LCS Hockey - Team Reports - Edmonton Oilers

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head coach: Ron Low

roster: C - Doug Weight, Rem Murray, Mats Lindgren, Chris Ferraro. LW - Ryan Smyth, Dean McAmmond, Todd Marchant, Valeri Zelepukin, Bill Huard, Josef Beranek. RW - Bill Guerin, Mike Grier, Andrei Kovalenko, Kelly Buchberger, Georges Laraque, Dennis Bonvie, Pat Falloon. D - Boris Mironov, Janne Niinimaa, Roman Hamrlik, Sean Brown, Greg deVries, Drake Berehowsky, Frank Musil. G - Eric Fichaud, Bob Essensa.

transactions: Gonesville: Tony Hrkac (Dallas), Scott Fraser (NY Rangers), Bobby Dollas (Pittsburgh), Kevin Lowe (retired), Curtis Joseph (Toronto). Charlie New Guys: Pat Falloon, Chris Ferraro, Josef Beranek, Eric Fichaud.

1997-98 results:

Record...........35-37-10, 80 PTS, 7th Western Conference 
Goals Scored.....215
Goals Against....224
Power Play.......15.9% (12th)
Penalty Killing..83.7% (22nd)

GEE, THAT'S SWELL

* Team has excellent overall speed.

* Doug Weight and Billy Guerin could become a lethal scoring duo.

* Oilers have three tremendous offensive defensemen in Boris Mironov, Roman Hamrlik, and Janne Niinimaa.

GRIEF

* Weight and Niinimaa still need contracts.

* Curtis Joseph's departure creates a big hole in net. Eric Fichaud may not be ready to carry the load.

* Not much reliable scoring up front.

* Edmonton now has Pat "I have potential" Falloon.

1998-99 OUTLOOK: The season hinges on whether or not the club is able to sign Weight, who is seeking at least a one-year deal worth $4.5 million. The Oiler offense would be crippled without their number one center. But even if he gets signed, goaltending will keep the Oilers from being a serious threat.

PREDICTION: Third in Northwest Division.