NHL Edmonton Oilers 2009-2010 Season Preview
Hemsky, Gagner, Souray, Visnovsky and Khabibulin Key For The Oilers
Sep 23, 2009
The Oilers kick off their new season October 3rd at home against the Calgary Flames. There are a few new faces on the roster, and a whole pile of young players hoping to make the team this year. But if they hope to make the playoffs this time around, they will need their young players to step up.
Pat Quinn Is The New Head Coach Of The Oilers
The Oil are hoping that the seasoned coach Quinn will help develop the young talent and get the team to the playoffs again. He replaces long-time coach Craig MacTavish. Tom Renney will assist Quinn all season, and fans hope that a fresh start behind the bench is what the team needs.
Oilers Get Their Goalie, Nikolai Khabibulin
The biggest off-season move should have been the trade for Dany Heatley, but now Heatley is in San Jose and Oiler fans are looking to move on. Lost in all the talk of Heatley was that the Oilers picked up the 36-year-old Khabibulin, who was coming off one of his best seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks.
If the 'Bulin Wall' can play 60 solid games for the team, they Oil might just sneak into the offseason. Then again, Roloson was also solid for the Oilers last year. Their problem last year was scoring goals and having their young players play a consistant game.
Oilers Packed With Small, Talented Forwards
Two players who experienced softmore slumps last season were 1st round picks Andrew Cogliano and Sam Gagner. Just as Gagner did in his rookie season, he had an outstanding final stretch to the season, and fans are hoping he can play that way the whole season this time around. Meanwhile, Cogliano has a chance to prove to the organization that he shouldn't have been offered in the Heatley trade.
Gagner and Cogliano are legitimite top 6 forwards, but the Oilers are loaded at this skilled position. The talented Patrick O'Sullivan is about to enter his first full season with the team. He could see time on the first line with Horcoff and Hemsky, so it could be a break-out year for 24-year-old.
Regina Pats and Team Canada Phenom Jordan Eberle Looks To Make The Oilers
Eberle will go down in Canadian hockey history for his performance against Russia at the 2008 World Junior Championship. He proved to the nation and Oiler fans that he is the real deal. Whether or not the 1st round pick will make the team this year is still unknown. He has a lot of competition at the forward position.
As mentioned, Hemsky and Horcoff are locks to make the team again and will probably play on the 1st line. Hemsky is finally realizing his potential as a point-per-game player, and if he continues to shoot more this season he could improve on those numbers. Horcoff had an off year last season, and is still considered by many as a 2nd or 3rd line centre at best. Once again, he will try and prove the naysayers wrong.
Meanwhile, Dustin Penner, Ethan Moreau and Fernando Pisani are veterans who should make the final roster. Fans are hoping that Quinn can motivate Penner to hit his potential and earn the large contract he signed two seasons ago.
With so many players expected to make the team, Eberle will have to fight it out with Robbie Schremp, Gilbert Brule, Robert Nilsson, Liam Reddox, Marc Pouliot, and tough guys, Steve MacIntyre, Jean-Francois Jacques and Zack Stortini.
Mike Comrie Returns To The Oilers
The once most-hated man in Edmonton, may soon be the most-loved. Now number 91 on the team is having a stellar pre-season. The organization is hoping Comrie can put up 30 goals again and help keep the younger players consistent.
Souray and Visnovsky Need To Stay Healthy
Everyone in Edmonton knows how crucial it is to get a full season of veteran defensemen Sheldon Souray and Lubomir Visnovsky. The duo can eat up minutes and put points on the scoresheet. With Denis Grebeshkov and Tom Gilbert coming into their own as well, the Oilers have one of the best offensive defenses in the league.Whether or not they can help out their goalie is another question.
Ladislav Smid needs to come into his own this season, and he and steady Steve Staios may have to fight it out with youngsters Jason Strudwick, Theo Peckham and Taylor Chorney for the last defensive spots.
Keys For The Oilers in 2009-2010
They will need consistancy from their small, but talented forwards. If Gagner, Cogliano and O'Sullivan can break out, it could go a long way in the standings at the end of the season. They will have to avoid injuries to their big players, like Hemsky, Souray, Visnovsky and Khabibulin in goal.
Most of all, they have to avoid the all-too-familiar second half of the season slump. There is no reason why they can't compete for the division if they avoid the slumps and get the most out of their talent with a new coaching system in place.
As for another Stanley Cup run like they had in 2006, fans will have to wait until the puck drops on October 3rd before everyone can get ahead of themselves.
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