Northwest Division breakdown-Edmonton Oilers...

the Oilers drafted Taylor Hall last year,with the first overall pick,in the 2010 NHL entry draft,and they drafted Ryan Nugent-Hopkins,with the 2011 NHL entry draft,being again first overall... Nugent-Hopkins,who signed a three year contract,may be the first overall pick in 20 years,to not make the team,out of training camp,because team depth,at his position,but honestly,i expect him to be there... with a team,who was 55 points out of division lead,and 35 points out of the playoff hunt,behind Chicago(32 behind Calgary,who was second in division-only one team in division made playoffs-President's Trophy winner,Vancouver Canucks)... the team has very young talent,and gives some teams some trouble(Red Wings,for one,was swept last year,but for years,they split season series),because of team speed,and talent of a young team... they have a bitter long time rival,in Calgary,called,"the Battle of Alberta"... they beat Calgary opening game of season,4-0,but did not win another game,in the series,(1-3-2)but sent two games into overtime(both shootout losses)... they will improve,and give some teams some trouble,and they have some firepower,and will score goals,but over the long haul of the season,they just do not have enough talent,to get near the playoffs(worst team,in NHL),and there is nothing like worst to first,in NHL... they will be fun to watch,and honestly,being a long time fan,of the Oil(nickname of team,for the true fans),i will enjoy rooting for them,except when they play the Red Wings... i hate to see teams i like,go through tough times,but this team has a bright future... just give the team a few years,and this year,watch the chemistry of Hall and Nugent-Hopkins develop throughout this season,with the fact that Hall missed over 20 games,in the rookie season,with an injury,Hall is already primed for a big year... this team does have other talent:Shawn Horcoff,Ben Eager,Darcy Hordichuk,Ales Hemsky,and Ryan Whitney(on defense),all veterans,with a fair amount,of grit,and with a scoring touch,and with Nikolai Habibulin(Stanley Cup winner-2004 Tampa Bay Lightning,but on last legs of career) backing up in goal,they have room for great improvement,but with the Oil,being so far in the cellar of the NHL,they will fight the Islanders,for last place,of the NHL's standings...