2024-25 Oilers Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

The Edmonton Oilers will not be satisfied unless their 2024-25 season culminates in a sixth Stanley Cup. 

And they have an even better chance than last season after making key personnel changes during the offseason.

The Oilers are the +850 hockey odds favourites to win the Stanley Cup and stand as the +120 NHL odds frontrunners to again represent the Western Conference. 

Edmonton Oilers Futures Odds

Point Total: 108.5

Pacific Division: +120

Western Conference: +350

Stanley Cup: +850

Edmonton Oilers Offseason Moves

The Oilers were highly active during the offseason, and several role players, including Vincent Desharnais, Cody Ceci, Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg, Ryan McLeod, and Warren Foegele, left for pastures anew. 

None of the role players who moved on damaged the Oilers’ Stanley Cup chances, especially when considering who they brought in.

Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson are the most notable acquisitions, and both newbies move the needle enough to consider the offseason a success. 

Edmonton Oilers Additions

Edmonton Oilers Departures

Edmonton Oilers 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Over 108.5 points (-115)

I predict the Oilers will secure at least 109 points while winning the Pacific Division. Going further, this team has all the components to win its first Stanley Cup since 1990. 

That prediction is predicated on Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl remaining healthy, particularly for the home stretch. 

Stuart Skinner matured beyond recognition during the Oilers’ run to the 2023-24 Stanley Cup Final, showcasing remarkable poise between the pipes and a newfound unflappable disposition. 

A weakness prior to last season, Skinner can now be considered a strength.

Draisaitl got his contract extension out of the way, becoming the NHL’s highest-paid player. He can now concentrate solely on hockey, an ominous thought for the rest of the NHL.

Led by McDavid, Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, newbies Arvidsson and Skinner, the Oilers have an offensive contingent as good as any in the league. 

McDavid, the 2024-25 Hart Trophy odds favourite, will resemble a man possessed until he secures his first ring. And believe me, he will eventually get his hands on the Stanley Cup. He’s too influential, too much of a generational talent not to. 

Connor McDavid can become the third-youngest player in NHL history to reach the 1,000-point milestone if he records his 18th of the season before Halloween.

More on the @EdmontonOilers captain in one of our latest #NHLStats Packs: https://t.co/8XPzVFjEeW pic.twitter.com/6TpYeXD8CA

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) September 16, 2024

The Oilers shouldn’t find life in the Pacific Division too arduous.

I believe it’s one of the least competitive divisions in the NHL. Only the Vegas Golden Knights and, arguably, the Vancouver Canucks should pose a threat to the Oilers’ divisional aspirations. 

Kris Knoblauch will have his first entire season with the team. The Oilers’ bench boss was hired in November last season, replacing Jay Woodcroft after he led the team to a league-worst 3-9-1 start. 

Knoblauch instilled confidence while drastically improving the team’s defence, which they showcased throughout the postseason. Edmonton also had the second-best home points percentage (.732), tied with the New York Rangers. 

Rest assured, Knoblauch won’t repeat Woodcroft’s errant ways. Despite that woeful start, Edmonton finished the 2023-24 season with 104 points. 

They would have hit 109 points with a .500 record during those opening 13 games, which bodes well for the Over on their point total. 

However, my best online sportsbook bet is for the Oilers to win the Pacific Division. At +120, a winning $10 bet will profit $12. 

Those odds imply a 45.45% win probability.