2005 Edmonton Oilers Preview
Welcome to the 2005 Edmonton Oilers Preview page. The NHL Hockey Season is around the corner and what better way to remind the public how exciting the NHL can be with a 2005 season preview from Maddux Sports. Remember if you are betting on NHL hockey look no further, as we are one of the few sports handicapping services that offers NHL picks against the hockey betting line and can help you be a winner this NHL betting season.
2005 Edmonton Oilers Hockey Season Preview
At the end of the 2003-04 NHL season the Edmonton Oilers took off their skates, packed their hockey bags, and headed to their respective homes. They had missed the Stanley Cup Championship playoffs by a mere two points. When you come that close and miss, it may be more disappointing than finishing in the cellar as Chicago and Pittsburgh had done in each of their divisions.
To help the cause this season the Oilers have added longtime St. Louis defenseman Chris Pronger who accumulated 54 points in 80 games during 2003-04. Pronger is a true two-way defenseman who will give the already tough Edmonton “D” a new wrinkle. Working with Pronger will be the hurly-burly Jason Smith, the work-a-day Steve Staios, rookie sensation Marc-Andre Bergeron, and the new-kid-on-the-block Alexi Semenov. That’s one formidable defense.
The offense is headed by wingman Ryan Smyth, who’s had 50 or more points in each of his last five seasons. One of the things Edmonton is missing is a center that can generate 60 or more points in one season. Instead the team has two workhorses in Shawn Horcoff and Michael Peca. Each is capable of playing 75 to 80 games and creating 40 points a season.
The Edmonton team also has strength in the net. Both Jussi Markkanen and Ty Conklin had strong enough goals against averages and save percentages to be listed among the top 25 goalies. Both are back and ready to go.
Taking everything into consideration, the addition of Pronger
may just make the Edmonton club “the can’t miss
team” of the NHL.
