What is the Oilers structure?

[Something_Special]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

I think having McDavid and Draisaitl so offensively gifted is both a blessing, but also a curse. Whenever facing any sort of pressure of needing to score a goal to either tie it or turn momentum around, Tippett does the lazy thing and loads his top line with McDavid and Draisaitl, systems be damned. So when that doesn't materialize in goals, you get two guys who are mediocre defensively (and I'm being generous), and it throws the rest of his lines out of whack.

It's just a mess of a system that doesn't work. Add onto the fact that their d-core is meh, and their goalie tandem is below average, I just don't see how this team can have playoff success.

Add to it that McDavid and Draisaitl basically have to play all out in the regular season for the Oilers to have success, come playoff time when other teams turn it up and players ratchet it up another gear, McDavid and Draisaitl have no extra gear to reach since they've already hit that in the regular season.

Another smart post. Why is this so hard? You are right. It's a luxury and a curse.

[Torture]

I must say, this is some next level trolling going on here.

[Classic_Sniper]

I’ll preface my post by saying I don’t watch the Oilers a lot, so I could off in my assessment.

But it appears to me that the Oilers are a good team and will likely be a perennial playoff team for as long as they have 97 & 29 and their elite powerplay. But I think they’re in a similar boat as the Flames were a few seasons ago where regular season success doesn’t really count anymore, it’s what they do now in the playoffs that they will be judged on.

But the problem is, I’m not sure they struck the right balance over the course of their evolution from Chiarelli hockey to Holland hockey. There’s the saying that “you need players that can get you to the playoffs and players that can get you through the playoffs” and I’m not sure the Oilers found that balance when they nuked “Chiarelli’s team.” I know Chiarelli needed to be canned, but his Oilers were one win away from the Western Conference finals.

With Chiarelli out of the picture, they then seemingly shifted from a playoff built team to a regular season built team in just a few short years. In my opinion, they overreacted. They’re 1-7 in their last 2 playoff series and I don’t think that’s a fluke. They’re very reliant on the powerplay and Connor McDavid, but in the playoffs, McDavid just isn’t as effective because there’s less open space and also, powerplay opportunities go down.

I don’t know exactly what the Oilers are because I never watch them, but one thing I do know is their window is open now and they don’t have time to fool around. Their cap crunch this summer is almost as bad as the Flames and the clock is ticking on Draisaitl’s contract. His next contract could be league max in a few years, so his number could almost double. So whatever it is their organization learned last year, they better apply it quick, because

I’m not even sure their management group knows yet what their team really is. It took the Flames forever to figure it out and Oilers fans better hope it doesn’t take them that long because their generational player is in his prime now and his team hasn’t won any Cups yet. Crosby at the same age already won 1 and had 2 finals appearances.

[Mass_nerder]

Imagine getting your jimmies so rustled by someone being mean to your favorite team.

[Knightslayer]

Originally Posted by Something_Special

Here is a life message.

You are a terrible human being (You probably aren't) who spews terrible crap all over. You do it because your life is so sad and miserable. That is literally why you post negative stuff. It makes you feel good lol. That is the reality of it.

Grow up man. You are probably going through things. The crap I see you post just makes me think you are depressed. Go get help. It will do wonders.

God bless you and glad my posting on HF has made you a huge fan.

I don't have Twitter but when I get it, I'll be sure to PM you my handle.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Something_Special

Here is a life message.

You are a terrible human being (You probably aren't) who spews terrible crap all over. You do it because your life is so sad and miserable. That is literally why you post negative stuff. It makes you feel good lol. That is the reality of it.

Grow up man. You are probably going through things. The crap I see you post just makes me think you are depressed. Go get help. It will do wonders.

This is some kinda ego!

[FleeceGang]

I'm amazed at how flippant some of these responses are. Can we not provide honest insights to a serious question? I have no love for the Oilers and the general mindset of their fans, but as a hockey fan I can put those feelings aside and provide my two cents on the topic in a cordial way. There is more to the equation than just E=NG. Sure, it all comes back around to E=NG but helping our northern counterparts understand what goes into the NG can't be a bad thing. Especially when the media just feeds them the "Oilers are unstoppable" narrative. If I was perpetually told that my team was the best, but advanced stats and eye tests told me otherwise I'd be perplexed as to what I was missing. Can we not come off our high-horses from time to time?

In my eyes the system is "Get the puck to Connor/Leon" which I feel undermines the rest of the team. Reducing everyone else's roles to bumper boy for the two saviours demeans these players and shows no trust in their abilities. As djsFlames pointed out, playing Connor and Leon in every conceivable situation with no propensity to allow others to step into a bigger role, other than being the guy who gets the puck bounced off their ass that night, you are breeding fear and low confidence. Also doesn't help that cap management is beyond questionable which really hampers the Oilers abilities to sign quality depth guys.

So in a system where you one guy is demanding the puck, what happens if that guy is not open on the break out? Do you dare pass to anyone else? If so you are breaking from team structure which results in everyone improvising. Unfortunately, no one can keep up with Connor so now he is stranded at the blue line waiting for the play to catch up. Can't imagine that tickles his pickle.

The perfect example of low confidence would be Derek Ryan. On the Flames he wasn't the most flashy guy but was solid anywhere on the ice. He played 10-15 a game and you knew what you would get from him: solid effort and high compete. He is now an oiler, getting played <10 a night and contributes nothing. Some of that could be a symptom of his linemates, but I think it has more to do with confidence and knowing that the Coach believes in you to play the right way and do your job (which he probably isn't getting in Edmonton).

It's funny how the Oilers always come out hot too, really plays into the narrative concocted by the media during pre-season. But I feel that this is due to McD's speed. He is no doubt faster than anyone else on the ice, especially when everyone else has rust to shake off. But once that rust is off (around 20 game mark) the inevitable happens. Teams have a plan for Connor, they are faster than in the early season, and they have their systems hammered out. Edmonton gets blinded due to the fact that their early season strategy (get the puck to Connor) works so well early on that they can't adapt and perfect a new system in time for the playoffs. Doesn't help that whistles go away during the playoffs too... But that is another can of worms.

I would boil the Oilers problems down to depending too heavily on your top guys while undermining the integrity of your other players. Everyone who makes the NHL is really good at hockey, to diminish 75% of your rosters role to "give connor a rest and don't get scored on" or "Get the puck to Connor" can't feel good. Is it any wonder that players excel once they leave Edmonton? Trust from the coaching staff, belief that the team will win out vs the individual, and the freedom to play your game are huge factors in how a player performs on the ice.

Look at Bennett in Calgary (please don't crucify me for bringing him up). He was playing scared and timid due to not having the trust of the coach. He knew he had the ability to play top six hockey but coaches hated his dumb stick infraction penalties. I remember a game where Bennett was slotted in of RW with Johnny and Monny (I was pumped he was getting a chance), first shift took a penalty, immediately benched and on the 4th line. How can a player play free and confident if he has the fear of being benched looming over their heads. Look at him now in Florida, he looks more relaxed and confident in his abilities. Same is true with Edmonton players, if they are gripping their sticks too tight due to fear of being called out over mistakes (Bear) or that they don't have the trust of the coach to go out and play their game then how can any of them play quality hockey. They are so twisted up trying to play flawless hockey that they end up playing garbage hockey.

There is more to unravel in terms of player quality and what not but if the 04 Flames taught me anything its that teams don't have to be elite to go far, just need goaltending and a team fist attitude.

Thank you for coming to my TE(=NG)D Talk.

P.S. stop signing garbage players to insane contracts after they do something cool (Kassian, Kostco, Russel)

[CaptainCrunch]

[GioforPM]

Here's a serious answer. Sutter has talked about having good checking versus playing good D. What I think he means is trying to get the puck back asap. So when the Flames lose the puck in the offesnive end, the work starts immediately. The Oilers get some great offensive chances and when they don't bury them (and even McDavid/Draisatil miss most of their chances), the Oilers tend to just let the puck go to the other side. That's why they are outshot a lot, (by the likes of Seattle no less) and why they rely on goaltending to stop the other team. Lack of pressure up ice = putting your D in trouble a lot and their D can't handle it.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Oilers system is to put Leon and Connor out every possible moment so by end of February Connor looks like his body is decaying away. Stock the rest of the roster with cheap filler and hope for the best.

This is a horrible take.
A fairly large portion of that filler is anything but cheap.

[DionTheDman]

Structure? This is the Edmonton Oilers as a structure.

[Harry Lime]

Dude. Another dude. Then bunch of dudes.

[Boreal]

Originally Posted by Something_Special

I listened to a poster in another thread and I am a realist Oilers fan. I think CGY is honestly the best balanced team in Canada and a top 3 team in the NHL.

Smart fans here. What do you guys see when you watch our team? I see a garbage system IMO and a very bad balanced team.

I see an organization that is corrupted with Groupthink and constantly looking for a short cut.

This is exactly what Holland is.

A short cut.

Just like 4 #1 picks were the last shortcut into a dead end.

The Nurse contract is another dead end.

He’s essentially building the same playoff bubble team he had in Detroit after Lidstrom left.

Two elite forwards with a bunch of plugs, with too many overpaid.

When he was hired the Wings were the only team in the league with a higher cap hit and worse record than Edmonton.

He gets celebrated because the team isn’t a relentless embarrassment and then they get sold by the media as championship pedigree because of McDavid.

It’s a cruel joke and I feel sad for Oiler fans with a brain… until I have to interact with the brainless Oiler supporters who earn every once of failure.

[Bingo]

Others have touched on this, but to me it comes down to commitment, and getting buy in.

Buy in can come from pedigree ... I think Sutter has had that to a certain degree. Players just believe him, and follow mostly because they're scared ####less.

The Oilers don't have two way buy in from their better players, and with that it's pretty hard to get the rest of the team to dig into blood, sweat and tears, when the two elite guys are only playing one way.

McDavid has the 44th worst xGA/60 in the league out of top nine forwards. Kassian is terrible, so to is Draisaitl. With McDavid's speed he should never be that bad defensively, just get back and take someone.

In Calgary the top players have bought in, and are leading the way.

Calgary has 6 players in the top 100 xGA60 forwards (top nine players) in the league.

Tkachuk is 10th
Lindholm 19th
Gaudreau 50th
Coleman 55th
Mangiapane 72nd
Backlund 94th.

That's the entire team's top six in the top 100.

Hard to be a fourth line guy going 3/4 speed when you're top six is busting a nut.

[Dentoman]

Originally Posted by Something_Special

I finally got Knightslayer to post lol. That was my goal. You are getting doxxed buddy lol. Algorithm needed some time. You and your #### takes on Hfboards. Have fun. Sorry to the rest of you.

Seeya later

I thought this thread would end after this post

[CroCop]

Their system…play the ####e outta 97 & 29 and hope for the best!

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by DionTheDman

Structure? This is the Edmonton Oilers as a structure.

[Robbob]

They are a team that is built for the regular season and I think that is the why there is an outcry about officiating from the fanbase and media syncopates. The is a realization that the way the team is built, they will not be able to make much noise in the playoffs. Currently Draisaitl and McDavid sit 5th and 6th for forwards in TOI while playing 3 less games then everyone ahead of them. TOI/GP they are 1st and 2nd. They are about minute more per game then the forwards behind them.

What has to be really concerning for Oiler fans is this is there window open right now. Next year they will have 4 and 3 years left on the 8 year contracts the wonder duo signed. I don't think there is much coming down the pipe that gives them that value contract, which mean they are going to be throwing any money they can find at UFAs. That has been their plan since McDavid got there and they have been spending the majority of the time trying to wait out bad contracts.

[Something_Special]

Originally Posted by Torture

I must say, this is some next level trolling going on here.

How is complimenting a rival trolling? I am literally saying we are flawed. I think that says more about you?

Crapping on your rival feels better than having a convo

[Something_Special]

Originally Posted by Robbob

They are a team that is built for the regular season and I think that is the why there is an outcry about officiating from the fanbase and media syncopates. The is a realization that the way the team is built, they will not be able to make much noise in the playoffs. Currently Draisaitl and McDavid sit 5th and 6th for forwards in TOI while playing 3 less games then everyone ahead of them. TOI/GP they are 1st and 2nd. They are about minute more per game then the forwards behind them.

What has to be really concerning for Oiler fans is this is there window open right now. Next year they will have 4 and 3 years left on the 8 year contracts the wonder duo signed. I don't think there is much coming down the pipe that gives them that value contract, which mean they are going to be throwing any money they can find at UFAs. That has been their plan since McDavid got there and they have been spending the majority of the time trying to wait out bad contracts.

It's not even about officiating. I think it's embarrassing when we cry about it (I also think we get shafted). Auston Matthews has not drew a call this year at 5 on 5. I haven't heard a peep out of Toronto.