As the brand new NHL season approaches, the Edmonton Oilers inch nearer and nearer to having a finalized roster. With a revolving door of gamers coming and leaving Edmonton, one notable roster change is the common age of the Oilers. As soon as the youngest roster within the league, as Stanley Cup contenders, the roster ia full of veteran expertise. However does this put the Edmonton Oilers at a drawback?
Over the course of the previous couple of years, the Oilers have centered on getting veteran gamers to encompass the elite expertise. It’a technique that appears to be working contemplating the Oilers are coming off a season the place they have been topped the Western Convention Champions. Alternatively, this led them to having the oldest projected roster within the 2024-25 season. With a median age of 30.27, the Oilers are the one staff within the NHL to have a projected common roster age over 30.
For some, this older roster is trigger for concern. Wanting again on the previous three years of Stanley Cup-winning groups reveals tales of younger, profitable groups. In 2022, the Colorado Avalanche received with a median age of 26.5. Simply after that, the 2023 Vegas Golden Knights held a roster age of 27.2. Rounding out the final three winners, the 2024 Florida Panthers mixed for a median age of 26.9. Nonetheless, the Oilers final season have been nonetheless one of many oldest groups with a roster age of 28.8 and made it to sport 7 of the Stanley Cup finals.
Oilers’ Core Expertise Outweighs Ageing Roster
Fortunately for the Oilers, their core is of their primes. Connor McDavid is simply 27, and the newly re-signed Leon Draisaitl is simply 28. On the again finish, 24-year-old Evan Bouchard has grown right into a stud on the blue line. As for goaltending, Stuart Skinner is nearly to show 26 years outdated. Moreover, a key facet of the Oilers’ system is pace. In response to NHL Edge, the Oilers virtually doubled the common quantity of skating pace bursts above 32 KPH final season with 2,417. The growing old roster has but to sluggish the Oilers down.
Associated: Leon Draisaitl Indicators Big 8-Yr Contract with Edmonton Oilers
Whereas sure, the Oilers have the oldest projected roster within the league, they’ve tons of veteran expertise surrounding among the greatest gamers within the league. Heading into the brand new season, the Oilers are nonetheless thought of the favourite to win the cup, even with having the oldest roster.
Subsequent: Time for the Toronto Maple Leafs to Embrace Youth
