The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is more than underway, with one series already being completed. The Carolina Hurricanes swept the Philadelphia Flyers on their route to the Conference Finals. Even with that series being over, there are a handful of former Edmonton Oilers still playing in the playoffs. One of them is thriving with the Hurricanes, while others are battling it out on the Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche, and Minnesota Wild.
Let’s take a look at how these former Oilers are doing in their respective playoff runs.
Ryan McLeod, Buffalo Sabres
One of the most memorable recent former Oilers who is currently thriving is forward Ryan McLeod. The Oilers traded McLeod in the offseason of 2024. He was dealt alongside Tyler Tullio in exchange for top prospect Matthew Savoie. I think this trade ended up working well for both sides as the Sabres got a depth centreman they seriously needed, while the Oilers got their best forward prospect. As of right now, it is a win-win trade.
McLeod’s most memorable season as an Oiler came in his last one with the franchise. The 2023–24 season was a big stepping stone for McLeod as he was a middle-six forward being heavily relied upon. He helped out on the penalty kill and brought a lot of speed to the lineup. He finished the regular season with 30 points in 81 games and scored four goals in 24 playoff games. After the Stanley Cup Final loss, the Oilers decided to move on from him.
Being dealt to the Sabres was the best thing to happen in McLeod’s career. He broke out in his first year as a Sabre and posted his first 20-goal season. Coming into this season, the Sabres had all of their eyes on the playoffs. McLeod played a key role for the Sabres, playing as the second line centre, while getting time on the penalty kill and power play. He finished this season with a career high of 40 assists and 54 points, and is now fighting for the Stanley Cup.
Through the 2026 playoffs, McLeod has one goal and three points through ten games. He and the Sabres are tied with the Montreal Canadiens at two games apiece.
Brett Kulak, Colorado Avalanche
Another former Oiler who is fighting for the Stanley Cup is defenceman Brett Kulak. The Oilers originally traded Kulak and Stuart Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Tristan Jarry. However, this move did not last long for Kulak. The defenceman went on to only play in 25 games for the Penguins before he was traded to the Avalanche. He was moved for Sam Girard and a second-round pick.
Since being acquired by the Avalanche, Kulak has been playing consistently on the second line. He and Sam Malinski make a sneakily steady second pairing. While he was with the Oilers, Kulak had a similar role. Playing bottom-four minutes while potentially helping out on the penalty kill. His Stanley Cup Final experiences in Edmonton will certainly be a good factor for him moving forward with the Avalanche.
Through eight playoff games with the Avalanche, Kulak has already recorded three assists. He and the Avalanche currently sit up three games to one over the Minnesota Wild, which is easily the most skilled series in the second round.
Taylor Hall, Carolina Hurricanes
Taylor Hall is the best former Oiler on this list. He was drafted first overall in the 2010 NHL Draft and was the face of the Oilers at one time. In the offseason of 2016, the Oilers traded Hall to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Adam Larsson. Hall went on to have a phenomenal season in 2017–18, where he won the Hart Trophy, leading the Devils to the playoffs. This gave Hall his first NHL career playoff experience. Through five games, he recorded six points in a first-round exit against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
After his time in New Jersey, Hall bounced around between the Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins. He got some more playoff experience with the Coyotes and Bruins, but only made it out of the second round once. Once his time in Boston was over, Hall had a few abysmal years with the Chicago Blackhawks. One may have thought his career was falling off, but Hall bounced back well after a trade to the Carolina Hurricanes.
This season was Hall’s best in the last four years. He recorded 30 assists and 48 points in the regular season and has been a dominant force in the playoffs. Throughout the playoffs, Hall has points in seven of the Hurricanes’ eight games. He has scored three goals, including the overtime winner in game two against the Philadelphia Flyers. Hall finished off that series with a three-assist game in game four, helping eliminate the Flyers.
Going forward, Hall is a top player to watch on the Hurricanes.
Jeff Petry, Minnesota Wild
A former Oiler playing in the playoffs is someone who is near the end of his career, none other than Jeff Petry. He was once a top defenceman for the Montreal Canadiens. He never really broke out with the Oilers, as he was in the early stages of his career. In 2015, the Oilers traded Petry to the Canadiens in exchange for a couple of draft picks (Jonas Siegenthaler and Caleb Jones).
As I said, Petry broke out with the Canadiens and was a key member of multiple playoff runs. His most memorable experience came in the 2021 playoffs, where he helped the Canadiens reach the Stanley Cup Finals. This run was incredible. Especially considering how much the NHL was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This run gave many Canadian hockey fans something to cheer for again. Arturri Lehkonen’s series winner sent the Canadiens to the final to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
As awesome as this run was, it came to an unfortunate end. Petry and the Canadiens lost in five games to a very strong Bolts team. After this, Petry missed the playoffs for four straight years as he spent time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings, and Florida Panthers. In March of 2026, Petry was dealt to the Minnesota Wild. Now, he and the Wild face elimination against the Avalanche. Petry has only played in two games so far, but could still be an option with Jonas Brodin out.
Is this Petry’s last chance at a Stanley Cup?
Up Next: Edmonton Oilers rumours roundup: Internal rifts and offseason moves to be made
Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire
