Standings Prediction
The Edmonton Oil Kings are uniquely positioned to benefit more than most in the WHL from the new NCAA rules. They finished 7th in the standings last season, but held their own against the #2 Prince Albert Raiders and had every chance to secure a second round playoff matchup before their elimination. Heading into the new season, the top contenders have almost all taken a hit, and Edmonton is on the rise.
Medicine Hat lost 3 of their best players to the NCAA, and are grasping to try to hold onto their closing championship window and make a return visit to the Memorial Cup. Prince Albert lost their star goaltender and 3 other players to the college ranks. The Calgary Hitmen were gutted by the graduation, drafting, and college commitments of over half their team. The Brandon Wheat Kings, Saskatoon Blades and Lethbridge Hurricanes also all saw players opting to leave for other opportunities.
Of last season’s 8 Eastern Conference Playoff teams, only the Oil Kings and the Lethbridge Hurricanes are returning most of the same players. The only key loss for Lethbridge was goaltender Jackson Unger, who joined midseason and carried them to the Eastern Conference Finals. Edmonton’s losses aren’t anywhere close.
The east is up for grabs this year, and the Oil Kings are poised to seize it. I’m projecting that this Oil King team has the tools to go all the way, but the playoffs are so unpredictable that I’ll leave my forecast to the regular season. I have the Oil Kings finishing 1st in the Central Division, and 1st in the Eastern Conference. I don’t foresee any Eastern Conference team in a better position to succeed than they are right now. The Western Conference is a much tougher side to be on this year, and we will all be thankful in the playoffs when the West beat themselves up before meeting the East in the finals.