Edmonton Oilers

[lobo1969]

Anybody else optimistic for a career year from McDavid? If he gets in 80+ games I'm thinking 150+pts

[PicklePickle]

I wouldnt doubt that McDavid could show the world that he's a top 5 player of all-time

[SeaDawg]

Anybody else optimistic for a career year from McDavid? If he gets in 80+ games I'm thinking 150+pts

considering he paced for 153 last year, I certainly think that is possible. Sounds crazy that someone could do that, but based on last year's performance, it isn't for him.

[Fighting_Emu]

I think pulji might surprise even more than people are expecting. He was an enormous talent in his draft year and the big boys tend to take a little longer. Topline with mcd and pp1- the sky really is the limit. I'm calling ppg with 30 goals!

[Belexus75]

i dont think he reaches 150, i think schedule will be more difficult in terms of travel, he will play many more defensive teams that will shut him down to certain extend. I personally think he just had a carrier year in terms of points per game.

[lobo1969]

i dont think he reaches 150, i think schedule will be more difficult in terms of travel, he will play many more defensive teams that will shut him down to certain extend. I personally think he just had a carrier year in terms of points per game.

This should be offset by an even more potent Oiler's PP and the hope that the NHL actually start calling the penalties they are suppose to call. Oilers have the potential to be the #1 offensive team in the league and McDavid will probably be the biggest driver/beneficiary of this.

[chuckcouples]

McDavid will average 2 points per game this season. If he plays every game, he will be over 160 points.

The Oilers forwards are the best they have had in a long time but their defensemen are the worst they have been in a long time as well. It's a gamble that Holland took and I doubt it will pay off. The good thing is that there are always older top 4 dmen available at the trade deadline. For the Oilers sake, hopefully, Holland realizes that is what the team needs and gets a deal done. The problem is that the Oilers don't really have any assets to move to acquire that. Maybe one of the "prospect" dmen emerge as a top 4 dman to end the year.

Their goaltending should be league average. Smith will be worse than last year while Koskinen will be better.

[ross10019]

Oiler fans - interested in your thoughts about Mike Smith and Yamamoto for this year, and initial impressions based on last night. I listened to the 3rd period on audio and saw some highlights, sounds like Smith was awesome except for that weird late Canucks goal, including in the OT. Yamamoto didn't seem like he was mentioned at all.

[Axeman33]

I didnt watch the whole game but I did listen to a couple podcasts this morning from a few Oiler faithful to fill me in on what I missed at the end.

Smith last night was solid again. That goal from Hughes was definitely a weird one. I did see the highlights on it and it appears as if Smith was almost expecting a pass there and cheated a bit to give up the short side. None the less, if Smith plays like that all year long, the goaltending will not be an issue.

Yamamoto played a solid two way game. He was excellent on the PK and the 2nd line of Hyman-RNH-Yamamoto looked to be the best line line for the Oilers though out the game. They drove the possession and created a lot more chances than they gave up. It's hard to say how he will do offensively. I'd be modest and hope for 50pts but considering he rarely sees PP time (PP1 plays most of the time), that could be optimistic.

[ross10019]

I didnt watch the whole game but I did listen to a couple podcasts this morning from a few Oiler faithful to fill me in on what I missed at the end.

Smith last night was solid again. That goal from Hughes was definitely a weird one. I did see the highlights on it and it appears as if Smith was almost expecting a pass there and cheated a bit to give up the short side. None the less, if Smith plays like that all year long, the goaltending will not be an issue.

Yamamoto played a solid two way game. He was excellent on the PK and the 2nd line of Hyman-RNH-Yamamoto looked to be the best line line for the Oilers though out the game. They drove the possession and created a lot more chances than they gave up. It's hard to say how he will do offensively. I'd be modest and hope for 50pts but considering he rarely sees PP time (PP1 plays most of the time), that could be optimistic.

Thank you Axe!

Yamamoto not getting PP time is of course the one thing that will hold him back to getting back to that magical PPG pace from a couple years ago. But I was also very surprised that he (as far as I know) didn't get any TOI in the OT period. You would think a quick and skilled forward like him would be perfect for 3 on 3. Any thoughts?

[Axeman33]

That doesnt surprise me that he didnt get on much for the OT. The Oilers will keep McDavid and Draisaitl out there for most of it and RNH will spell them off with Puljujarvi on his wing as needed. I dont disagree that his speed is an asset but that should tell you how confident Tippett is in his offensive abilities. Tip keeps a really short bench in OT.

[Axeman33]

Evan Bouchard making leaps and bounds in his play this year. Barrie is tripping over his own d!ck.

[2014olympicgold]

Has Jesse Puljujarvi played well or has he just been playing with his stick down on McDavid's wing?

[doulos]

Has Jesse Puljujarvi played well or has he just been playing with his stick down on McDavid's wing?

He's been good for sure.

[2014olympicgold]

He's been good for sure.

Takes talent to play with talent I guess right?