2018-19 EDITION OF OILERS A MUCH DIFFERENT TEAM

Poor defence was Achilles’ heel last year, writes number cruncher William Hanson.

The Edmonton Oilers season starts today, finally.

The past seven years I’ve watched 500 Oilers games, studied hockey analytics, and written opinions in the Edmonton Journal. Along the way, I’ve raised questions: What are the best, most meaningful analytics? What accounts for last year’s disappointing season? Why did some star players struggle? How should players be graded and evaluated? How should they practise and develop? And, what matters most: athletic ability or opportunity to play?

This year, I’m addressing burning questions and hot topics: What are this year’s keys to success? Are Vegas’ 25-1 Stanley Cup odds wrong (again)? Do concepts like “grit” actually exist? When’s the best time to pull the goalie, statistically speaking ? Who’s this year’s unsung hero and newest shining star? And, win or lose, how are Oilers fans feeling ?

Here’s a hint, a prelude if you will: NHL success and playoff runs are about team defence, including defensively minded forwards. More than anything, I’d love seeing a Selke finalist this year (Leon Draisaitl, please stand up).

I’d also love seeing Corsi and other shot metrics put on ice. At best, they’re meaningless. At worst, they’re misleading. And, if you’re so inclined, bet Vegas’ overs. They’re projecting 91.5 points this year. Last year, the Oilers had significantly fewer points than other NHL teams.

Interestingly, they scored just as many goals as other Pacific Division foes. Scoring wasn’t the problem; defending was, as they allowed significantly more goals, on average, than division rivals. Poor defence was the death knell, plain and simple.

Finally, if the Oilers play truly gritty hockey and give new players, like Ethan Bear, Evan Bouchard, and Kailer Yamamoto, chances to play (mistakes and all), fans will be ecstatic.

Mistakes are part of the game, especially if you’re trying hard. As eminent psychologist B.F. Skinner said, “… failure is not always a mistake. It may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying.”

And, contrary to popular opinion, it’s a vastly different team this year. About one-third of the players are new, counting Ty Rattie and Bear, who didn’t play much last year, less than a quarter of the season.

And there are new high-end coaches. Frankly, I don’t see many similarities, except positive things, like two superstar centres, versatile wingers like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, defensive stalwarts like Adam Larsson, and a trio of massive, skilled, physically intimidating players like Milan Lucic.

I see a tremendously capable, Vezina-quality goalie, too (Cam Talbot, please stand up). Additionally, if returning players practised properly this off season, they’re likely different players themselves, with different skill-sets, confidence levels, and goals/expectations. They also likely have different personal circumstances, which can positively affect performance.

Finally, there are different locker-room dynamics and promising new players in Bakersfield, champing at the bit, waiting for their chance.

As much as any sport, hockey is a team game. Changing even one player changes the dynamic. And, as an aside, experience is overrated and largely uncorrelated with peak performance. So, please let Bear, Bouchard, and Yamamoto play.

Sending them down is a kin to Seinfeld’s Kramer dominating the dojo. Silly and unnecessary. And, speaking of less experienced players, I have to ask, how do you like Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Rattie?

I’ve liked it all along, supporting it from the beginning. To me, it’s the Ratified Line.

Drop the puck; it’s time.

Changing even one player changes the dynamic. And ... experience is overrated and largely uncorrelated with peak performance.