No they are not

As of now, they’re as bad or worse than last year

I’d say they’re slightly better but not enough for playoffs

Edmonton has to battle with Vancouver, Arizona and probably 1 or 2 teams from central. I know the person above me commenting have 0 faith and probably dont know much about hockey. Its a team sport and having a team coming together and playing for each other is more important than the name on the back.

This is my thought based on faith and belief of my team.
1. Vegas
2. Calgary
3. San Jose
4. Edmonton
5. Vancouver
6. Arizona
7. LA
8. Ducks

Centeral
1. Nashville
2. Colorado
3. Dallas
4. Blues
5. Blackhawks
6. Winnipeg
7. Minnesota

Winnipeg and Blackhawks I am really unsure about since they have so much going on lately, with Chicago having a change in players and Winnipeg is a mess on who and what they will pay their players and trade rumors.

But ultimately Edmonton will fight with Arizona, Vancouver, Hawks, Winnipeg, and SJ for last playoff spot in pacific and then last wild card. First wildcard belongs to Central without a doubt.

Gee you had them 5th in the Pacific,, so look at the Central, Oiler's aren't better than Jets, Blues, Press and Dallas or Avs. That puts then 10th an need to jump over two teams, never mind the other teams the haven't even been mentioned. No looks like about another 10th pick in the 2020 draft.

Tough thing is that the Central will take two of the WC spots imo.

Winnipeg on paper is still one of the best teams in the league. They have some issues both cap and what sounds like personnel but until I see that translate on the ice I can't see them be that bad.

They probably have the literal best wing corps in the league with Wheeler, Ehlers, Connor, and Laine (I know two still need to be signed). They have a franchise C in Scheifele. They have good depth at C/wing with Little/Roslovic/Perrault/et Al. Their D is still quite good even minus Myers and Trouba with Morrisey/Buff and the rest. They also have a top flight goalie. They're a top 10 team in the league until proven otherwise

Also just confirming how low you have the Cup winners...

Yes, because STL is a playoff team, built to win though close games. They are still gonna go far this year but i think, short off-season and the fact that their style is as said before playoff style, like the LA Kings a few seasons ago, wildcard and win type of deal.

Pacific this season:

1. CGY
2. VGK
3. SJ/VAN
4. VAN/SJ (WC)
5. ARZ
6. EDM
7.LA
8. ANA


The Oilers are no where near a playoff spot.. sorry pal. another waisted year for mcdavid

I think you are over calling Van.

I'm not going to say they are a wildcard lock, but be honest when you add up the additions and subtractions. Can you really say that they are objectively worse? Why don't you have a look:

Subtractions:
Lucic: 6-14-20
Sekera: 24gp -0-4-4
Rieder: 0-11-11
Rattie: 51gp, 4-7-11

Additions:
Neal: 7-12-19
Granlund: 12-10-22
Archibald: 12-10-22
Solid call up options or 13-14 forwards in Jurco, Haas, Nygard
A promising Dman from Sweden in Joel Persson (101gp-12g-53a-65pts in last two years) on a two way contract.

Replaced Talbot (0.893sv%) and Stolarz (0.897sv%) with Smith (0.898sv%) which we can call a wash.

AND prospects like Jones, Bouchard and Benson are set to contribute.

At the very least notice the net addition of 21 goals in the forward ranks from last year's stats.

This team is not a playoff lock, but it is better.

In theory they look a little better, but are we supposed to expect career years for 4 players like last year? I mean I'm not underselling Drai and Nuge, but they both killed their former career highs and then there's also guys like Kassian and Chiasson who put up some unsustainable numbers.

Nuge put up highs with virtually no half-decent wingers so I wouldn't be so sure that he dips below 60 points now. And yes Drai had a career year, as did McDavid, but they are barely in their prime so there is no statistical reason to say they go downhill. Of course players will fluctuate, but there is no basis to predict a huge decline.

As for Kassian, he only played on the top line starting around December, and proceeded to score 13 of his 15 goals in 43 games in that role. I see no reason why he cannot get at least 15 if he plays a full 82 with McD and Drai.

Chiasson will likely not get 22 again, but mainly because his spot will be pushed into by Neal, Benson if he plays well in camp, and perhaps Puljujarvi if he finally comes around. Between those players pushing for time beside Nuge and Chiasson still there, I do not see an overall reduction

I would agree that Drai, McD and Nuge would be set to reduce their numbers if the players around them got worse this offseason, but that is simply not the case. In fact, there is marginal improvement in the supporting cast offensively. If there are a dozen or a couple dozen more goals from this supporting cast, there someone will be increasing their assist totals. And I'd like to bet that those players will be McD, Drai and Nuge when they are double shifted at times and on the powerplay.

We’ll see what happens, it just seemed like a lot went right last year and they still struggled. I’m sure they’ll be a better team, but I think they’ve still got too many problems to be consider a playoff contender.

Absolutely. There will be enough offence to put them anywhere from 20th-12th in the league in goals I reckon. But defensively they need big years from Larsson and Benning, and a combined Sv % from Koskinen and Smith of around .905 to be playoff relevant (that % would have been 15th in the league last year...boy are goalies having a harder time now...I like it).