Are the 2024-2025 Edmonton Oilers the biggest preseason cup favourites of all time?

[Dempsey]

We're a contender and we'll add at the deadline like usual. Probably have two new dmen by then. But there's a lot of great teams who are also contenders and you also have to be lucky. I wouldn't be surprised to see a team like Dallas or Vancouver come out of the West.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

They are favourites because they still have that stud Nurse. Incredible dman.

 

[Staniowski]

Maybe the '85-'86 Oilers. They appeared to be at their zenith, and there was no stopping them.

 

[M88K]

Literally every article I've read it's been Oilers all across the board. I don't recall seeing one team being such an overwhelming preseason favourite. Can you?

The team that loses in the final is always the favorite the next season.

 

[bland]

With the Kings looking likely to be losing out to Seattle or Utah for the wild card, that first round bye may not be in the cards this year.

 

[Pablo El Perro]

The all time part shows a lack of knowledge of the last century of hockey. Not knocking the oilers, but there's a reason the Canadians haven't won in about 30 years yet have more cups than any team.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

I still consider Skinner as either a bottom 5 starter in the NHL or a high end backup.

 

[Matty Sundin]

Oilers are only a +800 favorite which about an average top leading favorite most seasons. Colorado was a +625 favorite 2021-22, which they won. For 2022-23, they were + 425.

Penguins or Blackhawks all have had better odds sometimes in the same year going as low as +500. Detroit red wings were a + 450 in 2002 when they won and +300 in 2003. There’s literally been a large amount of teams that had better odds than Oilers to start the season. Even Tampa Bay had +675 odds to win in 2020 and this was after that embarrassing Columbus sweep choke.

Having said that, they are the favorite this season for a reason. All these comments making them sound like this is still the overrated Oilers in 2018 is laughable people still think of them like this.

 

[CycloneSweep]

As an Oilers fan. It’s a curse. We ain’t going anywhere with a single third liner and this defence.

 

[Luigi Lemieux]

03-04 Avs lost Patrick Roy and had David Aebischer as their starting goalie. I don't remember them being overwhelming favorites.

They added Kariya and Selanne. They were hugely hyped.

 

[Frank the Tank]

If the Leafs ever see the third round we can maybe talk about this

The difference being that the Leafs actually hold parades for making the 3rd round.

 

[Devilsfan118]

They won't even make the cup finals.

Quote this post in however many months.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

They won't even make the cup finals.

Quote this post in however many months.

You’re so brave for choosing the field, very impressive

 

[Devonator]

Its funny because I have not really seen this as reality that the Oilers are the heavy favorite to win it all this year...in fact just a minute ago I clicked on ESPN NHL page and they have the Dallas Stars winning it all....and if I had to pick a favorite, I would go with the Avs and Panthers.....however with such great parity, it is certainly true that the Oilers could win it all....with about 7 other teams....

 

[Pablo El Perro]

The pre 80s Habs have that at least a dozen times. So all time is not getting what time is.

 

[Rubi]

@Devonator According to most of the hockey brains at Sportsnet the are...

Well at least for this year

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843749349794426983

 

[Mr Kot]

@Devonator According to most of the hockey brains at Sportsnet the are...

Well at least for this year

https://x.com/i/web/status/1843749349794426983

Marchese being anti-establishment

 

[Rubi]

Prior to Florida winning the SC in 2024 and playing in the finals in 2023, Pittsburgh was the last team to play in the finals (and lose) in 2008 and win it all in 2009. Prior to Pittsburgh in 2008 & 2009 the last team to do it was Edmonton in 1983 & 1984.
The odds aren't in Edmonton's favor to come back and win it all in 2025.

 

[Devilsfan118]

You’re so brave for choosing the field, very impressive

It's not easy being a trailblazer

 

[Mez]

As an Oiler fan I think the Oilers are being overrated, still contenders though.

 

[Roof Daddy]

Heard this last year.... Stars were less of a challenge than the Canucks, and will be just as banged up again this year going through the Avs and another central team. As much as it pains me to admit it a Canucks team with a healthy Demko is probably our biggest threat. That or Mackinnon and Makar going Harlem Globetrotters

What the Stars looked like vs us in one series compared to what the Canucks looked like against us has little bearing on the point of my post. That would be like saying Draisaitl is a playoff dud because of his performance in the Finals. We know he was injured. Could some of the Stars have been dealing with the same?

And even if they weren’t playing through major injuries, maybe we’re just a bad matchup for them, but theres no guarantee we play them (maybe we don’t make it to the conference finals).

They are probably the deepest team in the league.

 

[Goose]

I don't know why this would be the case, the team didn't even win the cup and has goaltending about as bad as you possibly can and make the SCF, not to mention non-elite D-corps.

Pengs in early 90s and Crosby/Malkin prime should have been better candidates to repeat, same with Avs/Wings teams in 2000ish era, or Lightning in their prime more recently.

Edmonton as dominant favorite makes not a lot of sense to me.

 

[KrisLetAngry]

Lightning.

Then I'd say the Hawks after the first Cup began to be huge.

Then I'd give it to the Red Wings and Avs teams.

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

Literally every article I've read it's been Oilers all across the board. I don't recall seeing one team being such an overwhelming preseason favourite. Can you?

Canucks fan I'm presuming?

Come on man. They don't have a goalie do they?

Sure they could absolutely go all the way but this is a weak attempt at a jinx thread from what I'm assuming is a Canucks fan.

 

[Bounces R Way]

I mean they have a decent shot and his name is Connor McDavid, but I wouldn't have them in the top 3. Probably either 5 or 6, maybe 5 because the Pacific is junk.

They got older, slower, softer, and smaller over the offseason. Their RD depth is horrendous, they are a Bouchard or Ekholm injury away from total defensive calamity. RD also happens to be one of the more premium positions to acquire especially mid-season. Still not a Skinner believer either, his lateral movement and down low puck coverage are not NHL average.

They are going to score a lot of goals because that's what they do but I think this notion that they've 'figured it out' because of a deep playoff run is premature. They also started last season as a favourite for the cup and were so bad they had to fire the coach. They would have missed the playoffs if not for a freak winning streak.