So how bad was it?

With a 7-2 loss last night to Ducks the Oilers finally wrapped up their 2009/10 season; a season that was easily one of the worst in franchise history. When a team finishes 30^th out of 30 teams it’s hard to imagine a season much worse.

Back in September I thought that the best that could be hoped for this season would be the Oilers finishing this campaign somewhere between 7^th and 10^th in the Western Conference. I don’t think anyone expected a last place overall finish – I know I didn’t.

At times the games were painful to watch. Other times the games were just sad. There were bright spots – Dustin Penner comes to mind – but all in all the season was bad. But just how bad was it? Lets looks at the numbers.

With a final record of record of 27-47-8 the 62 points that the Oilers racked up this year is the second lowest total in franchise history and only twice before have the Oilers recorded fewer wins.

The Oilers were one of the worst teams in the NHL offensively this season scoring only 214 goals, the third fewest in franchise history. But it wasn’t just putting the puck in the net that was a problem, keeping it out was a challenge as well.

During the high scoring 1980s the Oilers regularly gave up more goals than the 284 that were surrendered this season. The difference of course back then was that the Oilers could outscore everyone else which clearly was not the case this season. This season their goal differential was a stunning -70. Not the worst in franchise history but close.

But if the overall numbers are bad, the road numbers are even worse. With just 9 road wins this season the Oilers recorded the second fewest road wins in franchise history and their 0.268 winning percentage was the lowest the team has ever recorded.  To prove that the hockey gods have a sense of humour though the Oilers also set a franchise record for consecutive wins on a road trip this season with 5. You’ve got to love the irony.

Nowhere though are the numbers more amazing than the injury totals. The total number of man games lost to injury was 530; a total that dwarfs the Oilers previous record of 346. To put the injury total into perspective, if a team had 6 players sit out the entire season that would only total 492 games. So the Oilers averaged almost 6.5 injured players for every game this year. The injuries might not be an excuse but they certainly are a factor.

So the short answer to “How bad was it?” is very bad. But the season is over now and it’s time to start looking forward so the only number that really matters anymore in 48.2. That would be the percentage that the Oilers retain the first overall pick and get to choose between Taylor and Tyler. It would be nice if so many bad numbers could add up to number 1.