Good News:Oilers Identified as Leading Contender for…
The Florida Panthers, fresh off their recent Stanley Cup win, are already generating excitement for the upcoming season. Despite their recent success, many believe the Edmonton Oilers are the early favorites for the 2025 Cup. NHL reporter Sara Civian, in her latest rankings of the top 12 NHL teams for the next season, acknowledged the Panthers along with other potential contenders like the New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Dallas Stars, but placed the Oilers at the top.
Civian praised the Oilers for their impressive resilience, noting their remarkable comeback after a tough start to the 2023-2024 season. Despite a dismal beginning with a 2-9-1 record, the team’s fortunes changed dramatically following the firing of head coach Jay Woodcroft and the hiring of Kris Knoblauch. The Oilers rallied to a 25-15-1 record by midseason and finished strong with a 46-18-5 record, securing the second seed in the Pacific Division. They advanced through the playoffs with a series of close calls, ultimately reaching the Stanley Cup Final.
Although they fell short of winning the Cup after forcing a game seven, the Oilers’ performance has set a promising tone for the 2024-2025 season. The core roster remains largely intact, fueling optimism for the upcoming year.
