5 fringe NHL teams poised to make the playoffs in 2019
By C.L. Kohuss
4. Edmonton Oilers
Before you spit the vitriol about the Edmonton Oilers missing the postseason by a full 17 points, take a breather. We understand. To label them as a “fringe” team might be an enormous overstatement. But go back a full season and this club posted 103 points and beat San Jose in the first round of the playoffs. We aren’t talking about a team desperate for talent or ability. More fairly, the Oilers were a huge surprise this season in how little they did contend, considering the roster and the success prior. Connor McDavid is going to win multiple Hart Trophies in his career, and Leon Draisaitl and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are both excellent young players poised to get better. They also have a top ten pick in the upcoming draft.
The largest concern, and biggest key to next season will be goaltending. It was atrocious after ranking eighth best in 2017. If they can fix it, and there are certainly a few solid additions they can make in free agency, this team is right back to contending in the Pacific. The decision to bump them over the Calgary Flames was tough. Edmonton posted six fewer points, but which would you bet the house on? That the Flames regain their 2017 form, or that the Oilers find it first? We’re betting on McDavid and his cast.
Also, Calgary doesn’t have a first round pick as they gave it away to the New York Islanders. We simply expect the level of talent in Edmonton to rise above what they showed us this year, much in the way the Avalanche went from 48 point basement dwellers to a 95 point playoff team. There’s too much ability for them to not rebound.