Edmonton Oilers ranking at the bottom of the league in critical stat may change deadline plans
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Physicality and hitting are all part of hockey and part of the formula to winning the Stanley Cup but according to Jason Gregor of the Jason Gregor show, the Oilers are the lowest hitting team in the NHL.
Since 2006-2007, this year's edition of the Oilers has the fewest hits is in the top five for the lowest amount of hits in the salary cap era.
This style has been shide away from the Oilers as they have turned their model into speed and skill which coincides with the arrival of Connor McDavid.
Oilers dead last in hits when five on five
This season they aren't close to average. Seattle is 16th at 21.23 hits/60 at 5×5. Edmonton is 32nd at 13.42. Dallas is 31st at 14.91, Utah is 30th at 17.03 and Detroit is 29th at 17.93. They are the only other teams under 18 hits/60. Jason Gregor
There are calls that the Oilers need to be more physical as many NHL teams have adopted this style of hockey especially in the playoffs.
Some teams including last year's winners the Florida Panthers have made that style of hockey and art and almost a necessary part to any teams game as physicality has become just as important as goalscoring.
It's a simple fact that the Oilers and the Panthers are built completely different with one team focusing on speed and skill and the other focusing on puck possession with physicality which is what led the Panthers to win the Stanley Cup last year.
Tough for Oilers to adopt this style of play by the trade deadline
It's almost impossible for general manager Stan Bowman to completely change his team into a form like the Panthers and it's likely the Oilers have no desire to do so as they feel their model is a way to win.
If the Oilers are unable to trade Evander Kane at the deadline and he is ready to return to the lineup, this will bode well for the Oilers and the lack of physicality as Kane is well known for his style of play that involves physical toughness and having the knack to throwing his weight around.
Adding more physicality to the Oilers overall game would certainly benefit them during this playoff as other teams including the Vegas Golden Knights are known for their physicality as well and are designed to help wear down opponents over the course of a seven-game series.
It will be fascinating on how the Oilers will handle their trade deadline which is set to expire at 3:00 PM on Friday March 7th. In the meantime, the Oilers have two games remaining between the Anaheim Ducks and the Montreal Canadiens.
Source: Oilersnation
The Edmonton Oilers Need to Play with More Physicality
The Edmonton Oilers Need to Play with More Physicality
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