Edmonton Oilers Focus on Team Development for New Season

The Edmonton Oilers head coach, Kris Knoblauch, has emphasized the importance of focusing on the present as the team embarks on a new National Hockey League (NHL) season. Having recently concluded their practice, Knoblauch shared with media representatives the strategy he employs to keep the team’s performance in check. “I think it’s important the players see where they are at the moment and how they’re playing,” Knoblauch stated ahead of the Oilers’ season opener against the Winnipeg Jets.

Knoblauch plans to break down the regular 82-game season into manageable ‘segments’ to better assess team performance. This methodology involves analyzing key aspects such as scoring chances conceded and the effectiveness of power plays and penalty kills over short sequences of games. “Usually, the scoring chances that we give up, or how our power play is executing or our penalty kill, ultimately tells us how well we’re doing in a seven, eight-game segment.”

In his second year as head coach, Knoblauch and his staff intend to consider numerous factors during these evaluations. “Did your goalie play well? Did the other goalies play well? Did you get lucky? Did the officials give you some easy calls,” Knoblauch listed as crucial considerations. The focus is on gaining a comprehensive perspective rather than assessing performance game-by-game.

Connor McDavid, the Oilers’ captain, echoed a similar focus. He stressed the need for the team to concentrate on their internal dynamics rather than on other teams’ strategies. “It’s about us in here and getting to our game,” McDavid said, reflecting on last season’s slow start and expressing a desire to avoid a recurrence.

Zach Hyman, McDavid’s regular linemate, pointed out that assessing the team’s identity will be crucial as the season progresses. “You go into every season… and everybody has plans, and oftentimes—probably every time—something changes,” Hyman noted. “Going into a new season, you just want to get off to a good start, and you want to get a feel for what kind of group you have, what your identity is.”

In team-related developments, the Oilers announced the signing of defenseman Travis Dermott to a one-year, two-way contract valued at $775,000. Additionally, forward Evander Kane has been placed on long-term injured reserve following recent surgery for a sports hernia. The Oilers also reassigned forwards Matt Savoie and Cam Wright to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.

Meanwhile, regarding player movements, the Vegas Golden Knights claimed forward Raphael Lavoie off waivers from the Oilers, who had exposed the 24-year-old prospect to the NHL waiver process. Lavoie, a notable prospect with 28 AHL goals last season, may be reclaimed by the Oilers if unclaimed by other teams by Wednesday.