During the decade of darkness, the Edmonton Oilers were big on plans. The long-term plan involved astute drafting and then, when the time was right, pinpoint precision in free agency. This approach derailed each October and left the team at or near the basement every Christmas morning. In tracking management over those years, the most surprising thing about the process was the leisurely pace chosen by the club.
Peter Chiarelli changed all that, or rather the 2015 draft lottery changed the circumstance and allowed Chiarelli to wheel. Connor McDavid's arrival meant more substantial free agents and one year ago the Oilers marched through October at a 7-2-0 clip and on Christmas morning Edmonton was in second place in the Pacific Division and looking like a strong playoff contender.