Currently the focus of the hockey world is on the 4 Nations Face-Off, which went from being considered a gimmick by many to now actually being loved.
But after the tournament is done it is right back to the NHL and the focus will shift to the stretch run leading up to the playoffs. Included in that focus will be the upcoming trade deadline on March 7.
The Edmonton Oilers only have seven games left prior to the deadline, and although they are first in the Pacific Division and look to have a playoff spot almost certainly sewn up (*knocks on all the wood*), there is always room for improvement.
We asked Oil Country what they believe is the biggest area the Oilers need to shore up by the trade deadline, and here is what you all had to say.
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Goaltending is the biggest concern
As has seemed to be always the case during the Connor McDavid era, goaltending was the biggest concern. That’s not exactly surprising, given that the Oilers two goalies are currently rocking save percentages of 0.900 (Stuart Skinner) and 0.901 (Calvin Pickard). Those numbers rank 31st and 29th among NHL goalies that have played more than 20 games, not exactly great.
Of course, those rankings are a bit skewed due to the atrocious start to the season. Since November 1, Skinner’s 0.907 save percentage, is 17th best, and since December 1, his 0.910 is 12th best.
Those don’t jump off the page, but getting average goaltending from a goalie making $$2.6M isn’t bad value by any means.
So why is goaltending considered so important? Is it just getting a bit greedy or expecting too much roster perfection in a salary cap league?
It’s the consistency that is the issue. In his 37 games, Skinner has 21 games above 0.900. On the opposite end of the spectrum, he has five games below 0.800.
Further, only six times has Skinner put together two or more games of 0.900 in a row, while five times he has had a 0.900 game preceded and followed by a sub 0.800 performance.
Sure, all it takes come playoff time is for a goalie to get hot to take the team to the promise land, and Skinner has shown that ability in the past, but the flip side of him having prolonged struggles at times is a risk to a team that is cup or bust.
This gets even more spotlight on it when you consider the rumour that Anaheim goalie John Gibson has told the Ducks his preference if being traded would be to either the Caroline Hurricanes or the Oilers.
While Oilers fans are certainly thinking of Gibson of old, he does appear to be having a bit of a renaissance, posting a 0.915 in 23 games this year.
Plus, we have seen an older goaltender get traded at the deadline to an Oilers team whose goaltending had been holding them back pay off dividends in the past in Dwayne Roloson, so who is to say lightning can’t strike twice?
Defence also needs work
In a close second is a second pairing defenceman, ostensibly to play with Darnell Nurse.
This has been a concern since entering the season as well after the losses of Philip Broberg, Cody Ceci, and Vincent Desharnais. While many hoped Ty Emberson would be the answer, he hasn’t quite been able to get to that point, although he has been great on the third pair.
Brett Kulak was filling in with Nurse at times, but that meant taking the anchor off the third pair, not exactly a great solution.
The Oilers recently signed John Klingberg to get a chance at that spot, but the fancy stats so far show they each play better away from each other than with, although it has been a small sample size.
In any event, like the goaltending issue, risking the Cup on the backs of one of Klingberg or Troy Stecher to be able to take a regular shift isn’t the most prudent decision. It also would probably be an area that is easier to shore up at the deadline than goaltending.
This is in part because the Oilers aren’t being picky about the handedness of the defenceman, just that he can play the right side. That opens the door to potential players like Carson Soucy and Bowen Byram, in addition to right handed options in Rasmus Ristolainen and David Savard.
Forwards are not a priority
This was a distant third in what is considered a need, which isn’t exactly surprising.
Behind Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, the Oilers have Vasily Podkolzin, Viktor Arvidsson, and Connor Brown as reliable middle-six wingers. Moreover, players like Corey Perry, Jeff Skinner, Kasperi Kapanen, and Mattias Janmark can easily step into the role at times.
If you look at league scoring, the 288th forward would be the bottom end of top nine forwards for NHL teams (nine forwards for each of the 32 teams). Currently, that is 15 points.
After the big four (Connor McDavid, Leon Draisitl, Nugent-Hopkins, and Hyman), the Oilers have seven forwards above that mark, which includes third line centre Adam Henrique. Therefore, the Oilers arguably have three sets of middle-six wingers already.
Sure, you always want to add depth for the playoff run, so adding another winger would be helpful, but it certainly shouldn’t be a priority for the team.
Does the team really need changes?
The fact that this even got any votes is interesting. After all, the Oilers have deadline cap space (especially if Evander Kane will be on LTIR until the end of the season), so if there is an option to add improvements in any way why wouldn’t you?
Sure, you can point to the fact that the Oilers have moved into first in the Pacific Division and fourth in the entire league as evidence that the team doesn’t need improvements. They are first in shots per game and sixth in shots against, eighth in goals for (which goes up to fourth in goals for per game), and sixth in goals against (which drops to eighth on a per game basis—don’t ask me how that math works), and sixth in power play percentage.
The numbers become even better when removing the bad start: since November 1, the team is third in the league in points and first in goals for per game, for instance.
So yes, the team is good and technically good “as is.” But why settle good when you can be great? Or at least “gooder.”
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
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