Season Prognostications…
By Jason Gregor
9 years ago
Another NHL season is finally upon us. Eight teams will begin the long journey of an 82-game regular season that hopefully ends with a berth in the playoffs in mid-April.
Will the Oilers end their eight-year playoff drought?
We discuss that and more in our annual Oilersnation Prognostications.
As always we welcome your thoughts and predictions in the comments sections, and today we will look at both conferences, Stanley Cup finalists, Maurice Richard trophy winner, the Oilers leading goal scorer and point getter and one bonus question.
Before we begin: The Edmonton Oilers will try to avoid becoming only the second franchise in NHL history to miss the playoffs in nine consecutive seasons. The Florida Panthers hold the dubious honour of missing the postseason ten straight years from 2000/2001 to 2010/2011. It might have been eleven if it wasn’t for the lockout, but the Oilers are only two years away from tying them.
The Colorado Rockies/New Jersey Devils franchise did miss the playoffs for nine straight seasons, 1979-1982 in Colorado and 1983-1987 in New Jersey, but that was in two different cities with two different fanbases.
The Oilers, and you the fan, do not want to experience another season of losing, but will the suffering end this year?
LOWETIDE:
My eight playoff teams in the West are: Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Anaheim,
Dallas, Colorado, San Jose, Minnesota.
Dallas, Colorado, San Jose, Minnesota.
My eight playoff teams in the
East are: Boston, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Tampa Bay, NY Rangers, Columbus, Detroit,
New Jersey.
East are: Boston, Pittsburgh, Montreal, Tampa Bay, NY Rangers, Columbus, Detroit,
New Jersey.
The Oilers will finish 10th in the conference and 20th in the league.
I
think the Oilers are improved on the wings and should be better in goal, plus
there’s more experience on defense. I’m also very pleased with Craig Ramsay’s
addition and the overall depth. The Oilers have enough question marks (Yakupov, center quality and depth, goaltending) for me to pick them to finish outside the
playoffs in a pretty easy call.
think the Oilers are improved on the wings and should be better in goal, plus
there’s more experience on defense. I’m also very pleased with Craig Ramsay’s
addition and the overall depth. The Oilers have enough question marks (Yakupov, center quality and depth, goaltending) for me to pick them to finish outside the
playoffs in a pretty easy call.
Stanley Cup finalists: St. Louis and
Boston
Boston
NHL leading goal scorer: Sidney
Crosby
Crosby
Oilers Leading point getter:Taylor
Hall
Hall
Oilers leading goal scorer:Taylor
Hall
Hall
First NHL coach to be fired: Randy
Carlyle
Carlyle
SUTHERBY
Same eight playoff teams as last year in the West:
The east will have: Tampa Bay, Boston, Montreal, Philadelphia, Washington, Columbus, Pittsburgh and
Detroit.
Detroit.
I see the Oilers improving on last season, but finishing 11th in the West.
I think the additions on the blueline and depth of some veterans up front no
doubt makes them better. With solid goaltending I find it hard to believe they
could ever start as bad as they did last season.
I think the additions on the blueline and depth of some veterans up front no
doubt makes them better. With solid goaltending I find it hard to believe they
could ever start as bad as they did last season.
The hole at 2C is an issue, but I don’t think if Gagner was there I’d feel
much differently. I don’t think it’s out of the question (if here all season)
Arcobello or Draisaitl couldn’t chip in with 35-40 points in that role, and can
they really be much worse defensively? Down the middle they are thin in size and
that two-way presence with or without Gagner. While it is a glaring hole,
it was a pretty big hole last year as well, so I will move them up a bit because of that and because they got better in other
areas.
much differently. I don’t think it’s out of the question (if here all season)
Arcobello or Draisaitl couldn’t chip in with 35-40 points in that role, and can
they really be much worse defensively? Down the middle they are thin in size and
that two-way presence with or without Gagner. While it is a glaring hole,
it was a pretty big hole last year as well, so I will move them up a bit because of that and because they got better in other
areas.
I predict they will pick up six or seven more wins, finding themselves with 35-36
wins and 80-84 points. I think Calgary, Winnipeg and Phoenix will be in
their rear view mirror, but they will be short of the 90+ points needed to
get into the dance.
wins and 80-84 points. I think Calgary, Winnipeg and Phoenix will be in
their rear view mirror, but they will be short of the 90+ points needed to
get into the dance.
Stanley Cup finalists: Boston vs St
Louis
Louis
NHL leading goal scorer:Stamkos, 51 goals.
Oilers Leading point getter: Taylor
Hall, 84 points.
Hall, 84 points.
Oilers leading goal scorer: Taylor
Hall, 31 goals.
Hall, 31 goals.
First NHL coach to be fired: Randy
Carlyle
Carlyle
WANYE
West playoff teams: LA, ANA, DAL, STL, MIN, CHI, SJ, VAN (no particular order).
East playoff teams: I don’t care about the east.
The
Oilers will finish 10th in the West. Their D is AHL, their toughness is Atom
Tier 8. A full season with better goaltending will bump them up the standings
from last year.
Oilers will finish 10th in the West. Their D is AHL, their toughness is Atom
Tier 8. A full season with better goaltending will bump them up the standings
from last year.
Stanley
Cup finalists: CHI vs PIT
Cup finalists: CHI vs PIT
NHL
leading goal scorer: Stamkos
leading goal scorer: Stamkos
Oilers
Leading point getter: Hall (P.S I still love you Ebs)
Leading point getter: Hall (P.S I still love you Ebs)
Oilers
leading goal scorer: Hall (Don’t want to put to much pressure on you Jordan, honey.)
leading goal scorer: Hall (Don’t want to put to much pressure on you Jordan, honey.)
First
NHL coach to be fired: Hartley
NHL coach to be fired: Hartley
BROWNLEE
WEST: Chicago, Anaheim, St. Louis, Los Angeles, San Jose,
Minnesota, Colorado, Dallas.
Minnesota, Colorado, Dallas.
EAST: Boston, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Montreal, Columbus, NY
Rangers, Detroit, Philadelphia.
Rangers, Detroit, Philadelphia.
OILERS: 12th. Barring a trade, I’m not convinced the Oilers are
good enough down the middle to compete and, for me, that takes away from the
improvements they made on the wings, on defence and in goal over the start of
last season. I expect the Vancouver Canucks to bounce back at least a little and
that leaves Winnipeg and Calgary as the only teams I can see the Oilers
overtaking.
good enough down the middle to compete and, for me, that takes away from the
improvements they made on the wings, on defence and in goal over the start of
last season. I expect the Vancouver Canucks to bounce back at least a little and
that leaves Winnipeg and Calgary as the only teams I can see the Oilers
overtaking.
Stanley Cup
finalists: Chicago and Pittsburgh
finalists: Chicago and Pittsburgh
NHL leading goal
scorer: Alex Oveckin
scorer: Alex Oveckin
Oilers Leading
point getter: Taylor Hall
point getter: Taylor Hall
Oilers leading
goal scorer: Taylor Hall
goal scorer: Taylor Hall
First NHL coach
to be fired: Randy Carlyle.
to be fired: Randy Carlyle.
WILLIS
West: Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis, San Jose, Dallas, Minnesota,
Anaheim and Vancouver.
Anaheim and Vancouver.
East: Boston, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Montreal, New York Rangers, New
York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings
York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Detroit Red Wings
Oilers: 12th in the West. I think they’ll pass the Flames for sure,
after which it gets difficult. Winnipeg has terrible goaltending and a weaker
defence; they should be an attainable target. Nashville will hinge on whether
Pekka Rinne bounces back or not. The Coyotes are somehow always competitive.
Edmonton should finish in the 10-13 range; I’m guessing the lower end of that
spectrum.
after which it gets difficult. Winnipeg has terrible goaltending and a weaker
defence; they should be an attainable target. Nashville will hinge on whether
Pekka Rinne bounces back or not. The Coyotes are somehow always competitive.
Edmonton should finish in the 10-13 range; I’m guessing the lower end of that
spectrum.
Stanley Cup finalists: Chicago and Pittsburgh
NHL leading goal scorer: Steven Stamkos
Oilers Leading point getter: Taylor Hall
Oilers leading goal scorer: Taylor Hall
First NHL coach to be fired: Randy Carlyle
BAGGEDMILK
My 8 west playoff teams (IN ORDER!) are:
1. LA Kings
2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. St. Louis Blues
4. Anaheim Ducks
5. San Jose Sharks
6. Dallas Stars
7. Minnesota Wild
8. Vancouver Canucks
East playoff teams: Boston could get through, Pittsburgh could make it, maybe the New York Rangers… at the end of the day, who cares? All roads will lead through the Western Conference and that will be a problem for any Eastern team.
Oilers will finish in 10th: While the Oilers are going to have a better season than they have in recent
memory, the rest of the Western Conference is still too good. To get into the
playoffs, the Oilers will have to vault six other teams to get there – that’s a
tough order to fill and a lot to expect. Even though the Oilers will be a better,
and much more entertaining, hockey team the Western Conference is just too good
to expect them to make the dance next spring. It pains me to say it, and for the love of Wanye I hope I’m
wrong.
memory, the rest of the Western Conference is still too good. To get into the
playoffs, the Oilers will have to vault six other teams to get there – that’s a
tough order to fill and a lot to expect. Even though the Oilers will be a better,
and much more entertaining, hockey team the Western Conference is just too good
to expect them to make the dance next spring. It pains me to say it, and for the love of Wanye I hope I’m
wrong.
Cup finalists: Chicago and Pittsburgh with Blackhawks winning.
NHL Leading Scorer: Steven Stamkos
NHL Leading Scorer: Steven Stamkos
Oilers Leading Point Getter: Taylor Hall
Oilers Leading Goal Scorer: Jordan Eberle
First NHL Coach to be fired: Randy Carlyle
STRUDWICK
The Oilers will finish ahead of the Flames and the Coyotes. They have improved
but still as ways to go. I am concerned about the inexperience at centre and on
the back end, especially depending on the D corps Eakins goes with. Injuries at either of
those positions could really derail the season.
but still as ways to go. I am concerned about the inexperience at centre and on
the back end, especially depending on the D corps Eakins goes with. Injuries at either of
those positions could really derail the season.
The Preds will be stronger with Renne around for a full season and a new
coach. Vancouver will improve because of Willie Desjardins and getting rid of Torts. The
Jets are just a better team, but not a playoff team.
Cup finalists: Tampa – Blues
coach. Vancouver will improve because of Willie Desjardins and getting rid of Torts. The
Jets are just a better team, but not a playoff team.
West conference playoffs teams are exactly the same as last year with Van coming
close. Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis, San Jose, Dallas, Minnesota,
Anaheim and Colorado.
close. Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis, San Jose, Dallas, Minnesota,
Anaheim and Colorado.
East conference in no particular order: Bruins, Pens, Tampa, Habs,NYR, Islanders,Blue Jackets and Red Wings.
Cup finalists: Tampa – Blues
NHL Leading Scorer: Steven Stamkos
Oilers Leading Point Getter: Taylor Hall
Oilers Leading Goal Scorer: Hall, 35 goals
First NHL Coach to be fired: Paul Maclean
GREGOR:
West playoff teams: St.Louis, Los Angeles, Chicago, Anaheim, Dallas, San Jose, Minnesota and Colorado.
East playoff teams: Pittsburgh, Boston, Tampa Bay, Montreal, Columbus, New York Rangers, New York Islanders and Washington.
The Oilers will finish 12th in the west. They will improve by 10-15 points, but it won’t be enough to catch the top teams. The Oilers lack of centre depth will hurt them, but Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will have a great season. Petry will be dealt during the season, because testing free agency at 27 years young is too good of an opportunity for him to pass up.
Cup finalists: St.Louis and Pittsburgh
Maurice Trophy winner: Alex Ovechkin
Oilers leading scorer: Taylor Hall
Oilers leading goal scorer: Jordan Eberle
First coach to be fired: Carlyle is the obvious choice, but my wildcard is Craig Berube.
Maurice Trophy winner: Alex Ovechkin
Oilers leading scorer: Taylor Hall
Oilers leading goal scorer: Jordan Eberle
First coach to be fired: Carlyle is the obvious choice, but my wildcard is Craig Berube.
WRAP UP
Carlyle getting canned first, Hall leading the Oilers in scoring, the Oilers missing the playoffs and the same west teams making the playoffs were almost unanimous. It is rare to have the same eight teams in consecutive years, but we all agree there won’t be much change, save for Willis picking Vancouver over Colorado, which likely means one of Nashville or Winnipeg will surprise all of us and make the playoffs.
Who do you like? Will there be any surprises in the west? Can the Oilers shock the Nation?
Let the games begin.
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