NHL Season Preview 2016-17: Edmonton Oilers

After finally addressing their defense, how much better will the Edmonton Oilers be in 2016-17?

For the first time in a decade, the Edmonton Oilers seem to have a reason for hope. After years of squandering high first round picks, they have finally found a franchise center in Connor McDavid. The No. 1 overall pick energized a starving fan base by averaging over a point per game in his rookie season. He bounced back strong from a terrible clavicle injury.

A lot went wrong for the Oilers in the 2015-16 season. But that broken road could be good for them down the road. The Oilers’ young players showed impressive improvements. For the first time in a while, Oilers fans can see the light at the end of the dark tunnel. Is a playoff berth possible for the Oilers in 2016-17?

Offseason Review

Here’s a quick review of what the Oilers have done this offseason.

Additions: D Adam Larsson (Devils), F Kris Versteeg (PTO), F Drake Caggiula (college free agent), F Milan Lucic (Kings), G Jonas Gustavsson (Bruins), F Jesse Puljujarvi (2016 NHL Draft)

Losses: F Taylor Hall (Devils), D Nikita Nikitin, F Lauri Korpikoski, D Adam Pardy, D Eric Gryba, D Adam Clendening (Rangers), Nail Yakupov (Blues)

Retained: D Jordan Oesterle, D Brandon Davidson

The Oilers could bring back Eric Gryba, as he is a serviceable NHL defenseman. Edmonton’s future is going to be determined by the infamous Hall for Larsson trade. Admittedly, the Devils got the better player which makes the trade a bit questionable.

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However, it’s a trade that makes a bit of sense for the Oilers because of their desperate need for defense. Larsson is not an elite defenseman, but he is a very good right-handed shot who can handle huge minutes. Edmonton is banking on the additions of Lucic and Puljujarvi to help them replace Hall’s elite production.

Caggiula is a college free agent. Expect him to develop in the AHL this season and potentially set himself up for a nice second contract if he can earn playing time. Oesterle is a very solid depth defenseman, which you can never have enough of. Davidson could prove to be a great bargain for the Oilers because of his excellent puck possession numbers.

A big addition for the Oilers is a healthy Oscar Klefbom. Larsson and Klefbom could be a very strong top pairing, especially if Klefbom’s offense continues to develop. It also lets Andrej Sekera and Davidson be the second pairing. Their depth is questionable, but the Oilers have four legitimate defensemen. That’s a huge step for them.

Gustavsson should serve as a decent backup for Cam Talbot, who should benefit from a much-improved blue line. However, if Talbot goes down for an extended period, the Oilers will have to explore other options.

Player Spotlight: Connor McDavid

The Edmonton Oilers might have found their hero in Connor McDavid. He came with a ton of fanfare, and rightfully so as the most hyped prospect since Sidney Crosby. Despite missing nearly half the season, McDavid showed why he was deserving of every ounce of that hype with 48 points in 45 games.

Thanks to the Hall trade, the pressure is on McDavid to produce. He will certainly have some help with Lucic as his likely left wing and Jordan Eberle as his likely right wing. With more talented and more consistent linemates, McDavid is a dark horse candidate to lead the NHL in points this season.

Should he be a dark horse candidate? Probably not since he finished third in points per game last season (though he didn’t officially qualify). With Eberle penciled in on the right wing and Lucic as his left wing, expect McDavid to be a point per game player again in 2016-17.

McDavid is the Oilers captain as well. It is a role that he should thrive in because he has been a leader in his locker room. With McDavid at the helm, the Edmonton Oilers could finally have the right captain to take them to the promised land for the first time since 2006.

2016-17 Outlook

With Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the Oilers are quite strong down the middle. They have an improved blue line and some potentially exciting forwards. That said, the Oilers aren’t going to be a playoff team in 2016-17 unless a lot goes right.

What matters this season for the Oilers is the development of their young players. They still have to sort their blue line out a bit with Darnell Nurse being unimpressive (albeit still a top prospect). But the Oilers are definitely making steps forward on their journey to the playoffs.

The Oilers could wind up regretting the Hall trade, but it had to happen at some point. If they reach the playoffs with Larsson, it could be worth the pain for Edmonton.