Edmonton Oilers: How’s the division going to shake down?

2. Edmonton Oilers – playoff contenders

I’ve already written about the Oilers offseason here, so I’m not going to dissect their moves again. Call me biased if you want, but I see the Oilers as poised to take the next step as a franchise this upcoming season.

The moves the Oilers made all come with risk but I still view it as calculated risk, and they were all made with one goal in mind: success in the playoffs.

Adam Larsson’s loss will be felt but if Cody Ceci plays the way he did in Pittsburgh last year, he should be able to play the minutes and game Larsson played last year plus add about 10 points of offence to the table. That will only help the team. Duncan Keith will be playing a reduced role here unlike in Chicago last season, which in theory at least should help him be more effective. At least he’ll be a decent seat filler for the prospects on their way up, keeping the seat warm for Philip Broberg or Dmitry Samorukov. That’s called proper player development. Not to mention being much closer to his family will motivate him a ton.

For the first time in easily a decade – and certainly since the cap era – in Warren Foegele the Oilers could have a player who will drive the bus on offence on the third line, which will only help his line mates get better, and create a chain reaction of depth offence in the process. No longer will a bunch of also-rans and AHL bubble players man the third line, we’re loaded for bear with plenty of competition for roster spots. Interestingly enough, Kyle Turris is a bit of wildcard – he might end up on that line, or the fourth, or be waived or sent down to the Condors, who knows?

One thing’s for sure, there’s plenty of competition for roster spots in camp this season.

The weakness for the Oilers will be between the pipes. Mike Smith should be a solid enough option, but who will platoon with him? If we have to go with Mikko Koskinen due to his contract, then I suppose that will do but hopefully either Alex Stalock or Stuart Skinner can dethrone him either in training camp or later on in the season so we can get rid of him once and for all, at the trade deadline if nothing else.

Best case scenario – Win the division and at least one playoff series

Worst case scenario – the likeliest scenario, which is 2nd in the division. In the playoffs bowing out in the first round for the third straight year would be the worst case scenario.