The Edmonton Oilers Have Major Decisions Coming This Offseason
On the May 9th edition of TFP Hotstove on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio with Dave Pagnotta, Dennis Bernstein, and Ryan Paton, they discuss the changes coming to the Edmonton Oilers.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
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Dennis Bernstein: “You think they’re changing coaches in Edmonton.”
Ryan Paton: “I was going to get to that he’s because he’s going into it the first year of a new contract.”
Dave Pagnotta: “He is, and I don’t think Daryl Katz gives a crap. I think the owner is ticked off at how things have gone this season. Even though we kind of knew what we, and I know we talked about this on the show all season, that we expected some regression from the Oilers. I don’t think we all expected a first round but…”
Bernstein: “I expect Connor McDavid to talk. To call his team average.”
Pagnotta: “Right? There will be a lot of changes to the Oilers now. I think they are considering a coaching change. I believe there will be some additional changes off the ice to this team over the next two months. They’re definitely talking about it. They’re thinking about it. They’re evaluating their situation. And then they got roster decisions to make.
Are they going to go after Jordan Binnington? Are they going to go after Filip Gustavsson, who’s got a full no-move? Are they going to go after Connor Hellebuyck, who’s got a full no-move? I can’t imagine the (Winnipeg) Jets would want to do that to Edmonton. But goaltending aside, they got to shore up the blue line. Darnell Nurse‘s name is and was out there ahead of the deadline. It will be out there again this offseason. They have to find a top-line winger, which seems to be a priority.”
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Paton: “Keep going, and that’s a long list, Dave.”
Bernstein: “There are holes on the team. There are a lot of holes on the team.”
Pagnotta: “Third line center. Are they gonna keep (Jason) Dickinson or bring in somebody else? They got to shore up the fourth line. Michael McCarron would be great for that. Like, I mean, he’s in Minny (Minnesota) right now, but that calibre player would work for the fourth line of the Oilers. There’s a lot of freaking work that needs to be done there.”
NHLRumors.com Note: The Edmonton Oilers have a lot of work to do this off-season. GM Stan Bowman is on the clock with Connor McDavid. He has to make up for past mistakes. And it is not just Bowman; it was prior management and CEO Jeff Jackson as well. This roster is poorly constructed.
There are many holes to fill, and Bowman hopes to keep Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy. He’d better consider what he gave up for them. However, until the Oilers start playing team defence, they will be strong. Doesn’t matter who the goalie or coach is. The players have to buy into whatever system they are playing.
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