Sean Maloughney: Oilers Need To Address Forwards More Than Goaltending/Defense

I don't disagree with your assessment of adding forwards, but the Oilers don't need offense-first minded forwards. Our current group of forwards are pretty much all the types that focus more on offense and therefore leave the D, and in turn the Goalie, left hanging. Championship teams (in most sports actually, not just hockey) are built with a certain work ethic and culture. They're ALL accountable and they're ALL buying into a system.

"run and gun" hasn't worked since the 80s, and I don't think it will start now with this group. They need to play some solid two way hockey and I think those types of forwards are what's needed.

Guentzel might be available, but it wouldn't be until later close to the TDL and only if PIT is out of contention which could be the case. And if that is the case, there would probably be other available PIT players.

Holland should still be focused on another goalie or RD before adding forwards, especially an elite winger. He can probably add two quality depth forwards at the same relative price it would cost to add one elite rental like Guentzel.

I don't disagree with your assessment of adding forwards, but the Oilers don't need offense-first minded forwards. Our current group of forwards are pretty much all the types that focus more on offense and therefore leave the D, and in turn the Goalie, left hanging. Championship teams (in most sports actually, not just hockey) are built with a certain work ethic and culture. They're ALL accountable and they're ALL buying into a system.

"run and gun" hasn't worked since the 80s, and I don't think it will start now with this group. They need to play some solid two way hockey and I think those types of forwards are what's needed.
- JLO961

Disagree completely with your assessment on the Oilers forwards this season. The team as a whole have bought into a system play far more than past seasons. Their top forwards are producing at a high rate but they have not sacrificed defensive play to do so.

Having more two-way forwards is key but just as you can't build a "run and gun 80's style"... neither can you build a "hit everything that moves 90's style."

Vegas won a Cup with guys like Karlsson (53 points) and Smith (56 points) on their third line. Colorado had guys like Compher and Newhook on their third line. Compher was 22nd on the team in hits with 31. Newhook was 19th with 40.

The success of modern NHL teams are high possession teams that can control play regardless of the line that is on the ice.

I think I understand the want for another winger, mostly to pair with Leon, but I don't understand the need for it.

All the advance stats are fancy, but the bottom line is team defence needs to improve. Attention to that side of the game could have them playing hockey in June.

For fun:
2022 Playoffs
Oil needed to score four or more goals in 11 games to win. They played 16 games that post season. In 9 of those games they allowed four or more goals.

2023 Playoffs
Oil needed to score four or more goals in 8 games to win. They played 12 games that post season. In 7 of those games they allowed four or more goals.

Team Defence. Team Defence. Team Defence

I think I understand the want for another winger, mostly to pair with Leon, but I don't understand the need for it.

All the advance stats are fancy, but the bottom line is team defence needs to improve. Attention to that side of the game could have them playing hockey in June.

For fun:
2022 Playoffs
Oil needed to score four or more goals in 11 games to win. They played 16 games that post season. In 9 of those games they allowed four or more goals.

2023 Playoffs
Oil needed to score four or more goals in 8 games to win. They played 12 games that post season. In 7 of those games they allowed four or more goals.

Team Defence. Team Defence. Team Defence
- nanook82

Team defence is integral. The fallacy is thinking that team defense means just the defencemen. The Oilers have a top six that is clicking and creating more chances and goals than they are allowing. Their third line is not. Whether it's adding a top six forward to bump down a guy like Foegele back onto that line, or a different player to be the centre or winger on that third line, that is a way they can reduce goals against.

Disagree completely with your assessment on the Oilers forwards this season. The team as a whole have bought into a system play far more than past seasons. Their top forwards are producing at a high rate but they have not sacrificed defensive play to do so.

Having more two-way forwards is key but just as you can't build a "run and gun 80's style"... neither can you build a "hit everything that moves 90's style."

Vegas won a Cup with guys like Karlsson (53 points) and Smith (56 points) on their third line. Colorado had guys like Compher and Newhook on their third line. Compher was 22nd on the team in hits with 31. Newhook was 19th with 40.

The success of modern NHL teams are high possession teams that can control play regardless of the line that is on the ice.
- freelancer

Well, I am going to hope that you are right (and I'm a stats/analytics fan, so I'll trust your numbers). This team sure fails the eye test though! I see so many forwards flying the zone early, making low percentage outlet passes, slow d-men pinching at the offensive blue, slow dmen getting beaten outside, guys changing on the backcheck (LEON!!!) and just plain giving up on plays. I just don't see a lot of heart and grind on the Oilers.
And that's what wins in the playoffs.

I hope you're right Sean, but they sure don't look like they're ready for an 8-week war.

Team defence is integral. The fallacy is thinking that team defense means just the defencemen. The Oilers have a top six that is clicking and creating more chances and goals than they are allowing. Their third line is not. Whether it's adding a top six forward to bump down a guy like Foegele back onto that line, or a different player to be the centre or winger on that third line, that is a way they can reduce goals against.
- freelancer

I agree with this 100%! I think an extremely solid defensive forward in the middle six is exactly what they need. (One can hope to replace Leon or Nuge with a Bergeron, Kopitar, Toews, Dannault type...but they're not available).

I agree with this 100%! I think an extremely solid defensive forward in the middle six is exactly what they need. (One can hope to replace Leon or Nuge with a Bergeron, Kopitar, Toews, Dannault type...but they're not available).
- JLO961

Lindholm?
Lindholm, Tanev for Bouchard, Holloway, and a 1st.

Well, I am going to hope that you are right (and I'm a stats/analytics fan, so I'll trust your numbers). This team sure fails the eye test though! I see so many forwards flying the zone early, making low percentage outlet passes, slow d-men pinching at the offensive blue, slow dmen getting beaten outside, guys changing on the backcheck (LEON!!!) and just plain giving up on plays. I just don't see a lot of heart and grind on the Oilers.
And that's what wins in the playoffs.

I hope you're right Sean, but they sure don't look like they're ready for an 8-week war.
- JLO961

If you like data, then how can you hate Bouchard so much? He controls play at an elite rate even when not with McDrai. At his cap hit and RD position, it makes zero sense to trade him yet you want him gone for anything you can get.

If you like data, then how can you hate Bouchard so much? He controls play at an elite rate even when not with McDrai. At his cap hit and RD position, it makes zero sense to trade him yet you want him gone for anything you can get.
- jfkst1

He is a VERY bad hockey player and on top of that he lacks confidence. His game is absolute crap for a professional athlete. Sometimes the data isn't as accurate in small sample sizes. I completely understand how people like him, but for me, he just doesn't pass the eye-test. I have little to no confidence in this player in tight, important situations. He is a great player right now for all of those things you've mentioned, but there is no way on earth I'd extend him, and I think there are MANY buyers out there that would over-pay considerably (i.e. you).

I think people know that I've been overly critical of Draisaitl too...which is a VERY different situation. Draisaitl is an elite player, he's amazing, but I hate his compete level and at one point he had possibly (I said possibly) more value in a trade for several pieces that would complete the roster...think something like Point, Sergachev, and a goalie)...but Draisaitl is a fantastic hockey player, he's just lazy.

Bouchard is not a good player. He's a bad skater, poor decision maker, doesn't win battles, and misses outlet passes. at his current contract and position? he's better than fine. (but I would be shopping this player like crazy, and I think we could get a #1 tendy out of the deal).

One day the oilers and fans will realize you win championships with your bottom 6 not top 6 if you don’t have 4 lines you don’t win !!

Team defence is integral. The fallacy is thinking that team defense means just the defencemen. The Oilers have a top six that is clicking and creating more chances and goals than they are allowing. Their third line is not. Whether it's adding a top six forward to bump down a guy like Foegele back onto that line, or a different player to be the centre or winger on that third line, that is a way they can reduce goals against.
- freelancer

Good point yeah. Drop Foegele down is the best option, but with that said, he needs to understand his role in the bottom 6. We don’t need him thinking he can dangle anyone at the blueline like he tried last playoff against Vegas. Boom, double minor for highsticking. PP goal against….. ahhhh anyways. Make simple plays

#1 priority in my mind should be finding a Ceci replacement. Ceci playing higher than #6 on the chart is a mistake.

Vinnie D got exposed as well, in both series last season.

Vegas quite easily picked us apart in the latter part of that series, keeping the play down low and grinding it out. It doesn’t have to be pretty hockey, but with Oilers focus so much on offence, it always has to look pretty.
Absolutely nothing wrong with winning 16 games 3-2 or 2-1, just unfortunately that’s not in the teams DNA

Save cap space and target JT or Mitch Marner in 2025