<p><span style="font-weight: 400">We had the excitement of </span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/03/ryan-mcleod-says-he-took-less-money-to-help-the-edmonton-oilers-win-the-stanley-cup/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Ryan McLeod</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> signing a new deal and </span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/07/monday-mailbag-first-thoughts-on-the-jeff-jackson-hire-as-the-oilers-new-ceo-of-hockey-ops/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Jeff Jackson</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> becoming the new CEO of Hockey Operations. But, since that news broke, the dog days of summer have returned as we all wait for the start of hockey season.</span></p>
<p></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Over the past few weeks, I&#8217;ve enjoyed some time off vacationing in England and France. I figured the best way to get back into the swing of things was to hear from all of you and what your predictions are for the 2023/24 season.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The standards were simple: it didn&#8217;t matter if you had the simplest take or the boldest, I wanted to get an idea of what fans were thinking as the season slowly approached.</span></p>
<h1>Simple and Most Likely</h1>
<p>Sometimes, the simplest thoughts are the most accurate ones. Dangersuede and Surveyor Brett take the crown for that because what they had to say feels extremely accurate.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Some fans will he unhappy with how the team is run and some players performance</p>
<p>&mdash; dangersuede esq. (@dangersuede) <a href="https://twitter.com/dangersuede/status/1691858544629579788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I predict it will be… Epic</p>
<p>&mdash; Surveyor Brett (@BLuchanski) <a href="https://twitter.com/BLuchanski/status/1691856264228413921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h1>The Soup Revenge Tour</h1>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">It was tough to watch </span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/05/random-thoughts-the-jeff-jackson-era-ryan-mcleod-contract-reaction-and-jack-campbell/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Jack Campbell</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> some nights last season. He struggled the majority of the way but managed to put in killer performances in the postseason. While he never started in the playoffs, that relief appearance in game four versus the Los Angeles Kings arguably saved the Oilers&#8217; season. The fan base believes that Campbell can bounce back from his tough first season with the Copper and Blue.</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Time to Enjoy the ride! Campbell will step up &amp; push Stu to be even better!</p>
<p>&mdash; Captain Feltan 🫡👨🏻‍✈️ (@Captain_Feltan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Captain_Feltan/status/1691860541592260776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">-Jack Campbell rebound season <br />-Minimum conference final appearance <br />-Klim Kostin scores a hat trick vs Oilers</p>
<p>&mdash; Gary (@Zipperfaceclown) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zipperfaceclown/status/1691962930064175260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jack Campbell finishes top 8 in save %.</p>
<p>&mdash; Bradley Robert (@yeldarbdr) <a href="https://twitter.com/yeldarbdr/status/1691862500407750745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">It&#8217;s fair to say we are all rooting for Campbell to perform this season. If he and Stuart Skinner both play around league average at minimum, the Oilers won&#8217;t have a problem between the pipes.</span></p>
<h4>One Goal</h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">The last couple of seasons have been tons of fun. Watching </span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/17/nhl-notebook-jonathan-toews-taking-time-away-from-hockey-and-who-could-catch-connor-mcdavid-in-next-years-hart-trophy-race/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Connor McDavid</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> dominate in the 2021 playoffs with a massive performance in game seven against the LA Kings and then go on to eliminate the Calgary Flames en route to a Western Conference Finals appearance was an incredible ride. Whilst last season didn&#8217;t go as planned, the ride was still an enjoyable one. With that said, expectations are higher than they have been in a very long time in Edmonton and for many fans, the 2024 season feels like cup or bust.</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stanley or bust.</p>
<p>&mdash; Chad L.E McGhie (@chadlemcghie) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadlemcghie/status/1691941085994729828?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lord Stanley is coming back home in the arms of McDavid. No one will celebrate harder than the 80’s Oilers.</p>
<p>&mdash; Oil City Dynasty (@OilCityDynasty) <a href="https://twitter.com/OilCityDynasty/status/1691848874053566862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">President&#39;s Trophy,Stanley Cup winners Connor wins Ross,Hart,Richard ,Linsey. Bouch. wins Norris. Drai wins  Smythe. I&#39;m a bit of an Oiler fan👍😀😀</p>
<p>&mdash; Albertaproud (@edwardgaschnitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/edwardgaschnitz/status/1691893975672860929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Win the cup dropping 8 playoff games</p>
<p>&mdash; Andy Woodard (@andynwoodard) <a href="https://twitter.com/andynwoodard/status/1691895223889068329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bold Prediction: Oilers win the cup but neither 97 or 29 win the Con smythe trophy</p>
<p>&mdash; Mike T (@mtopping11) <a href="https://twitter.com/mtopping11/status/1691853549540638994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stanley cup</p>
<p>&mdash; Tommy (timbo) 🎫 (@sportsinvestor9) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportsinvestor9/status/1691864020591226982?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stanley Cup Final contenders</p>
<p>&mdash; Fingers Crossed (@Rooster1Dj) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rooster1Dj/status/1691955941925896384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The cup.</p>
<p>&mdash; Sgt Obvious 🇨🇦 (@YEGdeal) <a href="https://twitter.com/YEGdeal/status/1691848616946663505?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sam Gagner scores the Cup winning goal, officially ending the Decade of Darkness curse and opening the McDavid Dynasty era.</p>
<p>At the exact moment Gagner scores &#8211; Chris Pronger stubs his toe.</p>
<p>&mdash; Conor Deane (@cdeane10) <a href="https://twitter.com/cdeane10/status/1691876418899050612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h4>The Haters</h4>
<p>Of course, not every response was a positive one. A few people wanted to put negative vibes into the Oilers atmosphere. If anything like this happens, you guys know who to blame.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Injury riddled season. They miss the playoffs</p>
<p>&mdash; Sweet Jesus (@Dlchambers19) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dlchambers19/status/1691960681954955519?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">connor or leon get hurt and oilers struggle all season yikes</p>
<p>&mdash; bob hughes (@bobhughes19) <a href="https://twitter.com/bobhughes19/status/1692104589615784416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h4>Player Predictions</h4>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Outside of the Campbell predictions, fans had thoughts on other players for the 2024 season. Elvis really went all out with his predictions suggesting that Evan Bouchard hits 100 points, while other predictions included</span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/11/what-should-the-edmonton-oilers-expect-from-dylan-holloway-this-season/"><span style="font-weight: 400"> Dylan Holloway</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">,</span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/07/19/raphael-lavoie-expects-to-push-for-nhl-job/"><span style="font-weight: 400"> Raphael Lavoie</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> and</span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/07/17/monday-mailbag-where-is-the-best-fit-for-connor-brown/"><span style="font-weight: 400"> Connor Brown</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">. Hopefully, Bouchard will resign before the season starts.</span></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">-Oilers get 125p<br />-Campbell will be above 910%<br />-Holloway will get 50p<br />-Bouch with hit 100p<br />-Draisaitl will hit 60G and get scoring title</p>
<p>&mdash; Elvis (@TheeClumsyNinja) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheeClumsyNinja/status/1691862428806713808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lavoie will have a top 6 spot by the end of the season</p>
<p>&mdash; Oilersfan88 (@Oilersfan88) <a href="https://twitter.com/Oilersfan88/status/1691876203735740708?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Connor brown plays great on Mcdavids line therefore, drai can centre the second line and we’ll have an amazing 1-2 punch</p>
<p>&mdash; dannyship (@dannyship1) <a href="https://twitter.com/dannyship1/status/1692341946751324169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mcd and Drai score 300 points between them.</p>
<p>&mdash; Kraken Up North (@KrakenUpNorth) <a href="https://twitter.com/KrakenUpNorth/status/1692178512650936626?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">McLeod scores 20 goals</p>
<p>&mdash; Rylan Loose (@rylan_loose) <a href="https://twitter.com/rylan_loose/status/1691852977844445214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<h4>My Predictions</h4>
<p>Since you all gave your predictions, it&#8217;s only fair that I put mine out into Oil Country.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">My player prediction is that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will hit the 100-point mark again. Last season, the Nuge had an unbelievable season, and many think he won&#8217;t hit those highs again. However, getting the chance to play with either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl every night gives him every opportunity to do it and Nugent-Hopkins will play a big part in what will be another strong powerplay. </span></p>
<p>As for my team predictions, the Edmonton Oilers are going to the Cup final. Will they win? I hope so, but I am not ready to put my chips all in just yet. There are still question marks with them, but the reaction to getting eliminated last season makes me believe this team isn&#8217;t ready to go home early.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">If you&#8217;ve got more predictions, hit me up on Twitter</span><a href="https://twitter.com/LiamHorrobin"> <span style="font-weight: 400">@LiamHorrobin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">.</span></p>

<span style="font-weight: 400">We had the excitement of </span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/03/ryan-mcleod-says-he-took-less-money-to-help-the-edmonton-oilers-win-the-stanley-cup/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Ryan McLeod</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> signing a new deal and </span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/07/monday-mailbag-first-thoughts-on-the-jeff-jackson-hire-as-the-oilers-new-ceo-of-hockey-ops/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Jeff Jackson</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> becoming the new CEO of Hockey Operations. But, since that news broke, the dog days of summer have returned as we all wait for the start of hockey season.</span>



<span style="font-weight: 400">Over the past few weeks, I've enjoyed some time off vacationing in England and France. I figured the best way to get back into the swing of things was to hear from all of you and what your predictions are for the 2023/24 season.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400">The standards were simple: it didn't matter if you had the simplest take or the boldest, I wanted to get an idea of what fans were thinking as the season slowly approached.</span>
<h1>Simple and Most Likely</h1>
Sometimes, the simplest thoughts are the most accurate ones. Dangersuede and Surveyor Brett take the crown for that because what they had to say feels extremely accurate.

https://twitter.com/dangersuede/status/1691858544629579788?s=20

https://twitter.com/BLuchanski/status/1691856264228413921?s=20
<h1>The Soup Revenge Tour</h1>
<span style="font-weight: 400">It was tough to watch </span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/05/random-thoughts-the-jeff-jackson-era-ryan-mcleod-contract-reaction-and-jack-campbell/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Jack Campbell</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> some nights last season. He struggled the majority of the way but managed to put in killer performances in the postseason. While he never started in the playoffs, that relief appearance in game four versus the Los Angeles Kings arguably saved the Oilers' season. The fan base believes that Campbell can bounce back from his tough first season with the Copper and Blue.</span>

https://twitter.com/Captain_Feltan/status/1691860541592260776?s=20

https://twitter.com/Zipperfaceclown/status/1691962930064175260?s=20

https://twitter.com/yeldarbdr/status/1691862500407750745?s=20

<span style="font-weight: 400">It's fair to say we are all rooting for Campbell to perform this season. If he and Stuart Skinner both play around league average at minimum, the Oilers won't have a problem between the pipes.</span>
<h4>One Goal</h4>
<span style="font-weight: 400">The last couple of seasons have been tons of fun. Watching </span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/17/nhl-notebook-jonathan-toews-taking-time-away-from-hockey-and-who-could-catch-connor-mcdavid-in-next-years-hart-trophy-race/"><span style="font-weight: 400">Connor McDavid</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> dominate in the 2021 playoffs with a massive performance in game seven against the LA Kings and then go on to eliminate the Calgary Flames en route to a Western Conference Finals appearance was an incredible ride. Whilst last season didn't go as planned, the ride was still an enjoyable one. With that said, expectations are higher than they have been in a very long time in Edmonton and for many fans, the 2024 season feels like cup or bust.</span>

https://twitter.com/chadlemcghie/status/1691941085994729828?s=20

https://twitter.com/OilCityDynasty/status/1691848874053566862?s=20

https://twitter.com/edwardgaschnitz/status/1691893975672860929?s=20

https://twitter.com/andynwoodard/status/1691895223889068329?s=20

https://twitter.com/mtopping11/status/1691853549540638994?s=20

https://twitter.com/sportsinvestor9/status/1691864020591226982?s=20

https://twitter.com/Rooster1Dj/status/1691955941925896384?s=20

https://twitter.com/YEGdeal/status/1691848616946663505?s=20

https://twitter.com/cdeane10/status/1691876418899050612?s=20
<h4>The Haters</h4>
Of course, not every response was a positive one. A few people wanted to put negative vibes into the Oilers atmosphere. If anything like this happens, you guys know who to blame.

https://twitter.com/Dlchambers19/status/1691960681954955519?s=20

https://twitter.com/bobhughes19/status/1692104589615784416?s=20
<h4>Player Predictions</h4>
<span style="font-weight: 400">Outside of the Campbell predictions, fans had thoughts on other players for the 2024 season. Elvis really went all out with his predictions suggesting that Evan Bouchard hits 100 points, while other predictions included</span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/08/11/what-should-the-edmonton-oilers-expect-from-dylan-holloway-this-season/"><span style="font-weight: 400"> Dylan Holloway</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">,</span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/07/19/raphael-lavoie-expects-to-push-for-nhl-job/"><span style="font-weight: 400"> Raphael Lavoie</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400"> and</span><a href="https://oilersnation.com/2023/07/17/monday-mailbag-where-is-the-best-fit-for-connor-brown/"><span style="font-weight: 400"> Connor Brown</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">. Hopefully, Bouchard will resign before the season starts.</span>

https://twitter.com/TheeClumsyNinja/status/1691862428806713808?s=20

https://twitter.com/Oilersfan88/status/1691876203735740708?s=20

https://twitter.com/dannyship1/status/1692341946751324169?s=20

https://twitter.com/KrakenUpNorth/status/1692178512650936626?s=20

https://twitter.com/rylan_loose/status/1691852977844445214?s=20
<h4>My Predictions</h4>
Since you all gave your predictions, it's only fair that I put mine out into Oil Country.

<span style="font-weight: 400">My player prediction is that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will hit the 100-point mark again. Last season, the Nuge had an unbelievable season, and many think he won't hit those highs again. However, getting the chance to play with either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl every night gives him every opportunity to do it and Nugent-Hopkins will play a big part in what will be another strong powerplay. </span>

As for my team predictions, the Edmonton Oilers are going to the Cup final. Will they win? I hope so, but I am not ready to put my chips all in just yet. There are still question marks with them, but the reaction to getting eliminated last season makes me believe this team isn't ready to go home early.

<span style="font-weight: 400">If you've got more predictions, hit me up on Twitter</span><a href="https://twitter.com/LiamHorrobin"> <span style="font-weight: 400">@LiamHorrobin</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400">.</span>

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