Insider says oil companies are trying to survive despite core defender

NHL insider Frank Seravalli joined Bob Stauffer on Oilers Now on Monday and heavily tasked with the Edmonton Oilers. By suggesting there is a troubling problem with the roster mix, some key players and the coach’s handling of the effort, Seravalli seemed to suggest the Oilers have a significant problem.

These comments come after Leon Draisaitl was quite critical of how the team was faring in the last few games before the Olympic break.

“On paper, this should have been one of the stronger, especially defensively, stronger defense corps that the Oilers have had during the McDavid/Draisaitl era. That clearly hasn’t been the case.” He added: “Darnell Nurse is this team’s biggest problem, both at the beginning and at the end. You can end it there, for example. At $9.25 million, he needs to make an impact, and the Oilers are trying to survive despite him.”

Then he said, “So park that one side of it, it’s on the side.”

The attackers and the coach are not on the same page

He then said that this version of the Oilers gives advance flashbacks to the end of Peter Chiarelli’s tenure. He called the team thin attackers, but thinner because of the way the coach uses his players. “There is a very clear distinction between the top six and the bottom six, and I can see it from both sides. I do have some sympathy for Knoblauch and his coaching staff. They are asking someone to step up and show that they deserve more minutes. No one has really done that. However, strikers who are not given a chance probably feel that they cannot perform because there is no play. We are not given a chance, how can we ever show you anything?”

He said the stars are giving everything they have and probably can’t give any more: “It can’t just be up to the four of us out of five to carry this team all season because that’s just not a recipe for success.” They have been through this story before and already know that it doesn’t work.

Seravalli says there is frustration because the coach doesn’t think he has the pieces he needs. The depth guys don’t get a chance and the stars know they can’t do this without help. “We’re going around and around in a circle,” he said.

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