Last season started off the way many expected for the Edmonton Oilers.

	2001-02 by the numbers
	Record: 38-28-12-4, 92 points (15th overall, 16th West, 3rd Northwest) Goals for: 205/2.50 (T20th overall) Goals against: 182/2.22 (2nd overall) Differential: 23 (11th overall) 20-goal scorers: Mike Comrie (33), Anson Carter (28), Mike York* (20) 50-point scorers: York* (61), Comrie (60), Carter (60), Ryan Smyth (50) * - Complete season totals. York registered 2-2-4 in 12 games with the Oilers.

After being ousted from the playoffs by the Stars for the fourth straight season, Edmonton boasted a 21-13-6-2 record by Jan. 1, putting them ahead of defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado at the top of the Northwest Division.

But with the Canucks and Coyotes waking from the dead after the All-Star break, the Oilers' luck changed in 2002 and the team fell short of the playoff potential their youth, speed and goaltending had shown in the past.

It was close. Edmonton fell just shy of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference behind Vancouver, finishing ninth overall and third in the division.

After officially being eliminated from postseason contention by heated rival Calgary, forward Ryan Smyth said the end result was unacceptable and declared that "It's going to be a long summer."

Looking at next season
While the Oilers' summer might have been long, it also was inactive. A limited budget left few free agent options for general manager Kevin Lowe, who instead looked to make a deal, for a steal.

Edmonton acquired center Jiri Dopita from Philadelphia for a third-round pick in 2003 and a conditional pick in 2004 -- not a whole lot to give up for a player Flyers GM Bobby Clarke once dubbed one of the best European players in the league.

Hampered by knee and neck injuries, Dopita was limited to just 52 games last season. Dopita was apparently not thrilled with the coaching staff in Philly either. But the Oilers are confident Dopita is past the problems, and will provide them with a big, physical center.

Dopita will likely play on the second line behind Mike Comrie, Edmonton's biggest bright spot last season. It also fills in a hole left by Jochen Hecht, who was traded to the Sabres for two second-round picks in the 2002 draft.

At just 21, Comrie responded to the pressures of filling Doug Weight's skates and centered the top line with veteran poise. Comrie scored a team-leading 33 goals and added 27 assists in 81 games, finishing in a tie with winger Anson Carter for a club-best 60 points.

Lowe also has responded to the heat -- of the bargaining room. The savvy GM has managed to avoid arbitration with some key restricted free agents, including Carter, who paired with Comrie and Smyth to form one of the league's most exciting -- and fast -- lines. Carter and Edmonton agreed to a one-year, $2.4 million deal.

The Oilers also signed winger Todd Marchant to a one-year deal, again avoiding a hearing with the defensive specialist. Edmonton also reached deals with forwards Mike Grier and Josh Green, and center Jason Chimera, but will likely go to hearings for captain Jason Smith and winger Mike York, whom they acquired from the Rangers at the deadline along with a fourth-round draft pick for center Rem Murray and defenseman Tom Poti.

Smyth, whose speedy return to the lineup before the new year seemed to help Team Canada more than Edmonton, has had a full offseason to fully recover from ankle surgery. Smyth's health will be key in powering the Oil's top line.

The Oilers also show more promise in their own end. Tommy Salo (69 games), Jussi Markkanen (13) and minor-leaguer Ty Conklin (4), whose combined 2.19 goals-against average ranked second behind Colorado, all return in net. Salo seemed to recover late in the regular season after allowing a flukey goal in the Olympics that led to Team Sweden's devastating exit, an issue that was called a non-issue by the netminder.

Janne Niinimaa, Eric Brewer and Scott Ferguson all return on defense. Niinimaa posted 39 assists last season and gave life to Edmonton's power play, but he'll have to improve on his total of five goals.

With all of their key players returning -- plus a big addition -- the Oilers will have to test their resolve in 2002-03. These Oilers, at the very least, are just as young, and they are hungry.