Lessons Oilers Can Learn From Hurricanes – Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers
Watching the Carolina Hurricanes capture their second championship in franchise history on June 14 was as impressive as their performance, defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 3-0 in Game 6. Moments before NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman presented captain Jordan Staal with the Stanley Cup, I saw a team that was as genuinely happy for one another as it was for itself. Their teamwork and support is something the Edmonton Oilers must work on if they want to reach the promised land.
Playing as a Team Wins Championships
Not a single member of the Hurricanes ranked in the top 10 in NHL scoring this season. You have to go down the list to number 25 to get ahead of Sebastian Aho who sits with 80 points. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard all finished in the top 11 but left with more questions about the team’s future than answers.
The key word here is collaboration. Carolina played like a team of brothers all season, and it showed in the playoffs. Edmonton, on the other hand, looked like a group of scrappy people trying to give the team a chance to compete rather than relying on their teammates to help.
The Oilers Need To Regain Their Team-First Mindset
The last time the Oilers looked and played like a unified team was in the 2024 Playoffs when they came within two goals of winning the Stanley Cup in Game 7 before losing to the Florida Panthers. That Oilers team had a first-team vibe, and they’ve lost it ever since. From the players in the dressing room to the front office to ownership, they need to regain that momentum if they hope to get close to the championship in 2026-27.
Bowman Must Find The Right People
The priority for general manager Stan Bowman must be to bring in players and coaches with personality. That means not hiring Mike Babcock to be the next coach and finding someone who doesn’t have a history of undermining his players. The Oilers still have time to find a coach with a good personality and a winning attitude.
Bowman also needs to add players with the right mindset, who can play on the ice and fit into a historically strong locker room.
Edmonton Leaders Need to Check Carolina Leaders
McDavid, Draisaitl, Bouchard, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins should be learning how Carolina’s leadership group, including Staal and Aho, Jordan Martinook and Jaccob Slavin, behaves.
McDavid should be asking his old friend and former teammate, Taylor Hall, questions about what the Hurricanes did right – from inside the room, to the coaches, to what is expected of the players on the ice. Hall spoke to Sportsnet’s Gene Principe during the postgame celebration and said, “If anyone deserves to win the Stanley Cup, it’s him,” meaning McDavid.
That is high praise; however, it will require a quick off-season refresh to get the ship right.
Storms Beat the Leaves
After a chaotic start to the offseason, including the Bruce Cassidy situation, the firing of Kris Knoblauch and the pursuit of Babcock, Oilers management and ownership need to take a breather before making another bad decision. We know owner Daryl Katz wants to win. The same can be said about managers and players. They’ve talked about it a million times.
They should take a page out of Carolina’s playbook and start building a culture based on giving your best to your teammates and not just yourself. If the Oilers can do that, top to bottom, they can finally silence the naysayers. The pieces are in place; but can they follow the Hurricanes’ blueprint and turn the team around this offseason?
Free Newsletter
Get Edmonton Oilers coverage in your inbox
In-depth analysis, breaking news, and the inside scoop – for free.
Register Free →
