Edmonton Oilers 2009 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

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Edmonton Oilers 2008-’09 record:
38-35-9, 85 points (4th in Northwest, 11th in West)

Edmonton Oilers 2008-’09 playoffs:
Did not qualify

Last season ended in tough fashion for the Oilers, as an uninspiring 7-9-4 record in March and April led to a final mark of 38-35-9 and a 4th place finish in the Northwest Division. Unfortunately, this was only good enough for an 11 th place finish in the Western Conference and was the second consecutive year that the Oilers finished just outside of the playoff picture. However, there was some good news: local pharmacy owner Daryl Katz’s purchase of the team ensured that the Oilers would remain in upper Alberta for the long term, keeping a historic franchise in its rightful place.

Edmonton Oilers 2009 Preview

Edmonton Oilers General manager: Steve Tambellini (38-35-9, 2nd NHL year, 1st team)

Edmonton Oilers Coach: Pat Quinn (657-481-180, 20th NHL year, 5th team)

Edmonton Oilers Captain: Ethan Moreau

Edmonton Oilers Top Returning Scorer: RW Alex Hemsky (23 goals, 43 assists, 66 points)

Edmonton Oilers Top Returning Goalie: Nikolai Khabibulin (26-8-7, 2.33, .919)

Edmonton Oilers Key Additions: G Nikolai Khabibulin; C Mike Comrie

Edmonton Oilers Key Subtractions: G Dwayne Roloson; C Kyle Brodziak; RW Ales Kotalik; D Mathieu Roy

Edmonton Oilers Top Line: LW Patrick O’Sullivan, C Shawn Horcoff, RW Ales Hemsky

Edmonton Oilers Top Defensive Pairing: Denis Grebeshkov, Lubomir Visnovsky

For Edmonton to make a run at the playoffs this season, they have to play far more consistent than they’ve shown the past two years. This is a team full of young talent but the question is when they’ll actually take the proverbial step forward. The maddening inconsistency can be embodied by the enigmatic Penner, who has struggled for two straight years since signing a big deal as a restricted free agent after Edmonton struck out on acquiring Buffalo’s superstar scorer Thomas Vanek. Penner simply has to be better than his 17 goal, 37 point showing from last season, especially considering his hefty price tag.

However, there is some proven offense on hand for the Oilers, beginning with winger Alex Hemsky, who led the team last year with 23 goals and 66 points. Along with Shawn Horcoff, Hemsky and Penner could form a strong top line. Behind them, 3rd year winger Sam Gagner needs to find a way to put up a strong 82 game effort after fading in each of the last two springs. However, a better year from Gagner and Cogliano would likely give the Oilers a much needed boost in the offense department. On the down side, I don’t see any more than two lines available that can score with any regularity.

The good news is that Edmonton’s defense is one of the league’s best at jumping into the play (perhaps the best ice in the league has something to do with it?). Sheldon Souray, Tom Gilbert, Denis Grebeshkov, and Lubomir Visnovsky all scored more than 30 points last season while finishing with positive plus/minus ratings. Souray was especially impressive with 23 goals and is a key part of the Oiler’’ powerplay. Edmonton has a great group of defensemen on hand.

With such solid defensemen on hand, you have to assume that Nikolai Khabibulin is in for a strong year. After struggling two years ago, Chicago brought in Cristobal Huet for big money to take over as the number one keeper in the final year of Khabibulin’s contract. Unfortunately, the move backfired as the Bulin Wall outplayed Huet and was the team’s top goaltender during their run to the Western Confernce Finals. Thus, when the season ended, the Hawks couldn’t afford both goalies and Edmonton jumped at the opportunity to add a championship-caliber netminder. This is a great upgrade for the Oilers.

2009 Edmonton Oilers Goaltending:

Khabibulin enjoyed a huge playoff with Chicago until injury scuttled his season in the Western Conference finals. Has been plagued by injury woes the past few years, which could be an issue again. The 2003-04 Cup winner with Tampa Bay has a history of playing better in contract years, so with a fat deal in hand from the Oilers, that could also be of worry.

2009 Edmonton Oilers Player To Watch:

G Jeff Deslauriers. If Khabibulin falters or his recurring groin issues crop up again, the workload will fall on the 25-year-old back-up who was 4-3-0 in a brief 10-game stint last season, his first NHL action. Deslauriers is a big, agile butterfly goalie, but he struggles with rebound control and can let his temper get the better of him.

2009 Edmonton Oilers Offense:

Quinn brings his vast experience to Edmonton, and will have former New York Rangers coach Tom Renney as his top assistant on the bench. Quinn is fifth in career NHL games coached and wins (657). In this Olympic year, Canadians fondly remember the job he did in leading Canada to its first gold in 50 years — winning the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Sheldon Souray powers the power play from the blue line. He scored 23 goals last season, three shy of his career best set in the 2006-07 season with Montreal. Comrie, who left Edmonton in 2003 after a bitter dispute with the Oilers, is back in his hometown following several stops elsewhere. Comrie had career highs with 33 goals and 60 points with the Oilers in the 2001-02 season.

Edmonton Oilers 2009 Season Predictions

Quinn’s teams always seem to get better upon his arrival behind the bench, but he’ll have his work cut out for him with this club. Oilers are too young and too erratic to be part of the playoff picture.

We predict that the Edmonton Oilers will finish 3rd in the NHL Northwest, 11th seed in West: 90 points.

Edmonton Oilers Betting

Edmonton Oilers Stanley Cup Odds: +4000
Edmonton Oilers Western Conference Odds: +2000
Edmonton Oilers Northwest Odds: +2000

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