2007–08 Edmonton Oilers season

2007–08 Edmonton Oilers
Division 4th Northwest
Conference 9th Western
2007–08 record 41–35–6
Home record 23–17–1
Road record 18–18–5
Goals for 235 (11th)
Goals against 251 (26th)
Team information
General Manager Kevin Lowe
Coach Craig MacTavish
Captain Ethan Moreau
Alternate captains Ales Hemsky
Shawn Horcoff
Steve Staios
Jarret Stoll
Arena Rexall Place
Average attendance 16,839 (100%)
Team leaders
Goals Dustin Penner (23)
Assists Ales Hemsky (51)
Points Ales Hemsky (71)
Penalties in minutes Zack Stortini (201)
Plus/minus Robert Nilsson (+8)
Wins Mathieu Garon (26)
Goals against average Mathieu Garon (2.66)
<2006–07 2008–09>

The 2007–08 Edmonton Oilers season began on October 4, 2007. It was the Oilers' 36th season, 29th in the National Hockey League. This season also marks the debut of the Edmonton Oil Kings, a Western Hockey League expansion team purchased by the Oilers after the team spent several years attempting to buy and relocate any existing WHL team to the Alberta capital.[1]

2007 off-season

With major rebuilding necessary, the Oilers began the NHL free agency period on July 1, trading Joffrey Lupul and Jason Smith to the Philadelphia Flyers for defencemen Joni Pitkanen, left winger Geoff Sanderson and a third round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. [1]

Petr Sykora, having become a free agent, left the Oilers franchise and signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jan Hejda, also a free agent, left for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Oilers made a call to Ryan Smyth's agent early in the morning on July 1 stating they were interested in making an offer.[2] Smyth wound up signing with the Colorado Avalanche.

Netminder Mathieu Garon was signed on July 3, 2007, as the backup goaltender to Dwayne Roloson.

It has also been reported that the Oilers had agreed to a contract with free agent Michael Nylander through his agent. While the Oilers were expecting a signed contract from Nylander and his agent, they later found out that he had signed with the Washington Capitals. The Oilers are currently pursuing their legal options on the matter. [2]

Matt Greene signed a two year contract, Raffi Torres signed for three.

On July 5, the Edmonton Oilers Offered restricted free agent Thomas Vanek from the Buffalo Sabres a 7 year contract worth $50 million. The Buffalo Sabres quickly matched the Oilers offer. [3]

On July 12, the Edmonton Oilers signed unrestricted free agent Sheldon Souray to a 5 year deal worth $27 million dollars.

On July 20, the Oilers signed Newly acquired defenceman Joni Pitkanen to a one year, 2.4 million deal.

On July 26, the Oilers offered Anaheim Ducks Forward Dustin Penner, a restricted free agent $21.25 million over 5 years. This is the second restricted free agent the Oilers have attempted to sign this off-season. The Ducks declined to match the offer, officially making Penner an Oiler.

On October 2, 2007, the Oilers announced Ethan Moreau as the 15th Captain in team history.

2007–08 regular season

On February 19, 2008, Denis Grebeshkov scored the 8000th goal in the Oilers' franchise history.

On February 26, 2008, the Edmonton Oilers set a new NHL record for 13 shootout wins in a season, previously held by the Dallas Stars at 12 wins. Oilers goalie Mathieu Garon has stopped 30 of 32 shots and is 10 – 0 in shootouts.

On March 4, 2008, Gilbert surpassed Paul Coffey and Marc-Andre Bergeron for the Oilers' franchise record for most goals scored by a rookie defencemen with his 10th goal on the power play against the Nashville Predators goalie Dan Ellis.

On March 18, 2008, the Oilers scored eight goals for the first time in five years in an 8–4 win over the Phoenix Coyotes.

April, 2008, Oilers fail to place in the playoffs.

Contents

Regular season

Divisional standings

Northwest Division
No. CR GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 3 y-Minnesota Wild 82 44 28 10 223 218 98
2 6 Colorado Avalanche 82 44 31 7 231 219 95
3 7 Calgary Flames 82 42 30 10 229 227 94
4 9 Edmonton Oilers 82 41 35 6 235 251 88
5 11 Vancouver Canucks 82 39 33 10 213 215 88

Conference standings

Western Conference
R GP W L OTL GF GA Pts
1 p-Detroit Red Wings 82 54 21 7 257 184 115
2 y-San Jose Sharks 82 49 23 10 222 193 108
3 y-Minnesota Wild 82 44 28 10 223 218 98
4 Anaheim Ducks 82 47 27 8 205 191 102
5 Dallas Stars 82 45 30 7 242 207 97
6 Colorado Avalanche 82 44 31 7 231 219 95
7 Calgary Flames 82 42 30 10 229 227 94
8 Nashville Predators 82 41 32 9 230 229 91
8.5
9 Edmonton Oilers 82 41 35 6 235 251 88
10 Chicago Blackhawks 82 40 34 8 239 235 88
11 Vancouver Canucks 82 39 33 10 213 215 88
12 Phoenix Coyotes 82 38 37 7 214 231 83
13 Columbus Blue Jackets 82 34 36 12 193 218 80
14 St. Louis Blues 82 33 36 13 205 237 79
15 Los Angeles Kings 82 32 43 7 231 266 71

bold - qualified for playoffs, y - division title, p - Presidents' Trophy

Game log

October

Record: 5–8–0; Home: 3–3–0; Road: 2–5–0

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
1 October 4 San Jose 2 – 3 Edmonton SO Roloson 16,839 1–0–0 2
2 October 6 Philadelphia 3 – 5 Edmonton Garon 16,839 2–0–0 4
3 October 8 Edmonton 2 – 4 Detroit Roloson 16,913 2–1–0 4
4 October 10 Edmonton 0 – 2 Minnesota Roloson 18,568 2–2–0 4
5 October 12 Vancouver 5 – 2 Edmonton Garon 16,839 2–3–0 4
6 October 13 Edmonton 1 – 4 Vancouver Roloson 18,630 2–4–0 4
7 October 18 Edmonton 4 – 2 Phoenix Roloson 10,448 3–4–0 6
8 October 20 Edmonton 1 – 4 Calgary Roloson 19,289 3–5–0 6
9 October 23 Colorado 4 – 2 Edmonton Roloson 16,839 3–6–0 6
10 October 25 Minnesota 4 – 5 Edmonton SO Roloson 16,839 4–6–0 8
11 October 27 Edmonton 1 – 4 Los Angeles Roloson 16,173 4–7–0 8
12 October 28 Edmonton 3 – 2 Anaheim SO Garon 17,174 5–7–0 10
13 October 30 Detroit 2 – 1 Edmonton Roloson 16,839 5–8–0 10

November

Record: 6–6–1; Home: 4–4–0; Road: 2–2–1

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
14 November 2 Nashville 4 – 1 Edmonton Garon 16,839 5–9–0 10
15 November 5 Edmonton 2 – 5 Minnesota Roloson 18,568 5–10–0 10
16 November 7 Edmonton 3 – 4 Colorado SO Roloson 15,877 5–10–1 11
17 November 10 Edmonton 4 – 2 Calgary Garon 19,289 6–10–1 13
18 November 14 Edmonton 1 – 0 Vancouver SO Garon 18,630 7–10–1 15
19 November 15 Minnesota 4 – 2 Edmonton Roloson 16,839 7–11–1 15
20 November 17 Calgary 3 – 1 Edmonton Garon 16,839 7–12–1 15
21 November 20 Vancouver 4 – 5 Edmonton SO Garon 16,839 8–12–1 17
22 November 22 Colorado 3 – 2 Edmonton Garon 16,839 8–13–1 17
23 November 24 Chicago 2 – 3 Edmonton SO Roloson 16,839 9–13–1 19
24 November 26 Columbus 1 – 3 Edmonton Roloson 16,839 10–13–1 21
25 November 28 Edmonton 2 – 4 Colorado Roloson 15,128 10–14–1 21
26 November 30 Anaheim 1 – 5 Edmonton Roloson 16,839 11–14–1 23

December

Record: 5–6–3; Home: 1–4–1; Road: 4–2–2;

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
27 December 2 Edmonton 4 – 0 Anaheim Garon 17,174 12–14–1 25
28 December 3 Edmonton 4 – 3 Los Angeles SO Garon 14,193 13–14–1 27
29 December 5 Pittsburgh 4 – 2 Edmonton Roloson 16,839 13–15–1 27
30 December 7 St. Louis 4 – 3 Edmonton Garon 16,839 13–16–1 27
31 December 10 Edmonton 4 – 5 Dallas OT Garon 17,833 13–16–2 28
32 December 11 Edmonton 5 – 4 St. Louis SO Garon 14,329 14–16–2 30
33 December 13 Edmonton 4 – 3 Detroit SO Roloson 18,859 15–16–2 32
34 December 15 Vancouver 1 –2 Edmonton SO Garon 16,839 16–16–2 34
35 December 18 Dallas 2 – 1 Edmonton SO Roloson 16,839 16–16–3 35
36 December 21 New Jersey 3 – 1 Edmonton Garon 16,839 16–17–3 35
37 December 23 Edmonton 2 – 3 Chicago Garon 20,151 16–18–3 35
38 December 27 Anaheim 2 – 1 Edmonton Garon 16,839 16–19–3 35
39 December 29 Edmonton 4 – 5 Minnesota OT Roloson 18,568 16–19–4 36
40 December 31 Edmonton 2 – 4 Columbus Garon 16,774 16–20–4 36

January

Record: 7–5–1; Home: 4–2–0; Road: 3–3–1;

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
41 January 2 Edmonton 3 – 2 St. Louis OT Garon 14,465 17–20–4 38
42 January 3 Edmonton 2 – 5 Nashville Garon 12,676 17–21–4 38
43 January 5 NY Rangers 2 – 3 Edmonton SO Garon 16,839 18–21–4 40
44 January 7 NY Islanders 0 – 4 Edmonton Garon 16,839 19–21–4 42
45 January 10 Phoenix 2 – 5 Edmonton Garon 16,839 20–21–4 44
46 January 13 Calgary 1 – 2 Edmonton Garon 16,839 21–21–4 46
47 January 15 Los Angeles 3 – 1 Edmonton Garon 16,839 21–22–4 46
48 January 17 Edmonton 4 – 5 Washington SO Roloson 13,399 21–22–5 47
49 January 18 Edmonton 2 – 7 Carolina Garon 16,868 21–23–5 47
50 January 20 Edmonton 4 – 2 Atlanta Roloson 16,683 22–23–5 49
51 January 22 Edmonton 3 – 4 Tampa Bay Roloson 16,799 22–24–5 49
52 January 24 Edmonton 4 – 3 Florida SO Garon 12,322 23–24–5 51
53 January 29 San Jose 3 – 0 Edmonton Garon 16,839 23–25–5 51

February

Record: 7–5–0; Home: 6–1–0; Road: 1–4–0;

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
54 February 1 Dallas 4 – 1 Edmonton Roloson 16,839 23–26–5 51
55 February 4 Calgary 0 – 5 Edmonton Garon 16,839 24–26–5 53
56 February 6 Chicago 1 – 4 Edmonton Garon 16,839 25–26–5 55
57 February 9 Edmonton 1 – 4 Calgary Garon 19,289 25–27–5 55
58 February 12 Minnesota 2 – 4 Edmonton Garon 16,839 26–27–5 57
59 February 14 Edmonton 3 – 2 San Jose Garon 17,496 27–27–5 59
60 February 16 Edmonton 2 – 4 Vancouver Garon 18,630 27–28–5 59
61 February 19 Edmonton 4 – 5 Nashville Garon 13,466 27–29–5 59
62 February 22 Edmonton 2 – 5 Dallas Garon 18,564 27–30–5 59
63 February 24 Colorado 2 – 3 Edmonton Garon 16,839 28–30–5 61
64 February 26 Detroit 3 – 4 Edmonton SO Garon 16,839 29–30–5 63
65 February 28 Los Angeles 4 – 5 Edmonton Garon 16,839 30–30–5 65

March

Record: 10–4–1 ; Home: 5–2–0 ; Road: 5–2–1 ;

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
66 March 2 Columbus 3 – 4 Edmonton SO Garon 16,839 31–30–5 67
67 March 4 Nashville 5 – 1 Edmonton Garon 16,839 31–31–5 67
68 March 7 Edmonton 2 – 1 Columbus OT Garon 17,289 32–31–5 69
69 March 9 Edmonton 6 – 5 Chicago OT Garon 18,859 33–31–5 71
70 March 11 St. Louis 3 – 4 Edmonton OT Garon 16,839 34–31–5 73
71 March 13 Edmonton 1 – 5 Colorado Garon 18,007 34–32–5 73
72 March 15 Edmonton 5 – 2 Phoenix Roloson 15,698 35–32–5 75
73 March 16 Edmonton 2 – 1 San Jose SO Roloson 16,987 36–32–5 77
74 March 18 Phoenix 4 – 8 Edmonton Roloson 16,839 37–32–5 79
75 March 20 Vancouver 4 – 1 Edmonton Roloson 16,839 37–33–5 79
76 March 22 Colorado 5 – 7 Edmonton Roloson 16,839 38–33–5 81
77 March 24 Minnesota 3 – 5 Edmonton Roloson 16,839 39–33–5 83
78 March 26 Edmonton 1 – 3 Minnesota Roloson 17,978 39–34–5 83
79 March 28 Edmonton 4 – 5 Colorado SO Roloson 17,846 39–34–6 84
80 March 29 Edmonton 2 – 1 Calgary Roloson 16.984 40–34–6 86

April

Record: ; Home: ; Road: ;

# Date Visitor Score Home OT Decision Attendance Record Pts
81 April 1 Calgary 3 – 2 Edmonton Roloson 16,839 40–35–6 86
82 April 3 Edmonton 2 – 1 Vancouver Roloson 18,630 41–35–6 88

Playoffs

The Oilers failed to qualify for the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Player stats

Skaters

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

    Regular season   Playoffs
Player GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
Ales Hemsky 74 20 51 71 34
Shawn Horcoff 53 21 29 50 30
Sam Gagner 79 13 36 49 23
Dustin Penner 82 23 24 47 45
Andrew Cogliano 82 18 27 45 20
Robert Nilsson 71 10 31 41 22
Jarret Stoll 81 14 22 36 74
Tom Gilbert 82 13 20 33 20
Kyle Brodziak 80 14 17 31 33
Joni Pitkanen 63 8 18 26 56
Marty Reasoner 82 11 14 25 50
Curtis Glencross 62 15 10 25 53

Goaltenders

Note: GP = Games played; TOI = Time on ice (minutes); W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

    Regular season   Playoffs
Player GP TOI W L OT GA SO SV% GAA GP TOI W L GA SO SV% GAA
Mathieu Garon 47 2658 26 18 1 118 4 .913 2.66
Dwayne Roloson 41 2222 14 16 5 115 0 .900 3.11

Awards and records

Records

Milestones

Regular season
Player Milestone Reached
Andrew Cogliano
Sam Gagner		 1st NHL Game
1st NHL Assist
1st NHL Point		 October 4, 2007
Shawn Horcoff 300th NHL PIM October 6, 2007
Marty Reasoner 100th NHL Assist
Andrew Cogliano 1st NHL Goal October 8, 2007
Geoff Sanderson 500th NHL PIM October 13, 2007
Kyle Brodziak 1st NHL Assist October 18, 2007
Sam Gagner 1st NHL Goal October 20, 2007
Ales Hemsky 200th NHL Point October 25, 2007
Marty Reasoner 400th NHL Game November 10, 2007
Steve Staios 700th NHL Game November 24, 2007
Ales Hemsky
Raffi Torres		 300th NHL Game November 28, 2007
Zack Stortini 1st NHL Assist
Liam Reddox 1st NHL Game December 7, 2007
Ladislav Smid 100th NHL Game December 11, 2007
Steve Staios 1,000th NHL PIM December 18, 2007
Jarret Stoll 200th NHL PIM January 5, 2008
Shawn Horcoff 100th NHL Goal January 7, 2008
Denis Grebeshkov 1st NHL Goal January 10, 2008
Zack Stortini 200th NHL PIM
Ethan Moreau 700th NHL Game January 29, 2008
Robert Nilsson 100th NHL Game
Jarret Stoll 100th NHL Assist February 4, 2008
Joni Pitkanen 100th NHL Assist February 6, 2008
Dustin Penner 100th NHL PIM February 9, 2008
Fernando Pisani 300th NHL Game February 12, 2008
Geoff Sanderson 1,100th NHL Game February 26, 2008
Mathieu Roy 1st NHL Assist February 28, 2008
Geoff Sanderson 700th NHL Point
Theo Peckham 1st NHL Game March 7, 2008
Matt Greene 200th NHL PIM March 22, 2008
Denis Grebeshkov 100th NHL Game March 26, 2008
Zack Stortini 300th NHL PIM March 29, 2008

Transactions

The Oilers have been involved in the following transactions during the 2007–08 season.

Trades

June 22, 2007
 To Phoenix Coyotes
1st round pick in 2007 - Nick Ross
2nd round pick in 2007 - Joel Gistedt		 To Edmonton Oilers
1st round pick in 2007 - Riley Nash
July 1, 2007
 To Philadelphia Flyers
Jason Smith
Joffrey Lupul		 To Edmonton Oilers
Geoff Sanderson
Joni Pitkanen
3rd round pick in 2009 - Cameron Abney
July 5, 2007
 To New York Islanders
2nd round pick in 2008 - Travis Hamonic		 To Edmonton Oilers
Allan Rourke
*3rd round pick in 2008 - Kirill Petrov
February 1, 2008
 To Columbus Blue Jackets
Dick Tarnstrom		 To Edmonton Oilers
Curtis Glencross

* Later traded to the New York Islanders

Free agents acquired

Player Former team Contract terms
G Mathieu Garon Los Angeles Kings 2 years, $2.2 million
D Sheldon Souray Montreal Canadiens 5 years, $27 million
F Ryan Flinn Los Angeles Kings 1 year, $0.45 million
F Dustin Penner Anaheim Ducks 5 years, $21.25 million

Free agents lost

Player New team Contract terms
F Petr Sykora Pittsburgh Penguins 2 years, $5.0 million
D Jan Hejda Columbus Blue Jackets 1 year, $1.0 million
F Toby Petersen Dallas Stars 1 year
F Brad Winchester Dallas Stars 1 year, $0.475 million

Players re-signed

Player Contract terms
F Ethan Moreau 4 years, $10 million (Extension)
D Steve Staios 4 years, $10.8 million (Extension)
D Denis Grebeshkov 1 year, $0.95 million
F Raffi Torres 3 years, $6.75 million
D Matt Greene 2 years, $2.3 million
D Joni Pitkanen 1 year, $2.4 million
D Mathieu Roy 2 years, $1.0 million
F Kyle Brodziak 2 years, $0.995 million

Draft picks

Edmonton's picks at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft in Columbus, Ohio.[3] The Oilers have three first round selections in this draft: 6th overall, the 15th pick, acquired in the Ryan Smyth trade, and the 30th pick, acquired in the Chris Pronger trade.

Round # Player Nationality NHL team College/junior/club team (league)
1 6 Sam Gagner (C/W)  Canada Edmonton Oilers London Knights (OHL)
1 15 Alex Plante (D)  Canada Edmonton Oilers (from New York Islanders) Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
1 21 Riley Nash (C)  Canada Edmonton Oilers (from Dallas Stars via Phoenix Coyotes) Salmon Arm Silverbacks (BCHL)
4 97 Linus Omark (W)  Sweden Edmonton Oilers Lulea HF (SEL)
5 127 Milan Kytnar (C)  Slovakia Edmonton Oilers Topolcany (Slovak-2)
6 157 William Quist (W)  Sweden Edmonton Oilers Tingsryd (Sweden-3)

Farm teams

Springfield Falcons

After shipping their prospects out across several clubs, the Oilers have signed a deal with the Springfield Falcons to be their American Hockey League affiliate in 2007–08. The Falcons will be the Oilers first full time AHL affiliate since the Edmonton Road Runners were suspended following the 2004–05 season.

Stockton Thunder

The Stockton Thunder of the ECHL remain Edmonton's secondary affiliate.

See also

References

  1. ^ WHL Officially Awards Expansion Franchise to City of Edmonton for 2007–08 Season, whl.ca, June 27, 2006.
  2. ^ Edmonton Oilers - News: Lowe, MacTavish talk about acquiring Pitkanen - 07/01/2007
  3. ^ 2007 NHL Entry Draft Results nhl.com
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