Mark Spector

Oilers Notebook: Healthy Hallander eager to make most of fresh start

Mark Spector

Senior columnist Mark Spector is one of Canada’s leading voices on the NHL. Based in Edmonton, Spector gives Canadian hockey fans exclusive insight into the goings-on in NHL franchises while offering opinion and analysis of the Oilers.

Oilers' Evan Bouchard proving critics wrong with hot start

Mark Spector

The narrative states that Evan Bouchard is lazy defensively, doesn’t care enough in his own zone, and is prone to The Big Mistake. But there's very much another side to this story.

Oilers flip script on Ducks with dominant final 40: 'We got competitive'

Mark Spector

Oilers notebook: Low-risk Hallander adds depth, compete to forward corps

Mark Spector

Rather than lose Spencer Stastney on waivers, the Oilers recycled him into Filip Hallander — a low-risk worker who adds compete to a group in need of it. Mark Spector touches on the deal and more in his latest notebook.

Oilers' search for perfect No. 2 defenceman still a work in progress

Mark Spector

Finding the right defenceman to complement to Evan Bouchard is still a work in progress and should be project No. 1 for associate coach D.J. Smith. Mark Spector breaks down some of the choices.

'Didn’t give up a touchdown': Oilers lock down tidy win over Kraken

Mark Spector

Things we (think we) know: Oilers goaltending raises alarm bells

Mark Spector

We wondered if Edmonton could maintain its offensive prowess as Mike Babcock’s vaunted defensive structure was applied. Seems that is very much a work in progress after two games with shaky goaltending and defence,

Oilers lucky to overcome weak defence, goaltending for win over Canucks

Mark Spector

The Oilers almost gave away an 8-2 lead Thursday night before doing enough to beat the Canucks. After two games, it's clear Mike Babcock has plenty of work ahead when it comes to team defence.

Oilers' Devon Levi ready to seize opportunity in net: 'More in the toolbox'

Mark Spector

Sloppy Oilers deliver 'unacceptable' performance in Babcock's debut

Mark Spector

Organized? Structured? Hard to play against? That's what the Oilers are supposed to be under Mike Babcock. They certainly didn't live up to that standard in Game 1.