The Edmonton Oilers have been on fire lately, solidifying themselves as the NHL’s hottest team. With a 13-game winning streak and an impressive overall record, the Oilers have emerged as a top contender in the Western Conference. Led by the best player in the world, Connor McDavid, and supported by a strong second line and a dominant power play, the Oilers seem to have all the pieces in place.
However, according to GM Ken Holland, the Oilers still need one more player to put them over the top – Corey Perry. Perry, a fourth-line winger, was recently let go by the Chicago Blackhawks due to an incident involving a female team employee. Despite this, Perry’s reputation as a veteran player who has reached three straight Stanley Cup Finals seems to be enough to catch Holland’s attention.
But do the Oilers really need Perry? The answer is no. The Oilers already have Zach Hyman, who has been exceptional in front of the net on the power play. Their top power play unit is so effective that they rarely need to rely on a second unit. Sam Gagner and Connor Brown have also been performing well on the fourth line, and they provide the veteran presence that some argue Perry would bring.
Moreover, the Oilers’ core players, McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, are no longer young and inexperienced. They have been in the league for a while now and have a singular focus on winning. The team’s past playoff shortcomings were not due to a lack of focus or determination but rather issues with goaltending and defensive depth. Perry does not address these concerns.
It seems that Holland’s decision to pursue Perry is driven more by a desire to make a statement or to show that he is a nice guy rather than a strategic move to improve the team. While Perry may not cost the Oilers much in terms of assets, it raises questions about the team’s priorities and motives.
In the end, the Oilers don’t need Corey Perry. They have a winning formula in place and should focus on addressing their actual needs rather than chasing after unnecessary additions. Only time will tell if Holland’s decision proves to be a worthwhile one, but for now, the Oilers should continue to focus on their winning ways and ignore the distractions.
