Caleb Kerney discusses Edmonton Oilers goaltenders Stuart Skinner and Jack Campbell. The Edmonton Oilers pre season is here! There are a lot of things for Oilers fans to be excited about - and a few to be cautious of. Mattias Ekholm is beginning the pre season delayed because of a hip flexor injury. Sam Gagner and Connor Brown will also need some time to "find their legs" and get up to speed. Connor Brown. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNzE1MDIxNDA2MTg0NjUy/usatsi_19220855_168401874_lowres.jpg] Connor Brown. Excitement builds, as do the expectations. At the exit interviews last year more than one Oiler said that this year is "cup-or-bust". Each player will need to execute their role with the team at the highest level, in order to achieve that goal. Related: ESPN's Projections Doesn't Take Oilers' McDavid Seriously Part of deploying players in the right role is having the right data to combine with what you are seeing on the ice. The marriage of those factors needs to be harmonious for the team to have a great amount of success. Edmonton Oilers bench celebrating series winning goal. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwODcyOTYzMTkxMzUwNDc2/usatsi_20568935_168401874_lowres.jpg] Edmonton Oilers bench celebrating series winning goal. Speaking to Jason Gregor on Sports 1440, Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson had this to say: "We will have an announcement soon on analytics. We are excited about that." Related: Promising Oilers' Defender Getting Big Minutes in Pre Season This announcement should give fans a reason to be even more excited for the upcoming season. For many years other teams have shored up analytics departments - with the Oilers not exactly following suite. To have an exciting announcement tells me that we should be seeing more than just an expansion of personnel in that department. Hockey is back, and the Oilers are coming out in a big way. Related: Former Oiler Signing With New Team Related: Oilers Announce 2023-24 Training Camp Roster Related: Point Predictions for Oilers' Top 6 Forwards
