Oilers Get a Break, Scouts Watching Blue Jackets, More Trade Talk
Welcome to the THW Edmonton Oilers Substack newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Oilers writers.
The Edmonton Oilers beat the Winnipeg Jets to earn a fourth-straight win. Now, they have a long break before getting back into action. It’s not ideal timing for a hot team, but it gives the Oilers a chance to work on possible trades or get a closer look at goalie options.
Let’s take a look at some options for the team as they rest up.
** Special Note: Next week’s live game chat will start right around puck drop. Hope you can wait that long :)
Connor McDavid’s Recent Play Has Oilers Back on Track
December 2, 2023 by Dale Bochon
It’s no coincidence that as Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid’s health has improved, so has his game, and so have the fortunes of the Oilers. On Nov. 19, McDavid was languishing in 108th place in NHL scoring. In the span of ten days, McDavid scored 16 points and shot up to 10th place in NHL scoring. While his team rattled off a 4-2 record including four straight victories to close out the month of November.
It looks like McDavid has shaken off his early season injury woes, and it feels like it’s just a matter of time before he takes over the NHL scoring race. If he continues his torrid pace, he could be there at the end of December, and he could be carrying his team on his back into a wild card playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Oilers Still in on Habs’ Montembeault After Extension
December 2, 2023 by Rob Couch
Although it seems like the Edmonton Oilers have honed in on the Columbus Blue Jackets and what they have to offer in terms of potential players at any position, you can’t count Edmonton out from still pursuing a goalie on the Montreal Canadiens.
It may have been believed that Sam Montembeault was the target for the Oilers all along from the Canadiens and three Oilers’ scouts were at the game between the Canadiens and Blue Jackets on Nov. 29. Maybe the asking price was too high for Montembeault before his new contract extension. He was going to be an unrestricted free agent (UFA) at the end of this season until signing for three years at $3.15 million AAV.
Oilers’ Defense Could Be Improved With Adam Boqvist Acquisition
December 2, 2023 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
The Edmonton Oilers have had lackluster defensive play to start the 2023-24 season and have been looking to fix their issues in any way they can without overspending for temporary assets this season. The team currently sits at 9-12-1 and remains near the bottom of the Pacific Division following a terrible start to their new campaign, but they’ve seemingly begun to turn their play around under a new coach. While they still have a lot of work to do before they can be considered a playoff team again, there are a few options around the league on the blue line that could help the team improve their defensive play, and one of those players is Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Adam Boqvist.
Oilers’ Philip Broberg Should be Moved to Forward
December 2, 2023 by Sean Panganiban
Edmonton Oilers’ defenceman Philip Broberg was the first player chosen by general manager (GM) Ken Holland when he took charge of the Oilers, selecting him with the eighth pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.
The Athletic’s Allan Mitchell hints that Broberg is likely the odd man out and could be the trade chip that fetches a needed piece to the puzzle, yet the Oilers could benefit from an outside-the-box approach before moving him and try him at a different position.
More Worth Reading:
Oilers Can Bolster Depth in Kostin Trade With Red Wings
December 1, 2023 by Jesse Courville-Lynch
Insider Says Oilers F “Sticks Out Like Sore Thumb” in Trade Buzz
November 30, 2023 by Jim Parsons