When Edmonton Oilers fans watched their beloved Oilers draft Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov they dreamed of bringing the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton. With Saturday nights embarrassing loss to the Chicago Blackhawks it has come to realization that the Oilers will never win with the current roster. The rebuilding Oilers were supposed to be turning the corner this and pushing for a playoff spot. Instead they are all but guaranteed their eighth straight season missing the playoffs.
The convincing 7-1 Blackhawks win on Saturday was the Oilers sixth straight loss, and once again the fans are restless. The Oilers are now 6-13-2, and bolster the worst record in the NHL. They also have the leagues worst goal differential at minus 25. To make things even worse the Oilers are now 0-10-1 against Western Conference teams.
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Fans are fed up, and really do not know where to turn. So what should the Oilers do? What is the first step?
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Should they fire Dallas Eakins? Many believed that this would happen after Saturday nights devastating loss. Eakins is in his second season behind the bench and has coached the Oilers to a horrendous 35-57-11 record. Will letting him go help matters?
Should they trade Nail Yakupov, Jordan Eberle, or Taylor Hall? Well it would be a start but what will you get in return. Honestly there trade value is at an all time low, and the problems are so deep that mixing up a player or two will not help.
Should the upper management be completely gutted? This sounds like an easy start, and probably is the most logical choice.
The fact of the matter is that the Oilers are in deep trouble, and fans must brace their selves for many more years of struggles. The problems are deep and will not be repaired quickly. Time will tell what direction the Oilers ownership choses, but the time is definitely now to start. Success will not come with this group, and change must start now!
Brad Burud the owner/editor of the Inside Edge Hockey News. I am a huge fan of hockey, from youth hockey, to junior hockey, and of course professional hockey. I have played, coached, worked as statistician, and watched hockey all of my life. Hockey is not just a game, it is a lifestyle and family. The game of hockey is great! It can bring you nights of great enjoyment. It also brings nights where you feel like your team will never win. I am proud to be a journalist for the greatest game in the world. I have a degree in Business Administration, Psychology from Minot State University. I also have a Hockey General Manager and Scouting, and Sports Communications/Journalism degree from Sports Management Worldwide. I am also a member of the Sports Executives Association. Most of all I am a fan. Hockey is a huge part of my life and my families life.