Unfortunately, the Edmonton Oil Kings will not be making the playoffs this season as they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with less than 10 games remaining on their schedule. A couple of positives have come out of this season though, as they have completely revamped the roster which looks much more poised to make the playoffs next season. They have a potential first-round NHL draft pick returning next season in Adam Jecho, and they have more than doubled their win total from last season. While the team only had 10 wins last season, they have now more than doubled that total.
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The Oil Kings have utilized their call-ups as well, having had multiple young players affiliate to their team this season and have the opportunity to try their skills at a much higher level. Jager Gugyelka, Jack Toogood, Owen Mastroianni, Presley Kerner, and Joe Iginla have all had the opportunity to play at least a game with the Oil Kings this season, and all have a good chance at making the opening night roster next season. With the massive changes the Oil Kings went through at the trade deadline and with how well they have played with the new additions, they could crack the postseason in the 2024-25 season.
New Additions
The Oil Kings went all out at the Western Hockey League (WHL) trade deadline this season, shipping out Nathan Pilling, Carter Kowalyk, Vojtech Port, Rilen Kovacevic, and Mason Finley, and bringing in Gracyn Sawchyn, Andrej Tomasec, Lukas Sawchyn, Ismail Abougouche and Tracen Ashley. Lukas is the younger brother of Gracyn, and plays in the United States Hockey League (USHL) with the Chicago Steel, while Gracyn has his NHL rights owned by the Florida Panthers. There is hope that the Oil Kings could convince both brothers to play in the WHL together next season instead of just one, but time will tell what they both choose to do.
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Abougouche has been a solid addition to the Oil Kings. He is a 2006-born left-shot defender and has established himself as a physical two-way player who projects to be a major part of the roster next season. While he only has one point in 14 games since joining the team, he has been a strong player on the defensive end and there is hope he can become a leader on the team down the road.
Tomasec had no points when the Oil Kings traded for him, but he…
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