Edmonton Oilers

[Fighting_Emu]

He's played 14:49 total in the NHL and all that was in a game where Klefbom had 3 assists (2 on the power-play.) I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that maybe you're being a tad impatient here.

Im not impatient at all. Im just asking- lol! I have no idea either way. i added him based on a hunch i read and was just curious if thats the case or not...

[SeaDawg]

Kflebom is soaking up all the PP time, and truth be told he is doing quite well in that role early on, so I don't see that changing in the near future. Persson will get he chances on the second unit, but anyone who was thinking he'd take on first unit PP duties should probably re-adjust their expectations.

[HockeyHobo]

Serious question but is McDavid and/or Draisitl going to burn out or get injured before Chjristmas if they keep playing 26 minutes a night?? I know NHL players are fitness fanatics but surely the coach cannot expect to keep doing that and not expect to lose one or both of them before long.

[SeaDawg]

Serious question but is McDavid and/or Draisitl going to burn out or get injured before Chjristmas if they keep playing 26 minutes a night?? I know NHL players are fitness fanatics but surely the coach cannot expect to keep doing that and not expect to lose one or both of them before long.

I can't see them continuing to play those minutes.

[Tobias Funke]

Drai has been getting slot more PK time in particular with Sheahsn out but will see that scaled back once Sheahan returns.

[Smurf06]

Serious question but is McDavid and/or Draisaitl going to burn out or get injured before Chjristmas if they keep playing 26 minutes a night?? I know NHL players are fitness fanatics but surely the coach cannot expect to keep doing that and not expect to lose one or both of them before long.

This will not continue. I can guarantee you that. Right now I think Coach Dave Tippett is trying to figure out what he has with players like Nygard, Jurco, and even James Neal and what he has to give. Once Coach knows who he can give plus minutes to McDavid and Draisaitl minutes will go down. The funny thing is the past 3 years for McDavid he has averaged close to 22 minutes which is craziness. Draisaitl last season also averaged 22 minutes which is insane to me.

[MZac]

They have no choice but to ride their studs, I think it will continue. A nervous feeling 3-0...

[Axeman33]

Man its painful watching Kassian on that top line. If he had half a set of hands he could get 20+ goals just by being there.

[93Leafs]

Didn’t he score the 3rd Edmonton Goal? Looks like he touched the puck in front?

[Axeman33]

Didn’t he score the 3rd Edmonton Goal? Looks like he touched the puck in front?

Nope, Draisaitl got that one.

[metaldude26]

Man its painful watching Kassian on that top line. If he had half a set of hands he could get 20+ goals just by being there.

He might get there with hooves for hands.

[Rylant]

I have watched all 5 Oiler games this year. Am I the only one who thinks they have looked horrible all year? Our defense has been inadequate, our offence has been spotty, our goaltending has been super mediocre. We have been chasing all year. Everyone is going on about how awesome Neal looks; he has stumbled ass-backwards into a boatload of goals. Somehow, we are 5-0. I hope that we start playing better, or our record is going to catch up to how we are playing.

Rylant

[Smurf06]

I have watched all 5 Oiler games this year. Am I the only one who thinks they have looked horrible all year? Our defense has been inadequate, our offence has been spotty, our goaltending has been super mediocre. We have been chasing all year. Everyone is going on about how awesome Neal looks; he has stumbled ass-backwards into a boatload of goals. Somehow, we are 5-0. I hope that we start playing better, or our record is going to catch up to how we are playing.

Rylant

I have watched some of the games and I can tell you why we are 5-0 right now. It is cuz of McDavid and Draisaitl for the most part. Sure James Neal is scoring and even Zack Kassian has 3 goals but that is more cuz of he is skating with McDavid and Draisaitl. The Defence is what it is and if it is enough to hold together than I think we are OK. What is gonna kill this team is no depth at all and really the Goalies aren't that much and they are playing over their heads. I will take it as long as they want to continue to give out the wins though.

[MZac]

I have watched all 5 Oiler games this year. Am I the only one who thinks they have looked horrible all year? Our defense has been inadequate, our offence has been spotty, our goaltending has been super mediocre. We have been chasing all year. Everyone is going on about how awesome Neal looks; he has stumbled ass-backwards into a boatload of goals. Somehow, we are 5-0. I hope that we start playing better, or our record is going to catch up to how we are playing.

Rylant

I think what's been mostly overlooked is that they are 5-0 against five non playoff teams. Mcdavid and Leon have carried them through, they never run out of steam and have had some awesome 3rd periods.

There is likely a reality check coming. But when you have the best forward in the world and another one that's probably in the top ten they can win you a decent amount of games if you can keep it close, especially against bottom half opponents.

[Axeman33]

I thought they actually played good yesterday. They seemed to control the play, Smith played well and made the saves when needed, and the PK was spot on. I'm not naive enough to think they are suddenly a top team, but as long as they keep doing the little things right, they have a chance to be there come playoff time.

Confidence is a funny thing and winning even the ugly games is something the Oilers weren't able to do in years past. I'll just enjoy the ride while it's there.