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New York Times
18 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
The 5 biggest questions facing the Edmonton Oilers this summer
Early in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers attempted a breakout. The score was tied, and the play looked routine. Although the Oilers needed a win to get the series to a decisive Game 7, the team played well through the first four minutes, and there was no need to press. As defenceman Mattias Ekholm passed the puck along the left wall inside the defensive zone, all looked fine. Leon Draisaitl was nearby to offer support, and Corey Perry was available at the blue line. Florida Panthers defenceman Aaron Ekblad pinched at the line, and rejected the pass, but Draisaitl sent a short lob back to Ekholm for a reset. Edmonton was still in good shape, 0-0 score, no danger here. Advertisement At that point, Draisaitl and Perry immediately exited the zone on a jail break. Connor McDavid, the other member of the line, was already past centre ice, all three forwards anticipating a sortie through the neutral zone and into the attacking end. It took five seconds, from turnover to Panthers goal. Five seconds. Ekholm made a poor pass, and Evan Bouchard was unable to handle it. The puck-hawk Florida forwards turned it over, and it was instantly 1-0 on an unforced error. The play stood out as an example of several things the Oilers need to improve this summer and in years to come. Here are five issues, all clear as day on a pivotal goal by Florida. Ekholm is a quality veteran and a valuable member of the Oilers. He wasn't playing his best hockey in the last two games of the final. Edmonton's management and coaching staff went with Ekholm in Game 6 despite some disturbing results in five-on-five play. If Ekholm's ability to perform at a high level was in doubt, and the Oilers' decision-makers didn't trust other options (notably Darnell Nurse or Brett Kulak), that's a problem. Ekholm is 35 and entering the final year of his contract, and the Oilers don't have a left-handed defensive phenom poised to replace him now that Philip Broberg is a member of the St. Louis Blues. Ekholm was clearly playing hurt, and the Oilers proceeded with him on the top pairing. It raises a big question about Edmonton's top pairing. The breakout by the forwards (Draisaitl and Perry) on the goal was immediate once the puck had been pushed back to Ekholm by Draisaitl. McDavid was past centre before Ekholm made the subpar pass meant for Bouchard (the NHL visualizer on the play is a fantastic overview), and the positioning of the forwards at that moment is problematic. Advertisement All three forwards were reacting to possession gained, suggesting a set play or at least the coaching preference. A jailbreak can work well, but the forwards isolated the defencemen by doing it. Once it became a battle between Bouchard and Sam Reinhart, the Oilers were in trouble. If the forwards leaping out of the zone ran counter to the coaching staff's preference, it's a different problem. If it's a planned outbreak, a more conservative approach (breaking out as a five-man unit) should be an easy fix. The Oilers aren't brilliant defensively, especially against the Panthers. More support is required. The play described above must have looked like a biblical parting of the defensive sea from Stuart Skinner's vantage point. From what should have been a routine pass to a fumble and a turnover, it was all poor defending. It left Skinner with a lot to guess on as Reinhart moved toward the net. If the Oilers are going to play a pure offensive style, and it makes sense with McDavid, Draisaitl and Bouchard, then investing in a strong goaltending tandem makes sense. It also means a higher spend at the position. Edmonton's investment in goaltending during the Ken Holland era (2019-2024) was frugal, and last season (Stan Bowman's first as general manager) the club used less than $4 million in cap money for the position. The play for Bowman is to make more room for a goaltender partner to match with Skinner. He's young, has extensive NHL playoff experience and remains a goaltender who can get hot in key situations (the series against the Dallas Stars in the 2024 and 2025 playoffs are examples). If the Oilers choose a free agent (like Jake Allen) or trade for a significant stopper, the coaching staff can split the regular-season work and go with the hot hand in the postseason. The Vancouver Canucks are an example of a team who always have two strong options. Advertisement Edmonton would be wise to adopt a similar plan. It's going to be expensive. Perry was the right winger on the top line during the goal in question by Reinhart. Edmonton's right wing depth chart featured Zach Hyman all year, and through most of the playoffs. He was injured in the Dallas series, and the 40-year-old Perry emerged as the best option. That isn't acceptable. The Oilers spend to the cap, and owner Daryl Katz has done so for many years. How did the Oilers land in such a situation? It's complicated and involves a disappointing season by veteran Viktor Arvidsson and inconsistent scoring from Connor Brown. The club used the waiver wire to pick up Kasperi Kapanen, who performed well on the wing and at centre. None of the options were superior to Perry in the final game of the season, and his presence on the top line at that moment should be a red flag for the organization. The NHL roster spent last season hermetically sealed, with recalls from the AHL Bakersfield Condors a rare item. The team's top prospect, right winger Matt Savoie, played just four games (recording one assist) before being dispatched to the minors. Edmonton needed a right-handed centre all season, but Noah Philp played just 15 games with the team. Quinn Hutson was signed out of college and dressed for two games but barely played. Goalie prospect Olivier Rodrigue also saw just two games. The club did recall veterans like Drake Caggiula, but precious development opportunities were missed. If Savoie had been brought along more aggressively, playing in 30-40 regular-season games, plus getting some playoff experience, the organization would have a better idea about him today. In fact, if Savoie had thrived during the regular season, Edmonton may have been able to consider him as an option for play after Hyman went down with injury during the Stars' series, or as a replacement for the ineffective Arvidsson. Advertisement That goal, that single moment in time during Game 6, exposed several areas the Oilers need to address. Playing veterans who are clearly not 100 percent, questionable breakouts when there is no need for desperate measures, devoting very little cap to goaltending while needing brilliant consistency due to an offence-first roster, having enough skill on the wings to survive an injury, and playing youth enough to get an idea about what they can be in the future. No matter the names of the new recruits Bowman will procure, those five questions need answers before the fall.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Connor McDavid's crushing takeaway from Oilers' latest Stanley Cup defeat
The post Connor McDavid's crushing takeaway from Oilers' latest Stanley Cup defeat appeared first on ClutchPoints. For the second year in a row, the Edmonton Oilers fell short of their Stanley Cup aspirations. The Western Conference champions lost in six games to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, who hoisted Lord Stanley once again. Advertisement Following the gut-wrenching defeat, Connor McDavid made it clear — the Oilers left it all out on the ice. The Cats were simply just better. Via The Athletic: 'We lost to a really good team,' McDavid said. 'Nobody quit, nobody threw the towel in, but they're a heck of a team. They're back-to-back Stanley Cup champions for a reason.' Florida dominated in the series clincher, winning 5-1. They also took Game 5 in Edmonton by a score of 5-2. The reality is that the Oilers played far from their best hockey in the final two games of the series, and goaltending was a significant issue. Calvin Pickard struggled on Saturday, and Stuart Skinner's return to the crease for Game 6 was a nightmare as well. Advertisement While it was a phenomenal season for the Oilers, falling just short for another season is heartbreaking. And this series just felt a little bit different than last year's. Edmonton fought their way back from a 3-0 hole to force a Game 7. This time around, they fell apart after Game 4. 'Last year, we were playing for it. This year we weren't,' defenseman Mattias Ekholm said, referring to the fact the Oilers got to Game 7. 'So, that may give you the answer.' Both of Edmonton's wins in the Finals were in overtime. It took everything they had to actually beat the Panthers, needing comebacks to get the job done. 'We need to learn from this right away, right now,' Skinner said. 'Letting it happen two times in a row is devastating.' Advertisement It's back to the drawing board for McDavid and Co., who will be looking to finally win a title next June. But, it will be a long journey to return to the Cup Finals, and they may have to get through the Panthers again, who are building a modern-day dynasty. Related: Matthew Tkachuk makes Connor McDavid Stanley Cup guarantee Related: Oilers HC Kris Knoblauch's 'difficult' admission after Panthers series
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Oilers Player Makes Bold Stanley Cup Final Guarantee Before Game 6
Oilers Player Makes Bold Stanley Cup Final Guarantee Before Game 6 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Edmonton Oilers trail the Florida Panthers 3-2 in the Stanley Cup Final heading into Game 6, scheduled for Tuesday in Sunrise, Florida. Advertisement To return to Canada with a chance to hoist the Cup, the Oilers must win on the road to force a decisive Game 7 back home. Despite falling 5-2 in Game 5 and being outplayed for long stretches, Oilers blueliner Jake Walman has no doubt the series will return to Edmonton, as he told The Athletic following Saturday's defeat while making a quite bold prediction — if not a straight guarantee. 'This was always going to be a long series,' Walman said. 'We're going to come back here after a game there, and that's it. 'There's no doubt.' Walman and fellow defenseman Mattias Ekholm had a rough outing on Saturday, as Florida outshot the Oilers' first defensive pairing. Advertisement Moreover, Florida's Brad Marchand beat Walman clean for both the opening goal and then the game-winner, the latter following an extraordinary move. Walman's confidence, however, hasn't wavered. 'It's frustrating when you come into the (dressing) room and you're down,' Walman said. 'We're struggling to get to our game right away. It takes us a little bit. I don't know what the reasoning is.' Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane (91) reacts with left wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) after scoring a goal against the Florida Nelson-Imagn Images That slow-start trend should be a real concern for the Oilers, as Edmonton has trailed by at least two goals after the first period in each of the past three games. Game 6 is at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday night in Sunrise, and Walman has already made his bold prediction for what will happen on the ice come puck-drop time. Advertisement Related: NHL Makes Historic Connor McDavid Announcement Amid Stanley Cup Final Related: Don Cherry Makes Pick for 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy Winner This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 16, 2025, where it first appeared.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
"Oilers are the second-best hockey team": Mattias Ekholm's wife Ida offers comfort to Oilers fans after Stanley Cup dreams shatter
Mattias Ekholm's wife shares touching open letter with Oilers fans (Instagram/@ibjornstad) The Edmonton Oilers' dream of clinching the Stanley Cup came to a devastating end yet again, this time in Game 6 against the Florida Panthers. With a 5-1 loss sealing a 4-2 series defeat, the heartbreak ran deep — not just among players and fans, but also within the families who've stood by through every exhausting moment. Mattias Ekholm 's wife praises Oilers Nation with raw, emotional letter after crushing Stanley Cup loss Amid the emotional wreckage, one voice quietly stood out — not from the locker room, but from the sidelines. Ida Björnstad, wife of Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm and a respected Swedish sports journalist, took to Instagram to deliver a deeply moving message that resonated far beyond the final score. 'As you might know, I'm a writer, and I love to put my thoughts into sentences and stories,' Ida began, in a post that felt more like a journal entry than a public statement. 'Most of my texts stay with me. This time, though, I would like to share some words with you.' Her post was more than a show of support; it was a heartfelt window into the emotional toll a Stanley Cup run takes on not only players but also their families. Ida's perspective came not as a reporter, but as a partner who's been living the ups and downs of the season behind closed doors. 'I know how much hockey means to the Canadian people, and I understand that the people in Edmonton are heartbroken today, including our family,' she wrote, capturing the collective disappointment that enveloped the city after the Oilers fell short again. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scam Exposed: What They Won't Tell You about zero trust! Expertinspector Click Here Undo She went on to highlight the intense mental and physical demands that playoff hockey imposes: 'Throughout the playoffs, many things are happening behind the scenes. Boundaries are being pushed in the most demanding way, both physically and mentally. For the players and their families, everything is about maximizing the chances of winning.' Despite flashes of brilliance from Edmonton — including two hard-fought overtime wins — the Panthers controlled much of the series. Edmonton was behind for a record-setting 255 minutes and 49 seconds and was outscored 28-17 overall. Game 6 saw Florida dominate early, with the Oilers unable to find their rhythm again. Still, Ida chose to focus on the positives. 'For two years in a row, we have made it to the Stanley Cup Finals. The Oilers are the second-best hockey team in the world, and we have fans who support this team in both good times and bad. There is so much to be proud of and thankful for.' And in her final thought, she reminded everyone of the bigger picture: 'As much as it hurts when you lose, this is a journey we will look back on one day, reflecting on the highs and lows and understanding that everything made sense.' As the Oilers now prepare for a pivotal offseason, Ida's message offers something rare — a sense of grace and perspective in the face of loss, reminding fans why they fell in love with this team in the first place. Also Read: Wayne Gretzky loved Panthers' Cup win over Oilers but also admits one part didn't sit right Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Vancouver Sun
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup dreams die again in Florida
In any other era, in almost any other year, this Edmonton Oilers team is good enough to win a Stanley Cup. Good enough, even, to be a two-time champion solidifying its place in NHL history. But not in this era. Not during the Florida Panthers' reign. For the second year in a row, with the dreams of a city and its seasoned No.1 contender hanging in the balance, it all came crashing down at Amerant Bank Arena, where the Oilers were once again left to accept their place as the second best team in hockey. Florida's convincing 5-1 victory in Game 6 closed out the series 4-2 and forced the Oilers to spend another night in a tear-stained dressing room listening to the Panthers and their fans celebrate another Stanley Cup title. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. That the Oilers lost twice to one of the best teams in the last 30 years, a potential dynasty in the making, does nothing to ease a collective heartbreak they promised themselves would never happen again. Year-old wounds stat still haven't healed since last June are torn open again. It hurts when your Stanley Cup window is being used by somebody better. But the Panthers are better and they've proven it twice now. Florida's last three wins in this series were by scores of 6-1, 5-2 and 5-1, and they were up 3-0 before Edmonton made a once-in-a-century comeback in Game 4. They scored 28 goals on Edmonton in six games. So there's not a lot of grey area here. Florida's top guys were better than Edmonton's top guys, Florida's depth destroyed Edmonton's depth and Florida's goaltending was better than Edmonton's goaltending. It was a clean kill. The Oilers came out with a sense of urgency that delivered some big hits and generated some good scoring chances, but two too many defensive zone mistakes put them in another terrible spot. Gaffes from Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard allowed Sam Reinhart to score on the ensuing breakaway at 4:36. Then Bouchard and Connor McDavid combined on Matthew Tkachuk's goal at 19:13. Just like that, the Oilers were down 2-0 again at the first intermission again. This makes deficits of 2-0, 3-0, 2-0 and 2-0 in the first periods of the last four games and six-straight games allowing two or more goals against in the opening 20 minutes — the first time that's ever happened in Stanley Cup Final history. Head coach Kris Knoblauch waited about three shifts before putting McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together on the top line and they were minus two by the first intermission. He took the whip to his top line in the second period, playing them almost every second shift (McDavid played 16 of the first 40 minutes) but Florida's ability to shut opponents down left Edmonton's superstars frustrated and without answers. The situation went from bleak to grim when Stuart Skinner served up a horrendous rebound that Aleksander Barkov banked in off Reinhart's skate to make it 3-0 after two periods. And that was it. A couple of empty-netters for Reinhart gave him four goals on the night and turned the lights out on Edmonton's season. E-mail: rtychkowski@
