Quickly, anyone know off the top of their heads when was the last time the Edmonton Oilers won the division in the regular season? We’re gonna have to go way, way back for this one. The last time it happened was in the 1986–87 season. Almost 40 seasons ago.
Granted, this makes more sense in context, as between the late 1980s and mid 2010s, there were not a whole lot of competitive teams playing here in Oil Country. In fact, between 1990–91 and 2016–17, best division finishes were three consecutive seasons in second place between 1998 and 2001.
Lately, the fortunes have turned quite a bit. In the nine seasons since 2016–17, Edmonton has finished second six times, including in five straight seasons from 2019 to 2024.
But one thing still eludes them. Winning the division. Will this be the year they finally capture the Pacific? Or will they add another second place finish to their record?
This week, we took to X to ask Oilers fans where they think the team will finish in the upcoming regular season.
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This is the year the Oilers finally win…something, anyways
The fans certainly have confidence that this is the year for the Oilers as 53% of voters believe the team will win the Pacific Division in the 2025–26 season. This will be no easy feat, as it is always a grind to try and overtake the Vegas Golden Knights, while the Los Angeles Kings continue to try and see the results of their rebuild.
The most difficult competition in the Pacific will likely be the Golden Knights. The Oilers may have the upper hand after thoroughly dismantling their game and play style in the playoffs. But with Vegas making a massive move to improve their forwards with the addition of Mitch Marner, how much better will this team be in the upcoming season?
What works in the Oilers’ favour in this scenario is that Edmonton has, in recent seasons, been a horrible starting team that turns the first month of the season into a write-off. All it might take to usurp Vegas for the division title is an average start to the season.
And with that, finally this Edmonton Oilers team could finish first somewhere.
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride
After five consecutive second place finishes, something starts to seem a bit fishy. They broke thay streak in 2024–25 by finishing third, but that sent them in the wrong direction.
Nonetheless, it does seem that, once again, second place is the most realistic prediction for the upcoming season. Mostly because it is just where Edmonton finishes in the Pacific. And, 34% of fans agree, as this was, coincidentally, the second most voted for option in this week’s poll.
Given the roster is largely the same and very few significant tweaks have been made, it is hard to foresee a major improvement in regular season performance. Hence, a finishing record consistent with other recent years. Especially with potentially two rookies in the top-six, there may be some growing pains early on.
A repeat of last season
Last regular season was a bit of a disappointment, all things considered. Regression by nearly everyone in the lineup, an older, slower, and not physical roster that just did not look good often. And it kind of reflected in the standings. The Oilers finished third in the Pacific, to end the streak of five consecutive second place finishes.
Although the core is largely the same, there was a fair amount of roster turnover in supporting roles. Notably bringing in players with less of a track record for their performance. Looking at the roster on paper, combining the turnover with a distinct lack of improvements in some key areas (re: goaltending), it is difficult to see this year’s Oilers surpassing last season’s. Especially with improvements that Vegas has made and the chance of another unexpected playoff run from another opponent increasing the competition in the Pacific.
Third place in the division is a possible option for where the Oilers finish, but it is not a favoured outcome by the fans, as just 10% of voters feel a repeat of last season is the likely outcome.
Sound the alarm bells
It’s technically a possibility. It could happen that the Pacific becomes a thunderdome this season and it manages to push Edmonton out of the top three. But is it likely? Absolutely not. And if it does happen, we need to sound the alarm bells because something went horrifically wrong. Luckily, this option finished a distant last amongst our confident fan base, as just 3% of voters think it is possible for Edmonton to finish fourth or worse.
On paper, it is also an incredibly unlikely option. Minimal major changes to Edmonton’s roster makes it difficult to foresee a 15–20 point regression in the standings. And the Pacific Division is not an overly competitive battleground. Vegas, Edmonton, and Los Angeles have mostly dominated for the last five seasons with random one season appearances from the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Seattle Kraken before they faded back down out of the playoffs. None of those teams have done enough to predict a major rise in the standings, while the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks are still rebuilding and should not be anywhere near the playoffs.
Needless to say, Edmonton should be fairly comfortable as a top three finisher in the Pacific this upcoming season.
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
