While the first part of the 2024-25 season felts like a rollercoaster, the Edmonton Oilers still found a way to head into Christmas second in the Pacific Division. They fought through the hardest part of their schedule with only one loss to the Florida Panthers, which was a game they could’ve easily won too. As we all now look ahead to the New Year, you wonder what the Oilers can accomplish with their remaining 48 games.
10. Derek Ryan
I saw the video of Derek Ryan skating with the kids on the ODR on Christmas Eve and decided he must remain an Oiler for the rest of the season. He’ll become the team’s 13th forward but that’s a good role for him. Let him rotate in and out every few games and you might actually get better production from him. Ryan has played over 600 NHL games and he didn’t join the league until he was 29. He’s a fighter so let him fight.
13. Mattias Janmark
The Janitor has proven me wrong many times this season and I am glad. For the remainder of the season, he’ll play more as a 4th line centre than Derek Ryan. Once the deadline comes and goes we’ll have a better idea of what his role is but, for now, he’s earned the belief of the coaching staff to lead that 4th line. Plus, he’s a guy you know can climb up the lineup in a pinch.
18. Zach Hyman
Zach Hyman will go to the Four Nations after Hockey Canada realized what a mistake they made. An injury is going to occur and that’s when Hyman gets the call. The fact he wasn’t on the team initially is a joke but Canada gets a chance to redeem themselves making him an injury replacement.
19. Adam Henrique
My boldest prediction goes to Adam Henrique. While he’s been fine so far this season, it’s safe to say he’s left more to be desired. As the season progresses, the Oilers could experiment with him on the wing, perhaps switching Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to the 3C spot, or maybe as the fourth line centre. It’s a long shot considering the shopping list they already have, but adding a new 3C shouldn’t be out of the question. Henrique is 100% an every day player still but definitely not somebody that isn’t replaceable.
28. Connor Brown
You’ve seen this movie before but Connor Brown is going to elevate his game to another level in the playoffs. It’s crazy to think how essential he was to the Oilers run last season but he barely played in the opening two rounds. He’ll do it again this post season; this time he’ll start from Game 1 all the way to the night the Oilers lift Lord Stanley. Brown’s game models what you need in the playoffs from a bottom six player so there’s no need to believe he won’t be a stud again. On top of that, he’s actually scoring goals this regular season so maybe we’ll see even more from. Dare to dream.
29. Leon Draisaitl
Leon is a simple one. He’ll win the Rocket Richard along with the Hart Trophy. The conversation is growing every day about him winning the Hart trophy, so if he can maintain his form then he’ll be the front runner. Additionally, the Oilers have the 5th easiest schedule for the remainder of the season. Perhaps he can wrack up a few big performances against the Anaheim and San Jose’s of the world to help himself out.
33. Viktor Arvidsson
Arvidsson is the hardest player to give a prediction for so we’ll go simple. He’ll become a constant member of the second line alongside Draisaitl and Podkolzin. He was brought in to play that role and the Oilers seem to have enough patience with him to allow play through it. Missing so much time already hasn’t been helpful but Knoblauch has stated that Arvidsson is a top six forward and that where he needs to play. Where does that then leave Kasperi Kapanen?
42. Kasperi Kapanen
I am a proud member of the Kasperi Kapanen fan club. He’s been a great add since the Oilers grabbed him off waivers but, now that the team is getting healthier, it’s hard to see where he fits in. His skillset is for a top six role; however, you’d have to imagine Knoblauch would prefer to have Viktor Arvidsson occupy that spot on Draisaitl’s right wing. With that, Kapanen is going to have to adapt to a bottom six role with that occasional shift in the top six, when necessary. The prediction is that Kapanen becomes an in and out guy when the Oilers are completely healthy, perhaps even a guy that gets moved to help the Oilers gain an extra $1 million.
53. Jeff Skinner
Jeff Skinner is going to find him game and become a solid contributor on the third line for Edmonton. Of course that wasn’t the plan when he was signed but at some point you’ve got to pivot and find a solution. The answer isn’t on the fourth line but it’s not on the first either. Eventually Skinner is going to find the game that Kris Knoblauch wants from him and that’s when he’ll take off. Let’s not forgot that Connor Brown didn’t come around until February.
90. Corey Perry
Corey Perry is going to finish with 17 goals which is his most since the 2021-22 season with Tampa Bay. Perry is just finding ways to continue his productive career so there’s no reason to doubt the ceiling he can reach. He’ll stay on the fourth line all season but you know he’s getting those spot looks with McDavid and Draisaitl when the Oilers are looking for a goal.
92. Vasily Podkolzin
Podkolzin has already exceeded expectations since coming in from the Vancouver Canucks. He might only have three goals but the fact he’s cemented himself next to Draisaitl every night is a credit to how he’s played without scoring. He’s on pace for seven goals but that projection feels like on he can break through. Let’s predict that he’ll get to at least ten goals before the season comes to an end. On top of that, he’ll have a night in the playoffs where he is the hero.
93. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
The offence hasn’t come easy for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins this season as he is only on pace for 44 points. The last time he finished with less than 50 points was the 2020-21 when he only played 52 games. Surely he’s able to 50 points this season. It’ll take a push but, again, the Oilers have a soft schedule the second half the year which should result in a couple point nights. The prediction is that Nugent-Hopkins finishes with around 55 points, which would still be an underwhelming year.
97. Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid leads Canada to gold at the Four Nations with a win over the United States. He’ll lead the tournament in points and finish with two points in the final. There’s no doubt that US has a great team but people seem to be forgetting who the greatest hockey country in the world is. Additionally, they’re not only the greatest country but also have the greatest player.
