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Edmonton Oilers facing brutal locker room challenge with 2 potential solutions
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
The Edmonton Oilers are going to face a monumental psychological challenge this upcoming season to get over the bitter sting of 2 Cup Final losses, and plow ahead again to play next June.
Oilers analysts have previously warned that the locker room environment has already been tested by the two brutal losses, which may make the upcoming season much more challenging mentally for the players. Even fans can feel drained after falling just short for two years.
Edmonton Oilers will be looking to two young players for energy in challenging season
After their first Cup Final loss, Zach Hyman stood up in the Oilers room and passionately guaranteed they'd be back to win it next year. They got all the way back to fell just short, but this time there was no rallying cry.
The core Oilers players have now been around for two extended seasons, without the payoff of a win. The 4 Nations Faceoff and Olympics add to the grind of a year both mentally and physically.
Now up against another 82 game season and a months long campaign into the postseason, the Oilers group is facing an unimaginable task to win the Cup now.
Edmonton is expected to add two impressive rookies in Isaac Howard and Matthew Savoie to their NHL roster next season, and they could be relied upon for more than just their on-ice talents.
Bringing in some rookies with hunger and excitement to play in the NHL at all situations could be a crucial addition to the locker room this season, especially when they may be lacking in those motivations.
It's a tough ask for the Oilers to get back to unfinished business this year. How they respond throughout the season will be a measure of their perseverance and drive for the ultimate goal of a Stanley Cup.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 12 | 331 ANSWERS Edmonton Oilers facing brutal locker room challenge with 2 potential solutions Do you think the Oilers will get back to the Cup Final for a third time? | ||
| Yes | 247 | 74.6 % |
| No | 84 | 25.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
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