[Reggie Dunlop]

Worst 10 game start by the Oilers since 1993-94

Edmonton got off to a horrible start, starting the year 3–18–3, before head coach Ted Green was fired and replaced by Glen Sather for the rest of the season. The Oilers played much better under Sather but still fail to qualify for the playoffs for the 2nd straight season, finishing 18 points behind the 8th seeded San Jose Sharks. During the season, Edmonton once again traded veteran players for youngsters, as team captain Craig MacTavish was dealt to the New York Rangers for Todd Marchant, while Dave Manson was shipped to the Winnipeg Jets for Boris Mironov.

Offensively, Doug Weight led the club with 74 points, while 19-year-old rookie Jason Arnott scored a team high 33 goals, and finish just behind Weight with 68 points. Shayne Corson and Zdeno Cíger each scored over 20 goals, with 25 and 22 respectively. Igor Kravchuk led the Oilers blueline with 12 goals and 50 points, while Bob Beers put together a solid season on defense, scoring 10 goals and 37 points. Kelly Buchberger was the team leader in penalty minutes, accumulating 199.

In goal, Bill Ranford appeared in a career high 71 games, winning 22 of them, with a 3.48 GAA and 1 shutout. Rookie Fred Brathwaite backed him up, appearing in 19 games, and winning 3 of them.

The Oilers scored the fewest shorthanded goals (2) during the regular season.[1]