Sep 10, 2018
TSN Hockey Bobcast: McKenzie on the Jets, Oilers, and Flames
With training camp set to begin this week, TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie provides previews for each Canadian NHL team in his TSN Hockey Bobcast. Check out Bob's thorough look at Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary.
TSN.ca Staff
With training camp set to begin this week, TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie provides previews for each Canadian NHL team in his TSN Hockey Bobcast.
Check out Bob's thorough look at the Winnipeg Jets, Edmonton Oilers, and Calgary Flames.
WINNIPEG JETS
"Let's be honest here, the Jets are going to be a very popular contender choice for many years to come because of this nucleus of very skilled young talent...they're big, they're physical, they're smart, they're skilled throughout their lineup up front and on the blue line.
Now Connor Hellebuyck is the undisputed No. 1 in net and I'm sure there's going to be those who say 'Can he duplicate the terrific numbers he put up last year?' People are going to say that about the Jets. 'Can they do this year what they did last year?'
I think all the pieces are there for a really successful season and I think the Jets believe they're going to have the right mindset to get back where they were last season and at least give themselves a chance to go deep."
EDMONTON OILERS
"I don't think it's entirely fair to say that the Edmonton Oilers' only response to an abysmal non-playoff year was to come back status quo. The Oilers do have three new assistant coaches and they have a new goaltender who could challenge Cam Talbot for a significant number of starts. They did add two new forwards with NHL experience and of course, you should add that the players are coming back with a massive chip on their shoulders. But the reality is that GM Peter Chiarelli actively chose not to make a blockbuster move in the off-season and 'overreact...'
I think the way most people look at it - every year you have a Connor McDavid-led team that misses the playoffs, that is a crime against hockey humanity. And I think that would be especially true this season after they didn't do it last season..."
CALGARY FLAMES
"The big off-season goal of the Calgary Flames was two-fold. They wanted to get much better on the right side at right wing, and wanted to become a much more dangerous offensive team - a more balanced offensive lineup. And I think on paper, they accomplished both of those things and they've certainly given new head coach Bill Peters some tools to work with...
The Flames have made some big changes - both on the ice and behind the bench - and I think the feeling in Calgary is that this is the season that they better take a big step forward."