The Edmonton Oilers fan base has experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows of the past decade in the calendar year 2017. A 103-point regular season, followed by a playoff series win against the San Jose Sharks and a seven-game thriller against the Anaheim Ducks. It seems like five years ago, it was in fact 2017. Losing is exhausting, that’s a fact.
In summer, we discussed the coming season in terms of tweaks and what was needed to make that next step. Although the big news stories of summer were about long-term contracts for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the nuts and bolts of procurement included Kris Russell’s signing and the trade of Jordan Eberle for Ryan Strome.
I think Peter Chiarelli decided to audition right-wingers and to muddle through on defense until Andrej Sekera could return. That’s the only reasonable conclusion that can be drawn from this past summer’s activity. Understand, I’m not criticizing it, just stating what I believe to be fact. It’s interesting then to read his reaction to the first 19 games of the 2017-18 season.
- Peter Chiarelli: “We have to get some traction in terms of winning just one game or losing just one. (The) takeaway is general disappointment. There’s your headline.” Source
Among folks who write about the Oilers on a regular basis who are outsiders, I’m probably the most supportive of Peter Chiarelli as general manager. I’ll point to the Reinhart, Hall and Eberle trades as negatively impacting this team, but will also point out Cam Talbot (that was a major trade, although it seems to be framed as a small addition), Patrick Maroon and other moves helped the team.
That said, the quote above seems to run counter to the way Peter Chiarelli set up this club. In acquiring Ryan Strome as a mirror man for Leon Draisaitl (playing C when LD is RW and vice versa) and not adding a more veteran RW, he clearly (at least a little) opened up opportunities for Anton Slepyshev, Drake Caggiula, Jesse Puljujarvi and Kailer Yamamoto.
So, I get the idea of general disappointment, but this was a possibility based on the summer’s decisions, right? Mr. Chiarelli went on to say he still believes in this team and that rhymes with his summer moves. But that quote above has me thinking.
If you construct a roster based on several auditions, and the first 20 games include significant failure, can you be disappointed? Is that enough of a sample size? Do you have a right to be disappointed? I’m honestly not sure you do, unless you’re disappointed injuries didn’t allow men like Anton Slepyshev and Drake Caggiula to compete.
Lineups
Oilers
***Updated****
Maroon-McDavid-Caggiula
Lucic-RNH-Draisaitl
Cammalleri-Strome-Puljujarvi
Khaira-Letestu-Kassian
Nurse-Larsson
Klefbom-Benning
Russell-Gryba
Talbot
There haven’t been any announcements for the Oilers line combinations yet, but we do know that Connor McDavid and Oscar Klefbom both missed yesterday’s practice due to illness. We’ll update the lines as they get announced.
Stars
Janmark-Benn-Radulov
Smith-Seguin-Shore
Eli-Hanzal-Spezza
Roussel-Faksa-Pitlick
Lindell-Klingberg
Oleksiak-Johns
Hamhuis-Pateryn
Bishop
Lineups (subject to change) are courtesy of DailyFaceoff.com
What they’re Saying
From Blackout Dallas:
The Dallas Stars are in an evident bind and it’s all because of a lack of committing to change. They lose, talk about why they lost, and then seem to do the same thing over again in the next game.
Something needs to change. They know that just as much as everyone watching knows. It takes a lot to bring a whole team to committing to change. But once that is accomplished, things turn around quick.
TONIGHT
![](https://i2.wp.com/dev1.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/gdb11.jpg?resize=584%2C511&ssl=1)
GAME DAY PREDICTION: Dallas brings a lot of energy early and the Oilers react in an undisciplined fashion. The Stars score a power-play goal (Jamie Benn) and it’s 1-0 home side after one period.
OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: The second period sees the Oilers come to life and Connor McDavid goes end to end to tie it. No other scoring and it’s 1-1 after two.
NOT-SO-OBVIOUS GAME DAY PREDICTION: The third period features some damned good hockey and great goaltending by Cam Talbot. Edmonton scores a flukey goal (Zack Kassian off the 8-ball and in) midway through the period and Kris Russell scores an empty netter. Oilers win, 3-1, in Dallas! Take that, Mike Modano!
GDB BROUGHT TO YOU BY SHERBROOKE LIQUOR
Take home a growler, a crowler, a sixer, a mixer, whatever. Sherbrooke Liquor. Where’s Your Beer?
Source: NHL.com, Official Game Page, 11/18/2017, 12:00pm MST
FFS. !
!
Drai hasn’t scored one P.P. goal yet?! 8.5 million cap hit?! Gross overpay.
Talbot flopping around like a trout.
Can we get ONE save?
Flames Epic comeback Victory!!!Monahan Hat trick 4 point afternoon !! Monahans on pace for 45-50 Goals
As usual, celebrating a meaningless victory. Your team is also bad and going nowhere, again. If all that exited you is “we are better than your team” then reevaluate your life. Both teams suck.
Brutal third period. Outshot 10-3 at one point when you’re behind?
This team looks like they’ve quit.
#fallinfordahlin
Fire McLellan.
Ok willy. Why don’t u and all the trolls from both teams meet at a playground and settle this – bring your daddy’s so u can figure out who’s dad can beat up other dads. I am good no to assume that all the trolls are adult – aged. Everyone start acting like it It makes for better nation sites. Trash away children !
Hey I usually play nice, but Batman has been unusually obnoxious today so I just had to come rub it in a bit. ?
But if it makes you feel better, I’m out now! Peace out!???
Yup! Batman has been constantly babbling trash on Flames site & I never come on an Oiler site but that goof motivated me enough to come here & enjoy the misery. Personally I thought you guys have endured enough, & last thing I would do is go throw stones at the rivals when things finally start to seem to turn around. But Batman……something about karma. & Batman this looks good on you clown! & like Willy, I’m out & my apology to all the decent Oiler fans there are here.
He trolls here as much as anywhere else and you guys can’t exactly claim innocence. Three or four different flames trolls who somehow make it to almost every game thread.
Man, Lucic is a steal at a million per season. Wait, what?
We have had some bad teams in the last 10 years, but this is the most disappointing, these guys are terrible!
Not sure where the heck the organization goes from here. Unless they can get in a run – which is doubtful- I am at a loss of where they go from here. Wow
Broissot in on Tuesday, we are not beating anyone this road trip anyways.
Our PP looks like it stands for perimeter passing. Poor zone coverage. Giveaways. Goalie woes. Sloppy playing two games in a row. …at least the PK looked good.
I hate being right 🙁
And I don’t want to hear ONE sad excuse of the “afternoon game” that’s just stupid, lame and it’s the same for both teams on the ice.
At least let’s hold them accountable: they suck, period.
Pass the beets.
hahahaha the box score pretty much sums up what every Oil fan thought of Chiarellis offseason. Lets not try to improve anywhere, and just let Connor bring us wins. Looking at what could have been if Chia hadn’t come in a f**ked everything up… Its actually such a shame. Oilers easily could have been a dynasty with a core of McDavid, Drai, Hall, Barzal, Klefbom and Nurse.
Don’t get too upset though, Chia said yesterday that he still believes in this team, despite their bottom 3 record in the league.
Steaming hot pile of excrement….
Talbot 6 , Oilers 3 .
**8 Talbot 6. McDavid 3
*** Talbot 6. McDavid 3
Bodies continue to splatter as they leap from the bandwagon!
Out of curiosity.
When do magic beans usually germinate?