10 reasons the Oilers are contenders for the Stanley Cup

Edmonton Oilers fans can’t wait for the start of the season. After the best playoff run since 2006, followed by a successful and efficient offseason, optimism reigns in the Alberta capital. And why not? Oilers general manager (GM) Ken Holland, along with assistant GMs Brad Holland and Keith Gretzky, had what many described as a successful free agency stint when they signed goaltender Jack Campbell, forward Evander Kane and defenseman Brett Kulak.

Holland also signed head coach Jay Woodcroft on for three more years. The building blocks that Holland put together, most notably midway through the 2021-22 NHL season, are coming together. With the 2022-23 NHL regular season upon us, here are 10 reasons why the 2022-23 Edmonton Oilers should be considered a contender for the Stanley Cup.

1. Connor McDavid

Any conversation about Oilers success begins and ends with their captain. Not only did Connor McDavid win the Art Ross Trophy for the fourth time last season with 123 points, he also led the playoffs in points despite playing just three rounds.

At age 25, McDavid is in his prime, and after rising and paving the way for the Oilers in the recent playoffs, you know he’s hungry for more.

2. Leon Draisaitl

The second best player in the world, who often doesn’t get the recognition he deserves, Leon Draisaitl is only 26 now and getting better season by season. In the 2022 playoffs, Draisaitl finished second in the standings, a point behind McDavid, and he did it on a good leg after picking up an injury in the first round against the Los Angeles Kings, which resulted in an injury late in the Playoffs could have meant.

The only one who wants more team success within the organization than Draisaitl might be McDavid. Look for another great season from him.

3. A strong group of veterans

It’s been 16 seasons since the Oilers had such a strong team. Led by veterans Darnell Nurse, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Kane, Kulak and Cody Ceci, this is the best line of talent the Oilers have seen in a generation.

Also see: 5 oilers who could hit milestones in 2022-23

Injuries or career dips aside, this lineup of veteran Oilers may give fans a justifiable reason to believe in the 2022-23 NHL season.

4. Oilers have a good young core

Only four core Oilers players are over 30, and that’s not a lot. Both Hyman and Campbell are 30 years old, while Tyson Barrie and Kane are only 31. When you consider a group of players like Evan Bouchard, Kailer Yamamoto, Ryan McLeod, Stuart Skinner and Jesse Puljujärvi, all under 25 and throwing in 25-year-old McDavid and 26-year-old Draisaitl, you have to admit, that it is a promising core. Fans are still waiting for Yamamoto and Puljujärvi’s breakout seasons and while they’ve been promising, this could be the year.

5. Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft

On February 10, 2022, Jay Woodcroft replaced Dave Tippett as Oilers head coach after a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, and he has never looked back. Woodcroft brought fresh thinking and pride to the team that carried the Oilers through to the Western Conference Finals playoffs in 2022. What Oilers fans got in those five months was a little taste of what Woodcroft and assistant coach Dave Manson are capable of. With Woodcroft re-signed for the next three years, fans are excited to see what he, Manson and the staff can do next season.

6. Oilers goalie

Based on Campbell and Skinner’s trend, Oilers fans should feel comfortable about their goaltenders in the 2022-23 season. Campbell has been signed for five years and could be the starter for the next two or three seasons. Fans can expect Skinner to fight for the #1 position.

Skinner could be the real wild card here if he shows signs that he can match the performance of young goaltenders like the Dallas Stars’ Jake Oettinger, the Oilers goalyard will be in good hands for years to come.

7. Oilers Management Team

The Oilers’ management group blends the best of the new NHL with good old-fashioned hockey sensibilities. Coveted by other teams during the offseason, Brad Holland decided to sign with the Oilers. He brings an analytical approach to the front office to complement his father Ken’s experience. Meanwhile, Keith Gretzky will continue to oversee the Oilers’ farm team, the Bakersfield Condors. Gretzky’s contributions to the Oilers and building their farm system have gone under the radar for many years, but he definitely helped turn the tide of the organization.

8. The Oilers’ young prospects

The Oilers’ closets have been stocked with prospects who look ready for prime time. Prospects such as Philip Broberg, Markus Niemelainen and Dylan Holloway will be fighting for spots with legitimate opening-day lineup chances. The organization also has winger Carter Savoie, defenseman Dmitry Samorukov and young sharpshooter Xavier Bourgault, all of whom could be in action with the Oilers this season. Fans should tip their hats to former GM Peter Chiarelli, who really started transforming the Oilers’ farming system. The club is really reaping the rewards of their early work.

9. Tradable Assets

The issue of who the Oilers should keep and who should be traded was one of the most debated topics on sports sites and sports radio during the offseason. With Ryan McLeod still unsigned, the Oilers will have to try to take some pay cuts to get under the salary cap. Barrie and Warren Foegele seem to be the two names that come up most prominently when it comes to trade talks and salary cap cuts. However, they cannot rule out Yamamoto or Puljujärvi being put in a deal as well, especially with the short-term bridge deals both players recently signed.

10. The Oilers and their fans are beginning to believe

Faith has been in short supply in Oil Country for the past decade, but it doesn’t feel like it now. The Oilers seemed to have turned a corner in the 2022 playoffs, gaining valuable experience and the belief that they have what it takes to make it to the promised land. Realistically, the Colorado Avalanche and the incredible Cale Makar still stand in their way, but hockey is an unpredictable game. You just never know. That’s why it will be fun to watch the 2022-23 NHL season if you are an Oilers fan. They may have the talent, the chemistry, and the right people steering the ship to get them out of the Stanley Cup in 2023.