Simpleton
Joined: Jun. 2017
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 502
The additions of Hyman, Foegele, and Ryan offers potential for more balance on the top line, as well as a much improved bottom six. Each of those players possesses strong 5v5 numbers, and each has demonstrated success playing on special teams. Combine that with the potential of prospects like Tyler Benson and Dylan Holloway, and it becomes ridiculous to suggest that Jujhar Khaira, James Neal, Tyler Ennis, Geatan Haas, Joakim Nygard, and Alex Chiasson were a better unit that what Oiler fans have to look forward to. Edmonton's forward group has improved via both addition and subtraction.
A lot has been said regarding the Duncan Keith trade, the most astute criticisms are likely restricted to concerns about salary retention. Keith is still an excellent skater, and a great leader. He still has the ability to get to the puck and get it to the forwards effectively. His role with the Oilers replaces the role played by the collection of Caleb Jones, Slater Koekkoek, Dmitry Kulikov, Kris Russell, and William Lagesson. Give that a moment to sink in and reason should tell you there is certainly potential the Oilers have improved their defense with that single acquisition. When Adam Larsson chose to sign with Seattle, Edmonton was forced to retool its defense. Cody Ceci is not expected to replace Larsson, he is expected to compliment Duncan Keith and Evan Bouchard. Tyson Barrie and Darnell Nurse, are known commodities, and Bouchard has potential to quickly surpass what Ethan Bear provided on the ice. The Oilers also have younger, bigger, stronger, better skating, and better passing LHD prospects ready to push Kris Russell and William Lagesson. If one, or both of those prospects pushes their way onto the roster, the unit have more size, greater mobility, and will likely be much more effective at getting the puck out of the d-zone. Time will tell if that extra size helps the team to be more effective in stopping the cycle and boxing out opponents, but when I consider who has been added, who is available to be added, and who has been lost, I think Adam Larsson might be missed for a while, but overall the unit should be better because all other additions have more skill and ability than those they replace. Time will tell whether I am being overly optimistic.
In net, the Oilers are going to have to run with the same duo they had last year. Lots of questions here. Mike Smith has been streaky throughout his career, but after changing his offseason routine he had a great 2020/21 season and his stats put him among the top-5 goaltenders in the league. Koskinen suffered inconsistencies again, and when he is bad he is simply horrible. Those rough spots skew what are otherwise good stats. He's in a contract year, so maybe he will have some extra motivation. Perhaps that, along with a healthy Mike Smith, might help Koskinen have a better year. if he doesn't come out of the gates at the top of his game, I expect Ken Holland will be looking for an opportunity to upgrade ASAP.