Though the offseason is in full swing for the Edmonton Oilers, there is still some time before any moves are made in earnest. Still, there is room for lots of speculation on what the offseason might hold for the Oilers.
Let’s take a look at some of the rumours in this week’s roundup.
Time is ticking for Edmonton
With Connor McDavid’s two year deal kicking in next season, many believe it to be hugely important for the future of the team. There is some thinking that McDavid would not leave the Oilers as a free agent, which would imply that his decision will come at the end of the 2026–27 season.
Whether true or not, this insecurity acts as the backdrop for the Oilers offseason. The time is now to regroup and get the franchise moving in the right direction. This framework explains the pressure that will loom over each and every move the Oilers make.
Internal rift in Edmonton
Given the pressure, reports that GM Stan Bowman and Coach Kris Knoblauch are not on the same page are concerning. There was a report that Knoblauch intentionally iced lineups to spite Bowman, that they valued players differently, and ultimately had differing visions on the best course for the team. This is, obviously, far from ideal. There is a lot of fan scrutiny for both, as well. Both might well be on thin ice, though coaches are often much less insulated than GMs are.
Under Bowman and President Jeff Jackson the Oilers have often prioritized smaller skilled forwards. This includes free agent signings that missed the mark, like Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, and Andrew Mangiapane. It also includes trading for prospects like Isaac Howard and Matthew Savoie. Though Savoie has shown promise, the thinking has bore little fruit.
On the coaching side, many fans were displeased with the lack of cohesion from the team. Leon Draisaitl joined McDavid in authoring some interesting comments that pointed to displeasure with the Oilers coaching during the season. This ranged from the Oilers systems to the lack of roles for depth players.
Meanwhile, Draisaitl had more interesting comments during his exit presser, lamenting the loss of some former teammates. This seemed to be focused on size, or players that offered different dimensions to their games.
Regardless of any changes to their personnel, the Oilers need to get on the same page. Risky manoeuvres like the acquisition of Savoie and Howard need to pay off. New players will need to find a spot in the lineup as well.
UFAs expected to stay
There appears to be some appetite in retaining some UFAs. In particular the players added at the trade deadline are likely targets for the Oilers to re-sign. Defensive players Jason Dickinson and Connor Murphy are players that many expect the Oilers to be keen on.
Both coming from years on a rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks team means they might value a chance to win. The Oilers offer that chance. There might be other suitors, and negotiations for their contracts will be a vital piece of the equation as well.
Bad contracts that need to go
Others expect the main theme of the Oilers offseason to be shedding inefficient contracts. Trent Frederic might be impossible to manoeuvre affordably, but Tristan Jarry and Darnell Nurse are surrounded by speculation.
Opening up cap space is important, obviously. What cannot be lost is that cap space is only so valuable, as much as it allows the team to improve. Player salaries will rise with the salary cap, and a thin free agent class might make significant upgrades through free agency unlikely.
Nurse might hold some value, especially for teams looking for a left defenceman with lots of cap space. The Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins come to mind. He might still hold some value, especially for those teams. At the same time losing Nurse would hurt the overall quality of the Oilers, in a vacuum. Clearly a left shot defenceman who can handle top shutdown minutes will need to be added in his stead.
Jarry, meanwhile, might require a sweetener to move. It does not look good for Bowman, as Stuart Skinner hits free agency. If Skinner and Jarry are both backup options, Bowman paid extra to have a more expensive backup with term left on his deal. Either way, rumour has it that the Oilers will be looking to shed both contracts.
TOR has launched The Oil Rig Podcast!
All episodes are available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and more! Check it out!
