News Oilers Team Notes

[Edmonton Oilers]

Things I Think I Know About the Edmonton Oilers: Training Camp Edition

NHL training camps officially open this morning. There will be team meetings, concussion-protocol video, physical testing, and photo and video shoots. The head coach will address the team, talk about the upcoming season, and then tomorrow, the teams will hit the ice. Pre-season games begin on Saturday with Dallas hosting St. Louis, and then there are 15 games on Sunday, including Oilers and Flames split squads playing with one game in Calgary and one in Edmonton.

Here are some things I think I know heading into training camp.

— Oilersnation will be waiting impatiently for Connor McDavid to sign his contract. Nothing has changed since he spoke on September 5. He is taking his time. He has had conversations with Stan Bowman, mostly about the team rather than his contract. Bowman and the Oilers have spoken to his agent, Judd Moldaver, but mainly just to keep in touch. Nothing will be rushed or forced.

— Any time McDavid does speak, like in an interview yesterday with Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas, you will see many dissect what he says and draw conclusions about what they think he means. McDavid mentioned the 2025-26 season multiple times, which led to many believing that means he is leaving. I get it. McDavid’s future is a big deal, not only in Edmonton but across the NHL. I think McDavid is using the one thing he has a lot of: time. He could sign next week, in October, maybe January, or maybe not until after the season. I sense he will be patient, not because he is upset or concerned, but because he has the opportunity to use time to see things, ask Bowman and others in the organization questions, and make the decision he feels is best for him.

— I think Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will spend more time as a centre than a winger this season. He will be the third-line centre mainly, except for when head coach Kris Knoblauch plays McDavid with Leon Draisaitl, which I think will be less than last season if players remain healthy.

— Adam Henrique will spend more time on the wing, but he will take faceoffs on the penalty kill and some at 5×5.

— Knoblauch will experiment with different duos and line combinations in training camp and likely through the season as well. He has many players who can play multiple positions, and he will want to see who fits best and where.

— David Tomášek will get a look as the fourth-line centre but also as a right winger, likely in the top six. He can really fire the puck, and he is a right-shot who can play centre. The latter is very intriguing for Knoblauch, as the Oilers’ top three centres shoot left.

— Jake Walman will start the season with Darnell Nurse. They will get a long look together. In a small sample size last season, they played well.

— Troy Stecher and Ty Emberson will have a good, healthy battle for the third-pair right-defence spot. Alec Regula is in the mix, but he did not play a game last year, and I think it is more likely he starts in the AHL if he clears waivers.

— Trent Frederic prefers to play RW or C. We mainly saw him on LW last year in Edmonton, but I think you will see him on the right wing this year. With Zach Hyman banged up, I think Frederic will get some looks with McDavid and/or Draisaitl to start.

— I think the second power play unit will see an uptick in minutes. It will not be a 50/50 split, nor should it, but I could see it being 1:20 for the first unit and around 40 seconds for the second. We will see the second unit start some power plays, and not just ones late in a blowout game.

— I think the Oilers could sign other players who are entering the final years of their deals, such as Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, Vasily Podkolzin, Brett Kulak, and Stuart Skinner, before McDavid. They have not engaged in any serious discussions yet, just gauging interest, but Bowman does not have a plan that says McDavid has to sign first.

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Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/things-i-think-i-know-edmonton-oilers-training-camp-edition

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

NHL Notebook: Mammoth plan to waive goaltender Connor Ingram

A new netminder is available.

During the Utah Mammoth’s training camp availability, general manager Bill Armstrong noted that the team will look to find netminder Connor Ingram a new opportunity.

BREAKING: Connor Ingram will NOT attend training camp as he and the team work to find him a new home.

Armstrong says they plan to eventually place him on waivers.

— Cole Bagley (@BagleyKSLsports) September 17, 2025

It’s been speculated throughout the off-season that the Edmonton Oilers are looking for a netminder, either to take over as the starter from Stuart Skinner or a 1A/1B situation with Skinner.

So, is Connor Ingram a fit?

Ingram hails from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and played his three junior seasons with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League. After a strong draft year, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected him in the third round of the 2016 draft.

After spending four seasons between the ECHL and American Hockey League, Ingram made his debut with the Nashville Predators in the 2021-22 season, playing three games while spending most of the year with their AHL affiliate. Ingram also played four postseason games, finishing with a .913 save percentage and 3.64 goals against average as the Predators were swept.

Ingram finally got a chance at some significant action in 2022-23, where he posted a .907 save percentage and 3.37 goals against average in 27 games with the Arizona Coyotes. Moreover, he finished with a 3.7 Goals Saved Above Expected.

The Saskatoon native’s best season by far was in 2023-24, also with the Coyotes. Playing 50 games, Ingram finished with a .907 save percentage and 2.91 goals against average, posting a record of 23-21-3. Ingram finished the season with an 8.3 GSAE, ninth-best for any netminder with 50 or more games played.

Ingram didn’t have the best of seasons when the Coyotes relocated to Salt Lake City. In 22 games, the 28-year-old posted an .882 save percentage and 3.27 goals against average. In early March, Ingram entered the player assistance program and didn’t play another game for the Mammoth. Overall, he finished with an -11.6 GSAE, sixth-worst in the league.

Finding a goaltender is easier said than done, especially one who can start and put up good numbers. There is risk involved, but a goaltender who has put up good performances in the past tends to be a good bet, think Darcy Kuemper or Anthony Stolarz in recent times. Acquiring Ingram also adds to their surplus of players named Connor, as Connor Brown departed for the New Jersey Devils.

One area of concern for the Oilers is their cap situation, as they have just under $226,000 in space remaining. The good news is that Ingram carries a cap hit of a little under $2 million, meaning the Oilers can get under the salary cap by sending money back or sending players to the American Hockey League.

Is Ingram the solution to the goaltending woes? It’s possible, but it’s worth taking a flier on the 28-year-old.

Other News and Notes From Around the NHL​

• The Calgary Flames have signed captain Mikael Backlund to a two-year extension carrying a $3.25 million AAV. Announced Sept. 17, the deal keeps the 36-year-old center in Calgary as he enters his 18th NHL season and third as captain. Backlund posted 15 goals and 32 points in 76 games in 2024-25 and remains a reliable two-way presence who has finished top-10 in Selke voting three times. A first-round pick in 2007 (24th overall), he has spent his entire career with the Flames, compiling 215 goals and 563 points across 1,066 games, plus 22 points in 42 playoff contests. His current contract at $4.5 million runs through 2025-26. He became eligible to extend on July 1, and this pact lines him up to help bridge the franchise into its new arena era.
• The Colorado Avalanche opened camp with a few injuries to manage. Head coach Jared Bednar said goalie Mackenzie Blackwood is week-to-week but should be ready near the start of the season, while defenseman Sam Girard has a lower-body issue that will sideline him during camp, yet still leaves him in the mix for opening night. Winger Logan O’Connor’s hip injury is more significant; he’s expected to miss the entire preseason with a target return around early November. With Blackwood out, 33-year-old Scott Wedgewood is the only signed NHL netminder available, though Kyle Keyser, Trent Miner, Mathis Langevin, and Isak Poch are also in camp. Bednar expressed confidence that Wedgewood can shoulder a bigger load to open the year. Last season, Blackwood appeared in 37 games for Colorado after arriving from San Jose, Wedgewood played 19, Girard logged 78 games (3G, 24P), and O’Connor 80 (10G, 21P).
• Brad Marchand was blunt about why Florida kept its Cup core together: the no-income-tax advantage. At the Panthers’ season-opening presser, he said, “If we were not in a non-tax state, it wouldn’t have worked out… two guys probably would have been leaving,” referring to himself, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad. All three re-upped below outside expectations after the Cup win: Marchand at six years, $5.25M AAV; Bennett at eight years, $8M AAV; and Ekblad at eight years, $6.1M AAV. Marchand added he isn’t chalking Florida’s success only up to taxes, noting many no-tax clubs are also well-run, pointing to recent deep runs and titles by Tampa Bay, Vegas, and Dallas alongside Florida’s back-to-back Cups.

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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/nhl-notebook-utah-mammoth-plan-waive-connor-ingram

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

NHL Notebook: Kings’ Anze Kopitar to retire after 2025-26 season

The Edmonton Oilers will only have to deal with Anze Kopitar for one more season as the lifetime L.A. King is set to retire after this season.

Drafted by the Kings 11th overall in the 2005 draft, the 38-year-old sat alongside his wife and two kids Thursday to make the announcement.

“I want to get this out of the way now to where I’m not a distraction for the team,” Kopitar said. “For example, if we’re in a fight coming down the stretch the last thing I want to do is take attention away from the team and put it on myself… I am looking extremely forward to this next season. I still have a lot of motivation… to compete at the very highest level.”

Kopitar’s Hall of Fame career saw him enter the league as a rookie in 2006-07, scoring 20 goals and 61 points, with his best offensive season coming in 2017-18 when the then 30-year-old put up 35 goals and 92 points in 82 games.

Alongside his two Stanley Cup rings, Kopitar has won two Selke Trophies, three Lady Byng awards, and the Mark Messier award in 2021-22.

In 71 regular-season games against the Oilers, Kopitar has scored 16 goals and 61 points, tied for the sixth-most points against any NHL team.

Kopitar’s last visit to Edmonton for a regular season game will happen on January 10th, 2026, while the last meeting will be Edmonton’s third last game of the season on April 11th, 2026.

Other news and notes…​

• Sticking in the Pacific Division, the Calgary Flames signed captain Mikael Backlund to a two-year extension. The 36-year-old is entering the final year of a deal paying him $4.5-million, while his new extension, which will kick in for the 2026-27 season, will carrying a $3.25-million cap hit.
• In other retirement news (or non-news, in this case), the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer, Alex Ovechkin, isn’t sure if this year will be his last. Speaking with Washington Capitals reporters Thursday, Ovechkin said he hadn’t spoken with general manager Chris Patrick or owner Ted Leonsis. Ovechkin, 40, is entering the final year of a five-year deal paying him $9.5-million.

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Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at [email protected].

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Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/nhl-news-los-angeles-kings-anze-kopitar-retire-after-2025-26-season

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Notes on all the players the Oilers have at training camp this year

The Edmonton Oilers officially opened training camp this week for the 2025-26 NHL season and the team’s pre-season schedule will begin on Sunday.

There are 55 players here to start, and the roster will get whittled down to 23 over the next three weeks as players are assigned to major junior or minor-league affiliates.

Though we already know most of the players bound to start the year in Edmonton, here are some notes on each of the players the Oilers have at camp.

Forwards​

Trent Frederic, L, 10

Acquired from Boston ahead of last year’s trade deadline, Trent Frederic struggled through an injury-riddled campaign and playoffs before inking an eight-year contract extension in June. The Oilers will look to a healthy Frederic to provide depth scoring and a physical edge up front.

Mattias Janmark, L, 13

Entering the second season of a three-year contract, the Oilers could use more offence from Mattias Janmark. Though he’s relied on mostly for penalty killing and defensive minutes, the veteran forward buried only two goals in 80 regular-season games last year, not ideal for a $1.45 million cap hit.

Roby Järventie, L, 15

An early second-round pick by the Senators in 2020, Roby Järventie is a big forward with skill, but he’s been limited to just 31 games over the past two seasons because of knee issues. After scoring two points in two games with Bakersfield last year, the Oilers re-signed the Finnish winger to a one-year, two-way deal. There’s a need in Edmonton for inexpensive wingers who can score, so Järventie has a path to the NHL if he can stay healthy.

Rem Pitlick, L, 16

Among the players the Condors signed in the off-season, Rem Pitlick brings speed and two-way play to Edmonton’s minor-league team. His brother, Rhett Pitlick, is also with the organization on a minor-league contract.

Zach Hyman, R, 18

Injured during the Western Conference Final back in May, Zach Hyman won’t be ready to join the Oilers until November. The hard-nosed winger has scored 144 goals in 308 games since arriving in Edmonton, and his absence creates a major hole in the team’s lineup, but the Oilers won’t risk rushing Hyman back early.

Adam Henrique, L, 19

Brought in from Anaheim ahead of the 2024 trade deadline, Adam Henrique saw his production decline in his first full season with Edmonton. The versatile veteran mostly played down the middle last year with a focus on defence, and we might see the Oilers move Henrique to the wing to unlock more offence.

Curtis Lazar, R, 20

A star player for the Memorial Cup-winning Edmonton Oil Kings a little over a decade ago, this is a bit of a homecoming for Curtis Lazar, who inked a one-year, league-minimum contract with the Oilers in July. A former first-round pick, Lazar has 125 points in 572 NHL games. If he’s past last year’s knee injury, he can be an effective depth forward and penalty killer.

Matt Savoie, R, 22

After scoring 54 points in 66 games as a rookie in the AHL last season, the Oilers are hoping Matt Savoie can break through at the NHL level in 2025-26. The ninth overall pick by the Sabres in the 2022 draft is a frontrunner to start the season on the wing of either Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.

Quinn Hutson, R, 28

A 50-point season with Boston University earned Quinn Hutson an entry-level contract with the Oilers last spring. Given Edmonton’s short roster at the time, the undrafted winger made his NHL debut with the club, appearing in two regular-season games. The path to the big leagues for Hutson this season will start with producing in Bakersfield.

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Nov 20, 2023; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) celebrates his goal against the Florida Panthers with center Leon Draisaitl (29) during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

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Leon Draisaitl, L, 29

This season will be the first of the eight-year, $112 million contract Leon Draisaitl signed last September. Last season’s Rocket Richard Trophy winner and Hart Trophy runner-up will have the league’s highest cap hit at $14 million in 2025-26.

David Lewandowski, L, 38

One of two 2025 draft picks at Edmonton’s training camp this year, the Oilers selected David Lewandowski in the fourth round from the Saskatoon Blades. Born in Schwetzingen, Germany, the winger scored 39 points in 52 games in his first WHL season.

Seth Griffith, R, 39

Signed by the Oilers to a two-way contract back in October of 2020, Griffith has led Bakersfield in scoring in each of the past four seasons. The Condors named Griffith their captain early last season.

Brady Stonehouse, L, 41

An undrafted free agent signed by the Oilers in October of 2023, Brady Stonehouse made the jump from the OHL to AHL last season, playing in seven games with the Condors. The tenacious winger scored 37 goals in 2022-23 with the Ottawa 67’s but hasn’t come close to that in two seasons since.

Kasperi Kapanen, R, 42

Claimed off waivers from the Blues last November, Kapanen inked a one-year, $1.3 million deal with the Oilers following a strong playoff run. The speedy winger scored three goals, including an overtime winner, and six points over 12 playoff games. Edmonton hopes to see more of playoff Kapanen in 2025-26.

Matvey Petrov, R, 43

Entering the final season of his entry-level contract, Petrov needs to take a step forward in Bakersfield to remain in Edmonton’s plans. The Russian winger scored nine goals and 16 points in 50 games for the Condors last season.

Matt Copponi, R, 45

Selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft, Copponi signed a two-year, minor-league deal with the Condors in June after wrapping up his NCAA career with Boston University. He’ll need to impress in Bakersfield to earn an entry-level deal with the Oilers.

Max Jones, L, 46

Acquired along with Frederic from the Bruins last season, Jones scored one goal and two points over 19 games with the Oilers and didn’t suit up during the playoffs. The big winger cleared through waivers last year and spent most of 2024-25 on Boston’s AHL team before the trade.

Jayden Grubbe, R, 47

The Rangers picked Grubbe in the third round of the 2021 draft and flipped him to Edmonton for a fifth-round pick a couple of years later. Since signing his entry-level deal, the 6-foot-3 centre has scored just 10 goals and 28 points over 129 AHL games. He needs to take a step in Bakersfield to get another contract with the Oilers.

Noah Philp, R, 48

After getting a 15-game cup of coffee with the Oilers last season, Philp is in the mix for the team’s fourth-line centre spot this year. The former University of Alberta Golden Bear has performed well in the AHL and would need to go through waivers if Edmonton wants to send him to Bakersfield again.

James Hamblin, L, 52

Signed to a minor-league deal after going undrafted, James Hamblin eventually earned an entry-level contract with the Oilers. The Edmonton native is heading into the second season of a two-year deal and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Isaac Howard, L, 53

Acquired in an off-season trade with the Lightning, Howard is looking to jump straight from the NCAA to the NHL, and Edmonton is prepared to offer that opportunity to the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner. A high-energy winger with a knack for big goals, Howard will surely get a look alongside both McDavid and Draisaitl in the fall.

Tommy Lafrenière, R, 54

One of two 2025 draft picks at Edmonton’s training camp this year, the Oilers selected Tommy Lafrenière with their first selection at 83rd overall. The winger scored 56 points in 68 games on a Kamloops Blazers team that missed the playoffs. The goal for Lafrenière this year is to help his WHL club back into the playoffs.

William Nicholl, L, 56

After winning the Memorial Cup with the London Knights, it was announced that Nicholl underwent upper-body surgery, with the timeline for recovery being four to six months. Edmonton’s seventh-round pick from the 2024 draft enjoyed a breakout season in the OHL and should play a key role in London when he’s back. He needs to be signed by June 1, 2026.

Viljami Marjala, L, 57

An off-season signing from Finland, Marjala stood out as one of Edmonton’s top players during the NextGen Showcase with Calgary. The skilled Finn was selected by the Sabres in the fifth round in 2021 out of the QMJHL, but never signed with the Sabres. The 22-year-old will be an interesting player to watch this year in Bakersfield.

Connor Clattenburg, L, 64

Taken in the fifth round of the 2024 draft, Connor Clattenburg scored 35 points in 46 games in his final OHL season while racking up 108 penalty minutes. A cannonball winger who hits everything in sight, Clattenburg will make the jump to pro hockey in 2025-26.

Rhett Pitlick, L, 68

Among the players the Condors signed in the off-season, Rhett Pitlick brings speed and two-way play to Edmonton’s minor-league team. His brother, Rem Pitlick, is also with the organization on a minor-league contract.

James Stefan, R, 70

The son of former NHLer Patrik Stefan, the Oilers signed James Stefan to a three-year, entry-level contract in March of 2024 following a 101-point season in the WHL. The winger struggled with the jump to pro hockey, scoring 12 points in 57 games between the AHL and ECHL.

Josh Samanski, L, 81

A 40-point campaign in Germany’s DEL earned Josh Samanski a two-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers last spring. Now 23, the 6-foot-5 pivot will be playing in North America for the first time 2019-20 when he scored 20 points in 54 games in the OHL.

David Tomášek, R, 86

After leading the SHL in scoring last year, Tomášek inked a one-year, $1.2 million deal with the Oilers. The versatile forward doesn’t need to clear through waivers to go down to Bakersfield, but it seems likely he’ll stick with Edmonton.

Andrew Mangiapane, L, 88

Without much salary cap room to work with this summer, the most notable free-agent addition the Oilers made was Andrew Mangiapane, who inked a one-year, $3 million pact. The winger scored 14 goals last season for the Capitals and 14 goals the year before that with Calgary. Another 14-goal campaign would be fine value, but Edmonton is quietly hoping the former Flame can find something close to his 35-goal career-high from 2021-22.

Vasily Podkolzin, L, 92

Acquired last August from the Canucks after Dylan Holloway signed an offer sheet with the Blues, Vasily Podkolzin impressed during his first season in Edmonton, showing flashes of the skill and toughness that made him the tenth overall pick in the 2019 draft. The big Russian is eligible to become a restricted free agent next summer with arbitration rights, so we could see an extension in the coming weeks.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, L, 93

Now halfway through his eight-year, $41 million contract, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has seen back-to-back years of decline since setting his career-high with 104 points in 2022-23. Still an effective and versatile two-way player, the Oilers need more offence than the 49 points RNH scored last year.

Connor McDavid, L, 97

The captain’s contract is among the biggest stories coming into training camp this year. McDavid appears comfortable heading into the 2025-26 campaign without an extension in place. Maybe he’s trying to spark some urgency?

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Feb 4, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (2) checks St. Louis Blues right wing Alexey Toropchenko (13) during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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Defencemen​

Evan Bouchard, R, 2

The Oilers didn’t take any risks with offer sheets this summer, signing restricted free agent Evan Bouchard to a four-year, $42 million contract on June 30. The puck-moving defender has finished 11th and fifth in Norris Trophy voting the past two seasons, with his best play coming during the playoffs. Now that he’s paid like a number-one defenceman, the magnifying glass following Bouchard around will be even more intense than usual.

Mattias Ekholm, L, 14

For the first time since he was acquired from Nashville in 2023, there’s uncertainty around what Mattias Ekholm can bring this season. Now 35, the Swedish defender was limited by illness and injury in 2024-25, suiting up for 65 regular-season games and only seven playoff games. At full strength, Ekholm has been a reliable top-pairing defender. But is he still at full strength?

Darnell Nurse, L, 25

If Ekholm can’t be Edmonton’s top left-handed defender this year, the team will need Darnell Nurse to take on a larger role. Though he isn’t the most expensive defenceman on the team anymore and Bouchard will absorb much of the spotlight, the Oilers still really need to be able to lean on Nurse to play heavy and difficult minutes.

Brett Kulak, L, 27

The four-year, $11 million contract that Brett Kulak signed a few months after being acquired by Edmonton at the 2022 trade deadline is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season. The Stony Plain, Alberta native has suited up in every game for the Oilers since the trade, giving the team a steady presence on their third defensive pairing. Kulak is one of the impending free agents you’d expect to be locked up well before July 1.

Atro Leppänen, L, 37

The Oilers inked Arto Leppänen to a one-year, entry-level contract in April following a 2024-25 campaign that saw the smooth defender lead Liiga in scoring. The Finn will be among a handful of rookies in Bakersfield this year, and a solid showing with the Condors could lead to an NHL opportunity during the dog days of winter.

Josh Brown, R, 44

One of the most puzzling signings of Jeff Jackson’s short tenure as general manager was the three-year, $3 million contract given to fringe NHLer Josh Brown. The shutdown defender had a poor showing in training camp, cleared through waivers, and only played 10 games for the Oilers in 2024-25. Barring an injury to somebody else, it’s very likely we see Brown on waivers en route to Bakersfield again in the coming weeks.

Ty Emberson, R, 49

Acquired last summer in exchange for veteran Cody Ceci, Ty Emeberson had a solid first season in Edmonton, logging an average of 15:07 per night over 76 regular-season games. After seeing limited action during the playoffs, the hope is that the Oilers give the 25-year-old some tougher minutes this season.

Troy Stecher, R, 51

With Ceci out of the picture, Troy Stecher wound up being the defender to take on a larger role than expected for the Oilers. The former Canuck found chemistry alongside Nurse on Edmonton’s second pairing, giving the team safe and dependable minutes along with the occasional well-timed emotional spark.

Cam Dineen, L, 55

Part of the Nick Bjugstad trade back in 2023, Cam Dineen has become a mainstay on Bakersfield’s blueline. The 5-foot-11 defender scored 43 points in 59 games for the Condors last season and was called up for a four-game stint with the NHL club.

Riley Stillman, L, 61

A fourth-round pick in the 2016 draft, Riley Stillman has bounced around from the Panthers, Blackhawks, Canucks, Sabres, Hurricanes, and now to the Oilers. The 27-year-old defender split the last two seasons between the NHL and AHL and will be among Edmonton’s call-up options from Bakersfield.

Damien Carfagna, L, 73

Signed to an entry-level deal in April after a 28-point season with Ohio State University, Damien Carfagna will be one of a few rookies looking for playing time on Bakersfield’s blueline.

Alec Regula, R, 75

Claimed off waivers from Boston last December, Alec Regula didn’t play any NHL or AHL games in 2024-25 because he was recovering from an off-season knee injury. The 6-foot-4 defender was selected in the third round of the 2018 draft by the Red Wings. He was traded to the Blackhawks in exchange for Brendan Perlini and was later moved to the Bruins in a deal to acquire Taylor Hall.

Luke Prokop, R, 77

Selected in the third round of the 2020 draft by Nashville, Luke Prokop wasn’t tendered a qualifying offer this summer and became an unrestricted free agent. The Edmonton native and former Oil King signed a minor-league deal with the Condors and will add depth to the blueline in Bakersfield.

Mason Millman, L, 78

A fourth-round pick of the Flyers in 2019, Mason Millman has played five seasons between the AHL and ECHL. Millman signed a minor-league contract with the Condors in August.

Beau Akey, R, 82

Edmonton’s top pick in the 2023 draft at 56th overall, Beau Akey signed his entry-level contract just a few months later. The puck-moving defender’s post-draft season was derailed by a shoulder injury that required surgery, but Akey bounced back with a solid final OHL campaign in 2024-25, scoring 32 points in 52 games for the Barrie Colts.

Jake Walman, L, 96

It’s difficult to say which of Edmonton’s impending free agent defenders will be around beyond this season. Maybe Ekholm, Kulak, and Stecher all sign new deals, maybe they all leave. Who knows? The defenceman who the Oilers appear most likely to lock up to a multi-year deal is Jake Walman, who was excellent after being acquired last season from the Sharks. The 29-year-old is set to earn a nice raise from his $3.4 million annual salary.

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Jun 4, 2025; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) reacts with goaltender Calvin Pickard (30) after defeating the Florida Panthers in overtime for game one of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images

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Goaltenders​

Calvin Pickard, L, 30

Since being recalled from Bakersfield to replace Jack Campbell in November 2023, Calvin Pickard has been as steady as you could ask from a $1 million goalie signed for AHL depth. The 2010 Avalanche second-rounder (49th overall) has a .903 save percentage over 59 games as Edmonton’s backup, along with an 8-2 record in the playoffs.

Connor Ungar, L, 32

The Oilers signed Connor Ungar to a two-year, entry-level contract after an excellent season with Brock University. In his first pro campaign in 2024-25, the Calgary, Alberta native posted a 0.903 save percentage in 35 games for Edmonton’s ECHL affiliate. He’ll be competing for playing time this season with two rookie goalies and a veteran third-stringer.

Samuel Jonsson, L, 34

After being named Goaltender of the Year in Allsvenskan, Samuel Jonsson is set to make his debut in North America in 2025-26. Edmonton’s fifth-round pick from the 2022 draft posted a 17-6 record and .922 save percentage in Sweden’s second-flight pro league last year, launching him up the organization’s top prospects list. With other goalies vying for the net in Bakersfield, the Oilers could start Jonsson in the ECHL for more playing time.

Nathaniel Day, L, 40

Edmonton’s sixth round of the 2023 draft, Nathaniel Day signed his entry-level deal last spring and impressed in his professional debut in the ECHL. The former Flint Firebird put up an absurd .981 save percentage in three regular-season games with the Fort Wayne Komets and then posted a .914 save percentage in five playoff games. As with Jonsson, it’s difficult to say at this point if Day will be with the Condors or Komets to start the season.

Stuart Skinner, L, 74

We’ve talked about a handful of impending free agents on this list and undoubtedly the most divisive is goaltender Stuart Skinner. The local product has gone to the Stanley Cup Final with his hometown club in back-to-back years but hasn’t been able to lead the team to glory. Observers gasped and shook their fists at the thought of Skinner commanding a deal worth $5-6 million, but that’s what teams have been paying goalies with much shorter resumes in recent years.

Matt Tomkins, L, 90

Signed to a two-year, two-way contract with an AHL salary of $400k, the Oilers brought in Matt Tomkins to be the veteran goalie on the Condors and the third-string option for Edmonton. The Sherwood Park, Alberta native has experience ranging from the NCAA to Sweden to the Olympics, and he’ll be leaned on as a mentor for the young goalies previously mentioned.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/notes-all-55-players-edmonton-oilers-training-camp-2025-26

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Oilers reveal first look at Stuart Skinner’s new mask

Is there any goaltending tradition more fun than the reveal of a new mask?

Earlier this week, the Edmonton Oilers revealed a first look on Instagram at Stuart Skinner’s mask for the upcoming season.

Designed by David Gunnarsson, the artist behind DaveArt, the mask is called the Edmonton Oil Splatter. Gunnarsson described how he aimed to represent the passion of the city through the design:

A raw and powerful tribute to the Oilers and the city they represent. Oil splashes across the mask in bold orange, wrapping around the classic Oilers logo, the skyline, and the iconic oil rigs that built Edmonton’s legacy.

Stuart Skinner’s 2025 mask is pure Oil Country energy – fierce, gritty, and unstoppable.

Gunnarsson has been designing and painting goalie masks for decades now, becoming one of the leading mask designers for the NHL. Fans of goalie masks are well aware that Skinner has long had fun with putting his helmet art on display, like this one from his strong 2022-23 season:

Skinner got a new mask & we think it's Stu-pendous. pic.twitter.com/4DZ1zg85rW

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 23, 2022

Or how about this one from last season:

https://t.co/ti3wa1bt9n pic.twitter.com/DIRb6uEK7J

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 1, 2024

Earlier this week, Oilers GM Stan Bowman affirmed his faith in Skinner as Edmonton’s number one goalie for another year. In tandem with Calvin Pickard, Skinner has been a driving force in getting the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final in back-to-back seasons, while also suffering periods of poorer play.

Coming into training camp, Bob Stauffer on 880 CHED said that Skinner “looks quicker, looks more agile and, frankly, physically, when you see him up close, it’s obvious he’s dropped some weight.” He’ll be looking to put that new version of himself on display this year, as he and the Oilers attempt to overcome that final hurdle and win the Stanley Cup. Add to that his goal of making Canada’s Olympic roster, and Skinner will certainly be putting his best foot forward to start year.

Now with fresh paint on his mask, Skinner is ready to carry that swagger in between the pipes and show what he can do when the Oilers take the ice in October.

What do you think of Skinner’s new mask design?

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ARTICLE PRESENTED BY bet365​

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-stuart-skinner-new-mask

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

What does a successful 2025-26 season look like for Oilers’ Ryan Nugent-Hopkins?

It’s hard to believe, with the 2025-26 season upon us, that this will be Edmonton Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ 15th NHL season. To put that into perspective, when the former first-overall pick first joined the league back in 2011, Oilers’ youngster Matt Savoie had probably just started Timbits hockey and still needed help tying his skates.

That said, somewhere along the way, Nugent-Hopkins must’ve sipped from the fountain of youth, because almost 15 years after being drafted, he’s not only aged gracefully but also continues to make an impact in almost every facet of the game. With that in mind, below we take a look at what a successful 2025-26 campaign could look like for the longest-serving Oiler.

Continue Being the Oilers’ Best Jack-of-All-Trades Player​

Among the things you can always count on from Nugent-Hopkins, year in and year out, are his patented low-blocker snipes throughout the season and the overall versatility he brings to the team. Few Oilers wear as many hats as he does.

He plays center, wing and plays on both special teams, and if there was ever a need for an emergency Zamboni driver at Rogers Place, I’d imagine he’d step in for that role in a pinch as well. Speaking of special teams, not only will he remain an integral part of the power-play unit — hopefully improving on last season’s 12th-ranked 23.7% PP — but he’ll also be leaned on more heavily this upcoming season on the penalty kill.

Nugent-Hopkins played the most shorthanded minutes last regular season of any Oiler (134:52), and with Connor Brown, who played the second-most PK minutes (129:54), now gone, there’s a hole on the penalty kill that needs to be filled. The Burnaby, BC native will have to step up again, either by taking on more minutes himself or by mentoring whichever new players join the unit, and hopefully he can help his team improve on the 78% PK they achieved last season, and fingers crossed they can creep into the 80% range, which would put them around a top-10 spot in the league.

In August, I wrote a piece about all the coaches Nugent-Hopkins has played for during his tenure with the Oilers, and one quote that really stood out came from former Oilers’ head coach Dallas Eakins, who said the former first overall pick simply does what’s asked of him, saying, “The thing I like about Nuge is he’s a bobblehead,” He added, “I ask him to do something, and he nods his head. Not only does he nod his head, he goes and does it.”

That Eakins quote was from 2013, and almost 12 years later, the now 32-year-old Oiler still seems to just nod his head whenever he’s asked to do something. That said, in the upcoming season, Jason Gregor recently noted that Nugent-Hopkins will spend most of his time down the middle, likely at the request of his coaches, having said:

“I think Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will spend more time as a centre than a winger this season. He will be the third-line centre mainly, except for when head coach Kris Knoblauch plays McDavid with Leon Draisaitl, which I think will be less than last season if players remain healthy.”

I’ll admit, before last season, I thought Nugent-Hopkins’ best days as a centerman were behind him. However, there were stretches when he played down the middle last season that were among his most productive (which I’ll go into in more detail in the next section). Overall, part of his success this season will come from a familiar role — being the Swiss Army knife the Oilers can rely on in practically any situation.

How Many Points Will Make Nugent-Hopkins’ Season a Success?​

Since he put up 104 points in 2022-23, Nugent-Hopkins’ points per game (PPG) has slipped from 0.84 to 0.63 last season, where he tallied 49 points. Of course, the Burnaby, BC native brings more than points to the table, but his drop in points is a tad concerning, as Zach Laing summarized his offence in his end-of-season review, saying, “His individual impacts did take a hit this season. According to Hockey Viz, he drove offence at a five percent rate below league average.”

Of Nugent-Hopkins’ 49 points last season, 20 came on the power play, which was a slight drop from the previous season, when 26 of his 67 points came with the man advantage. Additionally, the linemates he played most with at 5-on-5 last season were Zach Hyman (471:31) and Connor McDavid (440:28). This means that despite spending the bulk of his minutes alongside the best player in the world, McDavid, his point production still took a hit. Having said that, one might conclude that the 32-year-old is in the downswing of his career and he’s now perhaps a 40–45 point player.

But hold on a second.

As Gregor noted, the longest-serving Oiler is expected to spend more time down the middle this season. Last March, he had a 13-game stretch playing center where he was quite productive, with Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson as his primary wingers, and tallied 10 points in that span, which included scoring a hat trick against the Seattle Kraken on March 22.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with his fourth career hat trick!

: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/znZGJfuGoX

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) March 23, 2025

Moreover, perhaps the Oilers having Nugent-Hopkins play mainly center this upcoming season isn’t just out of necessity, but because he’s just simply more effective down the middle, which makes sense, because he gets to cover more ice and get more puck touches.

Additionally, the interesting thing about the way the Oilers roster is currently constructed is that, aside from the superstars, no player’s spot is set in stone, and there’s going to be a lot of experimenting early. Nugent-Hopkins will likely play most of his minutes at 3C, and right away, I can think of some interesting line combinations. For example, if the Oilers are looking for a hard-working veteran line, they could put together Adam Henrique – Nugent-Hopkins – Trent Frederic, with any of those players capable of playing center. That said, Tyler Yaremchuk brought up a good point and recently explained why Oilers youngsters Isaac Howard or Matt Savoie could thrive on the third line with Nugent-Hopkins, saying:

“Eventually, this season, I do want to see both Howard and Savoie get extended looks in the Oilers’ top six, but there are multiple benefits to having one of them on the Oilers’ third line with Nugent-Hopkins.

While they would still be playing with a very good centreman, having them lower in the lineup could help ease them into their first full NHL season and could give the Oilers a strong, scoring third line, which is something they’ve been in search of for a few seasons now.”

Of the two players mentioned, the one I think would initially work well with Nugent-Hopkins is Savoie, and the benefit is that they wouldn’t be going up against the opposition’s top-pairing D-men or elite shutdown forwards. Also, I feel Nugent-Hopkins meshes well with skilled, tenacious players who can grind down low, as he showed chemistry in spurts in the past with former Oiler Kailer Yamamoto, though Savoie might have the edge in skill. Throw in either Henrique, Frederic, or even Podkolzin, who worked well with Nugent-Hopkins last season, to round out the third line, and you’ve got the ingredients for a hardworking unit that can also put the puck in the back of the net.

All in all, if Nugent-Hopkins can be more effective at 5v5 as a centerman, be paired with quality linemates, and continue to be effective on the power play, I still see him as a 50-point player at minimum, which to me is the baseline for a successful campaign. With that in mind, Nation Citizens, how many points do you see Nugent-Hopkins putting up this season?

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/succe...-like-for-edmonton-oilers-ryan-nugent-hopkins

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Oilers unveil new alternate jersey to be worn seven times during 2025-26 season

The Edmonton Oilers have some new threads entering the 2025-26 season.

On Saturday afternoon, the Oilers released their third jersey for the upcoming season at practice. It boasts a vintage look that pays homage to the blue-collar culture surrounding Edmonton, featuring a tribute patch that celebrates the city’s industries.

The Edmonton Oilers reveal the new third jersey pic.twitter.com/6Wrzg36VD3

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) September 20, 2025

This jersey features white as its base colour, with orange stripes that are prevalent on the bottom, and a blue collar, one of many nods to the city’s work ethic.

Unlike most alternate jerseys, this one has a base colour of white, meaning that when the Oilers wear it at home, the away team will wear dark colours. It’s set to debut on Oct. 28 against the Utah Mammoth, but will be worn on the road on Dec. 4 against the Seattle Kraken, Dec. 6 against the Winnipeg Jets, Dec. 23 against the Calgary Flames, and Jan. 31 against the Minnesota Wild.

Additionally, it will act as a road jersey in back-to-back games against the Chicago Blackhawks and Nashville Predators on Jan. 12 and 13th, respectively. The jersey will be worn a total of seven times in the 2025-26 season.

After having an alternate jersey from 2019-20 until 2023-24, the Oilers elected not to have a third jersey throughout the 2024-25 season. Their latest third jersey was the navy blue jersey with an orange logo, the same jersey they wore throughout the 2022 postseason. In 2023-24, they played in a Heritage Classic against the Flames, with that jersey being one of their best third jerseys in recent times.

This jersey was leaked a few weeks ago, but it looks better than anticipated. Unfortunately, it’s not the original Oil drop, nor their dark jerseys they used from the 1996-97 season until the 2006-07 season, but anything beats the pumpkin jerseys they used from 2017-18 until 2021-22 (the first iteration used from 2015-16 until 2016-17 were fine).

Time will tell if the Oilers will use this more than the seven times that are scheduled, but overall, they’re pretty solid.

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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-unveil-new-alternate-jersey-2025-26-season

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Six forwards battling for roster spots on the Oilers this pre-season

For some players, the NHL preseason is relatively meaningless. It’s a chance to get their body and timing up to speed and nothing more. For others, this is a career-altering time of year. The Edmonton Oilers have numerous players in the latter scenario coming into camp.

In the offseason, the team said goodbye to Corey Perry, Viktor Arvidsson, Connor Brown, Jeff Skinner and Evander Kane. Edmonton parted ways with multiple veteran forwards and will need some fresh blood to come in and replace them.

Many of the Oilers’ opening night hopefuls have never cracked an NHL roster out of camp, so this is a chance to take a big step in their careers. Let’s look at some of the forwards who lack NHL experience, but will look to seize one of the roster spots up for grabs.

Matt Savoie​

The Oilers Traded Ryan McLeod to the Buffalo Sabres for Matt Savoie in July 2024. The highly skilled forward was drafted ninth overall in 2022. Savoie spent last season with the Bakersfield Condors and produced at an impressive clip, finishing with 54 points in 66 games. He earned a four-game call-up to Edmonton last season and picked up an assist.

Why he’s in the mix: Savoie brings speed, creativity, and high-end skill. He excels in all three zones and has serious versatility. He’s an excellent defensive player who can kill penalties but also has the talent and offensive instincts that could help him succeed at the top of the lineup.

What he needs to prove to earn a spot: In short, not much. Stan Bowman has preached the importance of having youth on this year’s Oilers squad, and Savoie is head and shoulders above his young peers in this organization. He looks poised to play in the NHL full-time this year.

David Tomasek​

On April 2nd, the Oilers signed 29-year-old David Tomasek, an offensive star playing in Sweden, to a one-year deal worth $1.2M. Tomasek led the SHL in Points with an impressive 24-33-57 in 47 games. He’s done nearly a full European tour at this point, playing in the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, and Sweden over the past 10 years. He hasn’t played in North America since 2014-15.

Why he’s in the mix: The Oilers are short on established right-shot centers, and their offseason departures have left them with available spots at right wing, too. Tomasek is a righty who can play either of these positions of need. He’s got a quick and deceptive shot that should translate well to the NHL, and his recent track record in Sweden suggests there’s intriguing offensive upside with this player.

What he needs to prove to earn a spot: Truthfully, I would be stunned if Tomasek didn’t make the opening night roster this season. With Zach Hyman out until November, I expect to see him in action on October 8th. However, the biggest thing I will be looking for is his skating and ability to navigate North American ice with limited time and space. If he can adapt his game to a smaller surface, he should have no problem making the team.

Ike Howard​

The most recent big splash of the summer for the Oilers was a prospect trade that helped them acquire 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner, Ike Howard, in exchange for Sam O’Reilly. The former first-round pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning had 52 points in 37 games for Michigan State University last season.

Why he’s in the mix: Howard has NHL-calibre skill and finishing ability, which could make him a nice complementary winger for a skilled centre. One of the things that made Howard more attractive to the Oilers than O’Reilly was that he’s a couple of years older. They likely feel that he will be NHL-ready soon, or even immediately.

What he needs to prove to earn a spot: To make the team out of camp, Howard must prove that some of his weaknesses, namely his play along the boards, have reached a prerequisite level for playing in the NHL. He must also show that he is ready to produce offensively against pros. He struggled a bit in the rookie games against the Calgary Flames, and if it continues into the preseason, he will probably need to spend some time in Bakersfield before he gets an opportunity with the big club.

Noah Philp​

It has been a long road for Noah Philp. The undrafted right-shot centre finally got his first taste of NHL action last year at age 26, playing 15 games with the Oilers, along with 55 for the Condors. Philp had a productive AHL campaign, registering 35 points.

Why he’s in the mix: Philp has the skillset to be an effective bottom-of-the-lineup NHL player. He was excellent on the penalty kill for Bakersfield last season, which should give him a leg up. He understands how to play away from the puck and chips in well enough offensively. He had a solid showing in his 15 NHL appearances last season. While his usage was limited to just 8:53 5v5 minutes per game, the Oilers won those minutes 5-4, and led in High-Danger Chances 26-16, according to Natural Stat Trick.

What he needs to prove to earn a spot: Producing offence while playing his usual well-rounded game might be enough for Philp to make the team out of camp. His odds increase significantly, though, if he outplays newcomer Curtis Lazar, another right-shot centre.

Quinn Hutson​

Like Tomasek and Philp, Quinn Hutson went undrafted. After three seasons of consistent progression in college, however, he earned a contract with the Oilers late last season. The winger had 50 points in 38 games for Boston University and got a two-game cup of coffee in Edmonton.

Why he’s in the mix: As the brother of Lane and Cole Hutson, Quinn shares their smaller frame but high hockey IQ. Despite his lack of size and speed, Hutson’s shooting, passing and responsible two-way game could make him an NHL player sooner rather than later.

What he needs to prove to earn a spot: Hutson will need to stand out this preseason. I don’t think most had him pencilled in on the NHL roster, but after his impressive showing against the Flames last week, and Hyman missing the start of the season, he is gaining some momentum. He will have a chance if he can keep up to a faster pace than he faced in college and in the rookie games.

Roby Jarventie​

The Oilers traded Xavier Bourgault and Alex Chiasson for Roby Jarventie in July last year. Jarventie played seven NHL games for the Ottawa Senators in 2023-24 but has spent most of his young career in the minors. He’s had some significant injury setbacks, with a knee issue in the past few years. He only played two games last season for Bakersfield.

Why he’s in the mix: Jarventie has a lot of highly sought-after attributes. He has size, standing at 6’3″, and can shoot and skate well. He’s been productive in the AHL when healthy, picking up nearly a point per game in 24 games the past two seasons.

What he needs to prove to earn a spot: The number one thing he needs to do is stay healthy and prove that he hasn’t missed a beat after being out for nearly an entire season. He has the tools to play in the NHL, and as a lefty, there might be a spot open for him if Howard needs some seasoning in the minors.

This preseason is more than a tune-up​

While their core remains intact, the Oilers made sweeping changes to their supporting cast at forward this offseason. They’ve bet on a group of younger players who could be effective but lack NHL experience. This year’s preseason will contain a lot of internal competition, and it should be fascinating to watch play out!

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/six-edmonton-oilers-forwards-battling-roster-spots-pre-season

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Road teams prevail in both split-squad games between Oilers and Flames: Recap, Highlights, and Reaction

The Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames split the split-squad games.

In Edmonton, the Flames won 3-2 in overtime, while the Oilers won 3-0 in Calgary. Let’s go through the home game first.

The Oilers opened the scoring in Edmonton. Darnell Nurse’s shot from the half-boards found a hole through the Flames’ netminder to put the Oilers up 1-0 about four minutes into the second period. Picking up the assist was Matvei Petrov.

Doc has clocked in #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/uuyVaeEnPm

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 22, 2025

The Flames scored back-to-back goals in four minutes. First, it was Morgan Frost just over seven minutes into the second period, as his shot from the faceoff dot beat Matt Tomkins. With nine minutes left in the second, Joel Farabee deflected a back-door pass past Tomkins.

Sweet dish from Rory, perfect finish from Beezer.

You love to see it pic.twitter.com/TjCbCP5b5R

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) September 22, 2025

Thankfully, the Oilers found the game-tying goal with 79 seconds left in the second period. Petrov’s great period continued, as he attempted to centre a pass, with the puck bouncing off the Flames’ defender to make it 2-2.

Petrov pinball #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/IORdSGx7FT

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 22, 2025

In overtime, Frost’s shot from the faceoff dot once again beat Tomkins for the victory. Simply put, there were too many Oilers down low that led to this goal.

Takeaways…​

Matthew Savoie had a solid game, as he showed off his speed, even if he didn’t get on the scoreboard. His linemates were Trent Frederic and Vasily Podkolzin, and they played alright.

James Hamblin was buzzing, finishing with two shots and nearly getting a shot off on a breakaway. The Oilers’ best player in this game was Matvei Petrov, who picked up an assist and a goal.

Mattias Janmark had a pretty bad turnover in front of the net in the third period, but it was waived off due to goaltender interference. Other than that, he had a quiet game. Like in the NextGen games, Vilijami Marjala was noticeable, finishing with an assist and two penalty minutes.

On defence, Darnell Nurse had a good game, scoring a goal and generating quite a few offensive opportunities. Midway through the third period, he made a nice defensive play, which otherwise would’ve been a tap-in. Overall, the left-shot defenceman finished with five shots and five blocks, the former being tied for the game high.

Also taking five shots in this game was his defence partner, Jake Walman. The two are projected to be defence partners through the season, and they looked solid out there, despite Walman being on his off-hand.

What happened in Calgary​

Just over two-and-a-half minutes into the first period, Kasperi Kapanen got the Oilers on the board, as he received a pass from Ike Howard when entering the zone for a breakaway. The initial shot was saved, but he was able to tap it in to open the scoring.

Kappy kicks off the preseason in YYC #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/4sJjHoh8LQ

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 22, 2025

Connor Clattenburg had two good NextGen games, and he was on the board once again as he picked off a pass in the slot, just over eight minutes into the final period. Clattenburg had no problem firing it back to give the Oilers an insurance goal.

Clatty adds to the #Oilers lead in YYC pic.twitter.com/1Io7IyuTd8

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 22, 2025

Midway through the third, the Oilers added another goal as Riley Stillman’s shot from the point beat the Flames’ netminder. Picking up the assists were Noah Philp and Beau Akey.

Stillman slapper in Calgary pic.twitter.com/ZfAUJ9248m

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 22, 2025

Takeaways…​

As you can imagine, Connor Clattenburg was all around the ice. He played a little under 10 minutes, but scored a goal, fought a player, had two hits, blocked two shots, and started a scrum in the final minute of the game. If he hits his potential, he’ll be a good bottom-six forward.

Noah Philp had a strong game, picking up an assist on the Oilers’ final goal. He went 7/13 in faceoffs and blocked two shots. Philp’s competition for the fourth-line right-shot centre is Curtis Lazar, who went 11/19 in faceoffs.

This was the best Ike Howard has looked in an Oilers uniform. He was okay during the two NextGen games, but picked up an assist and did well carrying the puck into the zone on Sunday. That assist came on Kasperi Kapanen’s game-opening goal, and the Finn was flying.

Sticking with Finns, Atro Leppänen may be a dude. After leading the SM-Liiga in points as a defenceman, the left-shot defenceman moved to North America and could play for the Oilers at some point next season. That’s a whole lot of left-handed defencemen and not a whole lot of spots available.

Quinn Hutson can really shoot the puck, finishing with a team-high four shots in the game. Like Leppänen, it wouldn’t be shocking to see him play with the Oilers at some point this season.

Samuel Jonsson and Nathaniel Day split goaltending duties, with Day being credited with the shutout. Jonsson faced all 12 shots he faced, while Day saved all eight shots he faced. It was good to see Jonsson bounce back after a rough start in the NextGen game.

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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/road-teams-win-both-split-squad-games-edmonton-oilers-calgary-flames

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Four Hobbits the latest celebrities to wear Oilers jerseys

From the rolling hills of The Shire to the streets of Edmonton, it’s been a long journey for Samwise, Frodo, Pippin and Merry. Well, sort of.

While those fictional characters themselves weren’t in Alberta’s capital over the weekend, the actors who represented them in The Lord of the Rings trilogy were.

Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan all took to the stage of the Edmonton Expo on Sunday, riffing as the 24th anniversary of Peter Jackson’s first movie in the trilogy was released.

And as the four hit the stage, they did so wearing Edmonton Oilers jerseys with Darnell Nurse’s No. 25 on them and their respective hobbit names on the back. The jerseys will later be auctioned off, with proceeds set to be donated to charity.

The Fellowship of the Rink

Some very special guests from Hobbiton repped the #Oilers at @EdmontonExpo this past weekend! pic.twitter.com/zmsYv82HV1

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 22, 2025

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Celebrities in an Oilers jersey​

Astin, Wood, Boyd and Monaghan are the latest high-profile celebrities to don Oilers jerseys in public. Let’s look back at some of the others.

Alice Cooper​

In the first year that Alice Cooper went solo, he embarked on a tour for his debut album, Welcome to My Nightmare. The 60-city tour across North America stopped in Edmonton on June 26th where, pictured above, he donned an Edmonton Oilers jersey while the team was just three years into their time with the World Hockey Association.

A June 27th, 1975 edition of the Edmonton Journal ran photos of Cooper on stage with the jersey with a headline of “The Exorcist of Rock.” While Cooper was dealing with three cracked ribs and a concussion after a spill at his Vancouver show four days prior, he tried to gut out a performance as best he could. The show was limited to half of what it usually would, but close to the end after playing “School’s Out,” he found the Oilers sweater backstage, “but in his condition it is unlikely Bill Hunter will expect him back in the fall for a team tryout.”

Edmonton Journal June 27, 1975

Kobe Bryant​

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more iconic photo of a celebrity than Kobe Bryant rocking a Wayne Gretzky jersey in 2002. The L.A. Lakers superstar began a trend wearing a rotation that included a New York Jets Joe Namath jersey, a Brooklyn Dodgers Jackie Robinson jersey, the Gretzky jersey and on title night, he wore a Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan jersey as they swept the New Jersey Nets.

He even had on the Gretzky jersey during his postgame interviews.

Kevin Smith​

I’m a flag-waving fool! Many thanks to the @EdmontonOilers for the honor! Let’s go, Oilers! pic.twitter.com/34pXKHxyA6

— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) October 21, 2018

American actor, director, producer and jack-of-all-trades comedian Kevin Smith is well known as a big hockey fan and fan of the Edmonton Oilers. Years ago he used to wear hockey jerseys at public events featuring Oilers colours and logos for his own brands. He got a chance to be shown on the big screen at an Oilers game in 2018, and even got a tour of Rogers Place from Kevin Lowe.

Conan O’Brien​

Famous late night talk show host and former writer on the best tv show of all time, The Simpsons, Conan O’Brien was in Edmonton in April 2010 for an appearance at the River Cree Resort and Casino.

Cadence Weapon​

The Edmonton-based rapper has long supported his hometown team, even dropping a song titled “Connor McDavid” about, well, Connor McDavid. That version got an update for the 2024 Cup run.

Daron Malakian​

System of a Down guitarist and vocalist Daron Malakian is a lifelong fan of the Oilers and has a collection of memorabilia. When the band rolled into town for a 2006 concern, Malakian got a tour of Rogers Place, fanning over the sights. He even rocked the jersey on stage that night.

Snoop Dogg​

x.com/georgeslaraque

You know the D-O-Double-G love his Edmonton Oilers. He rocked a old school Georges Laraque jersey during a June 20th, 2024 concert in Edmonton, guaranteeing the Oilers would win Game 6 of the finals. Even when he rolled into town in 2021 he had an Oilers jersey on.

Snoop rocking some nice threads today. #LetsGoOilers

( : snoopdogg on IG ) pic.twitter.com/qd8r73dJag

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) March 21, 2021

Drake​

Rapper Drake is well known to be a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and everything to do with The Six, but he was sporting a Connor McDavid jersey during a 2016 concert.

The Jonas Brothers​

THIS IS AN S.O.S

The @jonasbrothers are in the house pic.twitter.com/ZcJdLFQiIE

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 16, 2023

Who could forget when The Jonas Brothers were spotted at an Oilers game in November 2023?

Brett Hart​

World Wrestling Entertainment has come through Edmonton 13 times since it’s inception, with it’s first RAW event held on July 7th, 1997. It was there that Bret “The Hitman” Hart donned an Oilers jersey, leading to a few iconic photos that still make the rounds.

Chris Benoit​

Another Canadian wrestler Chris Benoit rocked an Oilers jersey when Smackdown came to town on May 29th, 2001.

John Cena​

Sometimes it’s hard to see John Cena, but you couldn’t miss him in a Wayne Gretzky jersey when Smackdown was in Edmonton on June 2nd, 2005.

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Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s associate editor, senior columnist, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the DFO DFS Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at [email protected].

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ARTICLE PRESENTED BY bet365​

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/celebrities-wear-edmonton-oilers-jerseys

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Oilers make first cuts as top 2025 NHL Draft picks assigned to WHL teams

One day after opening their pre-season schedule with a pair of split-squad games, the Edmonton Oilers trimmed their roster by two.

On Monday afternoon, the team announced that both Tommy Lafrenière and David Lewandowski have been sent to their respective Western Hockey League teams.

The #Oilers have returned forward Tommy Lafreniere to @BlazerHockey & forward David Lewandowski to @BladesHockey, both of @TheWHL. Best of luck this season, fellas! pic.twitter.com/RJsrzJmEd5

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 22, 2025

These were expected cuts, as Lafrenière was a third-round pick and Lewandowski was a fourth-round pick, both in the most recent draft. That said, both rose their stock in the pre-season games they played in, as Lafrenière scored twice in the Oilers’ second NextGen game. As for Lewandowski, he showed he isn’t afraid to do dirty work along the boards, something that the Oilers will need moving forward.

Lafrenière returns to the Kamloops Blazers, where he scored 24 goals and 56 points in 68 games last season. He finished fourth in both goals and points for the Blazers. Lewandowski returns to the Saskatoon Blades, where he scored 15 goals and 39 points in 52 games last season. Before joining the Blades, Lewandowski played for Düsseldorfer EG in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, playing seven games where he was held pointless.

Last season, the Blazers finished with a 24-39-5 record for 53 points, 13 points out of the final postseason spot in the WHL’s Western Conference. They’re expected to potentially fight for a playoff spot, but the Blazers are nowhere near being a top team.

The Blades found a little more success last season, finishing 37-23-8 with 82 points for sixth in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. If they reached 85 points, they would have finished second in the conference, as the best team from the two divisions finished first and second.

There will surely be more cuts on the way, as the Oilers now have 33 forwards on their training camp roster. With the two cuts, the Oilers have 53 players remaining on the training camp roster, which will dwindle down to 23 players over the coming week.

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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/edmon...freniere-david-lewandowski-assigned-whl-teams

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Random Thoughts: Zach Hyman’s timeline, Evan Bouchard, and the Oilers extend Vasily Podkolzin

It has been one of those weeks where there’s a lot rattling around in my brain, so I figured a Random Thoughts post was in order to rid my mind of its delicious contents. Between injuries, contracts, and players stepping into bigger roles, there’s no shortage of storylines worth unpacking as we inch closer to puck drop. Let’s get into it.

VASILY PODKOLZIN’S PAY DAY​

Good for Vasily Podkolzin on locking in a three-year deal worth $2.95 million per season. That’s life-changing money for a guy who chipped in eight goals and 16 assists over a full 82-game run, and it speaks to the faith the organization clearly has in him. Not only are they extending him for three years beyond this current year, but they’re also betting on his progression with a 200% raise. If that’s not belief in the kid, then I don’t know what is. Draisaitl loves playing with him, which doesn’t hurt, and there’s clearly a belief that his best hockey is still ahead. That said, I can’t help but be a little surprised by the number because I thought he’d land somewhere closer to the $2 million range. It’s not that I think this is an overpay, but it’s definitely not risk-free. I also thought he might be one of the last to sign an extension because I thought his agent would want to wait until he got a few more at-bats under his belt playing somewhere in Edmonton’s middle-six. The Oilers are betting on upside, and if Podz can make noise this season at his current $1 million ticket, the bump into 2026–27 will look like a smart gamble rather than an early reward.

ZACH HYMAN’S TIMELINE STINKS​

I’m not going to lie, I was pretty bummed when I found out that Zach Hyman is expected to miss the first month of the season. Losing him for the start of the year is like missing a wheel on the bus that drives the team forward. He’s the kind of heart and soul guy that will lay his body on the line 100% of the time if it means the team can succeed, and I’m very much going to miss that mindset while we wait for his return. We saw firsthand what his absence meant in the SCF, and I’m really hoping that we being without him doesn’t mean a similar fate for the first month of the year.

Missing Hyman isn’t just about goals or points, but also the way Hyman sets the tone. He battles, he works, and he drags teammates into the fight. That’s hard to replace, even with depth. The silver lining is opportunity: minutes open up, roles expand, and the room gets a chance to respond. If the Oilers can tread water without him, Hyman’s return will almost feel like a mid-season jolt. It’s the kind of “in-season addition” that will give the boys a boost both on and off the ice. Survive the early stretch, bank enough points, and let Hyman’s comeback play like a deadline acquisition.

EVAN BOUCHARD PRESSURE RISES​

I don’t know that I can remember a noisier contract extension than what we got when Evan Bouchard signed his four-year x $10.5 million contract back in June. He’s one of those players you either love or hate, and while I’m absolutely on Team Bouchard, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t fascinated to see how Oilers fans react to him this coming season. There’s a boom and bust kind of vibe that surrounds Bouchard, but this will be the first time he’s ever making the kind of money where ever mistake gets wrapped up what is contract says. It’s what happens with Darnell Nurse. It’s what used to happen with Shawn Horcoff. Are they all different players? Of course. But is the pressure ramped up because of the price tag? Absolutely.

The microscope gets bigger when the dollars do. That’s reality. But the same spotlight that magnifies mistakes also amplifies strengths, and Bouchard has plenty: power-play quarterbacking, clean exits, a bomb from the point, and sneaky five-on-five offence. If he can make calmer decisions in the defensive zone and let the puck do the work, the contract chatter turns into core-piece certainty. If he forces it, the noise will grow. Either way, I’m super intrigued by what will be a massive season for Dad. Gord knows the points will be there, but now the trick will be seeing even more growth regardless of where he’s at on the ice.

LINE COMBOS ARGUMENTS ​

I love arguing about line combos, and there’s nothing funnier and more entertaining to me than doing it in training camp. As I was cruising around Twitter/X over the last week, I saw all kinds of overreactions about who was playing where and why Kris Knoblauch was doing this, and all I could think about was how we are so back. Arguing about pre-season line combos only happens in markets where the fanbase is 1000% dialled in, and that is absolutely the case in Edmonton no matter how who is playing where or when. Ignoring the reactions and passion for a moment, the trio that I was most intrigued by was seeing David Tomasek and Andrew Mangiapane lined up beside Connor McDavid.

Even though I’m well aware this won’t stick long or even short-term, how cool would it be if we could find some unexpected chemistry from a line that features two new friends? The versatility Knoblauch would have in his lineup would be massive if one of these ideas can work out, and that’s why I always love seeing the blender come out at this time of year. Again, I know the pre-season doesn’t mean a whole lot when it comes to results, it would be pretty damned cool if we can hit on something early. Firing the blender up is what September is for: test, tinker, and maybe stumble into something that travels. If it sticks then that could wind up being an edge for October. If it doesn’t, no harm done. The debates are part of the fun, not a referendum on the season.

THE WRAP​

That’s the beauty of this time of year. Hyman’s absence hurts, but it also forges opportunity. Bouchard’s contract raises the stakes, but it also sets the stage for a statement season. And the line-combo blender? It’s a reminder that possibility is the point of pre-season. We’ll get real answers soon enough. Until then, argue the rushes, circle the calendar, and keep the vibes high. Hockey’s back, and that’s more than enough reason to be fired up. Agree? Disagree? Drop your ideal line combos, Podkolzin takes, and Bouch projections in the comments. I want to know what you think or even if you believe I’m out to lunch. Either way, I look forward to arguing about anything and everything above when the season kicks off two weeks from now.

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Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/rando...chard-edmonton-oilers-extend-vasily-podkolzin

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Roster battles heating up after impressive win by Oilers over Jets

The Edmonton Oilers came into the preseason with several roster spots up for grabs. But after another strong showing from their young forwards against the Winnipeg Jets, things are starting to get complicated.

Noah Philp, Quinn Hutson, and Ike Howard all put together impressive performances. Add the likes of David Tomášek and Matt Savoie to the list, and the number of players with little NHL experience pushing for roster spots is quickly becoming the most intriguing storyline of camp.

Noah Philp​

A two-assist game from Philp early in the preseason is a great start for a player who just missed making the team last season. He may not be the youngest guy vying for a roster spot for the first time, but he is continuing to build on his game.

He led all Oiler players with a 58% expected goal share and had the best faceoff percentage, winning 61% of his draws. As one of Edmonton’s few right-shot centers, the ability to win faceoffs and drive play are keys for him to make the team.

In this game, he did some nice work on the forecheck; he forced several turnovers and rushed, uncontrolled zone exits.

The most notable play he made was his second assist of the game. Philp picked the puck up along the half wall, and with his head up, he fired a perfect saucer pass onto the tape of Emberson, who scored the eventual game-winning goal.

There weren’t many noteworthy moments in transition from him in this game, but his work in the offensive and defensive zones was exemplary. Could Philp earn himself a spot over a veteran NHLer like Curtis Lazar? It’s something to keep an eye on.

Quinn Hutson​

The most consistent player for the Oilers so far is Hutson. He has points in three of the four games he’s played since the start of rookie camp and continues raising his stock.

His goal in this game came on a fantastic deflection. He parked in front of the net and got good stick position on Kale Clague to redirect the puck top-shelf. Hutson’s knack for getting himself in the right spots has been a theme all camp.

The chances he generated on a second-period power play also caught my eye. First, a high danger pass right into the slot, and then a one-timer. Neither resulted in a goal, but they were terrific chances.

Hutson was not someone I was expecting to see on the team come opening night, but he is starting to make a believer out of me. At this moment, I would have him slotted ahead of Mattias Janmark on my depth chart.

Ike Howard​

Howard is getting more and more comfortable each game. After an underwhelming rookie camp, Howard has found his stride in the preseason. This game was his best showing yet. Howard has a sound understanding of how to move off the puck in the offensive zone. He looks like a kid in a candy store when he finds himself open, tapping and waving his stick.

There was an extended shift where Howard, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Kasperi Kapanen had the Jets on their heels for over a minute. He constantly telegraphed one-timers, moved in and out of traffic, and got himself open in shooting positions. It wasn’t long before he finally buried his first goal on the power play. It was his signature one-time rocket on a brilliant feed from Nugent-Hopkins.

Howard was all around the puck in this game. Whether it was cycling in the offensive zone or slamming on the brakes during a rush to hit Kapanen in the slot, he seemed to be feeling confident. He looks ready to play middle-six in the NHL right now.

Roster Implications​

We’ve seen these players in action a few times this fall, and it’s becoming increasingly clear that they all deserve a look in the NHL. Taking jobs away from veteran players who have been through multiple deep playoff runs is difficult. But, at this point, Mattias Janmark and Adam Henrique are depreciating assets.

There will always be a bias toward veteran players in the NHL because coaches trust players with experience. But right now, Savoie, Howard, Philp, and Hutson are earning it.

There should be room for most, if not all, of these players to be on the opening night roster while Hyman is out. But how many young players is too many for a contending team? And would the Oilers ever consider sending someone like Janmark to the minors to make room for them all? One Thing’s for sure: these NHL hopefuls aren’t just knocking on the door, they’re kicking it down.

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Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/edmon...heating-up-after-impressive-win-winnipeg-jets

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

‘Seriously disappointed by this coaching decision’: Fans react as Oilers unite McDavid and Draisaitl during pre-season

The noise around the Edmonton Oilers continues to get louder as we approach the start of the new campaign. With pre-season underway, the Oilers are trying a variety of line combinations. Still, none got more attention than when head coach Kris Knoblauch told team reporters that Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid would begin the season on the same line.

Before their matchup against the Seattle Kraken, Leon Draisaitl shared his thoughts on the reaction from the hockey world.

“Guys, we’ve done this, 10, 11 years, it’s going to switch, it’s going to go back and forth. I do think it’s probably easier to coach for him, when we’re together, coach the bench. We’ve done this for so long, we know exactly how to flip-flop back and forth, and if we’re together or apart, obviously always excited to play with him, always a pleasure to be on the same line as him, we’ll see where it goes.”

Fans, however, are hesitant about the idea and have been vocal about it online across social media platforms, as many feel the team performs better with the two star players on separate lines.

“Here is my yearly reminder that the early season should be used to figure out some things that work. By the time you hit the stretch, you should know who works with who and who doesn’t. FIGURE OUT WHO CAN BE WINGERS FOR 29/97 ON SEPARATE LINES NOW SO WE AREN’T SCRAMBLING IN APRIL.” — Fivestargc via X

“It’s not even game one of the season and we are already turning to McDrai HAHAHAHHA.” — Leashadawg via X

“This is so stupid. Time and time again, it has been shown that those two driving their own lines is the key to success. The offense becomes completely stagnant outside of the top line, which forces you to run the top line 30+ minutes, which leads to burnout very quick. Dumb.” — Eric Allen via X

“The Oilers are a better hockey team when Leon and Connor are split up, why?” — The Juiceman via X

“This might actually be a good idea. Force the other three lines (especially with 2-3 NHL rookies) to drive play on their own, therefore balancing the roster with scoring threats.” — One for One Podcast via X

“Seriously disappointed by this coaching decision. Maybe having no extension for Knob isn’t a bad thing like I thought it was. McDrai hasn’t been the answer for 10 years now and won’t be this time.” — JenMN72 via X

There’s a sense of pessimism to the McDrai line, that it’s a last-resort option because the rest of the team can’t produce on its own without them. Tonight, against the Kraken, fans will get to see how the two perform, with Trent Frederic on the right wing.

“They want to see how Frederic will play with them both, cause if he can play the Maroon role right now in his prime, that’ll be good for the team and Frederic given the contract he has. Hyman isn’t getting any younger and RNH plays better overall at center. Could also just be Davo wanting to play with Drai specifically.” — thecanehdiansteve via Instagram

“It’s probably to see how Frederic plays with either one of them. We all know Knoblauch switches the lines throughout the game. Nothing to look into.” — Mr. gjerde via Instagram

“I like the logic tbh, it makes sense to give everyone else ice time and pretty much guarantee some results from the top line.” — Kianmarz via TikTok

“I like his reasoning [Knoblauch]. But we did see [Kapanen], Drai, Podz work really well in the playoffs.” — Tequila Hulk via TikTok

“I feel like McDavid and Drai do a lot more with others than they do with each other. Also, spreading out their talent on two lines is what made us so dangerous. Yeah, it’s nice to see 97 and 29 creating magic but it’s not necessary. Unless they want the other lines to step up, I can see it.” — GetawayDreamer via TikTok

Whenever the two are on the same line together, it always sparks a conversation around Oilersnation. To some, this may not be news, as it has happened so many times in the past, but for others, they want the coaching staff to stop this.

Kris Knoblauch has his reasons for this decision. Especially with Zach Hyman slated to return to the lineup in early November, the Oilers likely want insurance on that top line and to see if the other forwards can create offense on their own without the reliance on 29 and 97.

It’s important to remember that the lines do change mid-game; there’s no guarantee that McDavid and Draisaitl will play each even-strength minute together.

This is just one of many decisions the Oilers coaching staff will have to make ahead of the team’s home opener on October 8 against the Calgary Flames.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/serio...t-edmonton-oilers-mcdavid-draisaitl-same-line

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

What does a successful 2025-26 season look like for Oilers’ Evan Bouchard?

Evan Bouchard heads into the 2025–26 season as the Edmonton Oilers’ highest-paid defenceman and the fourth-highest-paid blueliner in the entire NHL, with the first year of his four-year contract paying $10.5 million annually, kicking in.

With a big contract, there’s a different kind of energy around Bouchard this season. Gone are the days of wondering, “What’s his potential?” We’re now asking, “Can he cement himself as one of the league’s best D-men?” With that in mind, let’s take a look at what a successful season could look like for the Oilers’ top-paid blueliner.

How Many Points Will Make Bouchard’s Season a Success?​

In 2023–24, Bouchard tallied 82 points in 81 games, and just typing that out is a reminder of how remarkable it is that the Oilers have a D-man capable of scoring over a point per game — gone are the days of a player like Corey Potter being the most dangerous offensive threat from the blue line.

That said, Bouchard’s point total dipped last regular season, finishing with 67. Still, that total was good for fifth among blueliners in the NHL, and a successful campaign this upcoming season would see him climb into the 70–75 point range. The path to getting there? Fire more pucks on net on the power play.

In 2023–24, of Bouchard’s 82 points, 35 came on the power play (8G, 27A). However, his power-play points dropped to 26 (3G, 23A) last season. Additionally, comparing the two seasons, Bouchard’s shots per 60 minutes on the power play also fell from 12.45 to 10.25, which is reflected in the five fewer power-play goals he scored last season compared to the 2023-24 campaign.

Considering that, Bouchard shooting more in general, especially on the man advantage, will boost his point totals in addition to helping the power-play unit, which finished 12th last season. Adding to that, his usual defence partner, Mattias Ekholm, shares the same sentiment, having said in a recent interview, “I try to tell him all the time, shoot the puck.” He added, “I’d like him to shoot it every chance he gets.”

Inch Closer to True #1 Defenceman Status​

Last year, I deemed a key factor in a successful season for Bouchard as “take a step toward becoming a complete D-man consistently.” This season, my expectations for him are a bit higher. With bigger achievements and a bigger pay cheque come bigger expectations, and while making $10.5 million a season, a successful campaign would see him inch closer to becoming a true #1 D-man in the NHL — one who plays big minutes, produces points, plays solid defensively, performs in critical situations, and excels against the game’s best players.

Without a doubt, Bouchard will produce points, but refining his defensive game will be a key step toward becoming a true #1 D-man. He’s paid like one, after all, and perhaps increased minutes on the penalty kill this upcoming season could help with that, as it forces him to be extra sharp defensively.

Last regular season, the Oilers’ blueliner played a total of 19:10 minutes on the PK, averaging just under 15 seconds per game. Yet in the playoffs, he played 41:13 minutes on the PK in 22 games, averaging just under two minutes per game, which was a huge jump. That said, the signs point to him getting more responsibility on the PK unit this upcoming season, as Bouchard said, “It keeps you involved in the game, it’s something that [involves] a lot of reads, and that’s something that I’m good at. It’s something that I definitely want to do this year.”

Mattias Ekholm complimented the growth of Evan Bouchard, including his two-way game.

: @EdmontonOilers pic.twitter.com/jr8vHr4W5w

— Oilersnation.com, Oily Since ‘07 (@OilersNation) September 22, 2025

On another note, his inching closer to becoming a true #1 D-man also involves cutting down on the big, egregious giveaways. Last season, the 25-year-old had the third most giveaways (128) in the NHL, according to Natural Stat Trick. Yes, as an offensive blueliner trying to make plays, mistakes are going to happen. However, it’s the unforced ones that really frustrate Oilers fans, and dialling those back would be a clear sign of maturity in his game.

On the other hand, to spin a little positivity on Bouchard’s defensive game, last season, he posted a 59.28 CF% at 5v5. Moreover, according to PuckIQ, he played 443 minutes against elite competition, posting a 57.40 CF% in those matchups. Meaning, even against top-tier opponents, his Corsi percentage barely dipped. It shows that, whether it’s star players or depth guys he’s playing against, he’s driving possession and forcing opponents to defend in their zone more often when he’s on the ice.

Additionally, his Viking D-partner, Ekholm, also pointed out the upside in Bouchard’s defensive game, saying:

“I think the world of him as an offensive player, and I think he’s actually turning into a really good two-way defenceman. He’s playing on the penalty kill now, and he’s doing a lot of good things defensively as well. Obviously, mistakes are going to happen, but if there’s a fan club of Evan Bouchard, I’ll be the first one to sign up.”

If Bouchard can put up 70–75 points, tighten up defensively, cut down on the big turnovers, and continue playing well against the game’s elite, that’s the formula for becoming a legitimate #1 D-man. Those are big ifs, but if he can pull all of the above off, Norris Trophy talks wouldn’t be out of the question either.

Keep Being a Playoff Beast for the Oilers​

If you’ve kept up with the series on what defines a successful season for individual Oilers, I haven’t touched much on the playoffs for the other players, but for Bouchard, I absolutely will. Considering everything above — the points, stepping up as a true #1 D-man, etc. — my take on the Oilers’ D-man is that while the regular season is part of the story, what counts most is a player’s performance in the playoffs, and as you know, Bouchard has been an absolute stud when the stakes are at their highest.

Over the last three regular seasons, Bouchard’s 189 points rank eighth among NHL D-men; however, his 72 points over the past three playoffs place him first, 40 points ahead of Dallas Stars’ Miro Heiskanen, who sits second with 32. On top of that, he’s recorded several notable playoff achievements, including setting an NHL record for most assists (26) by a blueliner in a single playoff run in 2024 and becoming just the fourth D-man in NHL history to reach the 30-point plateau in one postseason, joining Hall of Famers Paul Coffey, Al MacInnis, and Brian Leetch.

Evan Bouchard added his name to a short NHL #StanleyCup Playoffs list.#NHLStats: https://t.co/eSkBHXa8Cm pic.twitter.com/PYpSUAxvRa

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) June 1, 2024

On top of that, Bouchard has delivered in clutch playoff moments — remember Game 4 against the Los Angeles Kings last playoffs when he picked off Quinton Byfield with the Oilers’ net empty, and buried the tying goal before Edmonton sealed it in O.T. Also, he’s scored six game-winners over the last few postseasons, proving he’s a one-of-a-kind clutch game-changer, and that’s where his ultimate success will come this season and beyond, when Bouchard is beastin’ in the postseason.

With that in mind, do you think Bouchard will take a step this upcoming season toward becoming a true #1 D-man in the NHL?

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Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/what-...eason-look-like-edmonton-oilers-evan-bouchard

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Real Life Podcast: Baggedmilk’s Minnesota weekend, the Ryder Cup, and the Oilers’ pre-season

Thursday afternoon means a fresh episode of Real Life was recorded, edited, and is ready to help you wrap up the week. On today’s podcast, the guys discussed reality TV, when Tyler’s going to start having children, Baggedmilk’s trip to Minneapolis, and much more.

The guys started the Monday episode of Real Life with a discussion about how it was the first time everyone had been on the podcast in quite some time. As you’ll hear, the topics move all over the map when the squad is together, and the first 15 minutes of Thursday’s podcast covered a lot of ground. From Big Brother being awful to when Tyler plans for having kids, there was a long run of topics that were all over the map.

Changing gears, Baggedmilk recapped his ultimate sports weekend in Minneapolis and walked through the experience of going to a high school football game, a Twins doubleheader, and the Vikings’ beatdown over the Bengals on Sunday afternoon. For a fan of live sports, watching that many sports in a span of three days was as good as it gets. The best part of doing a sports weekend like that is how there was so much going on, and a lot of fun to be had.

Finally, the guys walked through some betting talk ahead of the Ryder Cup. Tyler, Jay, and Chalmers are all picking a horse to bet on for the weekend, and they could not be more excited about the tournament. From there, Chalmers gave his keys to coaching minor hockey and offered some advice on how to get your team into tournaments before they fill up.

Listen to the Thursday episode of Real Life below:

Subscribe to the Real Life Podcast for FREE on Spotify here, on Apple Podcasts here, on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/real-...ekend-the-ryder-cup-and-the-oilers-pre-season

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Oilers Prospect Update: Notes on Ike Howard, Quinn Hutson, Maxim Beryozkin, and more

Since our last update, there have been some updates on the main European prospects, while a handful of North American prospects got into pre-season games with the big-league club. Both David Lewandowski and Tommy Lafrenière were sent down to their WHL clubs. The third-rounder and fourth-rounder should be in action this weekend.

Albin Sundin – Defence – Timrå IK​

Timrå IK won 1-0 on the 20th. Albin Sundin played the fourth-most at 18:59, took two penalty minutes, and had zero shots. It was a quiet game for the 2024 sixth-rounder, which isn’t always a bad thing for a defenceman. Sundin still flashed confidence and lateral mobility with the puck; the clip below was his most impressive play of the night.

Early in the season, the right-shot defender has already shown multiple instances of using his outside edges with deception and poise to make plays. If Sundin keeps implementing this, there’s a lot to be excited about.

Timrå’s top-pair defenceman also showed progress on retrievals. In the next clips, Sundin initiates contact (maybe a little chicken wing) and buys himself space; the play goes nowhere, but it’s a good sign.

Sticking with using his body, in the final clip off a turnover, Sundin takes one big backward crossover and leans into his man to deny a zone entry. That’s another step forward. Earlier, he was getting caught transitioning from backward to forward and getting beat.

Overall, it was a quiet game for the Swedish-born defenceman, and he’s still pointless through four games. On the bright side, Sundin is second on Timrå in ice time at 19:40 per game, and I think he’s getting better each outing.

Maxim Beryozkin – Winger – Lokomotiv Yaroslavl​

Lokomotiv beat Sochi 5-0 with former NHLer Alexander Radulov netting a hat trick. Maxim Beryozkin played 15:27, registered two shots, and didn’t hit the scoresheet. It was another familiar game from the former fifth-rounder: creating chances for teammates and himself with excellent work on both sides of the puck.

There was a scary moment when Beryozkin was awkwardly hit into the wall, but he was fine and stayed on for the ensuing power play.

The six-foot-four power forward keeps finding teammates in advantageous spots. In one clip below, he makes a pass under pressure along the wall to a streaking forward.

Later, he cuts to the middle and dishes a terrific backhand for a one-timer that was saved. Another strong play under pressure.

He was credited with two shots, but I counted three, all quality. The first came off a power-play entry, where he remains a focal point.

The second was a nice drive from the corner, using the defender as a screen for a low drag shot.

Now this is the chance Beryozkin will want back. No clue how he didn’t score here.

Another day, another good game from the 2020 pick. I’d love to see Beryozkin finally pot that first goal and go on a run. The point totals don’t tell the whole story, but finishing would be a nice boost for his NHL trajectory.

Nikita Yevseyev – Defence – Khabarovsk Amur​

Amur lost 3-1 to Dynamo Moscow for their third straight defeat. Nikita Yevseyev continues to log heavy minutes in every situation. Against Dynamo, the sixth-rounder led Amur with 21:50 and was on for a five-on-three goal against and one at even strength; neither was really on him.

As mentioned in the last update, Yevseyev can be hot-and-cold from shift to shift, and this game was similar. In one clip, his gap is too soft, leading to a cross-ice pass and a near-chance.

Later, he shows how well he can hold the blue, with a wide skating base that prevents his feet from crossing up. Note how wide his skating base is, and this is important as it will help him not get his feet crossed up.

In this next clip, Yevseyev closes quickly, steals the puck, and makes the right decision to reverse it to his teammate.

As I said earlier, the Russian left-shot defenceman will have bad moments, like in these two clips, where both of his passes lead to turnovers.

Then Yevseyev will show off a good sequence like this clip below.

Right now, you don’t know which version hops over the boards each shift. Finding consistency is the next step. Overall, Yevseyev is still off to an excellent start, leading Amur at 22:31 per game and playing in all situations.

Ike Howard and Matt Savoie​

A couple of favourites to make the big club this fall started their preseason journeys in split-squad action against the Flames. Ike Howard made a slick slip pass to Kasperi Kapanen for an assist in his NHL preseason debut, then scored a beautiful one-timer from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins against the Jets, showcasing his touted finish. Matt Savoie hasn’t hit the scoresheet yet, but the former ninth-overall pick has shown strong defensive responsibility, and the staff is trusting him for defensive-zone work. Both rookies are gaining confidence with the puck; as rosters trim, it’ll be interesting to see how they fare against stiffer competition.

Quinn Hutson​

Through two preseason games, the former Boston University standout has a goal and six shots. I don’t see a path to the opening-night roster, but he’s been very impressive offensively. The puck doesn’t die on his stick. He’s constantly finding the next option instead of dead-ending. He has a knack for finishing around the net. The concern remains skating and size; he isn’t a burner and relies heavily on timing. As the pace ramps up, can the timing keep up? We’ll see, but I like how he processes the game.

A solid week in the Oilers’ prospect world. The big names in Europe continue to play major roles, Savoie and Howard look NHL-capable, and others like Hutson are surprising. Next update is Sunday, and we should have a lot more to talk about.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/edmon...-maxim-beryozkin-nikita-yevseyev-albin-sundin

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Calvin Pickard closes the door as Oilers beat Jets 4-0: Recap, Highlights, and Reaction

Say what you want about the pre-season, but that was a fun game.

On Friday evening, the Edmonton Oilers took on the Winnipeg Jets for the second time this pre-season, defeating the airportless team 4-0 to move to 3-1-1. Let’s take a look at what went on in this one!

The Oilers opened the scoring midway through the first period. Roby Järventie and Viljami Marjala won a puck battle in the offensive zone, finding Josh Samanski at the point. The German centre made a nice hesitation move, waiting for Darnell Nurse to get in a good spot to shoot it. When Nurse eventually got the puck, he slapped it past the Jets’ netminder.

Doc gets us on the board #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/KAQ4C9mYyw

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 27, 2025

Late in the first period, the Oilers extended their lead. David Tomášek intercepted a pass beautifully, finding Samanski all alone in front of the Jets’ netminder. Samanski made no mistake, roofing the puck shortside.

Samanski snipe pic.twitter.com/FimIzdl0KM

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 27, 2025

About two and a half minutes into the second period, it was Noah Philp’s turn to beat the netminder. He received the puck from Troy Stecher as the trailer, making no mistake in ripping it past Domenic DiVincentiis to make it 3-0 Edmonton.

We Noah guy who can shoot #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/8XNVGQSjjC

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 27, 2025

With the game well out of hand midway through the third period, the Oilers added a fourth goal. DiVincentiis made the initial save off Andrew Mangiapane, but Kasperi Kapanen was right there to bury the puck, doing so with a nice little toe drag.

Feeling Kappy pic.twitter.com/II5rjBr8Qc

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) September 27, 2025

Takeaways…​

Usually, pre-season is taken lightly to get players up to speed. That wasn’t the case in this game, though. Josh Brown dropped the mitts with Tyrel Bauer in the second period, but the chippiness didn’t stop there. In the third, there were at least three scrums; one after Matthew Savoie tripped a Jet, one on a delayed penalty when Kasperi Kapanen and Haydn Fleury got into it, and one after Kapanen scored. Just a very entertaining game.

On top of scoring a goal, Darnell Nurse assisted on a goal, took four shots, blocked three shots, and had two hits. A lot of Nurse’s goals are scored the same way, with the left-shot defenceman getting far too much space and picking his spot. He’s playing at his best at the moment.

How can anyone say that Noah Philp doesn’t deserve a spot on the Oilers’ season opener? In Winnipeg, Philp finished with two assists, and on Friday, he picked up a goal. The large right-shot centre should be their undisputed fourth line centre at this point.

Returning to Kapanen, the right winger has been noticeable throughout the postseason, scoring a handful of goals and showcasing his speed. He not only did that in Friday’s game, but he also picked up a total of 16 penalty minutes. Love it.

Matthew Savoie was held off the scoresheet, but he continues to battle alongside the boards. Tonight, he took two stick infractions, well, kind of, as his trip saw him throw the Jets’ player down. He’s a lot chippier than I thought.

Both Quinn Hutson and Ike Howard had a quiet night. The one thing Howard has done well this pre-season is the cross-ice one-timer on the power play. Very Leon Draisaitl-esque. The Europeans that the Oilers brought in during the off-season did not have a quiet game. Samanski scored a goal and an assist in just over 11 minutes of ice time, Tomášek picked up an assist, and Marjala did well on the forecheck. Tomášek will make the team, but both Samanski and Marjala could see NHL action as well.

Between the pipes, Calvin Pickard stopped all 21 shots he faced. While there weren’t many high-danger scoring chances, he was positionally sound and moved the puck well when called upon.

Just three more pre-season games remain before we get to the real thing. The first one is on Sunday at 6:00 PM MT, as the Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks for the first time in 2025-26.

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Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/calvin-pickard-shutout-edmonton-oilers-beat-winnipeg-jets-4-0

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

Oilers place Josh Brown, James Hamblin, and Roby Järventie on waivers

A few players look to be heading down to the minors.

On Saturday, the Edmonton Oilers placed forwards Roby Järventie and James Hamblin, as well as defenceman Josh Brown, on waivers. All three players are expected to join the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.

Hamblin was reported to be put on waivers on Friday, but the move was made official the following day.

Brown was the only one of the trio to have played with Edmonton last season. The London, Ont. native appeared in 10 games with the Oilers, picking up an assist against the Minnesota Wild on Jan. 15. He registered a plus/minus of -2 while averaging 12:37 of ice time. In 39 games with the Condors, Brown posted four assists and a +9 rating.

After spending two years with the Arizona Coyotes, Brown signed a three-year contract with the Oilers, carrying a cap hit of $1 million. In 300 NHL appearances, which included stops with the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, Brown has scored 11 goals and 24 assists for 35 points. In 209 AHL games, he has notched seven goals and 24 assists for 31 points.

Järventie’s case was a strange one. He signed a three-year deal with Liiga squad Tappara in Finland in March, but ended up re-signing for another year with the Oilers on a two-way contract. The 23-year-old played just two games with Bakersfield last season, as he was recovering from a knee injury suffered during the 2023-24 campaign while a member of the Senators organization.

Järventie has played in seven NHL games, all with Ottawa, posting just one assist. In 140 AHL affairs, he has scored 39 goals and 50 assists for 89 points.

It’s been a couple of years since Hamlbin has seen NHL ice. The last time the Edmonton native played for his hometown team was in January 2024. Most of his professional career has been spent with the Condors, where he has proven to be a solid scoring asset at the AHL level. In 41 NHL games, he has posted two goals and an assist for three points.

Hamblin had a solid season with the Condors, scoring 19 goals and 26 assists for 45 points, a career-high, despite suffering an injury that kept him out of action for two months. In 218 AHL appearances, he has scored 61 goals and 70 assists for 131 points, with another four points in 13 Calder Cup Playoff games.

The Oilers made a plethora of cuts on Friday, with 13 players being assigned to Bakersfield, including players like Seth Griffith and Luke Prokop, who were on tryout agreements.

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-place-josh-brown-james-hamblin-and-roby-jarventie-on-waivers

 

[Edmonton Oilers]

NHL Notebook: Mason McTavish inks six-year, $42 million extension with the Anaheim Ducks

The Mason McTavish contract drama is officially over.

On Saturday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Mason McTavish is set to sign a six-year extension with the Anaheim Ducks, worth an average annual value of $7 million. The $42 million deal was later confirmed by the NHL.

McTavish was a hot topic across the league this summer, as he went unsigned and remained a restricted free agent following the conclusion of his entry-level contract. Previously with no contract in ink, the 22-year-old centreman skipped training camp and the first week of the Ducks’ preseason.

At $7 million, McTavish’s annual salary matches that of Anaheim’s other top forwards in Mikael Granlund and Troy Terry. Granlund’s deal is up in 2028, while Terry’s runs until 2030, one year before the 2031 expiration of McTavish’s new agreement. Defenceman Jacob Trouba is set to make the team’s highest salary this year at $8 million, on the last year of his deal. Anaheim is now left with over $13 million in cap space to start the season, with top young players Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier set to become restricted free agents next summer.

McTavish put up career best numbers last season with 22 goals and 52 points in 76 games played. Already with 229 NHL appearances, he has quickly become an important part of the young Ducks core, prompting questions about the delays in getting his contract done. As talks stalled, Anaheim was also reportedly exploring trading his rights, with interested parties rumoured to include the Montreal Canadiens, the Vancouver Canucks, and the Philadelphia Flyers. In the end, it looks like he’ll be staying in California for many years to come.

More News from Around the NHL:​

• Marc-André Fleury is set to play his final game in the Pittsburgh Penguins uniform Saturday night, suiting up for a preseason contest at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets, signed with the team on a PTO. His masks reads “Thank you Pittsburgh”
• That being said, TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun says he believes teams will be calling on Fleury to make a return come this January.
• Former Edmonton Oiler Evander Kane scored an empty-net goal in his Canucks debut Friday night, as Vancouver defeated the Seattle Kraken 4-2

Source: https://oilersnation.com/news/nhl-n...r-42-million-extension-with-the-anaheim-ducks