NHL Rumors: "No Sense Of Panic" Among Oilers Despite Rough Start

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Darren Dreger of TSN reports that, despite the Edmonton Oilers' sluggish 1-3 start to the 2024-25 season, there is "no sense of panic" within the organization. 

While frustration is mounting among fans, Oilers management remains confident that the team will bounce back. Dreger emphasized that "nobody actually believes the Oilers are going to remain on the carpet in the Pacific Division," pointing to the team's overall talent and track record. 

Management views the early struggles as a collective issue, rather than pointing fingers at any specific area, and they believe it's too early to make any drastic changes.

The Oilers’ challenges have been widespread, with their top line of Connor McDavid, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins struggling to find their rhythm, generating just 42.7 percent of expected goals at 5-on-5. 

Defensive concerns have also surfaced, as head coach Kris Knoblauch has already experimented with five different pairings. 

Despite these issues, Dreger highlighted the availability of veteran defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk as a potential solution, though he expressed surprise that GM Stan Bowman has not yet pursued the 35-year-old, who is eager to chase another Stanley Cup.

Special teams, particularly the penalty kill, have also contributed to the Oilers’ slow start, but Dreger stressed that management remains focused on long-term success. 

"There’s no sense of panic," Dreger reiterated, noting that the Oilers faced similar struggles last season before making a deep playoff run.

Photo Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images



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