How many times have you turned on the television and been told about Jerome Iginla's Calgary Flames, or Markus Nasland's Vancouver Canucks? How about Mats Sundin's Toronto Maple Leafs, Joe Thornton's Boston Bruins or Martin Brodeur's New Jersey Devils? Yet it seems every time they talk about the Edmonton Oilers, a different player has taken control. Since Doug Weight left us, this team has had no true franchise player. It was impossible to guess what player would be featured in the pre-game shows as the match for the Other team's star. Well, those days are over. The Oilers have acquired enough talent to hold auditions for the role of franchise player, so we'll finally be able to focus our efforts on more important things, like which player was on the ice most often when even strength goals were scored against us by a left winger with a surname beginning with the letters a-m.

I've highlighted some of my favourites, as well as a few dark horses that could surprise us this year or in the future.

Chris Pronger
NHL Awards:

All-Rookie Team 1994 Second All-Star Team 1998, 2004 First All-Star Team 2000 Bud Ice/Light Plus/Minus Award 1998, 2000 James Norris Memorial Trophy 2000 Hart Trophy 2000 Played in NHL All-Star Game 1999, 2000, 2002, 2004

2003/2004 Stats: 80GP 14G 40A 54P 88PIM
Career Stats: 722GP 94G 306A 400P 1098PIM
Bio: One of the top defensemen in the game today and arguable the very best. He can run a power play, kill penalties and dominate at even strength. Pronger is a lock for at least 50 points from the blue line and will be close to the team lead in penalty minutes. He has the ability to make great plays, offensively and defensively, at high speed. Pronger has no problem playing a physical game and can be expected to lay out several large hits. He has been the captain of a successful NHL franchise since the age of 23 and has not missed the playoffs in that span. However, he has publicly stated that he does not expect a leadership role in Edmonton and would be happy as a regular member of the team. Pronger does get frustrated easily and has a tendency to take bad penalties. It does not take too much for a pest to get him off his game.

Ryan Smyth
NHL Awards: None
2003/2004 Stats: 82GP 23G 36A 59P 70PIM
Career Stats: 642GP 198G 232A 430P 511PIM
Bio: If any man deserves the name "Mr. Oiler" it is Ryan Smyth. He has sacrificed every part of his body for this team and yet still plays the game at high velocity. His game has matured greatly in his time in Edmonton, he is no longer considered a defensive liability and has learned to play the game a lot less selfishly as his higher assist totals show. He has been an alternate captain with the Oilers for several seasons and has been the captain of Team Canada in several international events. With only one year until unrestricted free agency, Smyth may be reluctant to take control of this team. However, for the same reason he can be expected to have a monster year.

Mike Peca
NHL Awards: Frank J Selke Trophy 1997, 2002
2003/2004 Stats: 76GP 11G 29A 40P 71PIM
Career Stats: 622GP 151G 220A 371P 560PIM
Bio: Peca has captained the Buffalo Sabres and the New York Islanders, even leading a mediocre Sabres team to a Stanley Cup Final in 1998. He is strong at both ends of the ice, as evidenced by his point totals and his two Selkes. While he lacks great size (5'11", 190lbs) he makes up for it by playing a hard hitting, gritty game that can border on dirty. His offensive skills are consistently underrated and should increase in the more open Western Conference. The big question here: Will Peca stay in Edmonton past this season? There are whispers of a contract extension, but can this guy refuse free agency? This is a player who has twice held out for a better contract, once for an entire season.

Jason Smith
NHL Awards: None
2003/2004 Stats: 68GP 7G 12A 19P 98PIM
Career Stats: 710GP 33G 97A 130P 779PIM
Bio: Obtained by the Oilers for a couple of draft picks, the Toronto castaway quickly endeared himself to Oiler fans with his big hits and stellar defensive play. It didn't take long for him to earn the role of captain, beating of Ryan Smyth and Todd Marchant for the honour. While Smith has definite shortcomings offensively, he has honed the defensive side of his game to an art form. He seldom lacks in effort or intensity and has shown an ability to throw hits when needed, but not at the expense of his responsibilities. His lack of offence is a large deficit and while he can control one end of the rink, he looks lost in the other.

Ty Conklin
NHL Awards: None
2003/2004 Stats: 38GP 17-14-4 2.42GAA .912
Career Stats: 42GP 19-14-4 2.36GAA .914
Bio: Never Drafted, Conklin was obtained as a free agent by Edmonton after a strong college career. He has been brought along slowly by management, getting introduced to the pro game by spending time in the AHL. In the 2003/04 season, the loss of Jussi Markkanen opened up a roster spot for Conklin an he took it enthusiastically. Solid play quickly vaulted him to the role of number one goalie over the lethargic Tommy Salo, showing enough ability to allow the team to trade Salo later in the season. Management has him pegged as the starter this season and has not pursued more experienced hands. As of the start of the season, Ty has only 42 NHL games under his belt, so his lack of experience must be seen as a liability.

Dark Horse Candidates

Ales Hemsky: Possibly the most skilled player on the team, the young Hemsky has yet to put all the pieces together. Has the potential to break out and be a star player.

Marc-Andre Bergeron: Likely to play point on the first power play unit, the young defenseman has all the offensive ability to become a star. Although he is gritty, his lack of size prevents him from dominating the offensive zone.

Alexei Semenov: The former OHL defenseman of the year has the size, strength and shot to become a star in this league, but seems to suffer from a lack of confidence. If he discovers how he needs to play, and realizes that he has the ability to do it, he could be a real force.