After a massive slide during the middle of the season that led to the firing of Dave Tippett, the Edmonton Oilers have been one of the league’s hottest teams. Through 36 games with Jay Woodcroft at the helm, they have gone 24-9-3 and were able to clinch a playoff berth last week. As you can imagine, the city and its fanbase are loving this team right now, and deservedly so. With that being said, there is plenty of pressure on this squad to make some noise in the postseason.

Despite some very solid regular seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21, the Oilers haven’t advanced past the first round since the 2017 Playoffs. Both of their first-round exits came in extremely disappointing fashion, as they lost to a very underwhelming Chicago Blackhawks roster in 2020, and followed that up by being swept by the Winnipeg Jets in 2021. This year, they will once again be heavy favorites in the opening round, where they are set to take on the Los Angeles Kings. According to one former Oiler, another first-round exit could result in some serious changes for this team.

Ryan Whitney Says First Round Exit Will Result in Roster Being Blown Up

That former Oiler is Ryan Whitney, who as many know is a part of one of hockey’s biggest podcasts in Spittin’ Chiclets. In the podcast’s most recent episode, which featured Wayne Gretzky and was released on Tuesday, Whitney said a first-round exit should result in management blowing up the team.

“If the Oilers lose this series, blow it up. … trade Draisaitl,” Whitney said. “And it’s not even his fault, but you’re not trading McDavid, you gotta trade [Draisaitl].