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Oilers GM Stan Bowman directly addresses team goaltending, calls out other players
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
Oilers GM Stan Bowman sat down for an interview shortly after the team's 9-1 blowout loss, and was pressed about another slow start this season.
Insider Bob Stauffer just went on a heated extended rant about the failings of each position on the team right now. Primarily though, it's once again goaltending taking most of the heat.
Oilers GM opens up on state of team and goaltending during slow start
Bowman spoke to the Canadian Press in a new interview released today.
Surprisingly, Stan Bowman didn't just completely defend his goalies as usual - he admitted the tandem hasn't been good enough. However, he also called attention to the rest of the group «not clicking».
Our goalies have been average - haven't been elite and they haven't been bad. Sort of the way our team has been. I don't know if they performed really any differently than our forwards and our defence. We're just not clicking as a group.
- Stan Bowman
- Stan Bowman
If anything, Bowman identified the chemistry and fits of new players that may be the root cause of the disconnect of the team so far.
We've had other things that have been costing us just as much.
Unfortunately, it takes time to sort through that and have everyone find their roles. But we're not connected the way we probably should be after 17 games.
- Stan Bowman
Unfortunately, it takes time to sort through that and have everyone find their roles. But we're not connected the way we probably should be after 17 games.
- Stan Bowman
That's an interesting comment from Bowman, given the criticism surrounding Coach Knoblauch's usage of young players and new additions this year. The rookies have been relegated to 4th line minutes entirely, never being put into a position for success.
Perhaps this interview from Bowman signals that he'd like to see the Coach incorporate more of his depth forwards, instead of just relying on McDavid and Draisaitl.
Now embarking on a 7-game road trip with a middling record of 7-6-4, this needs to be a moment where the Oilers can rattle off some wins and gain some ground in the standings. They'll need the team to start clicking for that to happen, and better goaltending results too.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 11 | 859 ANSWERS Oilers GM Stan Bowman directly addresses team goaltending, calls out other players Do you think the Oilers biggest issue is goaltending, or depth players not clicking? | ||
| Goaltending | 501 | 58.3 % |
| Roster not clicking | 358 | 41.7 % |
| List of polls | ||