Oilers Beat Kraken, Halfway Expectations, Corey Perry Talk, and More...
The Oilers make another comeback. Is this good news or a problem?
Welcome to the THW Edmonton Oilers Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Oilers writers.
The Edmonton Oilers faced a tough test against the Seattle Kraken and won again, making it 12 in a row. How good is this team and are they above expectations at the halfway point?
Meanwhile, is Corey Perry a real option for the group? And, is there another trade out there as good as the Ekholm trade was last season?
Enjoy today’s edition. There’s a lot to take in…
Oilers Sit 3rd in Pacific After Beating Kraken For 12th Straight Win
January 19, 2024 by Brian Swane
The Edmonton Oilers’ franchise-record winning streak reached 12 games with a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Kraken at Rogers Place on Thursday (Jan. 18). Warren Foegele scored twice while Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman each had a goal for the Oilers, who rallied after Eeli Tolvanen and Jared McCann had staked Seattle to a 2-0 first period lead.
Revisiting Oilers Player Expectations at Season’s Halfway Point
January 19, 2024 by Rob Couch
Coming into the 2023-24 season, nobody expected the start the Edmonton Oilers had. That is all in the past now, as the team has won 12 games in a row and are 22-6-0 since Kris Knoblauch has taken over as head coach. The horrible start was much more surprising than these long-win streaks the Oilers have gone on. While it is a team game, individuals are underperforming, meeting expectations, and exceeding them all the same.
Corey Perry Considering Signing With Edmonton Oilers
January 18, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
This season, the Edmonton Oilers have gone from the bottom of the league standings to fighting their way back into a Western Conference Wild Card spot. Recently, there was more good news, as the team has been connected to veteran forward Corey Perry. It has been reported the 38-year-old is interested in signing with the club.
Perry was recently given NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman’s permission to return to the league, making him free to sign with any team. His contract was terminated by the Chicago Blackhawks earlier this season following an incident they deemed detrimental to the organization and violated their code of conduct. With permission to return, several teams will likely be interested in his services.
In 16 games with the Blackhawks before being terminated, Perry scored four goals and added five assists for nine points and was minus-5.
Oilers’ Potential Trades That Can Match the Ekholm Robbery
January 18, 2024 by Rob Couch
While the Oilers have turned their season around having found themselves on a 10-game winning streak, the Blue Jackets have continued to struggle as of late. While they won their last game against the red-hot Vancouver Canucks, that was their first win in their last four games played, and they sit last in the Metropolitan Division with a 14-21-9 record. After the win against the Canucks, Elvis Merzlikins made headlines after clarifying he had requested a trade from the Blue Jackets after months of being underutilized.
Other Good Oilers’ Reads:
Mark Messier – NHL Legend and 6-Time Stanley Cup Winner
January 18, 2024 by Jeff Seide
Oilers’ 3 Up, 3 Down: Winning Streak, McLeod & More
January 18, 2024 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
Marc-Andre Fleury Seen as Mentor for Oilers’ Skinner in Trade Talk
January 18, 2024 by Jim Parsons