Simpleton
Joined: Jun. 2017
Posts: 1,365
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The Oilers are 9th place in the Western Conference, 5th in the Pacific Division. They have the 8th best winning percentage in the Conference and 4th best in the Division, just 0.2% behind the 3rd place team. The Oilers have the same number of wins as the Flames, Ducks, and Stars, and one fewer win than the Kings. They have games in hand over all but two teams in front of them, Calgary and Minnesota. Despite that 2-11-2 stretch the Oilers have actually improved their 5vs5 goal differential as the year has progressed, their power play is beginning to score again, and they are 10-2 against Pacific Division rivals and 7-4 against Central division teams. 28 of their remaining 41 games are against Western Conference teams, with half of those being against Pacific Division competition. Heading into the second half of the season, Edmonton has one player on the IR and none in COVID Protocol. I think there is cause for optimism.
However, in the past 10 games the Oilers have been able to gain a bit of ground on only Anaheim and Dallas, but have lost ground to every other team in front of them. They also have to play 41 games in the next 80 days, seemingly a reckless schedule that presents a high degree of probability for exhaustion and injury. The Oilers are notorious for playing poorly in afternoon games, and they have 6 of those in their remaining schedule. They have 5 back-to-back sets, and 4 sets of 3 games in 4 nights. I think there is cause for concern.
When I consider how the Oilers arrived in their current situation, untimely injuries and COVID complications are readily apparent contributors. I think that inconsistency is perhaps a third, and just as critical contributor. I believe that because I also believe the roster has enough talent and skill to get into the playoffs and make some noise, if every player is dialed in and contributing to their potential. To date, that has not happened, and so I do not believe we have seen what this team is capable of. That is both good and bad because it suggests this team could be a lot better, but clearly demonstrates that there is no certainty it will be a lot better.
There is room for improvements within the current group so I think the Oilers want to add to their current roster without taking too much away. It seems obvious that they need a physical, cycle breaking defenseman, and reliable veteran goaltender in particular. I think if you consider the way that recent game in Washington played out, you might agree that perhaps the Oilers also need a heavy, reasonably skilled and physical forward, or two. Adding Varlamov would certainly address concerns with goaltending, he's probably the best of the goaltenders that might be available right now. Having Chara in the lineup would amplify the veteran presence in the dressing room exponentially, and perhaps his on-ice performance will be enough to shore up the Edmonton blue line. I do think Chara is a riskier proposition than Varlamov, and that there might be other options that are at least equally effective on the ice. Still, the Oilers could do a lot worse than adding those two.
Trading that 2022 1st round pick would have to result in a significant improvement to the team's chances of winning now, and for the next couple of years. After all, the conditions of the Duncan Keith trade are such that, if successful, this trade could result in the Oilers foregoing a draft pick until late in the 3rd round this year.
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