2024 has flown by and what a roller coaster of emotions it was for the Edmonton Oilers. There were a lot fun moments, some anxiety along the way, heartbreak, anger, and any other emotion that you can think of. It was a memorable one for new generation Oiler fans for sure, however. Today, let’s go over all the highs and lows, the biggest stories and any other major event that occurred over the last 365 days.
16-game win streak and the trade deadline
Despite what all the haters said about us having a “soft schedule,” Edmonton tied the 2016–17 Columbus Blue Jackets for the second longest win streak in NHL history with 16 wins. Starting from back-to-back wins against the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers right before Christmas and carrying that momentum throughout the California road trip to end off 2023, the Oilers got hot at the right time and ended up setting a franchise record 10 straight wins on a Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens in OT. During this time, the Oilers penalty kill rose to be the best in the league clipping at an above 90% rate and it wasn’t like the wins were blowouts, they were close tight wins, usually one goal games. The loss came against the Vegas Golden Knights right after All-Star weekend. This run single-handily got Edmonton back in not only the playoff race, but the divisional race as a whole.
This, of course, turned the Oilers into standing pat at the deadline to buyers… although their deadline was quite disappointing. I wrote a piece and gave the team a C- grade. It was solely because of the lack of additions and the lack of quality. I liked the Adam Henrique trade a lot. I even talked about him months prior in a previous deadline article I had written and said as a 3C/2LW that would be double retained, it would be a great add for Edmonton. However, the Oilers did not fill the required 2RHD to replace Cody Ceci and did not add cheap depth scoring. Nonetheless, the deadline was still a major part of Edmonton’s season as Henrique played well when called upon during the playoffs, Troy Stecher stepped in, and provided nice depth and Sam Carrick… well was there!
What an amazing playoff run
Some of the best moments as an Oiler fan in my life came during these two months and even if it ended in heart-breaking fashion, the fact we got to experience this run with 97 and 29 leading the way was truly incredible. Beating the Los Angeles Kings for the third straight year and doing it in five games, beating our arch rivals in Vancouver after all the smack talk their fans yelled after they swept and destroyed us in the season series, taking down the Dallas Stars with ease in six games when everyone thought we’d get killed, and crawling back from a 3–0 series deficit against the Florida Panthers when all hope seemed to fade away.
Just a great experience for all the young Oiler fans who saw the city come alive. Oiler fans, like myself, who couldn’t experience 2006 did so this year.
A busy offseason
The offseason was a major one for Edmonton. With Ken Holland out the door, Jeff Jackson stepped in as the interim guy to run the team while looking for another guy to hire as GM (we’ll get to that shortly). The Oilers traded a conditional future first in exchange for pick 32 and drafted Sam O’Reilly from the London Knights, and later picked up his teammate who has been killing it in the seventh round in William Nichol.
On July 1, the Oilers were super-active, bringing back Corey Perry, Troy Stecher, Adam Henrique, Connor Brown, and Mattias Janmark on deals. They said goodbye to Vinny Desharnais and Warren Foegele as they left to divisonal rivals, and snatched up Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner. The Oilers had too many forwards to their disposal and after a subpar playoffs and a very interesting arbitration case next summer, they dealt Ryan McLeod to the Buffalo Sabres for young prospect Matt Savoie.
However, during July 1, none of the hockey world, including the Oilers, knew about the offer sheets that Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg were presented. On August 13, they were officially announced and the Oilers made trades to ship off Ceci for Ty Emberson and brought in Vasily Podkolzin to replace the two youngsters. Broberg was an obvious not match but from day 1, Oiler fans alike yelled and screamed to match Holloway and the management didn’t. They sorely miss him.
Speaking of management, the Oilers inexcusably hired Stan Bowman as their new general manager. Not only is Bowman just bad at his job as he shredded the cup winning dynasty Chicago Blackhawks, but PR-wise as well it was terrible on all optics. Not much more needs to be said here.
Start of the 2024–25 season
It wouldn’t be an Oilers season if the team had a bad start right? Just like the last two seasons, definitely not as bad as 2023–24, the Oilers started off horribly going 0–3 in their first three games and were down to Philly in the fourth game for the majority of it. The PK was at 40%, the leading goal scorer was Corey Perry, and the PP was dead last in the NHL.
Obviously, as expected, the team rebounded but it was funny seeing the team struggle when they themselves said they wanted to get off on the right foot especially after how last year’s disastrous start went.
McDavid hits 1000 points
Starting the season, Connor McDavid was sitting at 982 career regular season points. It was obvious to everyone that he’d likely hit it within the first month. However, a terrible start and an injury suffered against the Columbus Blue Jackets put McDavid on the shelf for a week and a half, and still when he returned, took some time to get going.
On November 14, 2024, on a one-timer via a pass from Leon Draisaitl, McDavid hit the 1000th career point mark, the fourth fastest player ever to hit it. The Oilers ultimately won the game in overtime. It was the first time in who knows how long that a player who’s spent their entire career with Edmonton hit their 1000th point. Seeing the reactions from not just McDavid’s teammates, but the fans in the arena was a sight to behold. We truly are lucky to have him.
Let’s see what 2025 brings
Although the heartbreak of June 24, 2024 still stings most Oiler fans, the bright side is that this core knows they can win the ultimate goal and still have many cracks at it. Cheers to 2025, Oilers fans! Let’s hope it’s a good one. Happy New Year!
