NHL Insiders Make Stanley Cup Predictions That Shock Oilers Fans

With the regular season beginning today, Sportsnet asked their hockey experts to pick the winner of this year's Stanley Cup. Out of 20 NHL reporters, only 4 did not pick the Oilers to win. Other picks were the Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, and New Jersey Devils.

The most prominent figures in hockey media all picked the Oilers to win, including Elliotte Friedman, Ron MacLean, Mark Spector, Luke Fox, Mike Futa, and more. The few dissenters are reporters known for stirring the pot with controversial opinions, like Nick Kypreos and Eric Engels.

When every insider is pegging the Oilers to be the Stanley Cup favourites, it's surely a good sign for things to come this season. At the same time, it feels incredibly nerve wracking to see a near unanimous prediction. Sports, and hockey in specific have an element on randomness in the game - things rarely shake out as expected.

It may feel like a bit of a jinx, but the Oilers really are the Stanley Cup favourites by far entering this season. The offseason additions of Jeff Skinner and Victor Arvidsson boost the offence which was already the best in the league, and the two generational superstars are more motivated than ever before to win. After breaking Wayne Gretzky's assist record last playoffs, McDavid will have to pull out all the stops to win this playoffs.

The puck drops on the Oilers regular season tomorrow night at home against the Winnipeg Jets. They're ready for another long 82 game campaign to work their way back into playing hockey in June, and this time, winning the last game.