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Dallas Stars: 6 teams that will make the playoffs after missing them in 2017-18

By Avery Klatsky

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 06: John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars celebrates his goal in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at American Airlines Center on January 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 06: John Klingberg #3 of the Dallas Stars celebrates his goal in the third period against the Edmonton Oilers at American Airlines Center on January 6, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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EDMONTON, AB – JANUARY 25: Jesse Puljujarvi #98, Brandon Davidson #88, Yohann Auvitu #81, Patrick Maroon #19 and Ryan Strome #18 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrate Davidson’s goal against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Place on January 25, 2018 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB – JANUARY 25: Jesse Puljujarvi #98, Brandon Davidson #88, Yohann Auvitu #81, Patrick Maroon #19 and Ryan Strome #18 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrate Davidson’s goal against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Place on January 25, 2018 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /

4. Edmonton Oilers

Last playoff run: 2016-17 – (Lost in the second round to the Anaheim Ducks 3-4)

Number of Stanley Cups Won – 5 (1983-84, 1984-85, 1986-87, 1987-88, 1989-90)

Sliding into the fourth spot is the Edmonton Oilers, who finished with 78 points last season. The last time they made the playoffs before the 2016-17 season was in 2006, where they lost in the Stanley Cup finals to the Carolina Hurricanes in 7 games.

Here are some of the players Edmonton added and kept on their roster in the offseason:

  • Signed C Tobias Rieder, C Josh Currie, and D Kevin Gravel to one-year deals
  • Extended C Drake Caggiula (two-years)
  • Signed C Kyle Brodziak to a two-year contract
  • Re-signed C Ryan Strome to a two-year deal
  • Drafted D Evan Bouchard (10th overall), signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract

Here is a gander at their roster as of now:

Offense

Lucic-McDavid-Strome

Khaira-Draisaitl-Rieder

Caggiula – Nugent-Hopkins – Puljujarvi

Aberg-Brodziak-Kassian/Aberg

Defense

Klefbom-Larsson

Sekera-Nurse

Russell/Gravel-Benning

Goalies

Talbot

Koskinen

Edmonton’s real success, though, relies on their offensive production. Captain Connor McDavid (who had 108 points last season), Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and others will need to pave the way for Edmonton next season.

McDavid, the Oilers’ best player, has won the Art Ross Trophy (most points among NHL players in the regular season) and the Ted Lindsay Award (given to the NHL’s league MVP) in the past two seasons. Additionally, he was given the Hart Memorial Trophy (player who is most valuable to his team) in 2017 and has been in two All-Star games.

To be quite honest, Edmonton played a mediocre season last year. If the Oilers want to compete in the postseason again, they are going to need their big stars to lead the charge.

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