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Oh, how have I waited for this. NHL is back. I have read Dom Luszczyszyn's previews for every team and I have to say that those are best in the business. They are behind a paywall but really enjoy their work, would pay the fee just for those previews.
He has Oilers 4th in the Division barely below Calgary and Montreal. 65% of time Oilers make the playoffs. To me sounds reasonable. Projected record 29-21-7. Around 64 points.
11% finishing 1st in div
17% finishing 2nd
18% finishing 3rd
19% finishing 4th
17% finishing 5th
14% finishing 6th
4% finishing 7th
That shows how tigth the division is. Toronto is clear favourite and Ottawa should be the last one.
Issues regarding Oilers were 5on5 play which they were below average last year. They need to be better 5on5 this year, because it will be extremely hard to replicate the special team success from last year. Especially the penalty kill.
McDavid and Draisaitl need to play more complete game. That would go a long way for the team. Kahun was a quality add, he has scored 2.07 points per 60 at 5on5 over the last two seasons. Thats good for 69th in the league next to wingers like Matthew Tkachuk, William Nylander and Vladimir Tarasenko. If he keeps that rate and gets more minutes, lookout.
Defense is still weak, ranks 27th in the league (without Klefbom) . Lack of puck moving ability is biggest issue. Barrie helps, but that isn't enough. Caleb Jones has some upside to help in that regard and Bear is above average. Bouchard and Broberg need to become quality NHL players!
Forward group ranks 8th, and that is mostly comes from 97, 29, 93, 56 and Kahun. Rest are pretty underwhelming. Heres hoping that Pulju has a breakout season, even as a quality 3rd liner.
Goalies 20th (starter 10th). Koskinen is underrated and Smith is bad. But goalies are voodoo. About every goalie can be top5 or bottom5. Thats just how it goes. If you don't believe just ask Bobrovsky.
Hoping for Puljujärvi and Jones to be last years Yamamoto and Bear.
Oilers were best Canadian team last year in the regular season, just a little ahead of the Leafs. They got bounced in the play-ins just like Toronto did. In the off-season the Oilers lost Klefbom and replaced him with Barrie and improved their forward depth. Toronto replaced Barrie with Brodie, lost Kapanen but otherwise improved their forward depth (with some declining vets). Yet somehow, despite having comparably similar off-seasons the Leafs are clear cut favourites to win the division? Doesn't add up to me.