Edmonton Oilers: Predictions for the Pacific Division

Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports

1st. Anaheim Ducks

Additions: Hagelin, Stewart, Horcoff, Bieska, Khudodin

Subractions: Beauchemin, Beleskey, Etem, Fleischmann, Palmieri, Wisniewski

These are your Pacific Division winners and possible Stanley Cup winners too.

The Ducks are a very scary team. It’s hard to single a flaw with them. I think the acquisition of Hagelin for Etem is in Anaheim’s favor and I think Hagelin could be that number one left winger that Anaheim has desperately wanted.

It’s amazing that a team could lose their number one dman, their number one LW and still be fine. Beauchemin was great, but he’s 35 and is going to spiral downwards quickly in my opinion. Beleskey fed off a career year after playing with Getzlaf and Perry. Silfverberg has looked great and it’s scary that he’s their second line RW.

Defense has the emergence of Lindholm and Fowler, with Vatenen and Depres close behind. It’s a very young core, with the oldest being Depres and Vatenen at 24. Bieska (albeit trending downwards) will provide leadership on that backend.

Goaltending is fine too. Andersen proves he’s a number one and Khudodin will allow Gibson time to develop.

Sure there’s some warts, like the Kesler extension, but Anaheim looks poised to win it all this year. They might even be my cup favorites.

Next: Conclusion