Overhaul Complete

New Bench Boss for Completion of the Roster Overhaul

       Since taking over the duties as GM for the Edmonton Oilers in June 2021, every player on the Pro roster inherited by previous GM Rodo Gofenko, was replaced by way of trades and Free Agency signings under GM Cameron.  The previous GM made it to the Conference Finals (and lost to the Avs) with the prior roster...some adjustments were made the following season, once GM Cameron took over.   The Oilers were improved enough to finally get by the power house Avalanche to win the Western Conference, but were then snuffed out in a  4 game series sweep from last seasons Champs - the Tampa Bay Lightning.

    It was decided that for this team to have success, we want to retool, not rebuild, by trading quality players for quality players (prospects and picks) that will change the face of this team in hopes to have success under the thumbprint of GM Cameron.

    Some of the busy off-season (and early season) moves went as followed:  Juuse Saros was shipped out for upcoming talent in Shane Pinto and Mads Sogaard.  Mackenzie Blackwood was acquired by Cameron last season as part of a trade that moved veteran goalie Cam Talbot and also brought in Dvorak (who was since traded to CGY bringing back some youth in Brett Howden).

    Pending UFA John Carlson, along with Sean Couturier, were shipped out to bring back young talent Joel Farabee and veterans Malkin and Boro-cop.  Top line Centre Anze Kopitar left town to make room for sought after Russian D-Man Artem Zub along with future prospect Stephen Halliday.

    Opposed to what was initially stated when GM Cameron took over, Stamkos is gone, along with pending UFA Reilly Smith and veteran D-man Shattenkirk.  Quality Star Centreman Mika Zibanejad was welcomed to Edmonton along with Vet Jonathan Toews (pending UFA) and a 3rd round pick for a potential future quality prospect.  This move also made room to bring in our new Captain - Mark Stone from Seattle accompanied by pending UFA and proven D-man - Brady Skjei...gone the other way was pending UFA Ekholm, Hoffman and Deslauriers along with Nathan Gaucher (the bright prospect from last years draft).  Unfortunately, plans also changed as Roman Josi was moved to bring in future Defence in prospect Simon Edvinsson and some backup goaltending in Mrazek.

    Free Agency allowed for the signing of D-men Kulikov, Poolman and vets Johnson and Vlasic as well as solid defensive depth forwards in Nick Cousins and Devin Shore.

    Once the season started, after Game 1, the last remaining player on the Pro Roster GM Cameron inherited, Derek Grant was replaced with Nick Foligno in a trade with CBJ.

With a Pro Roster that was 100% changed with hopes of bringing home a Championship sooner rather than later, the Oilers fell short as a .500 team at the quarter season mark, which is not acceptable.  In a final move to turn things around, Dave Tippett was fired and Dave Hakstol was hired.  Tippett was not on the same page as GM Cameron after the overhaul and we felt going forward, the experience Hakstol will bring will help us have success.