Patience for a "rebuild"

Two years ago was supposed to be "the year" the result a 32-40-7 season. Last year was supposed to be "the year" the result 19-22-7. This year was definitely supposed to be the year, so far 3-8-2. If you haven't figured it out yet I'm talking about the disappointing Edmonton Oilers. Who are "rebuilding."

They entered this season with a buzz that hasn't been there nearly as much as the last two seasons (all though there was some buzz) the two biggest off season acquisitions in Andrew Ferrence and David Perron were supposed to give this team the last big boost it needed to get over the hump. However, that still hasn't happened.

Andrew Ferrence hasn't been enough to bolster a still shaky defense and well the goal tending has been non-existent at times. The offensive fire power for the Edmonton Oilers is there, they don't need any more of that. However, the defense and goaltending have just been that bad and inconsistent that they can't support it.

Here's some numbers for you to think about. They average a little more than two and a half goals a game which is middle of the pack for the league. They are dead last in goals against giving up almost four. The offense is there and nothing else is.

To me those numbers are the telling sign about the back end of this team. The defense and goaltending don't need to be spectacular. Just good enough to support a good offense. In theory this doesn't sound so hard, but in practice it isn't working. The back end has just been so awful even when the offense scores a bunch of goals in a game the goalie and/or defense seem to do their best to make sure the other team scores a bunch + 1 goal.

I don't know about you, but for me the "rebuilding" excuse is wearing thin. This is a team with a defense that should be playing better and a goalie that has been in the league way too long to be having these problems. I honestly don't know where to put this problem, but it's frustrating. I've tried to have patience with this defense and goaltending, but they have yet to yield much significant other than the odd good game from a goalie.

This team has way too much talent to be having these problems and I don't have much patience left.

Where do you think the Oilers' biggest problem lies? And how much patience do you have left?

                                                                                                          Darren.