The Edmonton Oilers played their best game in months last night following the trade deadline, showing just how much the deadline may have weighed on the team.
Earlier this season, reports surfaced that the Oilers players weren't happy with the decision to send down Derek Ryan, which has been brought up again following the deadline.
Edmonton Oilers players look rejuvenated following trade deadline
After the Oilers played a phenomenal game, insider Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal raised the real concern that the players were being weighed down by the deadline, and by losing more important role players like Derek Ryan.
If you have ever been in an NHL room during that time, you will know the players feel it. I wonder if that has been part of the Oiler's issue of late? It was hard on those guys when Derek Ryan was waived. He was a part of their family. Deadline now passed and no teammates missing, I thought they looked more like themselves.- Kurt Leavins
The Oilers surely do miss the veteran Ryan, who had played the last four seasons in Edmonton. As a 38 year old, he was an important veteran leader to the Oilers room - and placing him on waivers after 33 games this year would've impacted the team.
Edmonton has a surplus of depth on the wings, and heading into to the trade deadline management was reportedly asking players to waive no-move clauses.
Players ended up using that trade protection block moves, showing how committed they are to this team and this specific group of players. The locker room is clearly very close, and was anxious about disrupting the balance at the deadline.
After the deadline passed, McDavid met with the media and expressed excitement over the team's additions - but also stressed that it was the group within the room already that needed to win a cup for Edmonton.
This is our team, this is the group that's going to do it. We all collectively have to get it together and get our games going, get our team game going. Get hot coming down the stretch.- Connor McDavid
It's unfortunate that the Oilers had to send down the veteran Ryan, but the team does need to ice the best possible lineup.
Connor McDavid and the Oilers now need to take the next step of leading the team back to the Cup Final, and taking care of unfinished business.
