The Future is Coming to Edmonton

The future's looking brighter every day, just not the near future.

 

Of the last six games, three games went to overtime where they relied on young star Andrew Cogliano to bury the winner in all three games. They lost 5-1 Colorado after those three miraculous battles and then cinched another two points in the shootout last night.

 

The line of Cogliano, Robert Nilsson, and Sam Gagner has really picked up its game in light of the numerous injuries to veteran players. They have combined for 32 points in the last 11 games, and Gagner has five points in his last four.

 

Other young guys on the team have really be stepping up. Kyle Brodziak, is -1 in his last 11 games, and has really fit nicely into his fourth line position with Zack Stortini and new addition Curtis Glencross.

 

As I said, the future is looking brighter.

 

As for the imminent future, the horizon is a little more dark. While 9-2 in their last 11 games, the chances of a miracle run to the playoffs are slim. With their first round draft pick going to their conference rival, Anaheim, as long as the Oilers can keep above the bottom five, fans, and even management, might find some solace in the off season. They're preparing for the impact of missing the playoffs two years in a row.

 

July will be an interesting time with the free agency market re-opening. The Oilers have several restricted free agents to sign. It will be interesting to see how many offer sheets are used this year and the reaction from Kevin Lowe if one of his own is given one.

 

The Restricted Agents on the team are some pretty big names in Oil Country: Joni Pitkanen, Jarret Stoll, Nilsson, Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers, and Stortini. Marty Reasoner is unrestricted, but we can expect him to be wearing an Oilers jersey next year seeing as Coach Craig MacTavish has called him the "slow" Joe Sakic of the NHL. I imagine the other UFAs, Geoff Sanderson, and Glencross, will get good offers as well from the organization.

 

So, the game of hockey in Edmonton is more a "wait and see" game than a "prepare for a run" game.

 

The future is coming. Are we ready for it?