So, I have been listening and reading to gauge Oilers fans's mindset in view of starting the season 1–3. For further context, it should be noted that while this dismal sort of start is nothing new for Edmonton, it never ends well: since 2010 the Oilers have started 1–3 or worse five times; in four of those seasons they have finished either 28th, 29th or 30th; in their best season after starting so poorly they finished 23rd in 2017–18.
Anyhow, fans and media alike are in near-panic with the current situation, and there are a couple of changes that they imagine will make an immediate improvement:
1. Line adjustment which results in Nugent-Hopkins, Draisaitl and Yamammoto together on a line: fans are absolutely pissed about the fact that the "DRY line" has not yet seen the ice together this season. So much so that many see this as a serious enough indictment to cost Dave Tippet his job. The expectation is that this single adjustment makes the Oilers a great team that can win. How realistic is this hope? It seems completely delusional to me to imagine that a simple line adjustment would resolve all of their problems, especially in the light of how briefly this group played together last year.
2. The return of James Neal: according to Oilers fans James Neal is just what the Oilers need right now. His "filthy mitts in close" (yes, that IS a direct quote) are apparently sorely missed on the powerplay, and he also possesses a remarkably calming influence that helps keep things light on the bench. Neal can make a direct impact on the team's play and results by way of his mere presence that is surely to help them succeed. I have to say, this is a completely different James Neal from what I remember of his time in Calgary.
No.
Not even the stupefyingly over-rated "DRY-line," nor the legendary quasi-leadership facade of James Neal can save the Oilers.
No one can. Nothing can.
Not a thing.
Edmonton is no good.
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