#1 Edmonton Oilers
On the ice…
The Oilers are #1 because they have so much firepower and talent it is insane. Connor McDavid is truly at another level…a level he shares currently with only Crosby and Matthews (we will see if Eichel joins them) That is a level we have not seen since Wayne and Mario and having three players at that level currently is more than awesome. But Connor will need help to make them a legit contender…And he has it. Leon Draisaitl is his Malkin. Another top ten in the NHL player whose talents are still trending upwards…I love the addition of Ryan Strome. Islanders fans may fret about Strome’s successes, but remember he NEVER would have found this level in NY. Tavares and McDavid are totally different players…JT is fantastic…more on him later…On Defense the Oilers are actually above average and solid. Larsson was the perfect fit and worth Hall. Chiarelli deserves more people saying it. Larsson is not as good as Hall, but he makes Edmonton better. Nurse is another stud who missed a ton of time last year. He will come into his own to be the best D-man on this team and an All-Star. Russel is the perfect, tattered veteran guy the Oilers needed (and the Leafs still need) In goal Talbot and Brossoit are more than capable…
Potential Surprises…. * To Oilers fans he is not a surprise, but here comes Kaller Yamamoto. This kid can flat out play and it almost feels unfair that Edmonton has him. Another dynamic scorer who can fly he scored 5 goals in 6 preseason games. Not son Esa Tikanen has anything felt more unfair.
In the rumor mill…
The Oiers would be wise to not make a single trade or even talk to teams about trades this season. All their keys players are signed through next season…
Best Case Scenario: A Stanley Cup in Edmonton: 25% Worst Case: Injuries….I guess. 20% Most Likely: The Oilers come in the top two in the Pacific and battle late into the playoffs.. 55%
Crazy Prediction… Both McDavid and Draisaitl break the 100 point barrier..
coming up next…The Atlantic division starting at noon ET.