Better?

[V-HAB]

Say Edmonton doesn't do anything in terms of Free Agency this summer.

Do you think Edmonton will be more competitive next year just with their young guys gaining experience, and if they manage to avoid injuries?

Or do you think they need free agents to help them in order to make the playoffs?

[dustyrockon]

I think a solid free agent pick might be quite helpfull. Allthough they did finish 8th in their conference they did tie with 3 other teams for that position. They are a fairly solid team but they lack goalie skills and solid offensive players.

Their top player with points was hemsky with only 71 points. Their top goal scoreer was Dustin Penner with only 23 goals. Hemsky lead the team with points and assists with 51 assists. Although you have to take into account that one of their top offensive defence men was injured more than 3 quarters of the season. Sheldon souray would have most certainly helped them on the power play.

Edmonton finished 21st on the powerplay this season with a low percentage of 16.6. Souray having lead the league with most powerplay goals for a defencemen. He would have been a very big part of the oilers powerplay line. Hopefully next season he will be back and serve an important part in their line up.

Ethan Moreau was also injured and only played 25 games this season. As for last season he only played 7 games from cause of injuries.

Shawn Horcoff was injured half the season and recorded a total of 50 points in 53 games. As for the season before that he played 80 ganes abd recorded only 51 points. He obviously was on his way to a good season untill he hurt his shoulder. Hopefully next season he wont be as injury prone and record more points.

Other players who were injured for the season or through out the season are Raffi Torres, Mathieu Garon and Geoff Sanderson.

There are plenty of good free agents hitting the market this summer. And they should pick one or two up to fill up their offensive lines. Someone less prone to injuries. Someone maybe like Huselius, Hossa, Sundin or many other options.

[V-HAB]

Awesome post. Looks like you did your research .

Anyway, I agree: I'm sure a big name Free Agent wouldn't hurt this team right now. I like the way their offense is shaping up, but maybe a bit more stability on D would help.

[dustyrockon]

Thanks, and yah their D line could use some improvement. As for offence They are all still prety much young and can get better.

[V-HAB]

Yeah, guys like Gagner and Cogliano should help out the team a lot in the next few seasons.

[dustyrockon]

Deffinatly, and their leaders in points will probably be Horcoff and Hemsky which will probably play a big part in them winning games. Including any big name player that they decide to pick off in the off season if they do.

[V-HAB]

Yeah, Hemsky is an excellent player, it's just what you said earlier that's the problem- he's too injury prone.

[dustyrockon]

Exactly. Its unfortunate since he is a very talented player. So is Horcoff, he just had an unlucky season.

[V-HAB]

Yeah, Horcoff is less often injured, but not as talented as Hemsky. He was on par for an awesome season, though.

[dustyrockon]

Yah, hopefully he will be able to redeem himself this upcoming season. Alongside Hemsky and others.

[Carson!]

yeah, i like horcoff, he's one of my favorite oilers, next to Roloson

[V-HAB]

I'm not a huge fan of Roloson.

[dustyrockon]

Yah I'm not much of a Rolosson fan either. Remember when Raymond freaked out last year on how good he was? Then he started to suck!

[V-HAB]

Yeah, it was all because of that glove save.

[Carson!]

he's still a really good goalie