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A picture is worth a thousand words.
It's an old saying. It means seeing something is better for learning than having it described. The phrase emerged in the early part of the 20th Century. It is attributed to Frederick R. Barnard who published a piece on the effectiveness of graphics in advertising with the title "one look is worth a thousand words".
As I looked at the photo posted on

I decided to break it down by rows. The front row book-ended by the two nicest guys on the team. I can speak from personal experience but it's more about what you hear regarding Stuart Skinner and Jack Campbell. One having an all-star season, new baby, new contract. The other never putting an end to his work, commitment to finding the game that made him a hot summer signing. Netminders who have been able to combine being competitors but at the same time confidantes for each other.
Slide inside on both ends and you'll find the assistant coaches. Dave Manson and Glen Gulutzan on one end. Dustin Schwartz and Mark Stuart on the other. Whether it's netminders, special teams, forwards, defence, or anything else this group does, they have had as good a season as the players. Working together with crack-of-dawn rink arrivals and sometimes midnight departures.
Then there is the bench boss, Jay Woodcroft. It's hard to describe all the things he's done for the Oilers. In a results-driven business, his stock has risen since the first day he went on the NHL market as a head coach. A leader who shares the journey and counts on himself but doesn't discount those around him.

RAW | Jay Woodcroft 04.03.23

There is one more suit seated in the front row. It's worn by the President of Hockey Operations and General Manager, Ken Holland. A man who owns multiple Stanley Cup rings but would like to size up one or more pieces of jewelry for Edmonton. A patient, very well-liked thinker of the game whose patience paid off at the deadline. What the Oilers needed is what he brought to the team in Ekholm and Bjugstad.
To round out the front row is the leadership group. One 'C' and three 'A's. Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Darnell Nurse and Connor McDavid. All boasting career highs. A fab four of letter wearers who ooze leadership, accountability, understanding and a drive to be the best. When these four talk, people listen. Incredible pieces to build your photo and team around.
As you move into the second row, we start with the staff. Kaite Doyle is the Director of Team Services. She is one of the guys, so to speak. Treated with the respect she has earned in making sure every plane, bus, meal and hotel stay goes as perfect as possible. From a public relations standpoint, there is the tandem of Jamie Cartmell and Shawn May. Kind men who do their best to give us everything we (media) ask for from September until the last game is played.
Dr. Naidu heads up a team of doctors who, by day, might have their own patients, but when necessary by day and always by night their focus is crystal clear in keeping players healthy. They make their house calls at Rogers Place and 31 other NHL rinks. When the expected happens and injuries occur, the emphasis to get a player to make their return safely becomes a skill each of them possesses.
The first players you'll see have become a dedicated duo of blueliners. The two-some of Evan Bouchard and Ekholm has been phenomenal. The veteran presence of one has benefited the maturation of the other. Maybe opposites do attract and, in this case, prosper as a pair.
Next are a pair of wingers who thrive on the outside of their centremen. Zach Hyman having a career-best season. Shattering goal, assist and point totals. All the while challenging the two netminders for nicest guy on the team. Evander Kane might not win a nice guy contest if his opponents are voting. However, in his own room guaranteed it feels nice to have him on your side.

ANA@EDM: Campbell makes 36 saves to blank Ducks

The player portion of the row ends with Cody Ceci and Brett Kulak. Not normally defence partners, but having them side by side makes sense. They shoot the opposite way but play the same game. Simple and straight forward, successful and dependable.
The row ends with four men you won't see often. Bill Scott the assistant GM, David Pelletier the skating coach. One sharp on his blades and has the gold medal to prove it. The other sharp on his feet and with the salary cap. Role players who understand how they may not be seen by the public but are definitely heard by the team.
Speaking of not seen but heard by the coaching staff are the video coach and coordinator. A Coupal of deadly accurate video reviewers. Whether it's Jeremy Coupal or Noah Segall, these two have prevented enough goals that their save percentage is almost perfect. Reliable but not reluctant to make bold, potentially game-changing decisions.
In the third row you will find a combination of training and medical staff at the ends. Stephen Lines might have the best hands on the team and so he should considering he's the massage therapist. Alongside him is Chris Davie, the assistant athletic therapist, and then head athletic therapist T.D. Forss. I probably don't need to say more than how these two were instrumental in the caring for Kane back in November and onward in his recovery. There was the immediate actions needed in a high-crisis situation to the many months of attention provided to get the winger back playing well ahead of time.

EDM@VGK: Kane puts home slick pass for 300th goal

At the other end you'll find Jeff Lang and Brad Harrison. The head and assistant equipment managers. They make a great team providing basically whatever a player needs. It's always "Langer, can you?" Or "Harry, is it possible?". Yes is always the answer in making a player comfortable. Not to be forgotten is Shane Olmsted. He's always at home and sometimes on the road. Another member of the equipment staff who, just like Jeff and Brad, aims to please.
In between them all is a core group of veteran players: Nick Bjugstad, Derek Ryan, Devin Shore and Ryan Murray. Unfortunately, Murray has been hurt much of the season, otherwise he would have provided just what the others have. Experience is where I would start as all have been on other teams and I think they would fall under the category of glue guys. Very well-liked and respected, irrelevant of their stats. It's more about the people they are. I didn't forget Kailer Yamamoto who just might be one of the most popular on the team. His personality infectious. His willingness to work for his teammates and their success just as important as doing so for himself.
Finally, we get to the the top row. All those in track suits (starting left to right) Jeff Cubos, Donnie Orr, Ryan Williams, Connor Smith, Joel Jackson and Chad Drummond would be considered support staff who have the players' necessities at the top of each of their to-do lists. As dedicated to deliver as all others not in a player uniform or suit.
The back row of Oilers has a prevailing theme of their importance to the team. Their versatility and their growth. Whether it's the tandem on the blueline of Vincent Desharnais and Philip Broberg. New full-time NHLers whose progress is noticeable on a week-to-week basis and who are great friends even if they are often in direct competition.

RAW | Ryan McLeod 04.03.23

Next there's a trio of forwards who do their best to provide what is needed on a shift-by-shift, game-by-game basis. Klim Kostin is a fun guy (

) and a tough guy when necessary. Up and down the lineup he goes, filling whatever role is necessary. Warren Foegele wouldn't be in the heavyweight category of fighters but can play a heavy game. He's fast and he can forecheck. Plus he has the ability to play the right game on the right line.
As for Ryan McLeod, his development has been sidetracked on two separate occasions this season. However, he can fly up and down the ice, is valuable on either the wing or at centre, plus how can't you love his toothy or toothless grin which McDavid called the perfect hockey smile?
Ladies and gentlemen, there you have it, the 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers hockey club.
A picture is worth a thousand words -- or close to it -- for this week's blog.