2 plugs and a late first doesnt net you Dylan strome lol.

EDM needs a goalie and a dman like Chiarot. Thats it

The forward core is still missing a legit 3C and probably another top 6 winger. I don't like our chances with MAF considering oilers staff are fighting with his agent.

"Fighting with" or just on the receiving end of a Walsh rant?

I don't understand the Oilers 3rd line, it's just been where careers go to die for like 15 years now. Ryan Strome is the best example of it... effective for the Islanders, comes to Edmonton and goes into a black hole offensively, goes to the Rangers and becomes good again.

1 reason is with two star centers ahead plus when they slide RNH to center they dont get a lot of offensive opportunity and virtually 0 pp time not just talking strome but anyone who ends up there. that little extra time on pp or an extra OZ start is huge for confidence and worth a few points over 82 games.

Have to think it's a mentality thing too. They know they have McDavid and Drai to score so they focus on trying to not give anything up and end up not creating anything because it's "not their job". Total opposite of the Oilers I grew up watching where there was next to no all star talent but rolled 4 lines that worked hard an always found the greasy goals. I remember one year where pretty much every regular forward was in double digits for goals.

I remember season like that as well. yes the team defers way to much to mcdavid and Dri. probably also the reason for their slow starts in almost every game

Strome's wingers were Lucic and an 18 year old struggling Puljujarvi who knew zero english.

Funny enough that later yesterday, the journal posted an article on the same subject:

https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/will-the-edmonton-oilers-ever-escape-the-belanger-triangle-at-checking-centre