Insider releases his annual Christmas "10 best things about each player"
Happy Holidays & Merry Christmas everyone! Edmonton Journal's David Stapleshas released his annual "10 best things about each Oilers player" Christmas list, and the results did not disappoint. Let's take a look at what he had to say:
David Staples Christmas List
Leon Draisaitl. He's never played better - even as he has unheralded line-mates - which should give him an excellent shot at winning his second Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player.
Connor McDavid. The best player in hockey is revving it up again, on his way to what I predict will be his second straight Conn Smythe Trophy win, but this time with a Stanley Cup attached to it.
Adam Henrique. He no longer moves fast, but he moves decisively, smartly, and with both skill and intensity.
Zach Hyman. The perfect linemate for McDavid, as Team Canada is sure to belatedly recognize.
Viktor Arvidsson. Fast, aggressive and skilled, he'll be a playoff ace for the Oilers, health permitting.
Kasperi Kapanen. Speed to burn, some skill, some defensive acumen, he's earned a spot on this team.
Vasili Podkolzin. He hits, fights, goes to the net, and defends like a demon, deservedly rising up from the NHL junk pile to the second line of the Edmonton Oilers with Draisaitl as his running mate.
Corey Perry. He's still as wily as they come when it comes to make plays around the net.
Connor Brown. He's endeared himself to the Edmonton fanbase, even with low point totals, through an obvious and laudatory work ethic.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. A glue player on Edmonton's power play, an ace puck-hunter on the PK, RNH is a special teams player extraordinaire.
Mattias Janmark. A 2024 playoff hero, he's an inspirational player on this team, leading with his blazing speed and a willingness to muck it up.
Jeff Skinner. When he flashes his skill passing and shooting the puck, he gives hope of big playoff goals to come.
Evander Kane. Out with injury but not forgotten, he showed ast year what he can do in the playoffs when he's hurt. Imagine what he might accomplish in 2025 if this one-man wrecking crew can come back healthy?
Evan Bouchard. As good as any NHL defender with the puck on his stick, a master of the stretch pass and the bomb point shot.
Darnell Nurse. He's playing the best hockey of his NHL career, which bodes well for the 2025 playoffs.
Mattias Ekholm. A masterful and forceful two-way player, Ekholm is both one of the most popular Oilers and also one of the best.
Brett Kulak. His reading of the game now matches his elite skating ability, making for a Top 4 d-man.
Ty Emberson. He's hitting, fighting and moving the puck, while hanging in on defence, a young man earning a spot on this veteran roster.
Troy Stetcher. After surgery and rehabbing his ankle, he's again moving fast, battling hard, and giving the Oilers useful minutes every game.
Stuart Skinner. When he gets hot, he can provide the Oilers with strong and reliable goaltending for weeks, if not months, at a time.
Calvin Pickard. Reliable as they come, battling on every shot, and stopping a reasonable share of them, which is exactly what this team needs from a back-up goalie.
