Happy Monday, dear Internet friends, and welcome to a brand new edition of the Mailbag to help you start your week and break down everything that’s happening with our beloved Edmonton Oilers. This week we’re looking at changes in expectations, reverse retros, adding team toughness, and a whole lot more. If you’ve got got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or hit me up on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a> and I’ll get to you as soon as we can.

<figure id="attachment_116540" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-116540" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-116540" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Edmonton-Oilers-celebrate-Battle-of-Alberta-win-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Edmonton-Oilers-celebrate-Battle-of-Alberta-win-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Edmonton-Oilers-celebrate-Battle-of-Alberta-win-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Edmonton-Oilers-celebrate-Battle-of-Alberta-win-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Edmonton-Oilers-celebrate-Battle-of-Alberta-win-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Edmonton-Oilers-celebrate-Battle-of-Alberta-win-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-116540" class="wp-caption-text">May 26, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first overtime period against the Calgary Flames in game five of the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
1) <a href="http://www.twitter.com/hugh_jayness" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@hugh_jayness</a> (BM: I love a good Simpsons joke) asks &#8211; Has any one of the gentlemen’s pre-season expectations changed? Is anyone concerned with the team/players&#8217; starts?
Jason Gregor:
I thought they’d be better than they have been defensively. I still view them as making playoffs and having home-ice advantage in the first round. Will have to play really well, however, to finish first in the Pacific.
Robin Brownlee:
I&#8217;m more concerned that your parents would name you Hugh, given the family name. Cruel. You must be so angry.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I&#8217;m pretty sure I said on Oilersnation Radio that I think Dylan Holloway could get to 50 points this year. So that one will probably be wrong. Also: I wasn&#8217;t high enough on the Vegas Golden Knights. They&#8217;re looking like a damn good hockey team.
Baggedmilk:
My expectations haven&#8217;t changed. I expect the Oilers to compete for the division and that&#8217;s not changing.
<figure id="attachment_122564" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-122564" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-122564" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/USATSI_19256825-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/USATSI_19256825-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/USATSI_19256825-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/USATSI_19256825-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/USATSI_19256825-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/USATSI_19256825-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-122564" class="wp-caption-text">Oct 18, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi (13) tries to screen Buffalo Sabres goaltender Eric Comrie (31) during the first period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
2) Trey asks &#8211; By my eye the Oilers are getting goals from the usual suspects but not enough from the depth players in the lineup. Who do you see as the player or players that have the most pressure to get going? What isn&#8217;t working for them right now?
Jason Gregor:
Puljujarvi and Yamamoto (when he returns) are the two who need more goals. Janmark, if he stays in the top six has to produce some offence and they’d like a few goals from Bouchard.
Robin Brownlee:
Foegele is finally starting to score, so that leaves Ryan McLeod and Jesse Puljujarvi as the most obvious slackers in terms of production. Be nice to get something from Shore and Holloway deeper in the line-up, but Holloway isn&#8217;t getting much ice time, so it&#8217;s a tough ask.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Ryan McLeod and Jesse Puljujarvi need to start scoring more. I really believe that they could be a third-line duo that really drives offense for this team, we just haven&#8217;t seen it yet and the season is now almost 25% done. Time is ticking for some of these bottom-six pieces to start producing.
Baggedmilk:
Jesse Puljujarvi, Ryan McLeod, and Kailer Yamamoto need to get going. I know Yamo is hurt right now, but the point remains. We need these guys to chip in a little bit. I would have said the same for Warren Foegele but our boy is rolling right now.
<figure id="attachment_123637" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-123637" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-123637" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/USATSI_19448595-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/USATSI_19448595-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/USATSI_19448595-300x200.jpg 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/USATSI_19448595-768x512.jpg 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/USATSI_19448595-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/USATSI_19448595-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-123637" class="wp-caption-text">Nov 16, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings forward Viktor Arvidsson (33) checks Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) off the puck during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
3) Anne asks &#8211; We got our first look at the reverse retros on Wednesday and I&#8217;m wondering what everyone thought about the Todd McFarlane throwbacks?
Jason Gregor:
I was never a huge fan of the original, and I actually liked the reverse retro better.
Robin Brownlee:
Don&#8217;t like the gear logo. Never have. Prefer the old silver striping to the new orange.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Too much orange! I would have been fine with a little orange in the logo but the trim is too much. Other than that they&#8217;re fine. I love that shoulder patch.
Baggedmilk:
I would have rather seem them go back to the OG colour scheme. It&#8217;s like, we get you like orange. We get it. Enough.
<div class="jetpack-video-wrapper"><iframe loading="lazy" class="youtube-player" width="1424" height="801" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VI11cMFZ8qU?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen="true" style="border:0;" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation"></iframe></div>
4) <a href="http://www.twitter.com/WoolyFerdaOil" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@WoolyFerdaOil</a> asks &#8211; Should the Oilers look at trying a shot at Ryan Reaves? Rumours rolling around him not happy with NYR coaching staff and how they are handling him.
Jason Gregor:
They don’t have cap space to add him on 4th line at his cap hit. He won’t play any more in Edmonton, more likely less, so I don’t see them adding him. Would be better off adding Gadjovich from San Jose as he would cost less and has a much lower cap hit at $750K.
Robin Brownlee:
No, they should not. Reaves turns 36 in January, plays eight minutes a night and doesn&#8217;t fall into the category of being a functional tough guy. He&#8217;s not a very good player and there aren&#8217;t many takers for him when it comes to dropping the gloves so his impact would be marginal.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I don&#8217;t love him at $1.75 million so I think I&#8217;d pass. I doubt the Rangers would retain or take a contract back so it just really won&#8217;t work.
Baggedmilk:
The Oilers don&#8217;t have the cap space to make it work, especially for a player that contributes in such a narrow way. I would rather find players that can actually play with a little bit of rage rather than a nuclear deterrent.
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-123565" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-16-at-10.14.37-PM-1024x563.png" alt="" width="1024" height="563" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-16-at-10.14.37-PM-1024x563.png 1024w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-16-at-10.14.37-PM-300x165.png 300w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-16-at-10.14.37-PM-768x422.png 768w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-16-at-10.14.37-PM-1536x844.png 1536w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-16-at-10.14.37-PM-2048x1125.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />
5) <a href="http://www.twitter.com/captain_feltan" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@captain_feltan</a> asks &#8211; It’s Bizarro World, no Canadian hockey team exists, which team would you cheer for &amp; why?
Jason Gregor:
Hartford Whalers as I assume they’d still be in the league, and they have the best logo and jersey (green one) in NHL history.
Robin Brownlee:
The New York Islanders. Last U.S. based team I cheered for because the 1970s teams drafted heavily from the WCHL/WHL and I saw a lot of those players come through Queen&#8217;s Park in New Westminster when the Bruins were a powerhouse team.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Either Columbus or Buffalo. I&#8217;m a sucker for lovable losers.
Baggedmilk:
The New York Rangers. I always had a thing for them in the mid-90s because of Mark Messier so that would be my answer.
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Happy Monday, dear Internet friends, and welcome to a brand new edition of the Mailbag to help you start your week and break down everything that’s happening with our beloved Edmonton Oilers. This week we’re looking at changes in expectations, reverse retros, adding team toughness, and a whole lot more. If you’ve got got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at <a class="text-accent" href="mailto:baggedmilk@oilersnation.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">baggedmilk@oilersnation.com</a> or hit me up on Twitter at <a class="text-accent" href="https://www.twitter.com/jsbmbaggedmilk" rel="noopener noreferrer">@jsbmbaggedmilk</a> and I’ll get to you as soon as we can.



[caption id="attachment_116540" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-116540" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Edmonton-Oilers-celebrate-Battle-of-Alberta-win-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /> May 26, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates his goal with teammates during the first overtime period against the Calgary Flames in game five of the second round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

1) <a href="http://www.twitter.com/hugh_jayness" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@hugh_jayness</a> (BM: I love a good Simpsons joke) asks - Has any one of the gentlemen’s pre-season expectations changed? Is anyone concerned with the team/players' starts?

Jason Gregor:

I thought they’d be better than they have been defensively. I still view them as making playoffs and having home-ice advantage in the first round. Will have to play really well, however, to finish first in the Pacific.

Robin Brownlee:

I'm more concerned that your parents would name you Hugh, given the family name. Cruel. You must be so angry.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

I'm pretty sure I said on Oilersnation Radio that I think Dylan Holloway could get to 50 points this year. So that one will probably be wrong. Also: I wasn't high enough on the Vegas Golden Knights. They're looking like a damn good hockey team.

Baggedmilk:

My expectations haven't changed. I expect the Oilers to compete for the division and that's not changing.

[caption id="attachment_122564" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-122564" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/USATSI_19256825-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /> Oct 18, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Jesse Puljujarvi (13) tries to screen Buffalo Sabres goaltender Eric Comrie (31) during the first period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

2) Trey asks - By my eye the Oilers are getting goals from the usual suspects but not enough from the depth players in the lineup. Who do you see as the player or players that have the most pressure to get going? What isn't working for them right now?

Jason Gregor:

Puljujarvi and Yamamoto (when he returns) are the two who need more goals. Janmark, if he stays in the top six has to produce some offence and they’d like a few goals from Bouchard.

Robin Brownlee:

Foegele is finally starting to score, so that leaves Ryan McLeod and Jesse Puljujarvi as the most obvious slackers in terms of production. Be nice to get something from Shore and Holloway deeper in the line-up, but Holloway isn't getting much ice time, so it's a tough ask.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Ryan McLeod and Jesse Puljujarvi need to start scoring more. I really believe that they could be a third-line duo that really drives offense for this team, we just haven't seen it yet and the season is now almost 25% done. Time is ticking for some of these bottom-six pieces to start producing.

Baggedmilk:

Jesse Puljujarvi, Ryan McLeod, and Kailer Yamamoto need to get going. I know Yamo is hurt right now, but the point remains. We need these guys to chip in a little bit. I would have said the same for Warren Foegele but our boy is rolling right now.

[caption id="attachment_123637" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-123637" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/USATSI_19448595-1024x683.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="683" /> Nov 16, 2022; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Los Angeles Kings forward Viktor Arvidsson (33) checks Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (29) off the puck during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]

3) Anne asks - We got our first look at the reverse retros on Wednesday and I'm wondering what everyone thought about the Todd McFarlane throwbacks?

Jason Gregor:

I was never a huge fan of the original, and I actually liked the reverse retro better.

Robin Brownlee:

Don't like the gear logo. Never have. Prefer the old silver striping to the new orange.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Too much orange! I would have been fine with a little orange in the logo but the trim is too much. Other than that they're fine. I love that shoulder patch.

Baggedmilk:

I would have rather seem them go back to the OG colour scheme. It's like, we get you like orange. We get it. Enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI11cMFZ8qU

4) <a href="http://www.twitter.com/WoolyFerdaOil" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@WoolyFerdaOil</a> asks - Should the Oilers look at trying a shot at Ryan Reaves? Rumours rolling around him not happy with NYR coaching staff and how they are handling him.

Jason Gregor:

They don’t have cap space to add him on 4th line at his cap hit. He won’t play any more in Edmonton, more likely less, so I don’t see them adding him. Would be better off adding Gadjovich from San Jose as he would cost less and has a much lower cap hit at $750K.

Robin Brownlee:

No, they should not. Reaves turns 36 in January, plays eight minutes a night and doesn't fall into the category of being a functional tough guy. He's not a very good player and there aren't many takers for him when it comes to dropping the gloves so his impact would be marginal.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

I don't love him at $1.75 million so I think I'd pass. I doubt the Rangers would retain or take a contract back so it just really won't work.

Baggedmilk:

The Oilers don't have the cap space to make it work, especially for a player that contributes in such a narrow way. I would rather find players that can actually play with a little bit of rage rather than a nuclear deterrent.

<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-123565" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Screen-Shot-2022-11-16-at-10.14.37-PM-1024x563.png" alt="" width="1024" height="563" />

5) <a href="http://www.twitter.com/captain_feltan" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">@captain_feltan</a> asks - It’s Bizarro World, no Canadian hockey team exists, which team would you cheer for &amp; why?

Jason Gregor:

Hartford Whalers as I assume they’d still be in the league, and they have the best logo and jersey (green one) in NHL history.

Robin Brownlee:

The New York Islanders. Last U.S. based team I cheered for because the 1970s teams drafted heavily from the WCHL/WHL and I saw a lot of those players come through Queen's Park in New Westminster when the Bruins were a powerhouse team.

Tyler Yaremchuk:

Either Columbus or Buffalo. I'm a sucker for lovable losers.

Baggedmilk:

The New York Rangers. I always had a thing for them in the mid-90s because of Mark Messier so that would be my answer.
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Monday Mailbag – Where is the Oilers depth scoring?

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