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EDMONTON
OILERS
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Record: 39-28-12-3, 6th in the West;
12th overall Incoming: Jochen Hecht,
Marty Reasoner, Steve Staios, Jason Chimera,
Jan Horacek
Outgoing: Doug Weight, Dominic Roussel,
Igor Ulanov, Sergei Zholtok
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Tommy
Salo will continue to carry the load for the
younger and cheaper Oilers. |
Goaltending
(B+):
If Salo only had a capable backup to give him
the odd game off. Salo was a workhorse last season
for the Oilers, logging a total for 4,364 minutes
last season. That mark was second in the league
to Carolina's Arturs Irbe. Salo was forced to
work a lot of games for the Oilers because his
backups, Joaquin Gage and Dominic Roussel, won
just five of 26 games they played in. The Oilers
need a veteran backup between the pipes, but will
give a good look at Finnish goalie Jussi Markkanen.
Defence
(B+): On a team that emphasizes free-wheeling
hockey, the Oilers have a remarkably solid defensive
corps that knows how to look after its own end.
Newly-appointed captain Jason Smith, who has become
an invaluable commodity with his hard hitting
and shot blocking, leads a cast that includes
Eric Brewer, Tom Poti, Janne Niinimaa and Steve
Staios. The departure of Igor Ulanov to the New
York Rangers has left a big hole that will be
patched by one of Edmonton's young rearguards.
Offence
(B-): The Oilers took a huge step backwards
when they were forced to deal Weight in return
for a package of young players. Jochen Hecht and
Marty Reasoner are quality, promising forwards,
but they just can't replace Weight's intangibles.
Without Weight, the entire team will have to contribute
to make the playoffs. When it comes to speed and
determination, few teams can match the Oilers
on the ice. Ryan Smyth finished second to Weight
on the team in scoring, and will probably lead
the team again in goals and points. Smyth impressed
Team Canada officials at Olympic tryouts, and
he'll probably get off to a good start this season
in an effort to secure a trip to Salt Lake City.
Mike Comrie made quite a run in the playoffs and
is rapidly adjusting to the NHL game. Expect better
performances from Anson Carter and Mike Grier
this season.
Game
Breaker: Tommy Salo
Former captain and inspirational leader Doug Weight
is now in St. Louis, so much of the burden to
keep the Oilers competitive this season will be
handed down to Salo. Ever since he was picked
up from the New York Islanders, Salo has been
nothing but solid in nets for the Oilers. He's
one of the league's most consistent netminders,
and his ability to cover the lower portion of
the net is astounding.
Prediction:
8th in the Western Conference
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Hockey Night in Canada 