Why Todd McLellan might be the Perfect Candidate for the Oilers

With the Oilers winning the Mcdavid sweepstakes just a few days ago it means that it is time for management to get their act together and prove that they mean business. Hiring Todd McLellan would do just that. McLellan is an experienced coach that has paid his dues working in many leagues like the Western Hockey League and American Hockey League, as well as winning a cup as Mike Babcocks assistant coach in 2008. The following year McLellan got a head coaching gig with the San Jose Sharks. A gig that would see him lead the sharks to the playoffs each and every year since the 2008/09 season except this most recent one, along with one presidents trophy.

McLellan is a coach who would never consider the Oilers a few years ago, but now we have a McDavid. The next NHL superstar surrounded by a bunch of young talented players like Hall, Eberle, Yakupov, Nugent-Hopkins, Shultz, and Nurse just to name a few. Who wouldn't want to coach a team that is potentially the next dynasty if its managed right.

McLellan also had a legitimate goaltender last season. A goaltender who just so happens to be a free agent this summer. Depending on their relationship, McLellan could help the Oilers lure Antti Niemi to Edmonton. Now I know Niemi is no game changer, but he is a significant upgrade from Scrivens, and since he is a free agent we wouldn't have to worry about giving up someone from our young core to get a starting goaltender. Annti Niemi would be the first bonafide goalie Edmonton has seen in a long time. 

Now, obviously this isn't a decision the Oilers should make today. I'd suggest they make that decision after a few more big name coaches are relieved of their duties, or a bit after the Men's World Hockey Championships  A tournament which McLellan is coaching team Canada, and Hall, Eberle, and Shultz are all playing under him. So the Oilers will defiantly talk to their players participating at the Worlds. This will allow the Oilers to learn how some of their top players like McLellans coaching style before they even offer him a job. So we know that if the Oilers hire Mclellan they will be very confident in their decision.

I feel bad for Nelson in this situation, he did a great job and deserves to be a coach in the National Hockey League, and I believe he'll get there one day. However the Oilers can't pass up this opportunity to hire an experienced coach like McLellan or one of the other big names that could be available this off-season. It would show that we are committed to taking the next steps toward becoming a successful organization. A lot of people are tired changing coaches almost every year, however if we land a coach like McLellan it would be a long time before we decide we need to replace him.

Get ready to hear a lot about Todd Mclellan. He will be very high on the Oilers radar. There is a very good chance he could be working the bench for Edmonton next season.

5 Reasons the Oilers Aren't a Playoff Team this Season

Most of us aren't very happy that another season involving the Oilers missing the playoffs for the 9th consecutive year is finally coming to a close. There are many reasons why the Oilers summer is starting early. I've narrowed it down to the 5 biggest reasons the Oilers won't be participating in the postseason and are again stuck at the bottom this season.

5. Lack of Veteran presence

With an average age of 26.236 the Edmonton Oilers are the second youngest team in the NHL. It doesn't help either that none of our top players are older than 24. Unless you consider Derick Roy and Benoit Pouliot top players which I most defiantly do not. Roy and Pouliot are doing great, however they are barely impact players on cup contending teams. We have some older players in the depth roles of our defence. However we don't have a good top two veteran defencemen to carry the load. The Oilers are losing many games because we are forced  to rely heavily on our young stars due to the lack of veteran presence in our top roles. Mac T has done an alright job in bringing depth role veterans in our lineup. He's still gonna have to make a splash this summer and bring in veterans that can help our young stars carry this team to the postseason.

4. Lack of size in our top roles and consistent physical play

The Edmonton Oilers are playing in the heaviest, hard-checking division in hockey. They need more size and consistent checking throughout the game. The Oilers beat the Kings last Tuesday because they were the more physical team. They were hitting everything in sight against a team that usually pushes them around like a junior team. The Oilers have one of the smallest top lines in the NHL. They are bound to have troubles being successful against the big teams of the West. Our 3rd and 4th lines are getting bigger and starting pushing back against larger teams. If we can start to integrate big top line players into are system it shouldn't be long until we see some playoff action in oil country.

3. 2nd Line not up to par with NHL powerhouses

The Oilers active second line consist of Purcell - Roy - Yakupov. However when the Oilers are injury free their second line is usually Pouliot - Roy - Yakupov. This is a very very good 3RD LINE and a below average 2nd. It is pretty close though, in a few years Draisaitl will take over the 2nd line centre role so they are really only one accusation away. Depending on who they draft this year could also potentially upgrade our second line significantly. Although, Mac T should not focus on acquiring players for our top 6 forward crop this off season. Unless they come as part of package deal involving a top defencemen or legitimate starting goaltender. Those issues are much more severe than our 2nd line problems.

2. Horrendous defence core 

Our defencive core does not even consist of one top two defencemen. Some may argue that Justin Shultz is a top 2 NHL defencemen. He defiantly has the potential to be, However he needs someone else to do the heavy lifting. Justin Shultz could become an outstanding line mate to support a large skilled defencemen. Marincin still is does not look ready for the NHL. You could likely make a very long video of mishaps and turnovers made by young Oilers defencemen this season. Although it may not seem like it our depth is coming along nicely. We are mainly just missing a strong top 2 defencemen to carry the load.

1. Goaltending

The Oilers average less shots against per game than both the Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks. Yet they are still dead last in goals against per game. It has been an extremely long time since the Oilers have seen a true number one goalie in their system. Scrivens, Bachman, and Fasth just aren't gonna cut it if we plan on ever being competitive. Mac T has got to lay all his cards on the table this summer  to insure start next season with a proven starter that can put the team on his shoulders and steal those tough games like a good starter does. We have a few great rookies in our system but they are still quite a few years away from being starters in the big leagues. So the Oilers are going to have to seek help by acquiring a proven goaltender through  free agency or a trade.

Solving Oilers Goalies Woes

It's no secret that Edmonton easily has possibly the worst goalie combos in the NHL, and that changes need to be made this offseason if we expect to compete in the future. Here are two goalies that will give the Oilers the strongest goaltending they've had in over a decade:

Karri Lehtonen (DAL), backed up by Matt O'Connor (Boston University)

Why the Oilers should Pursue them?

Lehtonen: The Dallas Stars have been becoming disgruntled with weak goals and the at times inconsistent play of Karri Lehtotonen and may be lookimg for someone different inbetween the pipes this season. However, Lehtonen is a flashy goalie that can steal games at times, and puts up good numbers. Which is exactly what this current Oilers roster needs. He is also a proven starter which we have been looking to aquire for as long as I can remember.

O'Connor: A goalie like Karri Lehtonen needs a steady backup, and Boston University goalie  Matt O'Connor is only 2-3 seasons away from becoming a solid NHL regular and would be a perfect backup for next season. He put up unbelievable numbers in college. If he's not quite ready for NHL competion Richard Bachman could backup also, and O'Connor could come up whenever there is an injury.

What would it take to get them?

Lehtonen: A possible trade proposal to Dallas that may work although it would take some guts for Mactavish to go through with could be: Eberle or Yakupov for Karri Lehtonen, Jamie Oleksiak ( 6'7 241 pound defencemen drafted 14th overall in 2011), and either a conditional 2nd round pick or a depth roster player. Other otions could include a high end prospect and and Fasth plus 3rd rounder for just Lehtonen.

O'Connor: as much cash as we can give him and a boatland of promises.

What would hold them back?

Lehtonen: The Stars would only deal Lehtonen if they had someone to replace him, and the Oilers don't have anyone that would do that. So we have to hope they pursure other options like signing Niemi or trading for someone else. It is also unknown if Dallas would be willing to ship his talents to a conference rival.

O'Connor: The only thing that would stop us from signing O'Connor would be the amount of teams interested in his services. His agent has stated that O'Connor would like to recieve imediate playing time. The Oilers and Sabres are considered the frontrunners in the Boston University goalie sweepstakes, since they are a few of the only teams that currently have room for him on their rosters.

Other available options:

Antti Niemi (FA): The far from flashy goaltender is arguably the best available goaltender on the market this offseason, in contention with Devan Dubnyk (I'm sorry). He could offer consistent play and good numbers if we provide him with a better defensive roster than what we have now.

Karri Ramo (FA): Put up great numbers this season in Calgary and proved he can win games at the NHL level, him and Niemi would provide a solid goaltending pair.

Mike Smith (Trade): It's unknown if Arizona will be open to trading him but they may be looking to move him for key prospects and picks to start their rebuild. The coyotes have a couple of very good goalie prospects in their system. Some of you may remember Mark Visentin from Team Canada's IIHF World Junior team a few years ago. If we made some significant upgrades to our defence core, and Smith finds his groove, he could help us reach the success we have been looking to achieve for some time now.

Cam Ward (Trade): similiar situation as Smith except it is clear that Carolina is open to trading Ward. A little confidence boost and a change of scenery along with an upgraded Oilers defence core could help bring back a Cam Ward all us Oilers fans remember too well from 2OO6.

Cam Talbot (FA): The rangers backup put up absolutley unbelievable numbers when coming in for the injured Lundqvist. However this was during a short amount of time so I wouldn't  go any farther than backup position for him. Hopefully with time he could turn into a consintent NHL starter for a long time to come.