Whats wrong in Edmonton ?

Dilip Vishwanat/TSN/Icon SMI

Whats going on with this team you ask…. the simple answer would be they just plain suck balls. However thats not exactly true, the root of the problems in Edmonton start with Craig MacTavish. This guy likes to mix up his lineup on a nightly basis and how do you expect players to gain chemistry together when they have new line mates every other game. Here is my list of the five biggest problems in the city of champions.

1) Craig MacTavish

His lineup juggling act has been offically named the “MacBlender” you’ll never see the same set of lines twice. With all the new faces on this team it is next to impossible to create any team chemistry when you always have new line mates. It would be safe to say this is why Dustin Penner and Sheldon Souray havent made as big of an impact as expected. Lets not forget he continues to keep Nilsson in the minors and gives Jacques and Stortini ice time with the Oil. For the record Stortini, Jacques and to a lesser extent Pouliot have no business playing on this team.

2) Shawn Horcoff

This guy is not a 1st line center period… he is a 2nd line center at best and I think he would benefit from a change of scenery. Horcoff hasnt played aswell as he can and seems to be just floating around playing with no emotion.

3) Ethan Moreau

Lets make the guy who is always injured the team captain !!! Moreau did not deserve that contract extension and he doesnt deserve to be captain. Im sorry but Steve Staios should have been named team captain.

4) No True Enforcer

I know people will disagree.. but Laraque kept the goons on the other teams in check. Now the Oilers have Zack Stortini (when you get beat up by Owen Nolan you should call it a career). The Oilers desparatley need a guy who can drop the gloves or guys like Boogard will continue to hunt down guys like Hemmer and Gagner.

5) Lack of a Sniper for Hemsky

K-Lowe needs to add a trigger man for Hemmer… Hemsky can create alot of room for a true sniper but has yet to play with one. Cogliano and Gagner are both potential top six forwards but they need a year or two of developement. The Oilers might benefit form trying to aquire a player like Milan Hejduk or Marian Hossa.