The 2020-21 NHL season may be the point at which the Edmonton Oilers decide whether they want to flip the script and become one of the best teams in the NHL or carry on as one of its most underachieving.
As we sit, right now, the Oilers roster to start the year will look like this,
RNH-McDavid-Kassian
Kahun-Draisaitl-Yamamoto
Archibald-Turris-Puljujarvi
Ennis-Khaira-Chiasson
Nurse-Bear
Jones-Larsson
Koekkoek-Barrie
Russell-Lagesson
Koskinen
Smith
Taxi Squad: Tyler Benson, Ryan McLeod, Joakim Nygard, Stuart Skinner, Alan Quine, Patrick Russell
Almost every one of these skaters will have a real motivating factor to work their asses off in order to help take this club to the next level. I mean, aside from the obvious one which is winning the Cup, of course.
There will be some players who are seeking redemption like Jesse Puljujarvi, Kyle Turris, and Dominik Kahun. There will be those playing for their next contracts like RNH, Adam Larsson, Slater Koekkoek, and Tyson Barrie.
Tyler Ennis, Jujhjar Khaira, Alex Chiasson, Kris Russell, Mike Smith, Patrick Russell, Joakim Nygard, and William Lagesson will be doing whatever it takes just to show everyone that they have what it takes to play in this league or stay in it.
Leon Draisaitl will want to show everyone that his MVP season wasn’t a one-off and that he deserves to be spoken of in the same breath as the Sidney Crosbys, Alex Ovechkins, and Connor McDavids.
Speak of the Devil, the Oilers captain no longer wants to be known as a one-trick pony. Points and individual accolades are fun, but championships are better. You watch, if you thought Jonathan Toews was intense, you’re in for a treat. We’re talking Messier levels of intensity.
Kailer Yamamoto, Ethan Bear, and Caleb Jones will be doing their damnedest to avoid a sophomore slump while Tyler Benson, Evan Bouchard, and Ryan McLeod will have their sights on a full-time roster spot.
Darnell Nurse is welcoming a new member of his family into the world this season according to his Instagram account and I’m sure he’d love to be able to give his little one a chance to sit in the Cup.
Then there’s Mikko Koskinen and Zack Kassian, two players who are constantly doubted and highly underrated every year. They’ll be going out to show everyone that they’re the real deal.
I know I’ve missed Josh Archibald, but for the life of me, I can’t think of a good storyline for him. So he gets a pass because he’s hard AF, brings his lunchbox to work every day, and plays the kind of game I love. Old School.
Kirby Dach is back, but here’s the previous hit on him by Josh Archibald. #EDMvsCHI pic.twitter.com/bPetui03tF
— NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) August 6, 2020
Even if the things I’ve said above don’t ring true for those individuals, the following must,
The urgency to get that stank that’s been stuck to these boys since they lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in the play-ins over the summer off of them… It’s been like getting hit with the spray of a Matthew Tkachuk-faced skunk and no Clamato baths will wash that off, only success will bring that Irish Spring.
Finally, the memories of Colby Cave, Joey Moss, and John Muckler alone should provide enough fuel to take this rocket ship to Lord Stanley’s Cup. I hope you’ve got your tissues handy before the game tonight…
The bottom line is that I’m afraid if this group doesn’t take every bit of inspiration they have near and dear to them this year and use it to propel their games into the stratosphere, we might see a regression and for the love of Pete, I’ve seen enough of those and I’m damned tired of them.
This roster has an opportunity unlike those presented in any season ever before. A Canadian team is guaranteed a spot in the final four and the Oilers are on the brink of greatness…
THEY. MUST. TAKE. IT!
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