When Connor McDavid was named captain and lead the Oilers to a playoff spot in 2016-17, things were looking good for Edmonton. But, in 2017-18, Taylor Hall won the Hart in New Jersey, while Adam Larsson scored 13 points in 63 games, while the Oilers finished with a wimpy 78 points. They are hoping some players can get past their struggles in 2018-19. Let\’s look at some fast facts for the Edmonton Oilers.
Head Coach: Todd McLellan
General Manager: Peter Chiarelli
Arena: Rogers Place
AHL Affiliate: Bakersfield Condors
2017-18 record: 36-40-6 (78 points)
2017-18 placement: 6th
Division: Pacific
2017-18 goals leader: Connor McDavid (41)
2017-18 assists leader: Connor McDavid (67)
2017-18 points leader: Connor McDavid (108)
2017-18 points leader (defenseman): Darnell Nurse (26)
Captain: Connor McDavid
Assistant Captains: Milan Lucic, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Adam Larsson
2018 first round pick: Evan Bouchard
Offseason additions: Tobias Rieder, Alex Chiasson, Kyle Brodziak, Mikko Koskinen, Jakub Jerabek
Offseason subtractions: Michael Cammalieri, Laurent Brossoit, Iiro Pakarinen, Eric Gryba, Yohann Auvitu
Forwards: Kailer Yamamoto might make the team. Connor McDavid is hockey\’s best player. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl are pretty good, and could be could top-6 players. Jesse Puljujarvi has things to prove this year. Ryan Strome does too, but I think he\’s already a bust. Milan Lucic had a really bad year, and needs to do more. This is a group that has a lot to work on.
Forward lines:
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Connor McDavid – Drake Caggiula
Milan Lucic – Leon Draisaitl – Jesse Puljujarvi
Tobias Rieder – Ryan Strome – Kailer Yamamoto
Pontus Aberg – Kyle Brodziak – Ty Rattie
Other: Zack Kassian, Jujhar Khaira, Alex Chiasson
Defenseman: Another injury to Andrej Sekera will keep him out of the lineup for the beginning of the season. Adam Larsson, Kris Russell and Oscar Klefbom could really use a bounce back year. Matt Benning is a solid bottom pair defenseman playing middle pair. Ethan Bear, Ryan Mantha, Jakub Jerabek, Kevin Gravel and Evan Bouchard are among those fighting for a spot. Darnell Nurse still hasn\’t come to camp, and is in need of a contract. It\’s an interesting situation to watch.
Defensive pairs:
Adam Larsson – Darnell Nurse
Oscar Klefbom – Matt Benning
Kris Russell – Ethan Bear
Other: Jakub Jerabek
Injured: Andrej Sekera
Goalies: Like his team, Cam Talbot had a really disappointing 2017-18 after a Vezina contending 2016-17. If the Oilers want to reach 80 points, Talbot needs to rebound. Mikko Koskinen signed a two year deal to return from the KHL. He hasn\’t seen NHL action since 2010-11, where he played in the only four games of action he\’s ever seen in the league.
Goalie alignment:
Cam Talbot
Mikko Koskinen
Other: Al Montoya
Predictions:
Top five scorers:
Connor McDavid
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Leon Draisaitl
Milan Lucic
Kailer Yamamoto
Playoffs: No
Division: 6th
CarterHud 