Happy New Year everyone! Here is to hoping that 2021 is a much kinder year to all of us than 2020. Tomorrow training camp officially kicks off for the Edmonton Oilers and as such I figured today was as good an opportunity as any to do my annual predictions for the 2021 season... specifically some more outrageous ideas that will certainly have you all fuming.

#1 Mikko Koskinen receives Vezina votes

Outside of the Oilers fanbase, it seems most are already prepared to write off the goaltending for Edmonton. Bringing back Mike Smith certainly doesn't do the Oilers any favors but Mikko Koskinen is a strong netminder and gave Edmonton above average goaltending last season. From January to the end of last season, Koskinen was actually among the best in the league at 5 on 5.

I'm not going to say Koskinen will win the Vezina, but I think his play this season will at least earn him some third place votes.

#2 Jesse Puljujarvi is a permanent top six player by the end of January

Right now there is a spot in the top six on the right side just waiting for someone to take the reigns. I do believe at least to start the season Zack Kassian will get the nod but I have large doubts in him holding onto that spot. Jesse Puljujarvi has been consistently strong overseas and has grown as a player. I think Tippett is the perfect coach for JP and will be able to help him develop like he did with Yamamoto. On that note.....

#3 Jesse Puljujarvi will score 20 goals

If Puljujarvi scored 20 over a 82 game season fans would be happy, seeing him pot 20 in a 56 game season will be even more remarkable. If all goes right for Puljujarvi he will be glued to McDavid and may even become a trigger man on the top unit PP.

#4 Tyson Barrie Wins The Norris

Do I believe that Tyson Barrie is a great defender? No I do not, however Norris votes seem to very rarely go to the best defender and instead to the defenseman who scores the most, something Tyson Barrie has a chance to do in Edmonton.

Barrie is going to bring far more offense to the Oilers powerplay than Oscar Klefbom and though he did struggle in Toronto the numbers suggest that is being overblown and in fact Barrie did improve greatly after Babcock was given the boot.

Aside from producing big on the powerplay, Barrie is a good 5 on 5 producer (12 of his 14 goals in 18/19 came at even strength). Barrie is coming in on a one year deal with something to prove and will end up being the Oilers best defenseman this season.

#5 Edmonton has a winning record against every North Division team except Ottawa

The Oilers will be a playoff team in this division and perhaps the best team in the division but somehow for some reason Ottawa will have their number.

#6 Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl once again will lead the league in scoring

Last season Leon Draisaitl finally got the recognition he deserved around the league by winning the Art Ross and Hart Trophy. I don't expect the German elite player to slow down nor do I expect Connor McDavid to sit idly by and let his close friend surpass him.

I expect McDavid to once again lead the league in total points with Draisaitl just a hair behind him, but likely beating #97 in goals.

#7 RNH has his first ppg season

Ryan Nugent Hopkins is the longest tenured Oilers player and continues to be one of their best all round forwards. Over the past two seasons we have seen more of the offensive flair return to RNH's game that earned him a 1st overall selection.

This season RNH will be either on the wing with Draisaitl or McDavid and continue to feed the puck on the powerplay. He has come close a few times but this year I'm picking RNH to produce at or above a point per game pace.

#8 Kris Russell plays less than 20 games for Edmonton this season

I'm not saying this because of injury or trade but the long toothed forward will simply lose his job. Slater Koekkoek was brought in for depth but I think he will quickly endear himself to the Oilers coaching staff and fanbase alike. Koekkoek is a better shutdown player than Russell and contributes more to the play at 5 on 5. Look for Russell to get buried in the minors before the end of the season.

#9 Anton Forsberg takes Mike Smith's backup position

Forsberg was signed by Ken Holland this season as another contingency and experienced netminder for the AHL but the 57 year old Smith can only play for so long. Whether it be from injury or a massive decline in play, Forsberg will come in and provide fine if unspectacular goaltending behind Koskinen.

#10 No former Oilers player will score against Edmonton this season

I haven't done the math on how many of those exist in the North Division but it doesn't matter. It isn't going to happen.

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Can't wait to look back at all of these after the end of this season to see how many I got right.

What are your own bold predictions for this season?

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