The Edmonton Oilers have been simply two objectives shy of profitable the Stanley Cup Last this previous season, and have one way or the other made their roster even higher this offseason. They have been in a position to take action by signing two top-six forwards in Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner, whereas additionally changing defenceman Vincent Desharnais with Josh Brown.
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As if that weren’t sufficient, the Oilers additionally re-signed a number of of their pending free brokers together with Adam Henrique, Connor Brown, Mattias Janmark, and defenceman Troy Stecher. It was a masterclass from Jeff Jackson, who was serving because the interim basic supervisor following the departure of Ken Holland.
With the enhancements, the Oilers at the moment are seen because the run-away favourites to win all of it this coming season within the eyes of many. Whereas there may be nonetheless loads of work to be finished, this crew ought to, on the very least, be among the finest within the NHL all through the 2024-25 season, together with inside their division. Here’s a take a look at how they stack up in opposition to all seven of their Pacific Division opponents.
Anaheim Geese
- Forwards: Oilers
- Defencemen: Oilers
- Goaltending: Oilers
It’s been a protracted rebuilding course of for the Anaheim Geese, and whereas they’re beginning to see mild on the finish of the tunnel due to some younger expertise in Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, and Cutter Gauthier, they nonetheless have a methods to go earlier than turning into a contender.
The Geese are merely nowhere near being on the identical enjoying discipline because the Oilers, and determine to complete close to the underside of the standings as soon as once more in 2024-25. It’s a sense Oilers followers can relate with, as they have been compelled to look at their crew be a bottom-feeder for practically a complete decade earlier than discovering success in recent times.
Calgary Flames
- Forwards: Oilers
- Defencemen: Oilers
- Goaltending: Oilers
Just like the Geese, the Calgary Flames are additionally in a rebuild, although it has solely begun going down over the past 12 months. In addition they seem to already be forward of the Geese in a number of areas, as they’ve accrued some very intriguing prospects who ought to assist them get again to being a aggressive crew within the subsequent few years.
Sadly for Flames followers, they aren’t a aggressive crew simply but. The 2024-25 season might show to be a troublesome one, as their ahead group may be very common at finest, whereas their blue line is among the many worst within the league. Goaltending can be a query mark, as presumed starter Dustin Wolf has simply 18 video games of NHL expertise.
Los Angeles Kings
- Forwards: Oilers
- Defencemen: Oilers
- Goaltending: Oilers
The LA Kings are the primary crew on this checklist the place some could argue these outcomes. Whereas the Oilers have a clear-cut benefit when it comes to forwards, the Kings’ blue line is a strong one, and is just going to get higher given how promising of a expertise Brandt Clarke is.
What in the end places the Oilers forward is the truth that their top-pairing of Mattias Ekholm and Evan Bouchard is healthier than the Kings, which options Mikey Anderson and Drew Doughty. That mentioned, the Kings have been a strong crew the previous few seasons, and determine to be once more in 2024-25. They’ll be praying this time round that they’ll keep away from the Oilers within the playoffs, as they’ve eradicated them in three straight years.
San Jose Sharks
- Forwards: Oilers
- Defencemen: Oilers
- Goaltending: Oilers
Very similar to the Geese, San Jose Sharks followers have been compelled to endure some very robust years as of late. The long run does look vibrant, nevertheless, due to some nice younger ahead expertise, most notably Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. Whereas they aren’t wherever near the Oilers when it comes to competitiveness up entrance, they need to be dominant in that regard in a number of years.
The Sharks will battle as soon as once more in 2024-25, nevertheless, largely on account of the truth that their blue line, a minimum of on paper, is the worst of all 32 NHL groups. Not serving to the matter is that behind them are two underwhelming goaltenders in MacKenzie Blackwood and Vitek Vanecek.
Seattle Kraken
- Forwards: Oilers
- Defencemen: Oilers
- Goaltending: Even
The Seattle Kraken regressed in 2023-24 after an distinctive 2022-23 marketing campaign. That’s primarily on account of their ahead group, as they’ve plenty of strong gamers, however none which might be high-end producers. Matty Beniers figures to turn into one, however continues to be growing at simply 21 years previous.
The strongest a part of the Kraken is their blue line. Their top-four may be very competent with Vince Dunn, Adam Larsson, Jamie Oleksiak, and up to date signing Brandon Montour. The argument may be made that it’s as aggressive because the Oilers, although their third pairing of Will Borgen and Ryker Evans stays a query mark. In between the pipes, Joey Daccord took over because the number-one choice final season, and appeared very competent doing so, posting a 2.46 goals-against common (GAA) together with a .916 save share (SV%), each of which have been higher than Stuart Skinner’s.
Vancouver Canucks
- Forwards: Oilers
- Defencemen: Even
- Goaltending: Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks, who have been a much-improved crew in 2023-24, determine to be the Oilers’ greatest competitors within the Pacific Division this season. Whereas their ahead group isn’t fairly as sturdy, they’ve some nice expertise, led by J.T. Miller. They have been in a position so as to add to that group as effectively with the signing of Jake DeBrusk.
On the again finish, the Canucks have one of many few defencemen who’s extra offensively gifted than Bouchard in Quinn Hughes. He has a strong accomplice in Filip Hronek, although Hronek isn’t the identical calibre of participant as Ekholm. The second and third pairings are fairly even, although the one space the Canucks are the clear-cut winner is in between the pipes. Thatcher Demko is likely one of the finest goalies within the NHL, and had he been wholesome within the playoffs, the Canucks could very effectively have eradicated the Oilers within the second spherical.
Vegas Golden Knights
- Forwards: Oilers
- Defencemen: Golden Knights
- Goaltending: Even
The Vegas Golden Knights have been a really sturdy crew since coming into the league in 2017-18, although they determine to regress following a tricky offseason. Their ahead group definitely has some expertise within the likes of Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, however is nowhere close to as deadly because the Oilers. The again finish, nevertheless, is a unique story.
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The Golden Knights have been in a position to purchase Noah Hanifin on the commerce deadline, and signed him to a long-term extension shortly after. He, together with Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore, are all defencemen able to enjoying top-pairing minutes. The remainder of their blue line can be fairly strong with Brayden McNabb, Nic Hague, and Zach Whitecloud.
Oilers Ought to Win Pacific Division
Based mostly on the outcomes listed above, the Oilers ought to win a division title this season. That mentioned, season outcomes are sometimes arduous to foretell. In case you recall, it appeared just like the Oilers have been going to overlook the playoffs completely in 2023-24 after beginning the 12 months out 5-12-1. Assuming they keep away from such a horrid begin this time round, nevertheless, their shot at a division title seems to be very sturdy.
