5 Biggest Issues Still Facing the Edmonton Oilers This Offseason

By Darrell Samuels

5 Biggest Issues Still Facing the Edmonton Oilers This Offseason

Edmonton Oilers Fans — The Edmonton Oilers marched right into the Stanley Cup Finals in the spring of 2006. They lost against the Carolina Hurricanes. Since that glory run, they have not made it to the finals nor have they made the playoffs even once. Over the past five NHL Entry Drafts they've had a series of issues that need addressing. They finished with the third-worst record last year and there are still pressing issues that need fixing prior to 2015-16.

5. Can Coach Todd McLellan Work With Team's Youth?

Todd McLellan, Edmonton Oilers

5. Can Coach Todd McLellan Work With Team's Youth?

Todd McLellan, Edmonton Oilers — Coach McLellan came to Edmonton from the San Jose Sharks this summer. The Sharks team was primarily a franchise of veterans, while the Oilers are a team of youth. He comes to Alberta as the fifth head coach since the string of first-round selections made by the team. Faces continue to change behind the bench, and the message needs to be preached and understood that what they have been doing has not worked and must change.

4. Can Connor McDavid Live Up To the Hype?

Connor McDavid Edmonton Oilers Fun Facts

4. Can Connor McDavid Live Up To the Hype?

Connor McDavid Edmonton Oilers Fun Facts — There will be added pressure on Connor McDavid as there are discussions that he could be as successful as Sidney Crosby was when he came into the league. There is added pressure on McDavid as he is now the new face of the franchise and replacing "The Great One" Wayne Gretzky as this generation’s ‘Great One’ of the 21st century.

3. Will No. 1 Talent Finally Translate On the Ice?

Edmonton Oilers Youth

3. Will No. 1 Talent Finally Translate On the Ice?

Edmonton Oilers Youth — On paper, the Edmonton Oilers have had a string of luck handed to them on a silver platter with five No. 1 overall selections. However, right now, other than Connor McDavid, who has yet to start an NHL game, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov's time in Edmonton hasn't yielded success. They will need to see this talent finally flourish on the ice in 2015-16.

2. Will Forward Be Traded To Help Out Blue Line?

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

2. Will Forward Be Traded To Help Out Blue Line?

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — The Oilers have a fountain of forward youth, but they are lacking on the blue line. Yes, the Oilers did spend $ 33 million for six years of service on defenseman Andrej Sekera, but questions will continue to plague this team on the blue line. Although the youthful forwards have not fully produced as a cohesive unit, there have been some rumblings and rumors of the Oilers possibly moving some of their forward depth for a stud defenseman.

1. Is This A Playoff Team?

Stanley Cup Banner, Edmonton Oilers

1. Is This A Playoff Team?

Stanley Cup Banner, Edmonton Oilers — The team has brought in former Boston Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli and have head coach McLellan on board as well. The Oilers have McDavid-mania about to begin. However, the time has to be now to see some fruits of the labor of not making the playoffs. The Oilers need to continue to work the roster into cutting down on a league-high 283 goals going in their net. They also need to increase their 198 goals scored from last season.

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Edmonton Oilers

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