Oddsmakers say Oilers will be better in 2019-2020 season

Online oddsmakers are showing a little love for the Edmonton Oilers.

The sportsbook site Sportsbetting.ag released their NHL point futures for the upcoming season putting the over/under line for the Oilers standings points at 85.5.

While the book offers up a suggested six-point increase, they have the Oilers missing out of the playoffs by about 10 points. That’s with the Winnipeg Jets slotted at 95.5 points and sitting in the second wildcard spot.

The Oilers offseason has so far seen a large revamp of the teams bottom six along with what should be a top-six wing addition in James Neal.

While Ken Holland has left lots to be desired in terms of big moves beyond flipping Lucic, the Oilers are hoping their bottom-six can be better than last year. The signings of players like Markus Granlund, Josh Archibald, Tomas Jurco, Joakim Nygard and Gaten Haas aren’t moves that are going to move the ticker much in terms of big names, they are all going to be expected to come in and contribute.

The Oilers had a serious lack of bottom-six scoring last season, so those — all of whom came in on one-year deals — will need to produce.

The signing of Mike Smith may have helped the Oilers odds in getting a few more standings points, but who knows.

Nonetheless, it’s interesting to see the Oilers getting some love despite not really making any huge move. This season will be an interesting one given the Oilers ability to get out from some dead money next offseason and are projected to have $23-million in cap space with Darnell Nurse being the biggest name to resign.

What do you think about the oddsmakers projections? Would you take the over, or the under on the Oilers at 85.5 points?

On Twitter: @zjlaing

1. Tampa Bay Lightning (108.5)
2. Toronto Maple Leafs (101.5)
3. Boston Bruins (100.5)
WC2. New York Islanders (93.5)

1. Washington Capitals(96.5)
2. Carolina Hurricanes(95.5)
3. Pittsburgh Penguins(94.5)
WC1. Florida Panthers(96.5)

9. Philadelphia Flyers(90.5)
10. New Jersey Devils(88.5)
11. Montreal Canadiens(88.5)
12. New York Rangers(87.5)
13. Columbus Blue Jackets(84.5)
14. Buffalo Sabres(83.5)
15. Detroit Red Wings(75.5)
16. Ottawa Senators(68.5)

1. Vegas Golden Knights (100.5)
2. Calgary Flames (96.5)
3. San Jose Sharks (93.5)
WC2. Winnipeg Jets (95.5)

1. Colorado Avalanche (98.5)
2. Nashville Predators (97.5)
3. St. Louis Blues (96.5)
WC1. Dallas Stars (96.5)

9. Vancouver Canucks (90.5)
10. Arizona Coyotes (90.5)
11. Chicago Blackhawks (90.5)
12. Edmonton Oilers (85.5)
13. Minnesota Wild (84.5)
14. Anaheim Ducks (79.5)
15. Los Angeles Kings (73.5)