Seattle has got to be the most overrated team this year

I don't think Seattle has a chance of making it that high, and you definitely have Edmonton too low.

Edmonton is highly overrated. No defense, goaltending, or depth

IMO: Vegas, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, Seattle, LA, SJ, Anaheim

Edmonton is going to be second, and then it’s a guessing game. I don’t get how people think we will miss or make a wild card spot. Haha, did you forget about last year? We were literally in second behind the leafs by 5 points. We are way better than Vancouver, Seattle, and Calgary.

Bad defense and no goaltending will hurt the Oilers. You are looking like the 2019-20 Leafs. Expect to win 8-6 games

I like the way Seattle is built more than the Oilers

Really a toss up between 2 - 5

Bad defence and no goaltending? Nurse, Ceci, and Keith are underrated defensively. Yes, Barrie, and Bouchard are not the best defensively but Bouchard is actually getting better. Russell, or Legasson or whoever we choose for the third pair is good defensively. Smith played very well last season. I don’t know if he can keep it up because of his age, but he won’t fall all the way to be a horrible goalie. Koskinen is an okay backup, that can play 20 games a season. This team will be fine honestly.

Nurse, Keith, and Ceci are anything but underrated defensively. If the Oilers are putting Ceci anywhere in the top 4, good luck. He had only one good season in Pittsburgh and was sheltered heavily. Oilers aren't doing that as they believe he can replace Larsson. Keith is 38 years old which will make it easier to go around him, and Nurse is the only good defensemen you have that you can rely on. Smith played in an easy division facing the same teams consistently. What makes you think he can stop a Barkov shot? Also, aren't there rumours that Stalock will be the Oilers backup?

I would have Vegas, Edmonton, Vancouver, Calgary, Seattle, L.A., Anaheim, San Jose.

You don't need fantastic goaltending and defense when you have the amazing offense that they have. Both are good enough for regular season success

Smith can block a Barkov shot. There are way better shots that he blocked last season. Keith is old, but he will not play near as much minutes as Nurse will. Ceci played on Pittsburgh’s top 4 and played very well with Michael Matheson! We are getting him an upgrade. I will admit that Ceci’s term isn’t the best, but if you need a player, sometimes you have to give them either more money, or term. No, Stalock will not be the backup next year, it will be Koskinen. The only way Stalock will be the backup, if if Koskinen is dumped somewhere. But if that happens, then we are probably getting a starter. Our team gets underestimated so much, that I’m starting to think some people don’t know much about teams. I’m not pointing out names, or saying you, but it amazes me how we go from second place multiple years, and now we miss…. It doesn’t make any sense.

Leafs tried it and we lost to a 42 year old Zamboni driver, remember? 2 out of the 6 Oilers defensemen's were part of the game

Ceci did not play anywhere in Pittsburgh top 4, he was on the third pairing. Oilers defense and goaltending will contribute to the team missing the playoffs. I'm not talking about the offence at all, it's good, but look at the bigger picture

Nope. He played top 4 minutes. A little ways down the road, he got moved up to the top 4. I am almost certain he did.

They finished 2nd in their division two years in a row now. Only 10 teams have allowed fewer goals last season. They improved both their offense and their depth over the summer, the goaltending is unchanged and the defense is about the same.

I'm sot seeing any rationale for such a drop in the standings.

His most common partner was Mike Matheson, who is Pittsburgh's 2nd pairing LHD.

Troll. Look at the facts: only 10 teams allowed fewer goals last year than the Oilers.

And if we look at the stats for when they were platooning Smith and Koskinen (from Feb 8 to the end of the season, 43 games), the Oilers were 5th in the league for GA/GP. They could take a step back defensively this season and still compete for the division title.

LOL, there's a whole lotta crap in here that doesn't stand the light of day. Ceci played the 4th most minutes against elites among Pens defenders and wasn't sheltered by zone starts either. Keith at 38 is still an elite skater. Smith didn't play in an easy division last year at all, many of the league's best offensive players are in the North. A Barkov shot?? He'll likely see Barkov twice this year - what's that compared to the steady diet of Matthews, Tavares, Marner, Scheifele, Wheeler, Ehlers, Connor, Boeser, Miller, Horvat, Toffoli, two Tkachuk's, Gaudreau and Lindholm that he faced last year?

Ceci… lol