For the last 19 years (12 with The Hockey News) Dobber has reviewed each team from a fantasy-hockey standpoint and graded them.

The 20th annual review will appear here on DobberHockey throughout the summer/fall. This is not a review of the likely performance on the ice or in the standings, but in the realm of fantasy hockey both for the season ahead as well as the foreseeable future. Offensively, will the team perform? Are there plenty of depth options worthy of owning in keeper leagues? What about over the next two or three years? These questions are what I take into consideration when looking at the depth chart and the player potential on that depth chart.

Enjoy!

Gone: Josh Archibald, Zack Kassian, Cooper Marody, Brendan Perlini, Ostap Safin, Duncan Keith, Filip Berglund, Mikko Koskinen

Incoming: Evander Kane, Mattias Janmark, Greg McKegg, Jack Campbell, Calvin Pickard

Impact of Changes: The big impact move was the re-signing of Evander Kane to a four-year deal at $5.1M per season. Kane posted 38 points in 43 games playing over 60% of the time with Connor McDavid at even strength and slotted on the top power-play unit. With that continued deployment he should remain a strong fantasy option.

The other significant change was the exit of Mikko Koskinen and long-term injury of Mike Smith, who were both replaced by Jack Campbell. Campbell had very tall peaks and abysmally low valleys last season with the Maple Leafs and although he should provide more stability than previous tandem, his impact could go either way.

Ready for Full Time: Dylan Holloway is arguably the organization's top prospect. He had an incredible college career but was hampered by a wrist injury that may have delayed an earlier debut with the Oilers. He is expected to have a long look with a high potential for permanently joining the squad. The other forward knocking on the door is Xavier Bourgault who can play either wing which is something the Oilers are desperate to have in order to complement their two star centres. Both players are very close but the organization will not want to jeopardize any development by bringing either player into the fold too early so be wary.

Philip Broberg is the only defensemen close to joining the team and he will almost certainly do so this year. He demonstrated great promise with a second call-up at the end of last season and has the potential to be a top-pairing shutdown player and second unit power-play quarterback.

Stuart Skinner saw 13 games last season and did very considering the brief stint, posting the following:

6 Wins, 2.62 GAA, 0.913 SV% and a 46 QS%.

He will get more starts now as the backup behind Campbell who has had his injury issues in the past

Fantasy Outlook: Whatever changes happened during the offseason, it did not involve McDavid or Draisaitl which means that this team will still score a lot. That being said, Kane had a 72-point pace and Zach Hyman had a 58-point pace. All of a sudden there is a bit of reliable depth here in the top six in two players who should permanently see time with the two stars, both at even strength and on the power play. Otherwise, Jesse Puljujärvi and Kailer Yamamoto both re-signed and Holloway should make his debut but the bottom-six forward group remains murky.

On defense Broberg is likely to play his first full season in the big leagues and has the potential to immediately be an upgrade over Keith. Nurse and Bouchard should continue to excel and Barrie will likely get prime power-play minutes again.

In net there is some addition by subtraction with Smith being on LTIR and Koskinen leaving. Campbell should provide more stability but the question will be which Campbell did the Oilers sign? The one who posted a 0.938 SV% through the first half of the season or the one who posted a 0.888 SV% through the second half?  The Oilers are no doubt capable of scoring their way to wins but how Campbell fares will be interesting to see.

Overall this team will continue to be dangerous offensively, which is always great for fantasy purposes.

Fantasy Grade: A (last year A-)