Edmonton Oilers make Craig Button eat his words with recent success
Photo credit: Between the posts
A few weeks ago, TSN insider Craig Button made a bold claim, declaring that the Edmonton Oilers are no longer Stanley Cup contenders.
Craig Button is as polarizing figure in the hockey world, often sparking debate with his bold statements and prediction.
He recently ruffled the feather of Edmonton Oilers fans when he claimed the team was no longer considered a Stanley Cup Contender.
"You look at a team that went to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last year, had so much going for themselves,» Button said. «They're a weaker team. They're a lesser team. Now, it's incumbent.
It's all on management here to go and make significant moves to improve this team. We know the top end is outstanding, but after that, real problems."
-Craig Button
It's all on management here to go and make significant moves to improve this team. We know the top end is outstanding, but after that, real problems."
-Craig Button
"The reason their expected goals are so high and their actual goals are so low is because they don't have enough talent,» Button said. «They rely on obviously [Connor] McDavid and [Leon] Draisaitl to carry a big significant part of it, and they do, but after that, they have real struggles. On the blue line, when they make a mistake, it becomes something that goes in their net, and the goaltending hasn't been very good."
-Craig Button
-Craig Button
Edmonton Oilers make Craig Button eat his words
Fast forward just a few weeks later, the Edmonton Oilers are currently one of the hottest teams in the NHL.
TSN, (the same company Craig Button works for) has the Oilers listed as the top performing Canadian team in the league.
Hilariously, according to TSN, The Oilers, fresh off a 2-1-0 week, are up three spots, from 10th to seventh. Edmonton, an elite defensive team for much of the season, ranking second in expected goals against, is finally getting some consistent goaltending.
The Oilers are averaging 2.00 goals against per game over their last five. Edmonton's goals saved above expected ranks 13th during that five-game stretch - a big improvement from where it ranked prior, third worst in the NHL.
Hopefully Craig Button thinks twice about making hasty remarks. Although he's a respected insider, it's clear that sometimes he doesn't know all the facts.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 9 | 132 ANSWERS Edmonton Oilers make Craig Button eat his words with recent success Are you a fan of Craig Button? | ||
| Yes | 25 | 18.9 % |
| No | 107 | 81.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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