5 Things The Oilers Have To Look Forward To

5.  Ales Hemsky is healthy.  Without Hemsky the Oilers offense

Ales Hemsky looks to rebuild this once great Oilers reputation.

turns to mush.  Dustin Penner is the only Oiler who can score consistantly without Hemmer.  Hemsky, after scoring 22 points in 22 games last year, went down with a season ending shoulder injury.  He is the puppeteer of their powerplay.  He organizes their rushes, keeps the game at his pace, and not to mention is a very smart hockey player.

4. Jordan Eberle is adjusting to the NHL just fine.  With all the hype over Taylor Hall coming into this season for Edmonton, I feel like Jordan Eberle has been over looked.  The rest of the NHL saw Eberle's unbelievable scoring touch in game 1 when he had a possible goal of the year against the Flames.  Eberle has been Mr. Clutch in his career and has had little trouble adjusting to the size and speed of the NHL thus far with 9 points in his first 14 games.  NHL.com lists Eberle at 6'0", but i believe that is being generous.  He is smaller in stature but fast, skilled, and offensively brilliant.

3. Dustin Penner is emerging as a legitimate scoring threat every game.  Last year Penner went 32-31-63 without Hemsky feeding him the puck.  I'm excited to see what he can do with one of the top 5 best passers in the league dishing it to him.  Penner is a big body with lots of skill and a good shot.  He could easily be a 40 goal scorer with the right linemates.

2.  Magnus Paajarvi.  Although a slow start to his rookie campaign, Paajarvi is a big, fast Swede.  Speed kills in this league and when you have good size and strength to go along with it you'll be deadly.  Paajarvi is used to playing with grown men already, having played in the Swedish Elite League last season.  Although never putting up stunning numbers with 29 points in 49 games, he was only 18 while putting up these numbers.  With a little conditioning and maturity Magnus Paajarvi could be a deadly weapon for the Oilers in years to come.

1.  Need I meantion Taylor Hall?  The #1 overall pick from this past draft, Hall is a fast skating, highly skilled forward who lead his team to two consecutive Memorial Cups.  Tying for the OHL scoring title with Tyler Seguin (#2 overall) with 106 points.  Hall capped off his campaign with 35 points in 19 games during the OHL playoffs, and 9 points in 4 games to take the Memorial Cup.  Hall has the potential to be an immediate impact player but carries a heavy burdon with that #1 overall label.  I believe Hall will come through with flying colors for the Oil's.