What the Emonton Oilers Need
The Emonton Oilers have been the center of many jokes in the hockey community recently.
A popular hockey blog even wrote a funny article about the whole Oilers organization being demoted to the AHL.
Some fans have compared their recent mediocrity to the curse of the Cubs in the MLB or my favorite team, the Lions, of the NFL. Ever since Wayne Gretzky was traded, the Oilers have been trying get over the hump and be accepted as a main-stay top tier team.
I have some opinionated views of what would need to happen for and Oilers turn around. These are just random thoughts that ran through my head when i thought of the Oilers. Again, these ideas are just my opinion, if you see it differently leave a comment and share what you think.
First of all, a more aggressive style of coaching would be necessary. This could mean a possible switch at the coaching position considering most coaches have a hard time changing their philosophy.
With the new young talent that is abundant in Edmonton a Run and Gun style offense may be more suitable. Using a stretch breakout or something of the kind to create more space for these skilled young forwards could easily lead to increased offensive production. This would require Edmonton's also young defense to step up and take increased pressure.
There seems to be limited flow between the defense and offense as it is. Maybe this stretch would change things for the better for both defense and offense.
Secondly, the Oilers need a super star. Maybe something like the next Wayne Gretzky? I know you may think "well any team could use a super star". The truth is most teams already have a super star while the Oilers have young talented players but no truly identifiable "super star".
Hopefully in this year's draft, they can pick up someone who can make an immediate influence maybe someone like Adam Larsson to run the point on powerplays and direct defensive zone play. If they can get someone who will step up immediately it would be easier for the young talented players I mentioned earlier to produce.
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