EDMONTON, Alberta — Nearly a year ago, the Edmonton Oilers faced a rocky start to their season, losing 10 of their first 13 games, which led to the dismissal of coach Jay Woodcroft.
Kris Knoblauch took the helm as the new coach, steering the team back on track as they surged into the playoffs. They emerged from the Western Conference but ultimately fell to the Florida Panthers in a dramatic Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Now, the Oilers find themselves in a disappointing position at the start of the new season, having lost their first three games on a homestand and being outscored 15-3. This is quite a surprise for a team widely favored to win the championship. When asked if he notices parallels to last season’s early struggles, Knoblauch replied, “When I arrived, the frustration was evident. It’s still early, just three games in, but I can sense that frustration—it’s not as intense as before, but we definitely need to address our current issues.”
Despite having star players Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, the Oilers have managed to net just two even-strength goals so far. Their power play has registered a mere one goal in three outings, with just five opportunities and conceding five goals on the opposing power play.
Throughout discussions, a common term surfaced repeatedly: “Disconnected.”
McDavid articulated this sentiment, stating, “We’re losing too many battles and getting outplayed in various aspects. Our puck handling has been subpar, with errors such as fumbled pucks and poor passing—it simply isn’t acceptable.”
The Oilers have lost key contributors to their penalty kill from last season, including Ryan McLeod, who was traded to Buffalo, and Warren Foegele, who signed with Los Angeles. Additionally, defensemen Cody Ceci and Vincent Desharnais are no longer with the team.
New additions like Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson are aimed at enhancing scoring on the second line. However, the departures of Foegele, McLeod, and forward Dylan Holloway have stripped the team of some of its speed. Adding to their challenges, the Oilers are now the oldest team in the NHL, with an average player age exceeding 30.
Veteran Ryan Nugent-Hopkins noted, “There may be a period of adjustment with the new faces added to the team. I believe it’s not primarily about the new players but rather about reconnecting with the fundamentals that strengthen our penalty kill. We might be a bit tentative in our strategies, but as the season progresses, that will become second nature again.”
Knoblauch acknowledged that many of the team’s issues could be worked on during practice, stating, “We need to play with greater urgency. Following a season like last year, expectations are high, but we might be lacking that sense of desperation. This game revolves around urgency, and currently, it’s something we aren’t exhibiting.”
The Oilers played over the weekend and will face the Flyers on Tuesday, followed by matchups against Nashville on Thursday and Dallas on Saturday.
Confident that a turnaround is possible, McDavid asserted, “We are not quitters, and we’ve never been. Starting the season with three consecutive losses isn’t ideal, but it’s a challenge we know we can overcome.”