The Oilers are off to a bad start and their fans are tiring of this flawed roster, Anaheim is off and running, and Vladimir Tarasenko's emergence poses a dilemma in St. Louis.
Oilers headed for trouble
The Edmonton Oilers are testing the patience of a loyal fan base with a poor 4-7-1 start. On top of that record, they will be without their best player, Taylor Hall, for two to four weeks with an MCL sprain. Hall had leapt from the starting gate to produce 10 points and a +4 rating (both team highs) in his first 11 games. In addition, captain Andrew Ference has to sit out three games for an illegal hit.
This team can ill afford the absence of these key parts. Their absence only affords observers the chance to highlight the underperformers. Topping that list is Nail Yakupov, with only four points in 12 games. The former number one pick overall in the 2012 Draft has become the poster boy for the overall low level of achievement of a pack of recent top draft picks. Jordan Eberle (nine points, -1) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (seven points, -2) are certainly a part of this group that has yet to reach the heights expected of them.
We have noted that their most recent top pick, Leon Draisaitl (four points, -5) is following the same learning curve as these other top prospects because he will not be shipped back to his junior hockey team in Prince Albert. Instead the Oilers plan to play him in their top three lines and continue his transition to the NHL as a 19-year old.
Now one can argue the merits of whether this is the best plan for a top prospect, but it is influenced by the failure of the Oilers to make the playoffs, despite the presence of so many recent top draft picks among their forward ranks.
A look at their team defense numbers highlights a big problem. In 12 games, they have allowed 42 goals against. That's an average of 3.5 per game, one of the worst marks in the league. Now you can surely suggest that the tandem of Ben Scrivens and Viktor Fasth is not among the best in the league, but they are not solely to blame.
Despite the success Dallas Eakins enjoyed in teaching a young group with Toronto's AHL affiliate, he has not enjoyed much success in Edmonton. That is because this defense does not have a top rated puck-mover, though Justin Schultz showed an ability to be productive on the attack with 11 goals and 33 points last year (two goals, five points so far this season). This rearguard struggles mightily with defensive zone responsibilities, too. It seems as though, the defense has been overlooked in building this team and little will change until that talent base is upgraded.
I see a trade involving a young offensive piece moving off this roster to speed up that process. Shrewd rival GMs should be burning the phone lines to "help" the Oilers with this situation ready to boil over.
Anaheim as good as advertised
The Ducks have been quick to reach the level they showed last year -- one that suggests power is still skewed to the Western Conference. They are the first team to reach the 10-win mark (against only three defeats). As expected, Corey Perry (11 goals, four assists) and Ryan Getzlaf (three goals, 11 assists) are leading the Ducks offense. The interesting note is that the left wing spot on that line is up for grabs. Matt Beleskey (five goals) has been in that fortunate role most of the time, but Dany Heatley has been getting a look there recently. He has been slowed by a nagging groin injury, but the Ducks are looking at reviving this former sniper with this golden opportunity.
Ryan Kesler has fit in very well as the pivot on a second scoring line and a feature performer on this productive power play unit. If he can stay healthy, that would be a huge plus for this squad.
Devante Smith-Pelley and Jakob Silfverberg are two young forwards who are both getting over 15 of playing time on a regular basis. They have five points each and are being counted on to produce significant secondary scoring behind the big line.
The defense has shown a continued ability to chip in on offense and hold the fort around the Ducks goalies. In Cam Fowler (eight points) and Sami Vatanen (seven points), the Ducks have a pair of solid playmakers who help set up this attack. In Francois Beauchemin and Hampus Lindholm they have two blue-liners who are very adept at keeping opponents at bay, as well as their own ability to help in the transition of play.
The goalie situation has changed dramatically from this time last season. Frederik Andersen made a sensational debut in winning 20 of his 25 decisions last season, while posting a 2.29 goals against average (GAA). He has followed that up with even better numbers so far this season, in winning seven of his first eight starts and limiting opponents to a microscopic 1.60 GAA. At the same time, the highly regarded John Gibson has followed up his playoff cameo with four starts and a 2.28 GAA.
The only trouble here is that both goalies are currently sidelined with injuries. Gibson, perhaps the most highly regarded goalie prospect right now, is expected to miss up to six weeks with a groin injury. Andersen is dealing with leg tightness and should be fine by the weekend. In the mean time, veteran backup Jason LaBarbera will fill in and be Andersen's backup while Gibson heals. In addition, the Ducks have called up Igor Bobkov to back up LaBarbera in the short term.
The Ducks should not let this situation derail what they have started. It's a solid club, from top to bottom.
Tarasenko's a nice problem for St. Louis
By now, most hockey fans have seen the clip of Vladimir Tarasenko's magnificent solo effort, a highlight reel goal against the Rangers. That tally is the latest in a long list of high skill plays made by this third-year pro, whom the Blues snagged with the 16th overall draft pick in 2010.
His eight goals and six assists in the first 12 games of this season put him on pace to quickly eclipse the 43 points he amassed in 64 contests last year. This impressive start has him leading a very deep St. Louis team in scoring. As good as this news and as happy as the Blues' front office is, to see this emergence, it has also created a bit of an issue for them.
Tarasenko is in the final year of his rookie (entry-level) contract, which has a salary cap-friendly hit of $900K for this season. Should his early season pace continue, it is clear that a significant pay hike is on the horizon for a player of this quality. The Blues are already committed to spending over $56M on 15 existing contracts for next season, so they have to find a way to make Tarasenko's next contract fit within the limitations of the remaining cap space.
In reviewing the salary caps of all NHL teams, the Blues are among the top-spending clubs in the league already. They will have growing concerns with this roster in the near future, as only nine current players on their roster are signed beyond next season. The other looming possibility is that a team from the KHL throws a big dollar contract in an attempt to entice the 22-year native of Yaroslavl, Russia, back to his homeland.
For now, his focus will be on helping the Blues go as far as they can this season. But, make no mistake, a big payday is coming for Tarasenko.