Is Connor McDavid the final piece of the Edmonton Oilers’ rebuild puzzle?

The Edmonton Oilers have been one of the most intriguing teams to me over the past 10 years because they have been going through a long and slow rebuild through the draft since losing in the Stanley Cup Final in 2006.

The draft lottery has been very kind to the Oilers as they had the #1 pick in three consecutive years from 2010-2012. Those picks were (2010 Taylor Hall, 2011 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 2012 Nail Yakupov).

Add in other talented 1st round draft picks including Jordan Eberle, Darnell Nurse, Oscar Klefbom, Leon Draisaital and the Oilers should have been an up and coming team that was knocking at the playoffs door.

Unfortunately for Oilers fans, the results have been less than desirable and progress has been slow. The team has finished near the bottom of the western conference and missed the playoffs every year since 2006.

For the most part, all of the Oilers’ draft picks have been productive and none of them can really be qualified as a bust.

You could argue that they were better players that could have taken in their draft slot, but it is mind boggling that every single one of those 1st round picks on their roster are between the ages of 18-25. Time is clearly still on their side and there is definitely more room for improvement.

This group has immense talent, which is why it is very puzzling that their growth has not been developing at the rapid pace many expected it to.

Coaching and front office leadership instability have been issues along with lacking talent at the defense and goaltending positions.

Growing pains are to be expected from a young team, but youth should no longer be an acceptable excuse for this team. The fans deserve a better product on the ice and this upcoming season will be very important for the franchise to show that its young core can actually start winning games.

Perhaps the key to bringing all of this talent together will be their latest #1 overall draft pick, Connor McDavid.

Hailed as the best prospect since Sidney Crosby, McDavid is projected to be not only a franchise changing player, but also a once in a generation type talent.

I think Connor McDavid is the perfect catalyst to change the dynamic of this team and help take it to the next level similar to Jonathan Toews elevating the Chicago Blackhawks.

There is a lot of pressure on McDavid to deliver as all the hype and the expectations that come along with it have the entire city as well as the hockey world in a buzz.

If he is the superstar player everyone says he is, then he should be the driving force that can restore Edmonton back into a contender.

It would be such a shame if the limitless potential this young group of Oilers have is never fulfilled. As a Canucks fan, I always cheer against the Oilers when they play each other because they are division rival. But as a Canadian hockey fan, I want to see all other Canadian teams do well because I think it is a travesty that a Canadian team has not won the Cup in over 20 years.

I would love to see this group bring the Oilers back to relevancy and more importantly become a Stanley Cup contender.

Off-season moves made by new GM Peter Chiarelli to bolster the weak d-line and goaltending are encouraging. This should provide some depth and stability to the team to match the young firepower upfront.

Only time will tell if this young group of talented players will be able to come together and deliver a championship, but all eyes will be on Connor McDavid this upcoming season as everyone will want to see if he really is the next big thing in hockey and be the saviour of the franchise.

That is a lot of pressure placed on the shoulders of an 18 year old.

I hope he is ready for the challenge.