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Edmonton Oilers Still Struggling On Defense

By Catherine Silverman

Sep 29, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers left wing Taylor Hall (4) celebrates a goal with teammates against the Winnipeg Jets in the second period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Chris LaFrance-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2014; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers left wing Taylor Hall (4) celebrates a goal with teammates against the Winnipeg Jets in the second period at Rexall Place. Mandatory Credit: Chris LaFrance-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Edmonton Oilers find themselves miles behind the competition coming out of the gate

The Edmonton Oilers are headed by coach Dallas Eakins, who is their fifth coach since 2009. He’s heading into his second season leading the team, but don’t get too comfortable- he could very easily be gone by mid-December.

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The Oilers are one of the few hockey franchises in the NHL’s history who have been granted dynasty status over time, but they sure don’t look like it now. The team is sitting on an 0-3-1 record coming off the first week of the 2014-2015 season, and things are only getting worse with every passing game.

The Calgary Flames have spectacular goaltending. The Buffalo Sabres are deep in the midst of a rebuild that shows promise a few years down the road. Even the Winnipeg Jets and the Arizona Coyotes are sitting on a couple three-and-four-point margins of victory just a few games into the season, while the Nashville Predators are shockingly 2-0-1 and the Carolina Hurricanes have openly acknowledged they’re falling apart.

The Oilers, on the other hand, have no tangible reason why they can’t string together a win. They’re led by veteran defenseman Andrew Ference, yet the team has no defensive play to speak of- and they possess a significant number of young, whip-smart forwards, yet can’t score more goals than any of their opposition. What gives?

Many have criticized the Oilers for their stifling coaching system and front office over the past few seasons, which has limited growth and prevented players from playing the game in the most beneficial way for each of them. Others have pointed out that the Oilers are so desperate to make it back into playoff contention, they’re rushing young players and stunting development- only further proven by the fact that both Darnell Nurse and Leon Draisaitl are junior-eligible for at least another season, yet are skating out on opening night with the team’s starting lineup.

Whatever the reason, though, the Edmonton club cannot even rely on the superstar play of top-line forward Taylor Hall to carry them forward- and with Hall’s linemate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on IR for the forseeable future (undisclosed injury), things could only get uglier for the Pacific Division team.

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