Insider believes the Oilers will be even stronger this season

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Finnegan Frost
September 18, 2024 (6:48)

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After the Edmonton Oilers made a historic march all the way to game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, fans are wondering if the team can duplicate the same success.

Although the Edmonton Oilers were just two goals away from the ultimate prize, it's hard to imagine the team getting any better. Despite taking a slight hit during the NHL offseason, David Staples from the Edmonton Journal believes the Oilers will be even stronger during the 2024-25 season.

I don't see Knoblauch's Oilers collapsing this coming year. Instead, I see them getting better, largely because Knoblauch appears to be an outstanding teacher of zone tactics. As all his Oilers, from Connor McDavid to Mattias Ekholm, from Leon Draisaitl to Darnell Nurse, come to fully understand their defensive responsibilities in Knoblauch's zone defence, there's no reason they can't build on their success and challenge to become the top defensive team in the NHL.

After Knoblauch took over as head coach last year in mid-November, Edmonton was the fifth best defensive team in the NHL the rest of the way, giving up just 2.68 goals per game (with the Winnipeg Jets leading the way at jus 2.24 goals against per game).

Staples believes the Edmonton Oilers are only going up at this point. Knoblauch has been effective at implementing his systems, and the Oilers have clearly bought in.

Knoblauch will finally have a full training camp to instil his defensive systems and philosophy. He'll have players keen to do all they can to raise their games so that they can win the Cup in the 2025 playoffs.

source: Edmonton Journal
The one big reason why Edmonton Oilers will be even better this season