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Today in the comments section of my Oilers blog, I got on the subject of if the Oilers actually have a shot at making the playoffs in 2012. The short answer is, they don't. The long answer is, they could if they were active on the UFA and trade fronts, but they aren't going to do much of either unless an absolutely crazy deal falls from the sky. Oilers GM Steve Tambellini has pretty much said the Oilers will stay the course with the rebuild, and that additions to the roster via trades or UFA will be more line-up tweaks than major pieces.
Still, you have to believe the Oilers will be an improved team this season. You can't add a heart 'n' soul player like Ryan Smyth and not improve. Smyth is not only going to add goals, but he's going to remind all players, even if it's March and the playoffs are way out of reach, that losing is for, ummm, losers? Sorry, can't think of a more intelligent way to say Smyth will bring pride back to the dressing room.
As always, some teams get better, and some get worse. The off-season, for as short as it has been has already seen some winners in the Western Conference. The LA Kings, for example, now have one of the best 1-2 punches at center in Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards. San Jose addressed their need for a top pairing defenseman when they added Brent Burns. And Columbus...GM Scott Howson is going crazy trying to add pieces at all positions. The addition of Jeff Carter will make Rick Nash better. It sounds like defenseman James Wisniewski will be signing in Columbus as well. Between Carter and The Wiz, the powerplay in Columbus should be huge next season.
There already are losers. Brad Richards is not going to re-sign in Dallas, and the Stars next season will die a horrible death. Phoenix lost their main man: Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov. Calgary is, well, Calgary: Insane. I'm the Oilers blogger. What did you expect me to say?
Here are my pre-pre-pre-pre season predictions for next season.
Western Conference Standings
1. Vancouver Canucks - They were by far the best team in the NHL last season. They might lose a few players this off-season, but I believe they will also add a piece or two. It's a city players want to play in, which helps.
2. San Jose Sharks - I love the Burns trade for San Jose, as it helps address perhaps the only real flaw in the team. They have offense, size, toughness...what's not to like?
3. Detroit Red Wings - Do I need to explain this? Lidstrom is coming back. 'Nuff said.
4. Chicago Blackhawks - Last season, a Stanley Cup hangover crashed the party. This season, Toews and friends will be rested and hungry again. I believe the Hawks are wanting to sign Brad Richards. If they do, move Chicago up this list two spots.
5. Los Angeles Kings - With Ryan Smyth and Wayne Simmonds gone, I worry about the Kings on the wings. Is Penner their best winger now? Yikes. It's okay: It's a contract year, so he'll actually show up this season and score 30+. The Kings are great at center, on D and in goal. Very deep team that should be scary defensively.
6. Nashville Predators - Barry Trotz. Don't care who is on the team or what anyone gets paid. Barry Trotz. Trotz don't lose. Solid goaltending and D...if they had offense, they'd be the best team in the league. Have I mentioned how good their coach, Barry Trotz, is? Trotz don't lose. Say it, it's the new "Bob Doyle!"
7. Anaheim Ducks - Best line in the league with Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan, and tremendous goaltending with Jonas Hiller. Cam Fowler should have had more consideration for the Calder Trophy, and Lubo Visnovsky is one of the best offensive-defensemen in the league. The rest of this team is highly suspect, though (unless Selanne is back).
8. St. Louis Blues - Should have taken the big step forward last season, but something unexplainable happened. They have a great goalie in Halak, and young talent at all positions.
9. Columbus Blue Jackets - Poor Scott Howson, Charlie Brown of the management world. Carter will make them better. Heck, anyone they get will make them better. It won't be enough. There is something missing on this team, and as much as I like Carter, he isn't it. Carter is to center ice what Phil Kessel is to the right wing: A great goal scorer but not a difference maker.
10. Calgary Flames - I would say I feel sorry for the Flames, but they've done this to themselves. Still bad at center. After the trade moving Regehr, they are weaker on defense. Each year, they get older, not better. No decent prospects coming either. It's a very sad situation in Calgary.
11. Phoenix Coyotes - Losing Ilya Bryzgalov and likely Ed Jovanovski is going to hurt plenty. I can't see how players in Phoenix feel very comfortable, knowing that they are moving at the end of this season...most likely to Quebec City. Big culture change from sunny Glendale. The reason I am not ranking Phoenix lower is because they have some quality younger players. This is the year Kyle Turris will finish with 50pts.
12. Edmonton Oilers - Even if GM Steve Tambellini does nothing else this off-season, the Oilers move up the standings this season. Why? Smyth. The kids love this guy and will respect his leadership. Hemsky is healthy, for now. For as long as Hemmer, Whitney and Horcoff stay healthy, and as long as Dubnyk is in net, the Oilers will win half their games. Maybe a little better, if Nugget makes the team and he instantly clicks with Hall and Eberle.
13. Minnesota Wild - We know they will beat Edmonton every time the teams meet. Not sure why that happens. Other than that, the Wild are a team with massive roster holes and no hope to immediately fill them. Aside from Mikko Koivu, there are no stars.
14. Colorado Avalanche - Their 14th place ranking is provisional on them finding a reasonable goalie. If they don't, put them at 15th. I wouldn't be upset if I was an Avs fan though: They have plenty of young talent waiting to burst forward. The 'Lanche will be a very good team in time.
15. Dallas Stars - Everyone predicted the Stars to finish last, last season, but they didn't. Why? Brad Richards. When he was injured last season, the Stars were terrible. The franchise has no money, the organization is not very stable either. Their roster reads like a who's-who of who? It's not going to be a nice year in Dallas, I'm afraid.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
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