Unless the Oilers win their remaining eight games, they're out of the playoff hunt. The chance of that happening? None.

So what reason do Oilers fans have to continue watching this season? I'll give you 10 of them.

1. Nail Yakupov and Justin Schultz are both Calder Trophy candidates. Schultz has been tremendous as a rookie defenseman in the NHL, contributing at both ends of the ice. Yakupov has been the best rookie in the NHL over the last eight games. If he has a big finish, who knows how the vote will go. The Calder could go to about five different players this season.

2. Devan Dubnyk's future with the Oilers could be determined. There's no denying he blew it last game against the Coyotes. He's had a few nights like that this season, sadly. He's also had games where he stood on his head. Would the REAL Devan Dubnyk please stand up? He's got eight games to make magic happen. If he doesn't, Roberto Luongo could end up becoming an Oiler by the start of next season.

3. Ryan Smyth's last hurrah. This could be the end for him. He's been, for the most part, brutal this season, but in saying this I'm not ripping on him. He's made a career of playing gritty, tough hockey. He's been clobbered in front of the opposition's net more than any other Oiler in history. It's perhaps logical that his body is making it impossible for him to play anymore. The Oilers can't use a compliance buyout on him, but I wouldn't be surprised if they buy him out the old-fashioned way. Hopefully Smyth retires to preserve his legacy.

4. Taylor "The Team" Hall. He's become the elite NHL forward the Oilers were hoping for when they drafted him. He can dominate games, and he cares about winning more than any other player on the team, if not the league. Every game Hall plays in is worth watching, IMO.

5. Players playing for next season. I'll give some examples: If Lennart Petrell wants to remain an Oiler, he needs to play well now. Ditto Mark Fistric, Nikolai Khabibulin, Ryan Whitney, Ryan Jones and Jerred Smithson. Hmmm, let me check my crystal ball...Petrell will be re-signed. Smithson will be re-signed. That's the only two. Fistric is mean but he's immobile. Khabibulin is old and the Oilers need to get younger at the goalie position. Whitney will be more expensive than the Oilers want to give. Jones will be sought after as a UFA, and he's at that age where going on the open market is in his best interests financially.

6. What about the trade bait players? Sam Gagner has had a solid season but debate remains about the Oilers need to add size at center. Ales Hemsky has been in more trade rumors than any other Oiler. I know fans of the mighty Oil don't want to hear this, but depending on what the Oilers draft position is, both Gagner and Hemsky could be moved at the draft for a 1st and a prospect. Gagner obviously has more trade value than Hemsky, but there will be interest in both. Obviously they're both aware of what's at stake here. Will their play be better or worse because of it?

7. Speaking of the draft... I can't wait until the real speculation begins as to what the Oilers will do. Where they sit now in the standings...drafting 9th...seems about right to me. Somewhere between 8th and 10th, which is not ideal. The players they actually need...either Barkov or Monahan...will be gone by then. If I had to predict the way the draft will go (without suggesting which team will pick when) the draft order should be Jones, Drouin, MacKinnon, Barkov, Monahan, Nichushkin, Nurse, and Ristolainen. If this happens, the Oilers will likely go with Curtis Lazar over Elias Lindholm, but Lazar hasn't exactly lit up the WHL playoffs this season.

8. Massive Deals? There is the potential for the Oilers to make a massive deal at the draft, moving, let's say, Gagner + the 1st round pick. Why would the Oilers do this? For a proven player. I'll give you some examples: Keith Yandle. Or maybe they go with something blockbuster...Shea Weber for Gagner, the Oilers 1st in 2013, the Oilers 1st in 2014, and a 4th asset (and it would need to be a damn good one). Players like Weber don't grow on trees, you know. Actually if I had to guess, I would suggest Gagner and a 2nd asset for Ryan O'Reilly, who may have made the Avalanche angry enough to deal him. These are all just me spitting in the wind, of course. My point is, this might be the year the Oilers deal their 1st round pick instead of use it.

9. Steve Tambellini's could be toast. Here's my theory: The Oilers have found room for Scott Howson, and his history with the team goes way back. The Oilers continue to stink, and from what I hear, everyone loves Ralph Krueger, so he's safe. Someone has to take the fall, right? If it isn't Lowe, MacT or Krueger...So you ditch Tambellini and replace him with Howson. I'd be okay with it. Well, it can't hurt, can it?

10. Free Agent Frenzy. Regardless if it's Tambellini, Howson, Lowe or Katz himself pulling the strings in Edmonton, management cannot have another losing season. The fans have lost patience and I get the feeling Katz himself is wanting this situation to improve. Pressure will be on management to bring in two big fish: One left-handed, left-pairing defenseman who can play Top 4 minutes, and one big top-six forward (most likely a center). Buzz should begin right about now regarding whom the Oilers could target. If the Oilers were to move Gagner for a high pick or a defenseman, I could see UFA Steven Weiss being a target. Or what about Tyler Bozak? As for a defenseman, I can't improve on the suggestion of Mark Streit. Let the unfounded rumor mill commence churning!

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