As a new season approaches, questions about whether the Edmonton Oilers will qualify for a long-awaited playoff spot (or at least challenge for one) are being raised.
Jordan Eberle, considered to be a key cog in that ever spinning wheel, addressed the topic on Sportsnet 960 in Calgary.
Here's what the 24-year-old had to say about his team's chances in 2014-15, boosted by a few offseason additions:
You know what? I think we’ve been trying to say that for the last three years. It just hasn’t worked out. I really like what we did this summer. I think a lot of people would have said our back end was struggling last year. We went out and picked [Nikita] Nikitin up, [Mark] Fayne, Keith Aulie.
If you look, those guys are all probably over 6-4, so some big guys. We’ll be a tougher team to play against there. Not only that, but we added a little bit of grit and bigger guys on our front end. I mean, [Benoit] Pouliot, and [Teddy] Purcell for [Sam] Gagner.
Having said that, Eberle affirmed that the team's young players are the ones who will need to drive the bus:
I think we’re going to be a better team. Obviously, like I’ve always said the last couple of summers, the core guys – myself, [Ryan Nugent-Hopkins], [Taylor] Hall; we really have to take it upon ourselves to take this team where we want it to go and that’s obviously to the playoffs. I think as you’ve seen the last few years, you’ve just got to make the playoffs.
Anything can happen. I’m looking forward to it. Any time you get into late July, early August, you really start getting the itch back to get back on the ice and get ready, so that’s how I feel right now.
Eberle tied for the team lead with 28 goals last season. His 37 assists and 65 points were second to Taylor Hall's 53 and 80, respectively.
The Oilers did add some players who have been known to do some heavy lifting possession-wise (notably Pouliot and Fayne). This added depth will ideally lift pressure off the young guns, who will be counted upon to produce in accordance with their draft positions.
