Monday Mailbag – What do the Oilers have to do over their final 32 games?

Happy Monday, Internet friends, and welcome to a brand new edition of the Mailbag to help get your week started and break down all things Edmonton Oilers. This week we’re looking at the NHL All-Star Game, Jack Campbell’s season so far, and a whole lot more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at baggedmilk@oilersnation.com or hit me up on Twitter at @jsbmbaggedmilk and I’ll get to you as soon as we can.

The game will never be high intensity. Nor should it. The only change I’d make it is to have it be the best players, not one representative from each team. If you want a player from each team then find one who can do one of the skills competitions. But the game itself is never going to be intense. Nor should it. You don’t want the best players in the world risking injury for a nothing game.

Something other than 3-on-3 hockey at three-quarter speed with zero intensity. Start there.

The live draft that the league did during the mid-2010s was always entertaining. Having two captains choose teams while on the ice and then going straight into playing would be some entertaining chaos.

It doesn’t need to be competitive. It’s not really about the game, it’s more about the weekend experience as a whole. It’s supposed to be a fun celebration of the sport, not some crazy hard-fought hockey game. I think the way it is now is fine.

Bring back the fantasy draft! For the couple of years that they did do the fantasy draft, it was fantastic. People say the all-star game is for the kids, which is very true. However, the draft showed some personality for the adults too. Additionally, I think the NHL should take the same approach to the skills comp as the NBA does. You shouldn’t have to be in the game to take part in the skills comp.

The NHL should give everyone on the winning team $100K for the charity of their choice. Should get some guys moving,

Changing his equipment helped. Bigger chest protector, firmer glove and pads that push rebounds further. But he also spent time working on sharpening up some techniques, but mainly the new gear has helped with his confidence. Confidence is a big factor.

Yes, it is. Just like it was too soon to write him off when he was terrible early. He seems more comfortable in the pads he’s using since the change.

It seems that making the change to his equipment a few weeks ago has been a game-changer. He was eventually going to snap out of the early-season funk and it’s nice that he’s finding his groove.

He’s coming off a very good month, not just a good couple of games, so I do think it’s fair to say it’s happening. I’m far from a goaltending expert but his glove hand has gotten a lot more reliable. That’s one thing I’ve noticed.

I don’t know the techniques of a goaltender well enough to judge him fully, however, the confidence seems to be there with him way more now. He isn’t allowing as many bad goals, which is the biggest takeaway for me. The team is also playing better defensively in front of him and not giving up as many grade-A chances.

Definitely too soon to hang the Mission Accomplished banner, but I am very happy with his play over the last six weeks or so.

My favourite was Curtis Joseph’s Cujo masks.

I’ve always liked Curtis Joseph’s Cujo mask.

I love the cage that guys like Dominik Hasek and Artus Irbe rocked…

That Dwayne Roloson one more the 2006 Cup run was iconic. That’s right up there. Outside of Edmonton, I always liked the Eddie Belfour ones when I was younger. Also, I’m a sucker for the old-school-style ones that are just super basic. I liked the Mike Smith one where it was a nod to Grant Fuhr.

I don’t know if I have a favourite but I did like the giraffe on the back of Devan Dubnyks helmet.

Cujo’s mask was always awesome. I like Bill Ranford’s classic lid. Tommy Salo always had good ones. Great question.

Continue playing like they have in 2023. They have cut down on the major giveaways, tightened up defensively and got depth scoring throughout the lineup. They are playing to their potential now. They have a very realistic shot at winning the division. I believe they will win it.

The top four teams in the Pacific are within three points of each other. Two of the three teams ahead of the Oilers have played more games. They can win the division but they need to improve on that 13-11-3 record at home.

The key is the head-to-head matchups. They see Vegas twice in March, they’ll play the Kings a couple more times late in the season, and they go up against Seattle once more. There’ll be ups and downs the rest of the way and hopefully those Pacific Division games are the ups.

I’d like to see them go 20-10-0 and finish the year with 100 points. It’ll be tough but their schedule isn’t that difficult and they seem to really be coming together as of late. I think 100 points should be the goal but I think they’ll need about 104-106 to win the division so that would mean going at least 22-8. Tough sledding for sure but it’s more than possible.

The division is 100% in play for the Oilers. They just need to continue winning the games they’re supposed to. They also need a strong finish versus the Pacific Division. Finally, at this point, I don’t see a situation in which the Oilers don’t make the playoffs.

If the Oilers keep this run going, there’s a real chance they can still win the division. So to answer the question, what I need from the Oilers is for the boys to keep doing what they’re doing.

They have played very similar to how they did in their 38 games with Woodcroft last season. They’ve lowered their goals against. Offence isn’t an issue. Yes, I see them as a Cup contender. Colorado would be favourite in the West, but EDM is right there with the rest of the teams. I still would like a solid veteran top-four defender. Hard to find, but if they could land one that would be ideal. A right shot forward who could take draws and has speed would be nice as well. Not a necessity, but would be a good addition.

I don’t see any glaring needs, but I’m not excited about how unsettled they are on RW with Kailer Yamamoto coming back from injury and Jesse Puljujarvi nothing more than luggage until he gets traded.

I’d have thought that the blueline would be the biggest area of need but Philip Broberg and Vincent Desharnais have helped fill that internally. They could still use another veteran on defence but it seems now the biggest need is on the wings, or the third-line centre spot so that a pivot can move to the wing.

Yes. They have the two most consistent offensive producers in the league, other forwards having career years, and a rookie goalie capable of stealing games. Get a better defensive centreman and upgrade the blueline a bit and this team will be set. The Pacific isn’t that good and quite frankly the entire Western Conference is wide open.

When you have Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl you can be considered Cup contenders. By the deadline, Holland needs to add another defenceman and a two-way forward. Jonathan Toews feels like a good player to fill that two-way forward role.

I’m worried about the depth on the right wing, especially if Yamamoto gets banged up again whenever he comes back from this recent stint on the LTIR. Also, just as I have been all season, I’d love a defensive upgrade on the back end.

Star Mechanical is Edmonton’s top plumbing and heating company. Our team of skilled professionals is committed to helping with all your plumbing and heating needs, from repairs and maintenance to installation and upgrades. With years of experience and a reputation for quality workmanship, you can trust us your local Star to get the job done. Visit us at starmechanical.ca to schedule an appointment and let us help keep your home running smoothly.