2007-2008 Season Preview - Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
Notable moves and changes: Signed D Sheldon Souray (was with Montreal), acquired F Dustin Penner, after the Ducks declined to match the Oilers’ offer. Signed F Geoff Sanderson.
Starting goalie:Dwayne Roloson
Summary of last year: This was a team that lost its heart and soul when Ryan Smyth was traded at the deadline. Any poor performances or setbacks up to that point were recoverable, but the trade of Smyth sent the team into a freefall. Some would argue that freefall is still happening.
Prediction for this year: It would be too easy to discount this season as a write off, but as most Flames fans know, one can never underestimate the Edmonton Oilers. However, their off-season has been tumultuous at best, with controversial offers to the Sabres’ Thomas Vanek (Buffalo matched) and the Ducks’ Dustin Penner (the Ducks didn’t). Adding Souray, Sanderson, and Penner to the mix doesn’t look like it comes close to closing the gap left by Smyth, especially when you factor in the loss of Petr Sykora in the off-season. Shawn Horcoff, Ales Hemsky, Jarrett Stoll and Raffi Torres represent the remaining 30+ point players from last season and will need to step up.
Sheldon Souray, Joni Pitkanen, Jason Smith, Joffrey Lupul, Dustin Penner, Geoff Sanderson, Dwayne Roloson, Ryan Smyth, Thomas Vanek
Leave a Reply