Edited Aug. 28, 2019 at 4:45 p.m.
Combination of failing to develop draft picks after the 1st round (historically) and (mainly) Chiarelli absolutely butcherings Oilers depth by losing substaintial value in trade after trade is the biggest reason we suck.
Here is an exercise to give you an idea on how bad Oilers depth is.
If you remove the top 5 goal scorers on every team (last season for Oilers; McDavid, Draisaitl, RNH, Chiasson, Kassian), Oilers scored the least amount of goals of any team in the league. By a massive margain. In fact, Oilers depth scoring was so bad that it last season qualified as the worst depth scoring of any team in +40 years (cant remember exactly but I think in 48 years).
It was so bad that you could add a 10 goal scorer to 2018/19 Oilers and they would still have the worst depth scoring in that time period.
Chiarelli traded away roster players and got bad value back every time. When his back was against the wall he scorched the earth in an attempt to keep his job. Because we fail to promote players from our youth club we had nothing on the wings.
1. Draisaitl and McDavid are dynamic together like few others. If RNH actual had 2nd line wingers good enough to help him push offense it would be a great idea.
2. At this point there is none to replace him. Oilers would need to find a replacement. Given that he is soon UFA and the return for him would be unsatisfactory, I'd say no. Unless management dont think he will re-sign
3. Nurse had a good year and is a top 4 defender with potentional and trajectory to be top 2. He likes to carry the puck but he doesnt always have stellar decisionmaking.