<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Last week I broke down the Hockey News projections for the Oilers and like usual it left me shaking my head. This week I got my hands on the Sports Forecaster Magazine, which is usually my favourite hockey annual.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I’m not going to say I’m disappointed by the predictions for the Oilers but I will admit I’m a bit confused. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Sports Forecaster is predicting the Oilers to have three forwards average at least a point per game, three other forwards with more than 40 points and Cam Talbot having a save percentage of .915 yet they think the team will miss the playoffs. It doesn’t add up. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">In addition to McDavid, Draisaitl and Nuge all averaging at least a point per game they also have Jesse Puljujarvi finishing with 26 goals. If the big Finnish winger manages to score 26 times the Oilers will be very pleased, not to mention they’ll have to pay the kid. If Puljujarvi gets consistent top six minutes I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t score 20 but in order to hit 26 he’ll probably need some action on the top unit power-play.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Here are all the predictions for the Oilers and my thoughts on each of them. </span></p>
<h1 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>FORWARDS</b></span></h1>
<figure id="attachment_55774" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-55774" style="width: 1024px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-55774" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/connor-mcdavid-oilers-scores-on-jonathan-quick-kings-while-anze-kopitar-stands-by-e1525995140961.jpg?w=1024" alt="" width="1024" height="794" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-55774" class="wp-caption-text">Mar 24, 2018; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) celebrates his first period goal against Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Connor McDavid – 120 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This is the exact number I’m predicting for McDavid as well. The captain will have to clip along at 1.42 points per game to reach the 120 mark, a pace I think is reasonable. The magazine has McDavid winning the Art-Ross by a 20-point margin over Sidney Crosby.</span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Leon Draisaitl – 83 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Draisaitl fell from 77 points in 2016-17 down to 70 points last season, a drop that some people are completely blowing out of proportion. A 70-point season is nothing to sneeze at and I don’t think anyone should be overly concerned with the body of work Draisaitl put together last season. With all that being said, an 83-point campaign would go a long way towards securing a playoff spot.</span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – 79 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">If Nugent-Hopkins is going to hit the 79-point plateau he’ll need to spend at least three-quarters of the season riding shotgun with McDavid. They are predicting the Nuge to play 78 games and finish with 79 points, which means he’ll hit a point per game for the first time in his career.</span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Milan Lucic – 49 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This would be an extremely nice bounce-back season for Lucic as they have him pencilled in for 20 goals and 29 assists. Prior to last season’s debacle, Lucic had back-to-back 50-point campaigns so 49 points is a reasonable number if he does get back on track. </span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Jesse Puljujarvi – 48 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">How does 26 goals from Jesse Puljujarvi sound? It sounds like a top six forward to me. In a perfect world, I’d like to see JP start on Draisaitl’s wing and remain there for the entire season. I’d bet money he hits 20 goals if Todd McLellan doesn’t bury him on the third line for half the season. </span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Ryan Strome – 43 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This may be shooting a little bit high for Strome but if he can contribute on the power-play it’s not a completely unreachable total. It would be nice to see Strome develop some chemistry with someone on the third line early in the season.</span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Drake Caggiula – 39 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I’m sorry but this isn’t going to happen, what more do I need to say?</span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Tobias Rieder – 35 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I know a 35-point season from Rieder is more than reasonable but I’m just expecting more based on the fact he should be given some pretty good opportunity offensively in this line-up. </span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Kailer Yamamoto -31 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">We should note that they have him hitting 31 points in 63 games. If Yamamoto is able to produce at a .49 PPG clip in his rookie season the Oilers will most definitely have something to build on. </span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Jujhar Khaira – 28 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Khaira had 21 points in 69 games last year, nice. The most important thing for Khaira will be to remain in the line up every game, if he can do that the rest will take care of itself. </span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Kyle Brodziak – 22 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This is the exact same total the Hockey News had predicted for Brodziak so who am I to argue.</span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Aberg/Rattie/Kassian –Not Available</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Forecaster didn’t have predictions for this trio. They projected the top 400 scorers in the league and none of them factored in. </span></p>
<h1 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Defence</b></span></h1>
<figure id="attachment_52962" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-52962" style="width: 950px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-large wp-image-52962" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/usatsi_10597850-e1525997057883.jpg?w=950" alt="" width="950" height="659" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-52962" class="wp-caption-text">February 9, 2018; Anaheim, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Oscar Klefbom (77) shoots against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Oscar Klefbom – 32 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">If Klefbom ends up being a mainstay on the top unit power-play 32 points will be unacceptable. I’m not sure who takes first unit minutes away from him. </span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Darnell Nurse – 27 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Considering what Nurse was able to produce at even strength last year I actually think this is a reasonable number.</span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Evan Bouchard – 24 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">They’ve got Bouchard locked in for 24 points in 50 games but the problem I have with that is if Bouchard is producing .48 PPG he should be in the line up for 82 games. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Matt Benning – 22 points</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Last year Benning was at .29 PPG, they’ve got him down for a slight increase to .31 this year. </span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Adam Larsson – 21 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Taylor who?</span></p>
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Russel/Gravel/Sekera –</b> Not Available</span></h2>
<h1 class="p1"><b>In Closing</b></h1>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-60295" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Thats-All-Folks.jpg?w=894" alt="" width="894" height="467" /></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Forecaster is projecting very good seasons for McDavid (120 pts), Draisaitl (83 pts), Nuge (79 pts), Puljujarvi (26g) and Lucic (49 pts). If all five of those guys reach their projected totals I’d have to disagree with the magazine and say the Oilers actually do make the playoffs. If Caggiula hits 39 points…I’ll print off this article and eat it.</span></p>
<h2>Previously by Dustin Nielson:</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2018/08/21/the-nielson-ratings-part-2-an-edmonton-oilers-offseason-review/">The Nielson Ratings (Part 2) &#8211; An Offseason Review</a></li>
<li><a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2018/08/18/only-22-points-for-milan-lucic/">22 Points for Lucic?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2018/08/12/edmonton-oilers-and-nhl-hot-takes-august-edition/">August Hot Takes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2018/08/08/five-fringe-players-for-edmonton-oilers/">The Fringe Five</a></li>
<li><a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2018/08/03/20-in-20-edmonton-oilers-line-combination-extravaganza-part-four/">20 in 20: A Line Combination Extravaganza Part 4</a></li>
<li><a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2018/07/30/20-in-20-edmonton-oilers-line-combination-extravaganza-part-3/">20 in 20: A Line Combination Extravaganza Part 3</a></li>
</ul>

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Last week I broke down the Hockey News projections for the Oilers and like usual it left me shaking my head. This week I got my hands on the Sports Forecaster Magazine, which is usually my favourite hockey annual.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I’m not going to say I’m disappointed by the predictions for the Oilers but I will admit I’m a bit confused. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Sports Forecaster is predicting the Oilers to have three forwards average at least a point per game, three other forwards with more than 40 points and Cam Talbot having a save percentage of .915 yet they think the team will miss the playoffs. It doesn’t add up. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">In addition to McDavid, Draisaitl and Nuge all averaging at least a point per game they also have Jesse Puljujarvi finishing with 26 goals. If the big Finnish winger manages to score 26 times the Oilers will be very pleased, not to mention they’ll have to pay the kid. If Puljujarvi gets consistent top six minutes I’d be disappointed if he doesn’t score 20 but in order to hit 26 he’ll probably need some action on the top unit power-play.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Here are all the predictions for the Oilers and my thoughts on each of them. </span></p>

<h1 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>FORWARDS</b></span></h1>
[caption id="attachment_55774" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]<img class="size-large wp-image-55774" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/connor-mcdavid-oilers-scores-on-jonathan-quick-kings-while-anze-kopitar-stands-by-e1525995140961.jpg?w=1024" alt="" width="1024" height="794" /> Mar 24, 2018; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) celebrates his first period goal against Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Connor McDavid – 120 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This is the exact number I’m predicting for McDavid as well. The captain will have to clip along at 1.42 points per game to reach the 120 mark, a pace I think is reasonable. The magazine has McDavid winning the Art-Ross by a 20-point margin over Sidney Crosby.</span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Leon Draisaitl – 83 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Draisaitl fell from 77 points in 2016-17 down to 70 points last season, a drop that some people are completely blowing out of proportion. A 70-point season is nothing to sneeze at and I don’t think anyone should be overly concerned with the body of work Draisaitl put together last season. With all that being said, an 83-point campaign would go a long way towards securing a playoff spot.</span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – 79 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">If Nugent-Hopkins is going to hit the 79-point plateau he’ll need to spend at least three-quarters of the season riding shotgun with McDavid. They are predicting the Nuge to play 78 games and finish with 79 points, which means he’ll hit a point per game for the first time in his career.</span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Milan Lucic – 49 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This would be an extremely nice bounce-back season for Lucic as they have him pencilled in for 20 goals and 29 assists. Prior to last season’s debacle, Lucic had back-to-back 50-point campaigns so 49 points is a reasonable number if he does get back on track. </span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Jesse Puljujarvi – 48 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">How does 26 goals from Jesse Puljujarvi sound? It sounds like a top six forward to me. In a perfect world, I’d like to see JP start on Draisaitl’s wing and remain there for the entire season. I’d bet money he hits 20 goals if Todd McLellan doesn’t bury him on the third line for half the season. </span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Ryan Strome – 43 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This may be shooting a little bit high for Strome but if he can contribute on the power-play it’s not a completely unreachable total. It would be nice to see Strome develop some chemistry with someone on the third line early in the season.</span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Drake Caggiula – 39 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I’m sorry but this isn’t going to happen, what more do I need to say?</span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Tobias Rieder – 35 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">I know a 35-point season from Rieder is more than reasonable but I’m just expecting more based on the fact he should be given some pretty good opportunity offensively in this line-up. </span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Kailer Yamamoto -31 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">We should note that they have him hitting 31 points in 63 games. If Yamamoto is able to produce at a .49 PPG clip in his rookie season the Oilers will most definitely have something to build on. </span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Jujhar Khaira – 28 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Khaira had 21 points in 69 games last year, nice. The most important thing for Khaira will be to remain in the line up every game, if he can do that the rest will take care of itself. </span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Kyle Brodziak – 22 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This is the exact same total the Hockey News had predicted for Brodziak so who am I to argue.</span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Aberg/Rattie/Kassian –Not Available</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Forecaster didn’t have predictions for this trio. They projected the top 400 scorers in the league and none of them factored in. </span></p>

<h1 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Defence</b></span></h1>
[caption id="attachment_52962" align="aligncenter" width="950"]<img class="size-large wp-image-52962" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/usatsi_10597850-e1525997057883.jpg?w=950" alt="" width="950" height="659" /> February 9, 2018; Anaheim, CA, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Oscar Klefbom (77) shoots against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]
<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Oscar Klefbom – 32 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">If Klefbom ends up being a mainstay on the top unit power-play 32 points will be unacceptable. I’m not sure who takes first unit minutes away from him. </span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Darnell Nurse – 27 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Considering what Nurse was able to produce at even strength last year I actually think this is a reasonable number.</span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Evan Bouchard – 24 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">They’ve got Bouchard locked in for 24 points in 50 games but the problem I have with that is if Bouchard is producing .48 PPG he should be in the line up for 82 games. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Matt Benning – 22 points</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Last year Benning was at .29 PPG, they’ve got him down for a slight increase to .31 this year. </span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Adam Larsson – 21 points</b></span></h2>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Taylor who?</span></p>

<h2 class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Russel/Gravel/Sekera –</b> Not Available</span></h2>
<h1 class="p1"><b>In Closing</b></h1>
<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-60295" src="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Thats-All-Folks.jpg?w=894" alt="" width="894" height="467" />
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The Forecaster is projecting very good seasons for McDavid (120 pts), Draisaitl (83 pts), Nuge (79 pts), Puljujarvi (26g) and Lucic (49 pts). If all five of those guys reach their projected totals I’d have to disagree with the magazine and say the Oilers actually do make the playoffs. If Caggiula hits 39 points…I’ll print off this article and eat it.</span></p>

<h2>Previously by Dustin Nielson:</h2>
<ul>
 	<li><a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2018/08/21/the-nielson-ratings-part-2-an-edmonton-oilers-offseason-review/">The Nielson Ratings (Part 2) - An Offseason Review</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2018/08/18/only-22-points-for-milan-lucic/">22 Points for Lucic?</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2018/08/12/edmonton-oilers-and-nhl-hot-takes-august-edition/">August Hot Takes</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2018/08/08/five-fringe-players-for-edmonton-oilers/">The Fringe Five</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2018/08/03/20-in-20-edmonton-oilers-line-combination-extravaganza-part-four/">20 in 20: A Line Combination Extravaganza Part 4</a></li>
 	<li><a href="https://publish.oilersnation.com/2018/07/30/20-in-20-edmonton-oilers-line-combination-extravaganza-part-3/">20 in 20: A Line Combination Extravaganza Part 3</a></li>
</ul>

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