Never Give Up, Never Surrender

In an offseason seemingly filled with rebuilds the Oilers were temped to join in for a hot minute. That minute came and left because the plan is now to get back in the playoffs and right some wrongs. Few things in hockey are more painful than a game 7 loss - that pain runs deep and haunts you for the entire offseason. You ask yourself what you could have done different, which line combos were possibly more effective, and maybe you should have added more at the deadline. Of course nothing can change the outcome, it can only guide you to a better future.

As such the Oilers decided to move additional futures for more immediate help. The first trade saw the exit of a highly touted 2021 D prospect Shai Buium, an NCAA standout and potential top 4 for the NHL Red Wings, along with a 2023 2nd and 2023 3rd, and Jake Muzzin. In return the Oilers get winger Carter Verhaeghe and 2 way D Matt Roy. The move addresses several offseason needs - top 9 scoring depth and reliable defense. GM OilCountry has had his eye on Verhaeghe for a while now and sees him as someone that can be a top 9 staple for the next handful of years at under 5 mil. Roy is has also stood out to team scouts as someone that is not only solid now but also has room to grow at only 27.

The second trade was more technical and involved moving the team's 2023 1st rounder and a few later picks for two early 2022 2nds. They say it sometimes helps to have more darts for the dart board, and essentially that's what this move was about. With a total of four 2nds the Oilers managed to draft one standout forward who was taken in the NHL 1st round in Filip Bystedt. A bruising 6'4 center, he should have plenty of opportunity on a rebuilding Sharks team down the road. Oilers were slightly surprised that Owen Beck was not picked in the 1st round, but fully expect him to be an early-mid 2nd by Friday afternoon. The other two forwards Adam Sykora and Adam Ingram should also go anywhere from the 2nd-3rd rounds.

The current plan is to potentially use some of these pieces to upgrade on the team's biggest needs. The top 9 looks somewhat improved from last season with Kyrou, Kane, Perron, Hertl, Stephenson, Verhaeghe, Wilson, and Killorn all possessing very solid core ratings. The immediate focus will be on finding another reliable C, although there is a strong possibility that role may be filled by softmore Cole Sillinger come mid season.

The area of concern is definitively on defense - whether it's pro roster, farm, or prospects. One of the few untouchables is highly touted prospect Olen Zellweger, someone that is often requested by other GMs. He is someone Oilers can likely flip for a top 2 pro roster dman today. So far that has not been entertained considering the complete lack of organizational depth on D, although it could change as the season progresses. The plan for now is to build the top 6 slowly but surely, possibly via free agency but probably more likely via other trades. 

Finally in goal is where the Oilers feel most confidence. Juuse Saros resigned on a 6x6 deal and looks to continue seeing way too much puck in Edmonton. This season he may get some extra relief as overage rookie Karel Vejmelka joins him as the new backup. Vejmelka has tantelizing upside and could see significantly more action than Scott Wedgewood did last season.

Ultimately the team is very confident it will make playoffs. The hope is that this time they will finish the regular season stronger, and not lose in the 1st round. Offensive chemistry will be monitored all season, and the hope is it will click. If it does not click, the Oilers have absolutely no hesitation to blow it all up!