New NHL franchise ranking rates Oilers in bottom-third in terms of fan perception
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
A recent article by The Athletic claimed the Edmonton Oilers remain in the bottom-third of NHL teams in terms of fan perception - another way of saying fans are unhappy with the team's management.
Of course, there are many reasons why this could be the case, the most obvious being the Oilers have failed to produce a Stanley Cup during the Connor McDavid - Leon Draisaitl era.
Ten years with 2 generational players in lineup not enough to win Oilers a Stanley Cup
Connor McDavid was drafted in 2015; Leon Draisaitl in 2014. They've been together for 10-years, and though the team has advanced to 4 Western Conference Finals, and 2 Stanley Cup Finals, it has no Cup to show for its efforts.
Yet, there are more reasons for dissatisfaction, according to some fans.
«Letting Broberg, but especially Holloway, walk for, let's be honest, nothing in return was a huge blunder To lose back-to-back was devastating, especially when this past year wasn't close.»
Add to this comment the fact that Edmonton prioritized Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidson over the two talented prospects gives a clearer picture about the fanbase distaste for management.
The Trent Frederic trade, and the ensuing 8-year contract also did not sit well with fans. And, of course, Stan Bowman's lack of attention to the Oilers' goalie controversy, who many blame for not winning the Cup despite two Finals appearances, doesn't help fan perception.
«I just can't trust the Oilers, another fan said, "because they are so Jekyll and Hyde. Two steps forward, then four steps back. For a team with the league's best players, close doesn't cut it anymore-expectations are sky-high."
Of course, we fans are a passionate bunch, and don't always respond rationally to management's decisions. We just want to win, now, as does the front-office, for that matter. A Stanley Cup win will wash all the bitterness away.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 20|189 ANSWERS New NHL franchise ranking rates Oilers in bottom-third in terms of fan perception Are you happy, or dissatisfied with Oilers' management? | ||
| happy | 67 | 35.4 % |
| dissatisfied | 122 | 64.6 % |
| List of polls | ||