Oilers GM Stan Bowman Not Happy With Early Season Results, But Surprisingly Fine With One Position
The Edmonton Oilers have had an inconsistent start to this season, and the team's reportedly been in the market for a defenceman - now General Manager Stan Bowman has spoken up about the early season results.
In a recent interview with Mark Spector, Stan Bowman admitted that he's not pleased with the team's play. Bowman explained the defence has performed well, but the forwards aren't scoring as much as expected.
«Maybe on paper (the D-corps) doesn't look great, but when you look at actually the way they perform they've done a pretty good job I think our D has been fine.«
- Stan Bowman
- Stan Bowman
Instead, Bowman pointed to the massive drop off in scoring from a handful of players the Oilers are relying on.
Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jeff Skinner, and Victor Arvidsson have all underperformed so far, and Bowman admitted as much.
»It's weird. We've got such poor production from those players, and if you look at the numbers under the numbers (the analytics), we're doing a lot of good things. We should be scoring a lot more goals.»
- Stan Bowman
- Stan Bowman
What's most telling about this interview is the lack of quotes given about the Oilers goaltending situation, which is arguably the biggest factor by far in the team's struggles this year.
Stuart Skinner had a great bounce back effort against the New York Rangers on Saturday night, but his problem this season has been consistency. Coach Knoblauch even called out Skinner directly for his inability to string together two quality starts
Stan Bowman wasn't the general manager that drafted or signed Stuart Skinner, and it's possible that Bowman may be more open to a change in net than Ken Holland was. Right now, Edmonton ranks last in the NHL in goals saved above expected.
Sharks goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood may be available for trade, which would make as a great tandem option for Skinner.
The Oilers clearly want to be patient and wait as long as possible to make a trade to improve the roster, but if their mediocrity continues much longer, maybe a deal is necessary to bolster the team's regular season results.
As a team that wants to get back into the Stanley Cup Final this season, the Oilers should've had the goal of competing for the President's Trophy this year, or at least the Division title, to ensure home ice advantage in the playoffs. That goal maybe isn't done yet, if they can rattle off a win streak.
We'll see how the Oilers look when they return from the current 5 day break. If their up and down season continues, Bowman seems to be ready to make a move to help the team.
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