In the aftermath of the Edmonton Oilers’ catastrophic clash with the San Jose Sharks, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek served up a buffet of bombshells on their 32 Thoughts Podcast. Brace yourselves; the Oilers are on a collision course with disaster, and the hockey gods seem to be reveling in their misfortune.
Hockey Gods’ Cruel Joke
The Oilers’ misfortunes aren’t going unnoticed, even by the hockey gods. The shockingly unexpected struggles in the first month have left Edmonton in a precarious position, tied in the standings with the resurgent San Jose Sharks. The gods, it seems, have abandoned ship.
Friedman on 32TP: "There are people in the league who believe the Oilers were on the precipice of a big move on Wednesday. I don't know what happened… but I had people say to me, watch the Oilers in goal, they're up to something, and they weren't talking about Campbell"
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 10, 2023
Coaching Catastrophe
As the Oilers flounder, calls for change echo through the media landscape. Head coach Jay Woodcroft’s future is on thin ice, with firing chants gaining momentum. Despite Woodcroft’s historical winning percentage, the Oilers may be coerced into a change they never wanted.
Further to this, I’d expect Woodcroft to be behind the bench for Saturdays game. All things will be evaluated after this road trip. https://t.co/jQQuifj6cR
— Ryan Rishaug (@TSNRyanRishaug) November 10, 2023
Goalie Gloom
The goaltending tandem, a sinking ship within a sinking ship. Rumors swirl of a significant move brewing behind the scenes. Jack Campbell’s demotion to the AHL is a mere ripple in the storm. The Oilers are desperately seeking a goaltending savior, and something big is afoot.
Holland’s Swan Song
General Manager Ken Holland’s tenure is rumored to be on its last legs. With futures, first-round picks, and prospects on the table, Holland’s willingness to sacrifice for mediocrity raises eyebrows. Is this the swan song for Holland, or will fundamental changes reshape the Oilers’ destiny?
There’s no quick fix, but the team is also exploring roster options. Nothing seems to be imminent on that front, either. But mgmt is looking around the league. https://t.co/k6fwjVLAyI
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) November 10, 2023
Injury Woes
The crown jewel, Connor McDavid, isn’t shining as bright. Speculations about his undisclosed injury cast shadows on the Oilers’ captain. The clock ticks as the Oilers ponder a new vision, potentially without McDavid at his peak. Mattias Ekholm’s defensive decline adds another layer to their woes.
The Countdown to Chaos
With every major pundit talking, the Oilers are undeniably in crisis. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and the Oilers are burning. Brace yourselves; something colossal is brewing in Edmonton, and the countdown to chaos has begun.
Interesting LeBrun calls Daryl Katz a "mercurial owner" and hints he could force a change/movehttps://t.co/LddGrI2rtA pic.twitter.com/3McW5AFBW7
— PunjabiOil (@PunjabiOil) November 10, 2023
