6 things to watch for in the Oilers season opener in St. Louis

CBC reporter Min Dhariwal and Ryan Batty, managing editor of the Copper and Blue Oilers blog, joined Edmonton AM host Trisha Estabrooks for a look-ahead discussion about the Edmonton Oilers season opener against the Blues in St. Louis.

Here's what they will be watching for tonight.

Intensity:

Dhariwal reported the Oilers looked energetic in the team's practice Wednesday, their last before leaving for a three-game road trip to open the season.

"Todd McLellan is a different kind of coach and he expects a lot and the guys know it," he said.

Morale:

After countless losing seasons and with the Oilers' core group never coming close to the playoffs, there are questions about their confidence.

"There's a number of new players in the room so after a couple of games I think we'll get an idea of how they're doing," Dhariwal said.

"Right now they're all on board. They're listening attentively to McLellan. He's a very demanding coach, but I think he's a very fair guy.

"Looking at the players they seem like they can't wait to turn this thing around."

Leadership:

On Wednesday the team appointed four alternate captains rather than the more traditional single leader.

"I'm not sure they have anybody yet who they want to say, 'You're the guy. We're going to follow you right now,' " Batty said.

"That might be Taylor Hall as early as next year."

But Dhariwal anticipates a different scenario.

"Two years from now I think we could be talking about Connor McDavid," he said.

"I know it's very early and they don't even want to talk about that issue with Connor — he still has to play his first game — but really this kid is not only the face of the Oilers, he could be the face of the league."

Expectations on Connor McDavid:

Oiler management has been insistent on this: Fans and reporters need to lower their expectations for McDavid.

But Batty doesn't agree.

"In a way I think we've almost undersold how Connor McDavid could be this year," Batty said. "It is absolutely amazing to watch him play."

Realistically McDavid could tally 70 or more points while pushing the game forward, he said.

"He can do that this year and as an 18-year-old that's remarkable."

Dhariwal agreed.

"There have been some 18-year-olds who have come in the league and have done really well. I think the sky's the limit for him."

Toughness:

"I want to see how their team toughness is; if they're backing down; if they're playing a hard game," Dhariwal said.

"Todd McLellan coaches and preaches a hard game. I want to see if they win some battles."

Power play:

"What McLellan did in San Jose for years with their power play was really interesting," Batty said.

"This will be the first time we've really seen their whole power play unit together," he said. "That's where they're going to make strides this year."