Oh jeez.

Just run Broberg - Bouchard, honestly.

We have no defence we are screwed.

TBH I feel bad for the Oil, they are a good team and probably one if the top contenders but their D just can't stay healthy.

We have McJesus. Dont sweat it.

Probably, Ughhhh does it really matter at this point?

Anyone heard anything on when Nurse is back???
Should be soon.

i cant say i expect a win on wednesday without Nurse, Ceci, Keith, or Koko.

these injuries are piling up in a big way.

I think Laggy and Niemelainen will increase the physicality of the team but i am scared out of my mind.

Consider the long-term implications and this situation could be a good thing for Edmonton. This is a great opportunity for the Oilers to showcase their player development system, and potentially shop a couple of possible trade assets. More importantly, because mistakes will be made by inexperienced players the Oilers absolutely have to play as a five-man unit throughout the entire game if they want to win. Puck possession and management is going to be critical, so the intensity has to be a a very high level throughout the full sixty minutes. If the forwards are up to the task, this adversity could prove to be the moment Edmonton finds the game that makes them a legitimate championship contender.

IMO, the Oilers will be fine. The worst case scenario is probably a bit of a losing streak. A poor record in December is not without precedent for this team, it has actually been a pattern over the past few seasons. I don't think that will take the Oilers out of playoff contention, but would likely pose a serious challenge to their goal of having home ice advantage.

Doesnt look like we coul shop a couple of trade assets by the way our D are going down right now. Its all hands on deck.
Also Nurse should be back very soon. Ceci out 10 days as well.

Yep, the Oilers will need to manage this less than ideal situation for the next couple of weeks or so.

Edmonton has four near NHL ready LD in Broberg, Lagesson, Niemelainen, and Samorukov; the later three have contracts that expire at the end of this season and I suspect each will have options to play elsewhere next year. Nurse, Keith, and Koekkoek remain under contract next season, and it looks as though Broberg will probably secure a permanent spot on the Oiler roster by then. Organizational depth of RD is comparatively less developed with Filip Berglund likely closest and Kemp and Kesselring a couple of years away, at least. In response to Ceci's COVID status, Woodcroft, Manson, Tippett and Holland decided to bring Niemelainen up and run with 4 LD and 2 RD for the immediate future. Perhaps Niemelainen is substantially further along in his development than Berglund is, Tippett has said that handedness is not a huge concern for him, although generally he prefers to play defenders on their strong side. Regardless of the reason for calling up Niemelainen instead of Berglund, the decision will showcase some of Edmonton's depth of young LD well before the NHL TDL.

Niemelainen has been dominant at the ahl level.

More of a shut-down defender than Berglund as well.