5 Things the Edmonton Oilers Must Do to Make the 2016 NHL Playoffs

By Darrell Samuels

5 Things the Edmonton Oilers Must Do to Make the 2016 NHL Playoffs

Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers — The Edmonton Oilers have had a lot more wrong than right since their 2006 Stanley Cup Finals matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes. Well, fans can stop laughing at the Edmonton Oilers now because they finally have a direction and are ready to make a step toward the ticket to the two-month quest for the Stanley Cup. There are five different reasons why they will make the playoffs in the spring of 2016.

5. Goaltender Cam Talbot will fix the goaltending at Rexall Place

Cam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers

5. Goaltender Cam Talbot will fix the goaltending at Rexall Place

Cam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers — It might have been the talent that played in front of Talbot, as a member of the New York Rangers, but he should thrive in Edmonton. He stepped in admirably for the ailing goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist won 21 of his 36 starts last season and he should stabilize the pipes in Edmonton after the goaltending carousel over the past number of seasons.

4. Oilers' Connor McDavid and 'the other guys'

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, Edmonton Oilers

4. Oilers' Connor McDavid and 'the other guys'

Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, Edmonton Oilers — There will be a lot of excitement seeing what first overall pick Connor McDavid does in Alberta with the other four talented forwards (Taylor Hall, Nail Yakupov, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle). There is no question that the opposition will have fits trying to stop these five and it will probably be very reminiscent of Wayne Gretzky and "the other guys" during the 1980s decade.

3. They will end up trading one of their drafted top forwards for their star goaltender in their playoff quest

Edmonton Oilers Trio

3. They will end up trading one of their drafted top forwards for their star goaltender in their playoff quest

Edmonton Oilers Trio — The Edmonton Oilers are finally looking like a properly run NHL franchise. They have their core five together and are extremely talented within their forward lines. It has not been seen like that in Alberta, since the 1980s glory decade. It probably will not be early in the season, but, if the Oilers can remain competitive, the hockey world will be shocked when one of the five (certainly not Connor McDavid) gets traded for a star goaltender.

2. Oilers Head Coach will bring his winning success from San Jose to the city of Edmonton

McDavid McLellan, Edmonton Oilers

2. Oilers Head Coach will bring his winning success from San Jose to the city of Edmonton

McDavid McLellan, Edmonton Oilers — Head coach Todd McLellan has come to Edmonton after seven seasons with the San Jose Sharks where the team had finished in first place in the Pacific Division three times and second place twice. The coaching carousel has been a mess in Edmonton for a long time and, just like Mike Babcock in Toronto with the Maple Leafs, McLellan will implement a game plan and expect immediate results.

1. General Manager Peter Chiarelli will not accept another losing season and will bolster the young roster

Peter Chiarelli, Edmonton Oilers

1. General Manager Peter Chiarelli will not accept another losing season and will bolster the young roster

Peter Chiarelli, Edmonton Oilers — Chiarelli has come to Edmonton and will not accept an abysmal record in his first season in Edmonton. He will act swiftly to change personnel if the team is not built in a way that will achieve success. Chiarelli’s biggest coup was when, as a Boston Bruins GM, he traded Phil Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs for two firsts and a second-round pick. He was able to draft Tyler Seguin, who helped win the Stanley Cup in 2011.

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Edmonton Oilers

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