Initially, the Edmonton Oilers appeared slow and aging.
Following their Game 7 loss in Sunrise, Florida, which felt like it had just concluded minutes before the new season began, the Oilers started noticeably slower. They were missing four of their quicker players – Dylan Holloway, Ryan McLeod, Warren Foegele, and Philip Broberg – significantly impacting the team`s speed.
“I think it was visible, especially in how we began the year,” admitted Leon Draisaitl. “It felt a bit slower, looked a bit slower.”
When the offer sheet for Holloway and Broberg arrived from St. Louis GM Doug Armstrong, Stan Bowman, new to his role, was caught off guard. The team lost Holloway and Broberg to the Blues in the aftermath. McLeod was traded to Buffalo, and Foegele departed as a free agent to Los Angeles, deemed too expensive to retain.
While McLeod and Foegele`s departures were somewhat anticipated, losing the two 23-year-olds, Holloway and Broberg, unexpectedly made the Oilers older and less speedy.
Bowman recalled, “Normally the month of August is really slow. This happened early in August, forcing us into a week that felt like the trade deadline. We held daily meetings to evaluate different possibilities…”
However, Bowman has a proven track record as a skilled roster builder.
He successfully revamped the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks team to win the Cup again in 2013 and a third time in 2015. Edmonton hasn`t reached that pinnacle yet, and Bowman was focused on reshaping the roster.
He made a shrewd move by acquiring speedy, physical depth winger Vasily Podkolzin from Vancouver for a fourth-round pick.
Throughout the season, he also added Kasperi Kapanen, another winger who brought much-needed speed after the summer`s departures.
In January, John Klingberg became available. Signing him was a gamble, but Klingberg has proven to be a key defenseman who moves the puck quickly, enabling the effective transition game that powers the Oilers` forwards.
Closer to the deadline, he acquired Jake Walman and Trent Frederic, adding forward toughness and a mobile defenseman willing to play physically.
None of these players are superstars, but they are effective contributors who collectively enhance the Oilers` performance.
Bowman explained, “We have the league`s fastest player in Connor McDavid, but team speed isn`t just about one person. It`s not solely about raw velocity in a timed event. It`s about players who can quickly process the game.”
“If players can make quick decisions and possess sufficient skill, then the team as a whole can play fast.”
