Are the Oilers the 95 Sens of today?

[HC20.0]

10th straight loss tonight... This is quite possibly one of the worst teams in all of professional sports. They're coming up on Florida's lack of playoffs record next year, and this year, somehow, somehow, they are worse then they were last year, and last year they were BAD. The D is awful, no good netminder, and every forward is defensively awful and they all lack chemistry. The team's clearly given up barely a quarter into the season. Eakins is the worst coach I've ever seen... And as everyone knows, Lowe is.... Lowe.... The team is floundering, and will likely continue to flounder. The team is a disgrace. There are very few bad teams that compare to the Oilers right now, but lets look at some from the past.

The worst of the worst, those honours go to the 93 Sharks and Sens, two of the worst teams in professional sports history. 11 wins, 71 losses, 2 ties, and a goal differential of -196 for the Sharks, even worse then the Senators of that year, who had the same amount of points, and a 10-70-4 record and a -193 goal differential. The thing though with these teams, this was their first years(Second for the Sharks), they were expansion teams. Nobody expected anything of them. The Oilers had expectations this season, especially after all their top 10 draft choices in the last 5 years. They were supposed to be good. Flash forward to the 95 lockout. Look at the Senators again. In 48 games, they had a 9-34-5 record. 23 points, and a -57 goal differential. In a full 82 game season. In a full season, they were on pace for about 40 points. 40 measly points. Keep in mind, this is without the loser point, it wasn't invented yet. The Oilers this year are on pace for about 50 points, give or take. However, take the loser point out, which makes up a quarter of their point total now, and they are on pace for 40 points, just like the Sens.

The Sens, like Edmonton, had young superstars that were supposed to lead the Sens to higher expectations. They had Alexei Yashin, and Alex Daigle, two kids with loaded potential at the time, as well as a solid veteran winger in Sylvian Turgeon. The Sens though, like Edmonton, has a minor league D core, and no number 1 goaltender. The Oilers are more loaded then the Sens were though, with the likes of Hall, Eberle, RNH, Yakupov, and Perron on their top 6. Look at goal differentials too. The Sens had a -57, which would have been about -97 in a full season. The Oilers right now is -31, on pace for -102. The Senators only scored 117 goals that year, which would give them about 200 on a full season. The Oilers are on pace for about 185. Goals against, the Sens had 174, or 296 in a full season. The Oilers have 87, on pace for 285.

The teams are nearly identical as it stands today... The Oilers are practically keeping the same pace as the 95 Sens did. There have been many bad teams in recent years, some even worse then the 95 Sens, such as the 99-00 Thrashers, but the 95 Sens are still one of the worst teams ever, and the Oilers seem to be treading their path of suckage. It's embarrassing to watch, and I take pity on their fans. I'm starting to think this team isn't fixable.

[Twilight Sparkle]

the oilers are just a parody now. fans no longer hope on when the oilers will get better, but they just want to see a trainwreck unfold upon their eyes-- just how many consecutive losses can this team pile up-- add on goal differencials while we're at it

i'm one of those people who just want to see them keep losing, just because that's all they're known for now. they won stanley cups 30 years ago? this current state of the team is doing wonders for the oilers' heritage. best to sit back and enjoy those losses keep piling up, with no changes being made

[-AJ-]

'74-75 Capitals were the worst. 8-67-5 record. 446 goals against (a record), -256 goal differential (a record), one 14-game winless streak, one 11-game winless streak, one 17-game winless streak, followed by a 17-game losing streak.

They also had a player (Bill Mikkelson) set the single-season record for lowest +/- at -82. Michel Behummer (a goaltender) had a 0-24-3 record, the most games played in a season without a win.

When it comes to futility, the 74-75 Capitals were king, and the modern-day Oilers are no where near this bad.

[Tragoedia]

'74-75 Capitals were the worst. 8-67-5 record. 446 goals against (a record), -256 goal differential (a record), one 14-game winless streak, one 11-game winless streak, one 17-game winless streak, followed by a 17-game losing streak.

They also had a player (Bill Mikkelson) set the single-season record for lowest +/- at -82. Michel Behummer (a goaltender) had a 0-24-3 record, the most games played in a season without a win.

When it comes to futility, the 74-75 Capitals were king, and the modern-day Oilers are no where near this bad.

The Caps had will probably hold that distinction for the rest of NHL history. Hard to beat that record of futility, especially since it was 8 years before their first playoff appearance.

The difference between the Caps that season and the Oilers now is that the Caps were an expansion team in their first season. They were expected to suck, except for the part where they sucked harder than they were supposed to.

The Oilers have had 6 consecutive years of top 10 draft picks, including 3 1st overalls and a 3rd overall. They have a fanbase and money to spend except they are extremely incompetent at spending it well.

The Oilers have good players on the team. They have been developed poorly and they have zero chemistry. They are a trainwreck that never stops crashing. It is entertaining to say the least.

[Wash]

So - are they on track for the worst ever non- expansion related season ever?

[Warhippy]

'74-75 Capitals were the worst. 8-67-5 record. 446 goals against (a record), -256 goal differential (a record), one 14-game winless streak, one 11-game winless streak, one 17-game winless streak, followed by a 17-game losing streak.

They also had a player (Bill Mikkelson) set the single-season record for lowest +/- at -82. Michel Behummer (a goaltender) had a 0-24-3 record, the most games played in a season without a win.

When it comes to futility, the 74-75 Capitals were king, and the modern-day Oilers are no where near this bad.

Not from lack of trying

[Warhippy]

So...MacDavid will be Daigle?

Wouldn't that be the icing on the cake

[Heretic]

New coach?

[Apple Juice]

I've never seen any professional sports team continue to have losing seasons or not make the playoffs for a number of consecutive years after reaching the Final. No team is this bad. Hell, not even the Oakland Raiders or the Jacksonville Jaguars are that bad.. We know they're bad teams, but at least they're trying to trend upwards.

[Chalky]

I have to say, the 95 Sens were a couple years from expansion, they had a loser as their best player and they did not have a chance. The Oilers have been in this position for way too long. Andrew Ference (of whom I still dislike from 2011) made some comments that ring true.

"“It’s there, it has to be done (on the ice). To come in here and try to convince guys that they should be excited to play in the NHL and have some pride and not mope around — it’s a joke. It shouldn’t happen at this level. Until guys can figure that part out, it’s going to be a constant cycle."

That is why the Oilers are a donkey show, No respect for the team, no respect for the process. They need to blow it up...AGAIN! New GM, new coach, trade for some professional veterans.

I really don't care that they suck so bad, but I have to wonder where Katz is coming from. I swear he's tanking for top picks one more time by doing nothing to make changes. Fire Mac T, trade Yakupov and one other and instil a culture of professionalism.

Or don't, and continue to fail.

[Green Building]

This team makes me laugh. Calgary fans must be holding their heads up extremely high. Some people say that Lowe isn't the the problem, he just inherited the problems. Well. he sure is off to a great start at fixing the mess.

edit: meant to say Mactavish inherited from Lowe

So...MacDavid will be Daigle?

Wouldn't that be the icing on the cake

With the 1st overall pick, the Edmonton Oilers are proud to select, from the Erie Otters, Connor McDavid.

Post Draft interview:

So Connor, how does it feel to be chosen #1 overall?

Well, there are a lot of great players that could've gone before me, obviously the recognition is nice, but more importantly I am officially announcing my retirement from hockey to focus on school for the next 3 years.

[CALGARY!]

So...MacDavid will be Daigle?

Wouldn't that be the icing on the cake

Thats what I was thinking, if you look back to those 94-95 Sens I believe they were accused of throwing games to draft Daigle, and thats when the league brought in the lottery, because of the Sens. I don't believe McDavid will be the next Daigle. I am sure he will flourish, I don't think he is going to be the generational talent most think he will, but I am sure he will be an excellant player. And, I desperately want to see Edmonton compete, I would absolutely love to see Calgary and Edmonton in a playoff series at some point, lol, maybe when my 2 sons are old enough to enjoy the game. As much as I do want to see the Oilers, and all Canadian teams for that matter, succeed, I actually find myself not wanting McDavid to go there, at least not in this terrible losing environment they have going on. I would like to see them trade away there 1st this year, and one or two of there underdeveloped previous 1st overalls and try to bring in some solid veteran D and a goalie, and then, for heavens sake, fire Lowe and Eakins.

[KING ALBERTS]

Just an embarrassment to the NHL. All that wasted talent that could have been the next Tavares or Benn, or like their fans proclaimed every top pick - the next Gretzky.

Laff

[Green Building]

New coach?

Awesome. Turkey defence FTW.

"“It’s there, it has to be done (on the ice). To come in here and try to convince guys that they should be excited to play in the NHL and have some pride and not mope around — it’s a joke. It shouldn’t happen at this level. Until guys can figure that part out, it’s going to be a constant cycle."

I didn't know he said that, man the frustration must be driving him insane as he sits there watching these fresh into adulthood kids parade around like it's nobody's business.

I agree with you Chalky, they may not need to blow it up completely (cause there is nothing to blow up), but major changes are needed before anything will rebound here. A top pick is not going to change anything at all.

[Green Building]

Some Ference quotes which some may have missed:

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again when it doesn’t work,” he said. “Do you try it again or look for a different path. I think that you’ve seen that with some of the mistakes, that’s what it is, insanity.”

“You come in here, you’re up a goal and I don’t think (Arizona) had a good period,” said Ference. “Guys are letting their guard down, and we’re in no position to be doing that — to be taking a rest and relaxing. We start the period with a power play and we’re looking for some jump. You’re looking for some momentum and it’s a matter of falling into old habits, floating around and expecting the other team to lie down because you’re so great.

“It doesn’t happen, we made the same mistakes, it cost us games and it definitely puts you in a hole again. We allow two on the same power play, it’s a joke.”

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/12/02/its-a-joke-edmonton-oilers-captain-andrew-ference-takes-aim-at-power-play-as-team-loses-10th-straight/

[Mackcanuck]

[Neversummer]

Fire Eakin and hire Bylsma already.

[Mackcanuck]

Fire Eakin and hire Bylsma already.

Fire Eakins and hire Tortorella!

I hear he works well with young players.

[BeefcakeBo]

Fire Eakins and hire Tortorella!

I hear he works well with young players.

He certainly couldn't be worse than Eakins. But I doubt any legitimate coach would go to Edmonton anyways until the management is fired.

[EoH]

This team makes me laugh. Calgary fans must be holding their heads up extremely high. Some people say that Lowe isn't the the problem, he just inherited the problems. Well. he sure is off to a great start at fixing the mess.

edit: meant to say Mactavish inherited from Lowe

With the 1st overall pick, the Edmonton Oilers are proud to select, from the Erie Otters, Connor McDavid.

Post Draft interview:

So Connor, how does it feel to be chosen #1 overall?

Well, there are a lot of great players that could've gone before me, obviously the recognition is nice, but more importantly I am officially announcing my retirement from hockey to focus on school for the next 3 years.