Division rivals can make or break an entire NHL team’s year, whether it’s in the regular season or the second round of the playoffs. That’s why the Vancouver Canucks are undoubtedly keeping tabs on all seven of their fellow Pacific Division teams.
Throughout July, we’ll take a look at a new Pacific rival, and how they fared last year, how they’ve improved in the offseason, and what to expect from them in 2024-25. Today we’re wrapping things up with the Edmonton Oilers.
Let’s be honest; you’re already plenty familiar with the Edmonton Oilers. And so are the Canucks.
The top two teams in the Pacific met a grand total of 11 times between the regular season and the playoffs. The Canucks technically won the season series 7-4, but the Oilers won the game that mattered most: Game 7 in the second round. Edmonton harnessed that momentum en route to the Stanley Cup Final before the bubble finally burst in Game 7 against the Panthers.
There’s no doubt that the Oilers are going to be the Canucks’ measuring stick for success and their archrival in the division going forward. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are still two of the absolute best players in the game, Evan Bouchard and Zach Hyman took steps forward offensively, and Kris Knoblauch got Edmonton’s depth to punch above their weight class at crucial points in the postseason.
Avenging that painful playoff loss across the next 82 games is at the top of the franchise’s mind, but repeating it has been on the Oilers’ minds, too.
Since saying goodbye to GM Ken Holland after the Cup Final, the Oilers have had a surprisingly terrific offseason. They re-signed a number of their potential free agents, including Adam Henrique and Corey Perry, and upgraded their offence by adding Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson to a pair of cheap contracts. They also traded budding forward Ryan McLeod to the Buffalo Sabres to free up cap space and received 2022 ninth-overall pick Matthew Savoie in return. (Writer’s note: Never mind, the Oilers hired Stan Bowman today. Please disregard the ‘terrific offseason’ part.)
But the Oilers’ upgrades aren’t necessarily bad news for the Canucks. If a rising tide lifts all ships, then Vancouver’s pursuit of retaining their Pacific Division title means raising the bar past their success last year. Working to keep up with, and eventually pass, the Oilers will only help in Vancouver’s goal of becoming a perennial Stanley Cup contender.
Positional Advantage
Forwards: Oilers
Any offence with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the depth chart is the one to beat, and they’ve made a point of adding scoring depth around them this summer. But the Canucks’ committee is a very close second.
Any offence with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the depth chart is the one to beat, and they’ve made a point of adding scoring depth around them this summer. But the Canucks’ committee is a very close second.
Defence: Canucks
The defending Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes surrounded by a collection of heavy hitters gives the Canucks the edge over Edmonton despite the best efforts of Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm.
The defending Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes surrounded by a collection of heavy hitters gives the Canucks the edge over Edmonton despite the best efforts of Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm.
Goalie: Canucks
When he’s healthy, Thatcher Demko is the clear best goaltender in the Pacific, while Arturs Silovs outdueled both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard during the course of their second-round series. This is the one department where the Canucks have a clear advantage.
When he’s healthy, Thatcher Demko is the clear best goaltender in the Pacific, while Arturs Silovs outdueled both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard during the course of their second-round series. This is the one department where the Canucks have a clear advantage.
Bold Prediction
The script flips in 2024-25: the Oilers take the division, but the Canucks get revenge and win the inevitable playoff rematch.
Season Series
November 9 @ Rogers Arena
January 18 @ Rogers Arena
January 23 @ Rogers Place
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