Edmonton had one of their best seasons in recent memory this past year. The Oilers finished second in the Pacific Division and had a stellar run this postseason. They had made it all the way to the Western Conference Final for the first time since 1992. Unfortunately for them, they were swept by the eventual champions the Colorado Avalanche. Despite this heartbreaking loss, the Oilers are looking to make another push for a championship run.
The key pieces of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Darnell Nurse are still on the team and ready for another run. With a solid roster at their backs, the Oilers are more ready than ever. They didn’t have quite the off-season like other teams in their division, but they managed to address one of their most important needs. Goaltending.
The Oilers signed Jack Campbell to a five-year contract on July 13th and is expected to be the number one goalie for the team, replacing Mike Smith, who has not decided if he will be back next season. Campbell went 31-9-6 with a 2.64 goals-against average, .914 save percentage and five shutouts in 49 games (47 starts) last season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. During the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he had a less stellar 3.15 GAA, .897 save percentage and one shutout. Despite those numbers, Campbell brings necessary talent to a position the Oilers have been seeking to improve for multiple seasons now. Given the importance of goaltending for the club, how Campbell fares will have a major impact on how the Oilers will do in their pursuit for a divisional title during the regular season and a run for the Stanley Cup in the playoffs. He fits their timeline and has proven after his move from the Los Angeles Kings to the Leafs that he can truly maintain a starting role. And for the Oilers, that’s all they need. Goaltending that can remain solid through tight games and allow the high octane offense led by McDavid and Draisaitl to take over games and crush their opponents.
This addition could be what finally pushes the Oilers to the next level. General Manager Ken Holland stated on his vision for the team, “We’re trying to build something. Certainly, when I came here the nucleus was here and we’re trying to build around that nucleus, trying to get deeper, trying to get more dimensions to our hockey club. I feel good we went to the final four last year, I feel good we made the playoffs three years in a row, and the ultimate goal is to win the Stanley Cup.”
Aside from Campbell, the team that got to the final four is largely intact. That just leaves all the returning Oilers that much more eager to take another step next season. Mike Smith appears destined for LTIR, Duncan Keith retired and Zack Kassian was dispatched to rid the organization of a bad contract. Much of the available cap space went to re-signing winger Evander Kane and defenseman Brett Kulak. Evander Kane was a sneaky add for the squad that adds necessary goal-scoring talent around their stars. Him locking up that contract adds a winger to the team the top six have been desperately looking for to pair with their stars. The Oilers are still in the market for a right winger who can play alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, and another depth defenseman. . Forward Jesse Puljujarvi could get another opportunity at that spot this season after signing a one-year contract. Assuming he takes that next step, the Oilers could be looking scary and ready to dominate the Pacific Division. This team has looked as lethal as ever and could finally be the one that takes a title. For years the Oilers have been slowly scavenging for talent to pair around their core and they finally looked to have accomplished their goal. This team showed they can be part of the best of the West, and I could definitely see them trying to give Colorado another good run for their money next summer.
.