Sporting News' hockey experts , and predicted the final standings for the 2017-18 NHL season. The figures below reflect the average finish for each team based on theircombined projections. We'll need to time travelto 1986-87 to find the Oilers' last division championship. Back then, of course, Edmonton stomped around the SmytheDivision, led by one Wayne Gretzky, who at 26 led the NHL with a casual 183 points. The world didn't welcome Connor McDavidfor another 10 years. A lot has changed since then, which would make it remarkable all the more if the Oilers are able to win the Pacific31 years later. The coast is clear for the to do it.A handful of the NHL's worst teams reside in the Pacific, including the expansion Golden Knights. Of course, Edmonton's aspirations go beyond a superficial regular-season honor. So there's also a good chance we'll find the Stanley Cup champs here, too. MORE PICKS: | | | Pacific | PacificDivision: 2017-18 predictions Anaheim Ducks Replacing Hampus Lindholm, Sami Vatanen, Ryan Kesleris a tall task to start the season, but the Ducks are one of the few teams in the NHL with the depth to overcome the big injuries. When that trio is healthy, you'll be hard-pre sed to find a more complete and dangerous roster. Cerny: 106 points, second in Pacific Schlager: 102 points, second in Pacific Sporer: 98 points, second in Pacific PREVIEW: Arizona Coyotes The Coyotes may yet be a few seasons away from legitimate playoff contention, butJohn Chaykahas done an excellent job a sembling young talent worth getting excited about. Derek Stepan and a remade defense are the biggest differences from 2016-17 which should help Arizona improve on its 70 points. Not to mention, Clayton Keller seems to be everyone's popular pick for the Calder Trophy. Cerny: 86 points, fifth in Pacific Schlager: 78 points, sixth in Pacific Sporer: 82 points, fifth in Pacific PREVIEW: Calgary Flames The Flames have flirted with playoff succe s in recent seasons, but it hasn't amounted to much. They've been a team on the rise now since their surprise run in 2014-15. It's a matter of finally putting all the pieces together, which at least seems po sible this year with top-tier scoring and one of the NHL's best defense units. Cerny: 97 points, third in Pacific Schlager: Justin Abdelkader Jersey 90 points, fourth in Pacific Sporer: 89 points, fourth in Pacific PREVIEW: Edmonton Oilers Let's juxtapose Connor McDavid's first two seasons with Sidney Crosby, who's about the cede his title as world's best hockey player to the young Oilers captain. Like Crosby, McDavidgot his first taste of the playoffs as a sophomore. Crosbyled the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Final in his third year. McDavid, a Hart Trophy and scoring title already to his name,has everyone thinking the Oilers can do the same. Cerny: 111 points, first in Pacific Schlager: 107 points, first in Pacific Sporer: 102 points, first in Pacific PREVIEW: Los Angeles Kings The Kings have . HiringJohn Stevens as coach andRob Blake as general manager was an attempt to resuscitate their championship lifespan, but it's po sible the Kings have already flatland. If so, expect sweeping roster changes come summertime. Cerny: 78 points, sixth in Pacific Schlager: 83 points, fifth in Pacific Sporer: 79 points, sixth in Pacific PREVIEW: San Jose Sharks It's fair to wonder whether the Sharks are bound to take a step back in 2017-18. The roster, while still replete with talent, is aging, and there's a finite amountof time remaining in their club membership for exclusive Stanley Cup contenders, if it hasn't run out all ready. This season will determine where they stand. Cerny: 89 points, fourth in Pacific Schlager: 96 points, third in Pacific Sporer: 95 points, third in Pacific PREVIEW: Vancouver Canucks The Canucks have yet to fully commit to their rebuild, which is part of the problem. Having Henrik and Daniel Sedin around is great and all, but they'renot going to help the club win many games in 2017-18. This is the Bo Horvat andBrock Boeser show now. Cerny: 72 points, seventh in Pacific Schlager: 67 points, seventh in Pacific Sporer: 50 points, seventh in Pacific PREVIEW: Vegas Golden Knights It isn't Vegas' fault it's projected to finish as the worst team in hockey. ( ) Historically speaking, expansion teams take a few years to settle in. The NHL's four most recent franchises all finished well below .500 in their inaugural seasons. Any competitive surge from the Knights in 2017-18 will be a bonus to the proce s. Cerny: 40 points, eighth in Pacific Schlager: 56 points, eighth in Pacific Sporer: 45 points, eighth in Pacific PREVIEW: Pacific Division: 2017-18 picks 1. Edmonton Oilers (106.6 points)* 2. Anaheim Ducks (102 points)* 3. San Jose Sharks (93.3 points)* 4. Calgary Flames (92 points) 5. Arizona Coyotes (82 points) 6. Los Angeles Kings (80 points) 7. Vancouver Canucks (63 points) 8. Vegas Golden Knights (47 points) *Qualify for playoffs Red Wings Store Jersey