The media is hitting the panic button on Oilers preseason

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Finnegan Frost
October 6, 2024 (11:30)

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According to the latest reports from Mark Spector, the media seems to be hitting the panic button due to a lacklustre preseason campaign.

Spector hasn't been impressed with the Oilers preseason so far. He calls out the Edmonton Oilers for looking poor last night against the Vancouver Canucks, including most of the preseason. He believes that a team as elite as the Edmonton Oilers will be starting their season "under a cloud of doubt", while being nowhere good enough with the regular season just a few days away.

But Mark Spector doesn't seem to be the only one who has a grim feeling about the Oilers regular season so far. According to the Hockey News, Over their eight games, the Oilers scored just 19 times and allowed a league-worst 36 goals. Edmonton's goal differential of minus-17 is the third worst in a single NHL preseason during the salary cap era.

All five of the Oilers' losses came by at least three goals, and they gave up six goals on four occasions, including twice on the same night, when they suffered split-squad losses of 6-1 and 6-3 to the provincial rival Calgary Flames on Sept. 23. Meanwhile, all three of Edmonton's victories were decided by a single goal, and the Oilers won just once in regulation.

Now, I know it's the media's job to spark controversy by making these kinds of claims. I for one don't care for Spector's thoughts on the matter - It's the preseason. Players aren't interested in going full throttle, it's designed to get the muscles going, shaking off the offseason rust, and to gauge prospects.

Look at the Boston Bruins for example. They've posted a 2-4 record through the preseason, not exactly great for a team of their calibre, but much of that won't matter come next week.

The media just needs to take a big deep breath - the Edmonton Oilers will be fine. Sure, I understand the legitimate concern of a poor start like the 2023-24 campaign, but the players have bought into head coach Knoblauch's system. If the Oilers get off to another 3-9-1 record, then yes, push the panic button by all means. But as it stands, the preseason means absolutely nothing, and the media should chill.