Last Season: 36-40-6 72 pts (6th in Pacific Division; Did Not Make Playoffs)
Key Additions: D Jakub Jerabek, F Tobias Rieder, F Kyle Brodziak, and G Mikko Koskinen
Key Departures: D Eric Gryba and F Michael Cammalleri
Top Questions Facing the Oilers:
- Can the Edmonton Oilers return to their 2016-17 form?
After making an impressive run to the playoffs in the 2016-17 season, last season the Oilers laid an egg. They went from 103 points in 2016-17 to 78 points in 2017-18. Also key players like Milan Lucic and Cam Talbot did not play to their full potential, and need to have huge turnarounds this season. Also Jesse Puljujarvi needs to step up his game as well. Being the 4th overall pick in the 2016 Draft, Puljujarvi has a lot of expectations put upon him, and with the Oilers tight against the Salary Cap, his and other young forwards like Kailer Yamamoto and Ty Rattie are going to need to step up to help the Oilers become a force again.
2. Can Connor McDavid will a return to the playoffs?
McDavid is going to be looking for his third straight Art Ross, but he is going to want more. Entering the first year of an 8 year $100 million contract, McDavid is going to want to prove he is worth the long term investment, and leading the Oilers back to the playoffs would be a huge bonus for both McDavid and the Oilers. Also with McDavid’s recent comments about how he needs to improve both in the defensive zone and in the faceoff circle, and how much he hates losing especially after a winning season that took them to the playoffs, it is without a doubt that McDavid is commited to becoming a better player, and leading the Oilers back to the playoffs.
