Struggles In Edmonton: Veterans Need to Pick Up Slack

The days here in Edmonton are somewhat numbered and the countdown is going far too quickly. An up and down season does not add up to a winning season and mathematics are quickly becoming the worst enemy of the Oilers. Everyone in their division is reliably gaining points while the Oilers struggle to win most games in overtime. What's going on?

The biggest problem they're facing is that the veterans on the team are just now starting to pick up their game. Shawn Horcoff, while not off the radar since the beginning of the season, has just started to consistently light it up. Ethan Moreau has just re-entered the line-up after an extended injury streak. Four points in six games is about average for the new captain, but for being the player who has played the most seasons for the team, he has to be better. The loss of both Ryan Smyth and Jason Smith has hugely impaired the team and taken too much experience from it. After quick and flashy beginnings, Dustin Penner and Geoff Sanderson faded into the background. Penner has started to turn the goal light on and Sanderson still wows us with speed, but it's not enough to win games.

The bright-side for the young team is three rookies that were added to the line-up after training camp. Sam Gagner, while sitting at a -10, has played at a level above his years. Andrew Cogliano sits fourth on the team in points. The biggest surprise has been Kyle Brodziak who fought his way onto the roster and has played exceptionally. Calling up Ladislav Smid from the minors might have been the most intelligent thing the organization has done this season.

Much can be said about the rest of the team, but what Kevin Lowe has to look at is whether he's going to call this season what it is and start to build a roster for next year. He attempted to do that last year, trading Marc-Andre Bergeron for the young Russian Denis Grebeshkov, and Ryan Smyth for two rookies and a draft pick. The plan didn't work for this year, but the Oilers look as though they'll be building for a few more years to come. The addition of an NHL veteran or two could assist the team in teaching their young players what to expect as they grow up in the NHL.

Until then, fans can catch their kicks watching Daryl Katz offer exorbitant amounts of money to the Edmonton Investor's Group in an attempt to buy the team. They have rejected the previous three offers and an official answer for the latest one will come at the end of January. However, it looks as though the EIG is going to hold on for a little longer.

Optimistic fans are still hoping for another Cinderella run to the Cup, but it would seem the Fairy Godmother would have to pull a miracle out of her wand for that to happen.

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