Fast Forwards

If you’re an opposing defencemen going into Edmonton’s coliseum, you better move your legs. The Oilers draft for speed and skill. A general manager knows that the great Edmonton ice is made for a wide open game and the faster you are, the more fear you put in the heart of a goalie. A neat little move at your blue line, a pass to a player streaking down the wing, a quick dash into the offensive zone, a feed into the middle, shoot, score. That is Edmonton Oilers hockey. That is what Edmonton’s offense is built around.

Speed, leadership, steady hands, and a scoring touch around the net are the qualities that make up Edmonton’s Offensive core. Speed is defined by Todd Marchant, a player with quick acceleration. Mark Messier defines leadership, his presence on and off the ice can consistently lift his team. The steady hands of Jari Kurri find ways to make passes to a teammates stick, often to the man with the scoring touch, Wayne Gretzky.

Wanted: Speed and offense. Players who trap need not apply.

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