DO THE OILERS NOW HAVE THE BEST FORWARD GROUP IN THE LEAGUE?

After a busy July 1 that saw them add Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner, while retaining Adam Henrique, should the Oilers forward group be considered the class of the league? TSN's Frankie Corrado and Bryan Hayes discuss that, whether the Nashville Predators were the real winners of Free Agent Frenzy, and more.

[@Afshin502]

I hope the Oilers don't view Evander the way you do, as just a spare tire. I also believe his physicality is a positive aspect; he just needs to reduce the number of penalties he takes.

[@tudormiller887]

👍

[@DeterminedBeast]

Bet he goes on ltir until playoffs

[@Avery-ux9wx]

Healthy Evander Kane (like the one from the 2022 playoffs) is a weapon, but when he's not at 100% he's a liability. Putting him on LTIR is the best option to make the money work though, and if we can Mark Stone him for the playoffs that's even better.

[@exhellification]

@@Avery-ux9wx That's a good plan, actually. Kane can be elite, if he stays healthy and I'd rather have that in the playoffs.

[@templarrising6299]

Kane hasn't been the same since his wrist, but hes far from done.. ​@exhellification

[@shelleysikorski2366]

How amazing is it to her Oilers FINALLY kicked butt on Free Agency Day, it was always a day to dread! Way to go JJ!!

[@zigfield723]

They already did, now it's even scarier. Cup favorites going into next year.

[@aaronlilley5007]

Cup favorites my foot. Edmonton was very lucky to get as far as they did. They won't get past Vancouver in the second round of the playoffs next year. The only reason why they beat Vancouver this year is because so many Vancouver players were injured.

[@jasondashney]

@@aaronlilley5007 Drai got injured in that series and McD was injured and they still made game 7.

[@aaronlilley5007]

@@jasondashney Uhhhhhhh what? McD and Drai weren't injured. They both played all 7 games against the Canucks.

[@lAmCanad1an]

@@aaronlilley5007dude it was announced after the series and playoffs both were playing injured. Don’t be an idiot. McDavid even lost his voice you could hear it in his interview after the series so use your tiny brain.

[@sukhpreetsingh4488]

Most depth they had in the last 20 years. Imagine what they could do if they moved Nurse and Kane $

[@somerandomidiot1333]

Kane is not an issue lmao. He was a monster with McDavid before he had his wrist injury. Still put up 20 goals will being injured this season.

[@wt8213]

Kane will be LTIR for his hip and hernia issues. His cap won't be on the books.

[@Slipings]

Kane isnt a problem hes been amazing since he's been an Oiler just dealt with shitty injuries this year. Was extremely hurt during playoffs could hardly play and put up 8 points in 20 games. If he was healthy it would been at least 17 points in those 20 games and edm wins the cup. Kane will also be put on LTIR and hopefully be fully healthy for the playoffs where we'll need him most

[@Mitch-ui8ps]

Kanes not a problem it’s the nurse contract that’s screwing them right now, also they gotta trade ceci

[@MikeMueller-jq4nb]

@@somerandomidiot1333Kane sucks, and could barely perform playing with the best player in the league!

[@Randy-cd3lg]

Chemistry and hard work

[@CP4Z167]

The concerns for Edmonton has always been their defense and goaltending but with this forward group I legit think they can outscore their problems more often than not

[@defstone999]

I don't get why people say defense is an issue. Could it be better? For sure. Is it pulling the team down? Not entirely. They were one of the top defensive teams in the regular season stats wise last year and you can't have the unbelievable penalty kill that they had in the playoffs without good defense.

[@hillfortherstudios2757]

Did you know they lost the stanley cup by 1 goal right? How weak would you say they are?

[@Letgotogetagrip]

You see this years playoffs ?

[@olgak57]

​@Letgotogetagrip yes. Florida unexplainably stopped playing their elite D style mid series. Game 7 they returned to it.

[@lAmCanad1an]

Everyone knows their forwards are the best, it’s always been their defense that has dropped them.

[@Jimmyfly215]

Bedard missed time. he would likely been tipping that 80 pt mark if he had most of the games played.

[@tylerwells7499]

And a hot cold goalie all season and playoffs

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

Skinners got another 1-2 years of stumbling before he walks....thats to long for Mcdavid and Company to wait because Skinner already cost them 2 Cups.

[@tylerwells7499]

@@BobsUruncle-dl7cs 100% mcdavid deserves it now! Finally someone gets it!

[@CalvinBiefeld]

Agree Oilers have the best forward group in the league...Nashville i feel is an older team...All their top 6 forwards will be 30+ once the season starts..I think they will win one round,but that's it...Bedard will get 77 points.

[@aaronlilley5007]

Edmonton was very lucky to get as far as they did. They won't get past Vancouver in the second round of the playoffs next year. The only reason why they beat Vancouver this year is because so many Vancouver players were injured.

[@Slipings]

not 2 of the best THE 2 BEST in the league you had it spot on the first time.

[@johnnybaxter1953]

Mackinnon is better than Draisaitl

[@Slipings]

@@johnnybaxter1953 no he's not lol

[@metalroach437]

Draisaitl is behind Mackinnon, Makar, Matthews, Kucherov, Pasternak, and Q Hughes for IMO.

[@Machinengewer]

​@metalroach437 arguably he might be a tad behind MacKinnon but thats it

[@metalroach437]

@@Machinengewer nah he's behind all those guys

[@pootytang1120]

They have the dream team going, getting the cup next year for sure

[@aaronlilley5007]

Cup next year my foot. Edmonton was very lucky to get as far as they did. They won't get past Vancouver in the second round of the playoffs next year. The only reason why they beat Vancouver this year is because so many Vancouver players were injured.

[@deregerm]

@@aaronlilley5007 cry more. pick a round.. they will light the nucks up properly. what a baby

[@pinch1loaf]

They already had the best forward group in the league... How is more offense going to solve their issues?

[@BradRichardson-nt2zk]

Really? Sure seems like every series we went to everyone said the other team had way better depth.

[@joeynash4505]

As an Oiler fan, they didn’t have the best forward group in the league. Only 4 top 6 wingers on their team.

[@datriaxsondor590]

@@BradRichardson-nt2zk Funny how everyone changes the tune to fit the moment, isn't it? One moment, EDM has no depth. The next moment, they already had the best depth.

[@nepheron8637]

​@@datriaxsondor590Not sure your point? The Oilers were criticized for years for not having the depth or secondary scoring because it was true. Anyone who watched the team during the playoff run would tell you they had a ton of depth and the depth was a huge part of making it as deep as they they did. Janmark/Brown/Henrique were all great and their PK (made up of depth players) was historically good in the playoffs.

[@Julio-v1c]

@@BradRichardson-nt2zk They were wrong, in terms of forwards anyway.

[@hanslilja3873]

Where is evander kane on that picture??????

[@saifonlawrence2044]

Go Oilers

[@DSMillwright]

They had the best last year.

[@abj136]

Now to use that offense to train up their defense.

[@MrGamman3yt]

Lol, and not pass to other team, and then, after doing that, not run around like chickens with head cut off. FLA gave up the puck a few times = almost no goals against. Edm cough ups = some bad goals against.

[@Marixa1979]

@@MrGamman3yt Which team scored more goals in the cup finals?

[@Reladan187]

Nashville like they said made some nice short term moves. But the other teams in the west are too good

[@Reladan187]

It's going to be insane to see Stammer in a preds shirt. That'll look odd

[@Mohamedhassan-eu6wx]

They should trade Nurse. He’s overrated. Try getting Parayko from St Louis.

[@juuhan4892]

Blues would not do this never. Maybe if you throw 4 first to the side but even that idk

[@Julio-v1c]

My God, whoever writes these headings is the KING of Stupid Questions...day after day!!!..they already had the best forward group in the league, now its better, so ...YES, they do...now on to the next stupid question!!

[@larrygrassinger2819]

It is the TorontoStupidityNuts

[@yociz1038]

Total fantasy what you smokin Frankie arvdsson was a sympathy signing as all the big names were takin

[@anul6801]

Yes

[@serjcs2]

did bro just say Draisaitl is the most clutch player in the league?

[@taters1123]

His playoff stats are unbelievable he was just dealing with both a rib and a hand injury during the final, nothing to evaluate his merit off of

[@johnnybaxter1953]

@@taters1123 Everyone was, the best players push through and get it done

[@jamess1021]

@@johnnybaxter1953 take a second, look at his playoffs stats then never make a post about hockey again

[@spectralflop823]

Leon is usually hurt in the playoffs & still comes out very clutch. Def the clutchest in the league. This year was different tho, he was dealing with 2 injuries that easily affects your game. Hand & rib injuries.

[@serjcs2]

@@spectralflop823 the 0 points in the finals definitely backed that up💀

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

reality

[@fossetteful]

yes

[@Oils36]

Bedard easily 90+ pts

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

The Team with the best System wins.Not the best roster or best player or best Coaches.

[@jasondashney]

The team that plays their system the best wins. Vancouver lost the final back in the day because the Bruins made them play Bruins hockey. The team that sticks to the script wins. Florida got off their smothering game for several games and nearly lost the cup.

[@BobsUruncle-dl7cs]

@@jasondashney You are not accurate....The Team with the best System wins...you can play as hard as you want and "buy in" as hard as you want and if your System is subpar you will have your arse handed to you all Systems are not equal. THats pretty basic stuff man. There is a Cutting edge and a Dull edge, Systems evolution is an active dynamic within all Team Sports. Any Team of EveryMan players,who have Average NHL level skillsets can win multiple Stanley Cups if they are playing in an Elite System with an able Manager... sticking to a shoddy script/System simply means you do down with the ship...have you ever played organized Team sports?

[@Mohamedhassan-eu6wx]

They needed to bring in defensive forwards and body checking and hitting forwards. That’s what your gonna win the cup with. They need guys Ike Draper, Maltby, Mike Keane, Mike Peca.

[@johanstinson]

Obviously

[@ggladue316]

Kane and Nurse both need to go

[@Julio-v1c]

REAL question that you should be asking..- is the Oilers defense okay as it is? NO - it is not..Evan Bouchard cost this team a goal or more every night on mistakes a Bantam should not make..acknowledge and address your defensive issues. Then nobody can stop you.

[@PhoenixRiseinFlame]

No, and the Canadian media needs to lay off the bong

[@Jhu1888]

name a team with better forwards lol

[@davidandersgage-pd3kr]

Oillllll Babyyyyyyyyy !!! Buckle -Up Babyyyyyyy😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@Woody13ify]

Yes, but can they beat Dallas again 🤔 🤷‍♂️

[@chinmayhejmadi7902]

Dallas, Vegas, Colorado, Nashville. The West is gonna be tough yet again.

[@FlyingBirdman]

They will beat Dallas again

[@SillySongs4Everyone2001]

Oilers won’t win the Stanley Cup next season. The oilers signed Corey Perry for another year. So history tells us another loss is coming.

[@MrGamman3yt]

Wpg and Van

[@datriaxsondor590]

@@SillySongs4Everyone2001 Guessing you're the type of idiot who is of the mantra, "if at first you don't succeed, forget it, you'll never get it"

[@alleyeditor]

Arvidsson might play 20 or 30 games. The rest of the time he'll be hurt. Good luck with that Oilers.

[@Plaitonic]

We'll see

[@chelious1973]

I think its a little premature tobe calling them the best. Tampa and Toronto probably would disagree.

[@jasondashney]

Toronto? Really? They've won one single playoff series since Matthews joined the league. Edmonton has a good 1/2 dozen and was two goals away from winning the Stanley Cup last season and have the two best point producers in the NHL.

[@SenatorFeathers]

Quick answer no

[@Tatertot20]

Quick anwser yes

[@JohnnyWick9733]

Nope

[@itsyeboi631]

Best forward group… if we are talking offensively then okay but they just got beat by the best two-way forward group in Florida

[@plevasseur]

I think people are very slow to understand this. Well said.

[@BigDickSwingin03]

They literally only lost by one goal in game 7 against the best two way forward group. Maybe they aren’t as bad as you’re implying.

[@gregdargis1521]

Haters will be haters - Oilers already better than last year's team which outscored the panthers by 6 goals in the finals, even with Draisaitl's broken rib. Sorry but the Oilers DO have r the best forwards in the league now.

[@GadnukBoW]

They lost, which is literally the only thing that matters at the end of the day, but they were the better team in 5 out of those 7 games. They got stonewalled by a hall of fame goaltender for 2 of their losses and outplayed the hell out of the panthers during those games. Having a solid top 6 instead of a solid top 4 changes the dynamic massively when teams have to defend against them. Imagine draisaitl has 2 wingers that can finish for the first time in his career without having to take away from mcdavid's wings, and not needing to double shift them because you can't trust 2 of your top 6 guys to perform at a high level when it matters. The only way the Oilers don't win the league and the cup next season is if mcdavid and draisaitl both miss 1/4 of the season or more.

[@rsingh8837]

They lost the cup by 1 goal. They are now a better team than they were in the finals last week. Do they still lose by one goal with this lineup?

[@CS58420]

GO OIL

[@slickftw]

lol no

[@neostar63]

No- not the best group.

[@DC-yl4vc]

Lol Oilers media hype never ends!

[@SillySongs4Everyone2001]

Obviously not otherwise they would have 🏆 won the StanleyCup.

[@Smallerexia]

They ain't talking about last year's group.

[@timw4369]

Your joking right? They have 2 good players and a few supporting players. Best forwards in the league that's laughable.

[@MitchellMaxwell-v3k]

Hahaha that’s crazy ! Do you watch hockey ?

[@alexstreet2457]

Casual

[@jasondashney]

The 54 goal scorer is a "supporting player"? RNH sucks? Kane when healthy does nothing but score and hit.

[@SumTalukdar]

Had offence all last year still couldn't win the cup!

[@rsingh8837]

Yeah, you're right. They should tear it all down and start over since they were beat by 1 goal in game 7 for the cup. What a failure of a season. They should load up on defence so that they don't lose 2-1 again.

[@curtiswhite6662]

@@rsingh8837lol love the squishing layer of sarcasm

[@Marixa1979]

@@curtiswhite6662 Seemed deserved for the ridiculous comment he was replying to.

[@curtiswhite6662]

@@Marixa1979 💯

[@mcj44]

How do people like you even exist? Or do you?

[@NotAsianButFlip]

All offense and -30 defense lol

[@ciscokid1999]

Nope