News continues to be quiet on the Jesse Puljujarvi front, no PTO's have been extended by Edmonton nor have any of the remaining free agents such as Patrick Maroon been offered a contract. We only have to get through a couple more weeks until training camp begins.

Fantasy sports in general have grown exponentially over the past few years, with hockey in particular becoming more and more popular. Oilers fans know roughly what to expect from the team's roster but for those less familiar with all of the options available, I am here to help you decide which players to pursue and which ones to likely stay away from. I am assuming everyone here uses a fantasy system that values the usual things like goals, powerplay points, Fenwick, and hits.


THE "GOING TO BE GONE AFTER THE FIRST ROUND" SELECTIONS

Connor McDavid - The only acceptable player to pick above Conner McDavid in a draft is Nikita Kucherov. If you're sitting third overall and the guy in front of you picks Matthews because he is a die-hard Leafs fan, enjoy taking his money. McDavid plays more than most forwards in the league, runs the top PP unit and will score more than 100 points through the regular season.

Leon Draisaitl - Depending on how deep your draft is, Leon might be available in the second round of your draft but likely will be a first. It might be unrealistic to expect another 50 goal season from Leon but with the Oilers forward situation as it is, Draisaitl will still be stapled to Conner McDavid. If your league counts GWG as a stat, you will be just as happy as any Oiler fan is watching McDavid and Draisaitl on a breakway in OT.

THE "OH NO I FORGOT TO DRAFT DEFENSEMEN NOW WHAT DO I DO?" SELECTIONS

Darnell Nurse - Oscar Klefbom is the Oilers best defenseman but Darnell Nurse might be the most valuable in Fantasy. Nurse has been much healthier over the past few seasons and hit a career high last season with 41 points, performing well on the top unit PP. Especially if Nurse is able to play away from Kris Russel he should be good for at least 35 points.

Oscar Klefbom - Could be either a steal of a pick or a player you are dropping in December depnding on his health. In his only fully healthy season in the NHL Klefbom had 38 points and I have no doubt he could crack 50. The big tell early on will be seeing who of Klefbom or Nurse gets the top unit PP gig.

THE "I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I AM GETTING" SELECTION

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

RNH is probably a 4th or 5th round selection in most NHL drafts. Last season Nuge hit a career high with 69 points, with a career high 26 points on the PP. Tracking PP numbers from season to season is usually unreliable but a 55+ point season, especially if Neal trends upwards is usually where Nuge will end up.


THE "MAYBE PICK UP LATER ON THE WAIVER WIRE LATER" SELECTIONS

Zack Kassian - Right now Kassian will likely start the season on the top line with McDavid and Draisaitl and will pick up some points purely from that. However that is what we expected from Ty Rattie at the beginning of last season which lasted for about 7 games. Tippett also may have a completely different starting plan than what Hitchcock did. Regardless no one should expect him to suddenly be putting up 50 points.

Alex Chiasson - Not going to be putting up 20+ goals again but might come close if he spends most of the season on the second line. There is likely going to be a decent amount of line juggling early on in the season for the Oil.

THE "THIS IS GOING TO END REALLY GOOD OR REALLY BAD FOR ME" SELECTIONS

James Neal - Is Neal going to be the less than 20 point player he was last season, or the 25 goal scorer he was the year prior. Neal is going to get a long look in the Oilers top 6, likely on the second line but could end up being paired with training buddy Conner McDavid.

Mikko Koskinen/Mike Smith -I would not be picking either of Edmonton's goalies this season for a couple of reasons. The first is last season suggests no reason to be confident in either as a starter, and secondly and because of that, they may end up splitting a whole bunch of games. I would much rather take a goalie I know will get 50+ starts than choose Koskinen and have him start less than 40.

THE "I DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE POST SEASON" SELECTION

Jesse Puljujarvi - "Hmmm, I have to select one more forward spot. Hey Edmonton has a whole bunch of issues up front, so I bet Jesse Puljujarvi is going to get a long look in the top 6."

PROSPECT WATCH

CALEB JONES - Seems to have the inside track right now starting the season on the third pairing. Would play a sheltered role and won't garner much PP time but could be someone to keep an eye on, especially in a Keeper League.

EVAN BOUCHARD - The player to really keep an eye on through training camp. Edmonton still hasn't made it overly difficult for Evan Bouchard to force his way onto the roster. If he stays long term he would certainly get a long look on the second unit PP.

TYLER BENSON - If Tyler Benson comes into camp looking sharp he could quickly find himself on the Oilers second line. A playmaker by nature, Benson could match up well with a winger with a shoot first mentality like James Neal.

JOEL PERSSON - The 25 year old right shot defenseman had 31 points through 50 games in the Swedish League last season. Like Jones, Persson could start the season on the third pairing on the right side and could quickly elevate his way higher up on the roster.

I would stay away from every other player on the Oilers roster in terms of Fantasy outlook unless something massive changes during the season.

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