logo
OilersNation has no direct affiliation to the Edmonton Oilers, Oilers Entertainment Group, NHL, or NHLPA
Letters to the Editor: ‘This team isn’t looking consistent enough to make it to the finals’
alt
Photo credit: Photoshop by Tom Kostiuk
Zach Laing
Jan 4, 2026, 09:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 3, 2026, 20:52 EST
Comments
Got your coffee? It’s time to dig into this week’s Letters to the Editor.

Team Canada’s nepotism

Doug Armstrong states that no one worked their way off the roster. Yet these three St. Louis Blues participants appear to be suspect except for nepotism.
1. Doug Armstrong has led his Blues to 29th position in a 32-team league this year.
2. Jordan Bennington has won seven of 24 games played with a .869 save percentage.
3. Colton Parayko has zero goals and -9 in plus/minus this year.
These are certainly awesome performances to secure spots over others.
Gary Bauer
Calgary, Alta.
(You’re not wrong here. Binnington still makes no sense to me.)

Too many passengers, not enough passion

It’s really been a roller coaster ride for more than a few years. For me, there are a few issues that keep coming up, and it’s maddening because, again, to me, they seem obvious.
You mentioned emotion in your article. I concur that there has always been a lack of that. I like to use the word passion. Some nights when McDavid or others are getting cheap shots no one is getting payback! If we think our fans are frustrated with this lack of response, think of some of the players (who clearly are not in a position to make opponents accountable).
Clearly, we play the big boys… a lot! It’s so easy to have them jump over the boards and score score score. However, there are consequences. The rest of the players are sitting on the bench way too long sometimes. They get thrown out there cold. They have no rhythm. This lack of playing time has to wear on them. There is no doubt they start to lose confidence, and the lack of TRUST can be overwhelming, but more importantly, invisible to spot!
I could go on and on about the defence, goaltending and multiple line combinations, but if we ramp up the above we should see results. And we could do this internally!
Bryan Duncombe
Red Deer, Alta.
(Connor Clattenburg’s back in the Condors lineup and had a hit and a fight Friday. How long until we see him recalled again?)

Knoblauch can’t waste Howard and Hutson

It’s great that Isaac Howard and Quinn Hutson are recalled but will the coach play them? The coach seems to dismiss the young players, and GM Stan Bowman should request that the recalled players get proper game time.
It’s a shame that Max Jones doesn’t get a proper chance, big, fast, no one can produce with seven minute game times. Hopefully Trent Fredric will get press box duties, along with Andrew Mangiapane.
Brian Green
Victoria, B.C.
(Their usage was as expected yesterday a.k.a not enough.)

Ingram over Pickard? Really?

I was extremely disappointed to see that Connor Ingram was chosen over Calvin Pickard to face the Boston Bruins on New Year’s Eve. Pickard played so well and single-handedly coveted two points against Winnipeg.
For coach Knoblauch not to put a hot goalie back between the pipes the next game is very hard to understand. Goalies need consistency when playing well and Knoblauch doesn’t get that. It’s a confidence issue with goalies and the coach keeps changing up bottom-six lines and goalies. It may be we are in first in the Pacific Division but we’ve played more games and our GA are the worst. Knoblauch needs Coffey back behind the bench.
This team isn’t looking consistent enough to make it to the finals.
McDavid cannot do it all on his own.
Shelly Chubb
Sturgeon County, Alta.
(Pickard’s used to the spot start duty, but I am worried about their chances this year.)
Oilersnation wants to hear from you, the reader, in our new weekly “Letters to the Editor” segment. Letters can be emailed to Oilersnation’s managing editor Zach Laing (zach.laing@bettercollective.com), titled “Letters to the Editor.” Please include a letter up to 200 words, including your name, place of residence (city, town, province, or state). Your letters may be edited for length and/or clarity. Letters must be submitted by 6 PM MT Saturday night to be considered for feature on Sunday mornings.
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s managing editor, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the Daily Faceoff DFS Hockey Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.

ARTICLE PRESENTED BY bet365

Letters to the Editor

Oilers Talk

Featured

Breaking News