What the Oilers Can Steal from the Hurricanes, and How to Do It

The truth is that the Carolina Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup run wasn’t some kind of hockey magic. It was structure, pressure, and a team that didn’t ask its goalie to play like a folk hero every night.

Edmonton, on the other hand, already has the hard part figured out. McDavid and Draisaitl will score goals in their sleep if you let them. The problem is that everything around them still feels like it’s asking the goalie to bail things out shift after shift. If the Oilers want to close that gap, it’s not about “taking lessons” in theory—it’s about actually doing a few very specific things.

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Step One: Build a Strong Defence

First, you build a defensive identity that actually helps your goaltender breathe. That means better gap control, cleaner exits out of the zone, and forwards who don’t treat backchecking like an optional suggestion. You don’t just hope your goalie is hot; you build a system where he’s not constantly facing two-on-ones and backdoor tap-ins. Fewer Grade-A chances, more boring hockey in your own end. That’s the idea.

Step Two: Watch the Hurricanes Forecheck, and Learn

Second, you steal Carolina’s forecheck. Not just the effort part, but also the structure. They come in layers, they close quickly, and they don’t let teams walk out of their zone clean. That matters because it turns chaos into controlled pressure. Edmonton’s skill guys would still get theirs, but off turnovers that actually make sense, not the “oops, here comes a breakaway the other way” kind.

Step Three: Figure Out Which Goalie Can Actually Stop the Pucks He Has To

Third, you stabilize the goaltending situation in a way that feels realistic rather than hopeful. Tristan Jarry, or whoever is in that mix, doesn’t need to be a superstar. That said, the team can’t fall apart the second the starter sits. You need a proper 1A/1B setup or at least a veteran backup who can steal you a few starts without things going sideways. And while we’re at it, the team in front has to stop treating the slot like open house night.

Step Four: Make the Roster and Coaching Adjustments that Matter

Fourth, it’s the little roster and coaching adjustments that quietly matter. A steadier defensive defenseman here, a responsible winger there. You might even make a few tweaks through the neutral zone so the puck isn’t constantly turning back on them. It doesn’t need to be a blockbuster summer, but these are the kinds of changes that can shave goals against off the board.

Step Five: Build the Right Kind of Team Culture

And finally, there’s the culture piece. Carolina didn’t build this overnight. They had buy-in, patience, and a group that accepted structure without losing their edge. Edmonton doesn’t need to become boring; they just need to become accountable. Stars backcheck, depth guys do their jobs, and coaches keep the structure tight without squeezing the life out of the offence.

The Oilers don’t need a teardown. They need a bit more discipline, a bit more structure, and a bit less nightly chaos in their own zone. Do that, and suddenly all that offence stops feeling like it’s carrying the whole operation on its back.

Related: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canes, Oilers & a Cup Tilting Waiver Claim