This article is part of our Team Previews series.
When you think about the Edmonton Oilers, what is the first thought that comes to mind? Is it Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and all of the great squads of the mid- to late-1980s? That would be a fair answer. Or perhaps it's the teams of more recent years, which have stockpiled top-five draft picks but still seem to be skating in mud. In sum, the Oilers have been a tale of two generations. This once-proud franchise has been down for far too long despite possessing some of the best young talent in the game and a top line that most organizations would love to call their own.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, and Jordan Eberle have the requisite skills to become one of the best lines in hockey, if not the best. Eberle already looks like an annual 30-goal scorer. Hall, on the other hand, may not hit 30 goals, but he will be close to that mark while racking up around 50 assists. And finally, while Nugent Hopkins' offensive numbers weren't quite what we expected in his first fulll NHL season, they should only get better over time. This line truly has the potential to dominate a game at any moment.
The second line, however, could have some issues with David Perron and Teddy Purcell or Nail Yakupov on the wings, and a center also to be determined. Without depth, you don't have much of an offense, no matter how good the top line is. The Oilers will
When you think about the Edmonton Oilers, what is the first thought that comes to mind? Is it Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and all of the great squads of the mid- to late-1980s? That would be a fair answer. Or perhaps it's the teams of more recent years, which have stockpiled top-five draft picks but still seem to be skating in mud. In sum, the Oilers have been a tale of two generations. This once-proud franchise has been down for far too long despite possessing some of the best young talent in the game and a top line that most organizations would love to call their own.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, and Jordan Eberle have the requisite skills to become one of the best lines in hockey, if not the best. Eberle already looks like an annual 30-goal scorer. Hall, on the other hand, may not hit 30 goals, but he will be close to that mark while racking up around 50 assists. And finally, while Nugent Hopkins' offensive numbers weren't quite what we expected in his first fulll NHL season, they should only get better over time. This line truly has the potential to dominate a game at any moment.
The second line, however, could have some issues with David Perron and Teddy Purcell or Nail Yakupov on the wings, and a center also to be determined. Without depth, you don't have much of an offense, no matter how good the top line is. The Oilers will hope that 2014 first-round draft pick Leon Draisaitl will be ready to make the jump to the NHL this season to anchor that second line, but that may be asking for too much for him to handle as a rookie.
Perhaps the more intriguing question is what will happen with Yakupov this season. As a former No. 1 overall draft pick, Yakupov came to Edmonton with a ton of expectations, but he has yet to realize any of them. Over his 111-game career with the Oilers, he's only netted 28 goals and 27 assists. Even more alarming was his whopping minus-33 rating last season. This kind of play led to his benching on more than once occasion, as his commitment to the defensive zone was questioned along with his maturity. Does he have the talent to play in the NHL? Yes, but the Oilers need him to not only find that talent, but to find it quickly. If not, he will end up on the third line.
Even more so than Yakupov's slow development, the Oilers' biggest problem the past couple of seasons -- and likely biggest one this season -- has been the blue line. Like so many NHL teams, they just don't have enough quality defensemen. One can argue that perhaps they should have drafted a top blueliner in the draft rather than taking Draisaitl. The Oilers did sign Andrew Ference prior to last season, but he's miscast as a top defender. While the team does have some promising defensemen in their pipeline (Darnell Nurse, Oscar Klefbom), it's anyone's guess if they will be ready for prime time this year. And while Justin Schultz has already arrived to the Edmonton blue line and offers plenty of upside, even if he reaches his potential, it will likely be as a player who excels in the offensive zone, not someone you want matched up against the opposing team's top line.
If defense wasn't Edmonton's biggest weakness, the goaltending would have certainly warranted more criticism in the early part of last season. Management finally decided to do something about it before the trade deadline, acquiring Viktor Fasth from Anaheim and Ben Scrivens from Los Angeles while dumping the disappointing Devan Dubnyk. Scrivens is expected to open the season as the starter, but the addition of Fasth also gives the team some capable depth, something the Oilers haven't had in recent years. Scrivens probably won't be the next Ben Bishop, but he won't let in the kind of cheap goal that often deflates a team. What was once a problem may now be a strength.
If the Oilers played in the Eastern Conference a playoff run wouldn't be surprising. Unfortunately, they play in the West with the defending Stanley Cup-champion Kings, along with other powerhouses like Chicago, St. Louis, and Anaheim. Oiler fans may have to wait another year to get in the dance, but the future would seem to be bright if those young defenders can develop and the organization keeps adding talent via the draft and free agency.
The Big Guns
Taylor Hall, LW (RotoWire Position Rank*: #2): Hall had his best season to date in 2013-14 in compiling 27 goals and 80 points, and he could certainly surpass those numbers should the Oilers take another step in their development as a unit. The left winger is a true sniper and is just starting to scratch the surface of his immense talent. He'll once again play on a line with Jordan Eberle and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and this trio should be able to strike fear in opposing defenses. Staying healthy was a problem for Hall earlier in his career, but he made some much-needed adjustments to his physical game and has only missed 10 games in the last two seasons combined. A big jump in production this season would be tough, but another 80 points would be just fine. He's the top fantasy target on the Oilers. Don't let him get by you.
*RotoWire Position Ranks reflected for points-based leagues*
Jordan Eberle, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #8): Eberle is part of one of the best young lines in the NHL; that is, when he, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall are all healthy at the same time. Eberle has only scored 44 goals over the last two seasons combined (including the lockout-shortened year), after netting 34 during the 2011-12 campaign. Part of the reason for this decline can be attributed to the team's struggles on the back end, as it's hard to score when your defenders can't get the puck out of their own zone. Things are starting to look up for the Oilers' D, but it remains a work in progress. Still, Eberle should flirt with the 30-goal mark again this season and has upside to hit the 40 in the next couple years.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, C (RotoWire Position Rank: #37): Nugent-Hopkins will anchor what could be one of the best young lines in hockey (RNH, Jordan Eberle and Taylor Hall) this season. That being said, RNH needs to not only stay healthy, but produce from the get-go if that line is to reach its full potential. Despite a wealth of talent, RNH still has yet to score more than 19 goals or record more than 56 points in a season. He won't be drafted among the top 10 centers, but he certainly has the upside to end up there eventually. Just not this year. Sixty points are possible, but a big jump in his production is more likely to come in 2015-16. And only you know where a 55- or 60-point center with a painful plus-minus fits in your format.
Ben Scrivens, G (RotoWire Position Rank: #30): Scrivens may be the answer to the Oilers' goaltending dilemma. He was acquired from the Kings last season and pretty much stabilized the blue paint upon his arrival, delivering a .916 save percentage despite a 9-11-0 record. We should find out for certain if Scrivens is the long-term solution in the net this season, particularly with Viktor Fasth breathing down his neck. He certainly won't put up the numbers in Edmonton that he would have in Los Angeles, particularly behind a rather porous defense. Do not draft him as a No. 1 goalie, but he may provide you with value as a backup. That is, if he keeps Fasth at bay.
On the Rise
David Perron, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: #13): It looks like all that Perron needed was indeed a change of scenery to reignite his stagnant career. Perron had clashed with management in St. Louis, but ended up being a gift from above for the Oilers when he delivered 28 goals and 29 assists last season. He will once again anchor the second line for the Oilers along with Nail Yakupov, who could finally be ready to blossom. It remains to be seen who might join Perron and Yakupov as the pivot for that line. Sam Gagner is no longer with the team, so Perron could find himself mentoring Leon Draisaitl (the Oilers' top pick in June's NHL Entry Draft) or flanking a rotating group of centers until someone steps up to claim the job. This is not the ideal situation for production, but Perron should still approach the 30-goal plateau and deliver eight-to-10 power-play goals.
Justin Schultz, D (RotoWire Position Rank: #32): Schultz was a bit of a disappointment for the Oilers last season, but that came as no surprise -- the grind of an 82-game schedule drained the poor guy. He struggled alongside Andrew Ference last season, so watch for the team to try him with Nikita Nikitin both at even-strength and on the top power-play unit. And with the Oilers' wealth of offensive talent, Schultz is sure to put up points. While he's a risk as your top defender, Schultz has a decent shot at delivering top-30 numbers.
Two to Watch
Nail Yakupov, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #43): Yakupov has been an enigma in his first two seasons with Edmonton. The uber-talented forward only has 28 goals in 111 NHL games, after so much more was expected. Part of the problem could be his maturity. He was used to being the best player on every team he had ever played on, but he's just one fish in a lake of many in Edmonton. So far, he hasn't played substantial top-line minutes and hasn't seen much duty with the top power-play unit, either. That figures to continue this season, especially after the offseason acquisitions of Benoit Pouliot and Teddy Purcell. The pressure is certainly on and he needs to get off to a hot start to quiet his critics. Otherwise, Yakupov's name could continue to be bandied about in trade rumors if he continues to disappoint.
Teddy Purcell, RW (RotoWire Position Rank: #39): Purcell was acquired from the Lightning for Sam Gagner in the offseason in what amounted to little more than a salary dump by the Bolts. Still, he represents a quality acquisition for Edmonton, as he's averaged 16 goals a season over the past four years and can be a useful player on the second line. He won't get to play alongside Steven Stamkos anymore, but the Oil's young studs could inject some life into his game. He could even return to the mid-50s level in points if things break right.
Don't Overrate
Benoit Pouliot, LW (RotoWire Position Rank: #47): Many were likely surprised when Pouliot received a five-year, $20-million contract from the Oilers this offseason, after totaling just merely 15 goals with the Rangers in 2013-14. He's probably not worth the amount the Oilers gave him, but the organization always has to overpay to convince free agents to head west. While Pouliot will receive the opportunity to compete for a second-line gig, there's no guarantee he lands the role with all of David Perron, Teddy Purcell and Nail Yakupov also competing for the two available jobs. Still, it's really hard to believe the Oil would drop that kind of coin on a third-line player. Watch camp carefully and do not draft him until you know where his future lies.
Viktor Fasth, G (RotoWire Position Rank: #34): The Oilers acquired Fasth late last season to help stabilize their goaltending situation. Fasth is certainly better than just about anyone the Oilers have thrown in net the past couple of seasons (aside from incumbent Ben Scrivens), but he still only posted a 2.73 GAA and .914 save percentage in his seven games with Edmonton in 2013-14. While the Oilers will more than likely say that he and Scrivens will go into training camp as equals, the job seems Scrivens' to lose, and Fasth will more than likely go into the season as the backup. Best case? He earns the short straw on a platoon, but that makes him a difficult play in most fantasy formats.
Top Prospects
Darnell Nurse, D (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #10): Nurse was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, and some could argue he is ready to play in the NHL now. However, the Oilers have beefed up their D in the offseason with the additions of Nikita Nikitin and Mark Fayne, so Nurse will likely spend another year developing in the OHL in 2014-15. It's hard to fault the Oilers for the decision, as the NHL is littered with promising, young blueliners who were rushed to the big stage right away, thus neutering their potential. The Oil won't take that chance with the future anchor of their back end. Nurse will be a good one once he arrives, so stash him in your keeper and dynasty leagues if you can.
Oscar Klefbom, D (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #17): Like Darnell Nurse, Klefbom is one of top defenseman prospects for the Oilers and the entire NHL, for that matter. He finally got his feet wet with the Oilers last season by appearing in 17 games and tallying his first NHL goal. In order for the Oilers to take the next step as a team, they will need young players like Klefbom to mature quickly. Is he ready to take that next step? That's probably not a fair question for a player who has yet to play a full season in the NHL, but that's the problem in this day and age -- few organizations have any patience. Klefbom does project to be a top-four defenseman over time, but this season will be all about learning the nuances of the game. He'll likely ride the shuttle between the NHL and AHL all season, and probably see around 25 games in the Oil Patch. But that's not enough for fantasy relevance in single-season leagues.
Leon Draisaitl, C (RotoWire Prospects Rank: #20): Draisaitl was selected third overall in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and stands a decent chance of earning immediate playing time with the Oilers given their paltry situation at the second-line center spot. After drafting Draisaitl, Edmonton traded Sam Gagner, opening a position on the roster for the imposing 6-foot-1, 209-pound German rookie. Draisaitl finished fourth in the Western Hockey League in scoring with 38 goals and 105 points last season, but expect him to experience some growing pains if he sticks with Edmonton in Year 1. Even if the production is meager as a rookie, Draisaitl is still worthy of monitoring in keeper leagues.
