With big Free agent signings and the rising of promising prospects hockey fans all over the nation are greatly anticipating the return of the battle of Alberta. Lets compare depth charts to see how this could play out next season.
Legend:
Green - advantage
Red - disadvantage
Blue - similar
OILERS:
Hall - Nuge - Eberle
Pouliot - McDavid - Yakupov
Korpikoski - Letestu - Purcell
Hendricks - Lander - Klinkhammer
Pitlick - Draisaitl Gazdic
Klefbom - Sekera
Shultz - Fayne
Reinhart - Gryba
Ference - Nurse
Nikitin - Davidson
Talbot
Scrivens
Nilsson
FLAMES:
Gaudreau - Monahan - Hudler
Raymond - Backlund - Frolik
Bouma - Stajan - Jones
Bennet - Granlund - Colborne
Jooris - Shore - Byron
Bollig - Grant - Ferland
Hamilton - Giordano
Widemen - Brodie
Russel - Smid
Engelland - Potter
Hiller
Ramo
Forwards: Advantage- Oilers, Calgary has a deeper forward core than Edmonton, however their top 6 doesn't come close to the talent of Edmonton's. The Oilers have the advantage in this category
Defence: Advantage- Flames, boy this was easy. Calgary's second pairing is arguably better than Edmonton's 1st pairing. They also have one of the best defensive cores in the NHL. Edmonton doesn't even compare, So the Flames have a big advantage in this category
Goalie: Advantage- Flames, Calgary will again ride this season with the 1A 1B option of Hiller and Ramo. While Edmonton is hoping Talbot can bring similar numbers over from New York. Calgary's goalies will be playing in front of a stronger D-core and have much more stability with having confidence in throwing in Ramo if Hiller is struggling, So the Flames get the advantage here too.
Oilers
Forwards Strengths: Top six skill, Bottom six size
Forwards Weaknesses: Top six size, Bottom six scoring
Defence Strengths: Depth,
Defence Weaknesses: Not enough top pairing dmen
Goalie Strengths: Potential
Goalie Weaknesses: Stability, Not proven
Flames
Forwards Strengths: Depth, Scoring throughout the lineup
Forwards Weaknesses: Top Six (shouldn't be considered a weakness, but is their weakest part)
Defence Strengths: Top six, depth
Weakness: Not much at all, maybe size
Goalies Strengths: Depth
Goalies Weakness: Could use a stronger number 1, but still have a strong goalie tandem.
Final Verdict: Flames ultimately have the better roster, However it will be a much closer battle of Alberta. The Oilers could be as close as a top 2 defencemen and a 1A 1B goalie tandem from being the stronger team. Nonetheless these two teams are on the rise and Alberta may not be far away from having two of the best teams in the NHL.
Adam Girard
Writer/Co-founder - OILERS INSIDERS
Forwards Strengths: Top six skill, Bottom six size
Forwards Weaknesses: Top six size, Bottom six scoring
Defence Strengths: Depth,
Defence Weaknesses: Not enough top pairing dmen
Goalie Strengths: Potential
Goalie Weaknesses: Stability, Not proven
Flames
Forwards Strengths: Depth, Scoring throughout the lineup
Forwards Weaknesses: Top Six (shouldn't be considered a weakness, but is their weakest part)
Defence Strengths: Top six, depth
Weakness: Not much at all, maybe size
Goalies Strengths: Depth
Goalies Weakness: Could use a stronger number 1, but still have a strong goalie tandem.
Final Verdict: Flames ultimately have the better roster, However it will be a much closer battle of Alberta. The Oilers could be as close as a top 2 defencemen and a 1A 1B goalie tandem from being the stronger team. Nonetheless these two teams are on the rise and Alberta may not be far away from having two of the best teams in the NHL.
Adam Girard
Writer/Co-founder - OILERS INSIDERS
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