The vibe I’m getting around Oilers fans this September is cautiously optimistic. We’re not gulping the hype juice as we have usually done, but I think people are feeling fairly positive with more appropriate expectations this year. We’ve got some stats to back that statement up this time, as the NHL polled a bunch of fans on whether their team will improve or not this season. How did Edmonton do? 76% of hockey fans think the Oilers will improve from last year, and 24% of fans think we will get fewer points than last year. 

For the sake of it being nearly impossible to have a worse penalty kill as last year, I feel like it’s almost guaranteed we will improve. It’s the National Hockey League though, and nothing is a guarantee. I do think that the embarrassment and shame every individual player felt after last season alone should be enough to light a fire under their bellies to win some more games.

After seeing the Oilers crumble after a poor start last season, the first month is more important than ever this time around. Since we’re starting the season in a different continent, there will be challenges. But I will always continue to have hope. Hope will never die, amirite? Do you think the NHL poll is accurate? Will we finish with more points 78 points this season? Let me know in the comments.