It's August, and in the coming weeks, cities with National Hockey League franchises are going to see a trickle and then a constant flow of players returning for training camp and the season beyond it. And while regular season games are still two solid months away, the rosters of the Edmonton Oilers and their Pacific Division rivals have stabilized enough that we can take an early shot at where each will land in the divisional standings.
The Pacific has been stable in terms of franchise membership for a few years now, but just as a refresher, here are the Edmonton Oilers' divisional opponents:
- Vegas Golden Knights
- L.A. Kings
- San Jose Sharks
- Anaheim Ducks
- Seattle Kraken
- Vancouver Canucks
- Calgary Flames
Top of the crop
Both the Oilers and Golden Knights are hoping head coaching changes result in positive results, but with their individual star power and a number of opponents we can expect to remain lacklustre, these two teams should battle for top spot in the Pacific once again.
Since the division sends its three highest ranked teams to the playoffs, there's one more "top" spot to consider. The LA Kings managed to make the postseason in 2025-26, but they've lost their captain of the past ten years, Anze Kopitar, and while the team has a group of younger players who they hope will step into larger roles, the most likely outcome is at least a step or two backward.
That outcome looks highly likely, because the San Jose Sharks, led by Macklin Celebrini look like a team on the rise. After barely missing the playoffs last year, Sharks general manager Mike Grier took some big swings in free agency and the trade market. Acquisitions include former Oiler Darnell Nurse Jacob Trouba, and Mason Marchment. Adding to that a very promising NHL Entry Draft, and it feels certain that the Sharks will be battling for first in the very near future.
Middle of the road
We've noted the Kings already, but the middling group of Pacific Division teams might just include the rest of them. The Seattle Kraken made some real efforts to add star power, but since the franchise came into existence, it hasn't had the firepower to compete with the best. The Kraken are likely aiming for a wild card slot or worse.
The Anaheim Ducks managed to eliminate the Oilers in the playoffs, but the offer sheet hijinks this summer may have limited their ability to take that next step into true contendership. They were an imperfect club last season, and its hard to argue that they've closed the gaps in team make up.
That leaves the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks were so bad last season, that a turnaround in a single summer seems impossible, and while Calgary does have a solid starting netminder, and a few nice pieces, they've been unable to find consistency ever since Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau (RIP buddy) left. They may be more defensively solid, but the Flames were last in scoring in 2025-26.
Predictions
- Edmonton Oilers
- San Jose Sharks
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Anaheim Ducks
- Seattle Kraken
- LA Kings
- Calgary Flames
- Vancouver Canucks
HC Mike Babcock finds a way to push the team toward their first divisional title since the 1986-87 season. Now everyone hit the patio, Edmonton's winter is mere moments away.
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