What's happening in Edmonton?

Ramsey says "enough is enough"

When this season began back in October, the Oilers were looking at a pretty bright future with “future” being the key word here. The biggest excitement having been the draft lotto win for the Caps 1st pick which the Oilers held. With that pick, GM Ramsey picked Mathew Schaefer 1st overall in the DCHL entry draft. Over the course of the last year or so, Ramsey also acquired through draft and trade, some decent pieces for a team fully engaged in an all out rebuild. It seemed that it was happening, the Oilers were looking at a time frame of at least 3 years or more before they would be in any conversation with the phrase “Oilers win” involved. As the season started, so did the winning for this “on paper” what should have been the 32nd place team in the league. It looked as though this team filled with 4th liners at best had a different idea where a few weeks into the season found themselves 1st overall in goals for, but holding last place in goals against. Then November 30th happened, and that's when Ramsey pulled a shocking move in acquiring veteran blue liner John Carslon in a deal with the Boston Bruins. Ramsey was asked what brought this decision on? “ The boys were having fun, they were playing loose and winning games they had no business winning. I decided I’d try to not only help our back end as we were last for goals against, but bring in a veteran in Carlson to also help keep these guys stay down to earth. The run and gun style the season began with, can become a toxic thing. Sure we were 1st ov in goals for, but last in goals against isn't going to win in the standings in the long run.” It looked like the Oilers were finding their way back to reality as the goals dropped as was the team in the standings. December went by with no movement from the organization. It looked like Ramsey was going to just continue with the “school of Carlson”. Then January 3rd came along, and Ramsey spoke within his actions when he again pulled a surprising move that saw Anthony Mantha coming from the Bruins. He didn't stop there.The next day, On January 4th is when Ramsey made the move that spoke huge volume as he sent a very handsome package of picks and youth, in return for Austin Mathews. Over the next 2 weeks, Ramsey was very busy on the phone picking up guys like Alexis Lafreniere ( who later turned into the acquisition of Martin Necas) Conor Garland, Thomas Chabot, Jacob Trouba, Nikita Zadorov, and other pieces that transformed this team from a 3 year away future, to likely being a nuisance to the western wildcard teams this season, and very likely a wildcard team themselves next season. GM Ramsey was heard saying, “ I saw a chance at landing the top rated player in the DCHL in Mathews, and I jumped on it. When you bring in a guy like him, and have a guy like Mathew Schaefer coming next year, as well as many quality pieces looking at some nice ratings next year, you have to do it. Some call me crazy, others say why not go for it. I decided that sitting around for at least 3 years wasn't in the cards for me after all, and I wouldn't change a thing if I could.” so there you have it. There's a new born excitement in Edmonton which has come much sooner than later. “Maybe in 3 or 4 years when I'm in my 60’s, I may have the patience for another rebuild. Will it be a total tear down? Very doubtful, more like a retool if there's anything.” So there you have it folks. The answer to the madness.