sekeras will be the sixth man. Hopefully the Oilers can add one more defender.

With this line up on wing and defense, coupled with a strong young goalie and the likes of RNH and McDavid at center, the potential for this club next season is completely unpredictable. I expect the Vegas odds to range significantly. With Arizona currently leading the Division, it would not surprise me if the Oilers would dominate in the same way. Different teams but the Oilers top 6, comprised of 4 first overall picks, a third and a sixth... the team could pull off the unexpected.

One thing for certain is that the Oilers will be a playoff threat next year and for the next decade at least. The change started before McDavid was chosen and he is not the only player on the ice. Still there is no doubt he will establish the Oilers in the same way that he did the Otters. Take the club from virtually no where and lead them back into being a consistent playoff team.
Filed Under:   Oilers   Edmonton   McDavid   RNH   Hall   Eberle   Nail   Prospect  
October 27, 2015 3:30 PM ET | Delete
Terrible premise of revisionist history. The Oilers have been rebuilding for years and years.
October 28, 2015 7:28 AM ET | Delete
They have been historically terrible for years. This is not year 1 of the rebuild... This is year 8 with a ridiculous amount of 1st overall and top 5 picks.
October 28, 2015 12:54 PM ET | Delete
mcdavid will be able to walk across water before the oil make playoffs. any other team with all those high picks would be fighting for the playoffs now. to much preasure on the kid. he will no doubt be a great player,but you stand the chance of ruining him early in carrear with all the talk about how he will make us make playoffs. remember he is only 19 years old.give him time
October 28, 2015 12:58 PM ET | Delete
i agree this is year 8 of rebuild. be truthful with youself oil fans. it has been 8 years and might take 3 more years if lucky.distrad is correct.
October 29, 2015 7:15 AM ET | Delete
Cringe worthy
October 29, 2015 7:31 AM ET | Delete
Hmm I thought this was year five. . .
October 31, 2015 6:28 PM ET | Delete
Year 8 of rebuild....year 1 of doing it correctly.
November 1, 2015 3:11 PM ET | Delete
lol
November 1, 2015 7:13 PM ET | Delete
Yeah 8 of rebuild, year 1 of actually trying to not tank
November 2, 2015 9:22 AM ET | Delete
Yeah... Year 8 of the rebuild, year 1 of actually making some headway towards becoming a team...
November 2, 2015 5:01 PM ET | Delete
Year 1 of rebuild hahahahahaha. Keep telling yourself that. Jeropotato/Jeropotatoe its all rocknroll
November 3, 2015 9:28 AM ET | Delete
year 47 of the Oilers rebuild
November 3, 2015 7:05 PM ET | Delete
^Said the Leafs fan lol
November 3, 2015 7:08 PM ET | Delete
Hey Kevin.....Fuck off.
November 4, 2015 12:25 PM ET | Delete
...and another year for the Leafs as well. They may not win another cup until 2067. Why so salty? lol
November 4, 2015 1:37 PM ET | Delete
year 1 ? LOL!
November 5, 2015 1:24 PM ET | Delete
the leafs havent won in 50 years that is true. but at least they can count higher than 1. this is why the oilers are the joke of professional sports and this blogger is an imbecile
November 5, 2015 7:12 PM ET | Delete
Blog is laughable. Sorry but this is not even close to year 1. When you draft in the top 10 for 8 years straight and all those players are on your roster, you have been rebuilding for a while.
November 7, 2015 5:12 PM ET | Delete
this is terrible.....You underestimate Davidsons potential
November 7, 2015 8:27 PM ET | Delete
Hey Jero... behave for a fucking change. See that fucking McDavid hurter boy has fucked me in my pool.
November 7, 2015 10:44 PM ET | Delete
Delusional much. The Oilers have been claiming to be in rebuild mode since Cogliano was a rookie.
November 15, 2015 9:23 PM ET | Delete
This blog should be titled "The Saddest Most Deluded Mind"
November 15, 2015 9:31 PM ET | Delete
This blog should have been swallowed and never been allowed to live... oh wait I meant blogger.
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