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The Edmonton Oil Kings haven’t been the strongest staff within the Western Hockey League (WHL) by any means this season, however there have been enhancements general and look significantly better than they did final season. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like they’ll be making the playoffs and as an alternative should settle with being sellers and seeking to get probably the most property again out of their gamers in trades in hopes of constructing a stronger staff for his or her future.
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The Oil Kings presently sit final within the Eastern Conference with solely 19 factors this season and are additionally final within the league two factors behind the Kamloops Blazers who’ve performed three extra video games than the Oil Kings. With the Christmas vacation break underway, let’s take a more in-depth look at how the Oil Kings have carried out as a staff and individually this season.
Related: 3 Edmonton Oil Kings To Watch in 2023-24 Season
Last season, the Oil Kings solely had 10 wins all season. This season they have already got 9, in order that they’re on tempo to have a greater season general. As talked about, they presently sit lifeless final in your entire WHL with a 9-20-0-1 file however do have video games in hand on the marginally worse Blazers. They have had a couple of brilliant spots with some gamers exceeding expectations offensively, however they haven’t been the perfect as a staff. They are 6-13-0-1 at house and 3-7-0-0 on the highway this season. Their energy play proportion presently sits at 16.1%, whereas their penalty kill sits at an atrocious 72.5%.
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Luckily for the Oil Kings, they’ve entered the vacation season on a excessive observe having defeated the Regina Pats 3-2 in extra time and having some optimistic momentum driving into their subsequent recreation, which might be a battle towards among the finest groups within the WHL this season, the Prince George Cougars. But, with out wanting too far forward into the longer term, listed below are some takeaways from the Oil Kings’ season up till the Christmas break this season.
Adam Jecho Has Been as Advertised
The Oil Kings drafted Adam Jecho third general within the CHL Import Draft in July of 2023, and he has been precisely what the staff wanted out of him once they introduced him in. His offensive skills are amusing to look at, his defensive zone may be very clear as he doesn’t make many unhealthy errors in his finish, and he has solidified himself as a possible first-round draft choose within the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The ahead from Czechia came visiting to the WHL after a season in Finland with Tappara U18 the place he scored 21 targets and added 26 assists for 47 factors via 37 video games.
In his rookie season with the Oil Kings, he has scored eight targets and added 10 assists for 18 factors via 19 video games and sits fourth on the staff in factors and third in assists. His means to guide on the ice has been one thing the Oil Kings have loved watching, and he could possibly be the subsequent massive prospect to come back out of the Oil Kings’ program when an NHL staff calls his title at the upcoming draft.
Lajoie & Hodnett Leading by Example
While the Oil Kings’ route was slightly unknown heading into the season, they did make some strikes to enhance their staff. One of these strikes earlier than the season started was buying defenseman Marc Lajoie who has been precisely what the Oil Kings needed him to be. He presently leads the Oil Kings in factors with 24 via 30 video games, and he has undoubtedly been the perfect defender all through their complete lineup. While he might sadly find yourself being traded to a contender this season, he has helped the Oil Kings general at each ends of the ice.
Another participant the Oil Kings have leaned on and have gotten precisely what they wanted out of him is ahead Gavin Hodnett. Hodnett presently sits second on the staff in factors having scored 4 targets and including 19 assists for 23 factors in 23 video games, placing him one level behind Lajoie in seven fewer video games performed. Hodnett is one other prospect that NHL groups will doubtless be wanting at closely, and if he’s capable of sustain this sort of scoring tempo on a struggling staff, there might be loads of groups within the NHL lining as much as carry him in.
The Oil Kings break is completed on Wednesday (Dec. 27) once they tackle the Cougars in Prince George. While the Cougars are a powerhouse staff this season, the Oil Kings are hoping they will start a successful streak and shock among the finest groups within the WHL this season. Hopefully, they will have a significantly better second half of the 2023-24 season and begin successful some video games. It’s extremely unlikely that they’ll have the ability to sneak right into a playoff spot however successful extra video games than final 12 months must be their purpose, they usually’re on the suitable path to have the ability to attain that.
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