
The Hockey News Predicts a Challenging 2026‑27 Season for the Edmonton Oilers
The Hockey News projects the Oilers to finish near the bottom of the league next season, raising questions about their playoff prospects.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Stan Bowman across Hockey.

The Hockey News projects the Oilers to finish near the bottom of the league next season, raising questions about their playoff prospects.

A recent projection by The Hockey News ranks the Edmonton Oilers 20th for the upcoming season, citing weak defense, an unsettled net, and the loss of key depth players as major concerns.

The Edmonton Oilers are navigating a pivotal season as new coaching tactics and young talent promise both opportunity and uncertainty.

At 23, Damien Carfagna has quickly become one of the most talked‑about defensemen in the Oilers’ pipeline, showcasing elite hockey IQ and shutdown skill in the AHL.

The Athletic’s beat reporter explores the Oilers' critical juncture, from Connor McDavid's contract extension to the controversial hiring of Mike Babcock and the search for reliable net‑minding.

After posting just 41 wins, the Edmonton Oilers are exploring a controversial line‑up strategy that could reshape how Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are used, while front‑office decisions and player retirements add further intrigue.

Edmonton’s management, led by GM Stan Bowman, acquired Zach Sharp, a 2025 draft selection praised for his mobility and hitting power, in hopes of shaping a stronger blue‑line future.

Patrick Kane’s potential homecoming raises questions about fit, durability, and the Blackhawks’ long‑term direction.

Maxim Berezkin's decision to stay in Russia instead of joining the Edmonton Oilers highlights how geopolitical turmoil is reshaping player pathways.

After a mixed tenure marked by both promise and predictability, Kris Knoblauch’s departure from the Oilers opens a pivotal chapter for the franchise and the coach alike.

The Edmonton Oilers are poised to add a difference‑maker before the deadline, targeting players like Matt Poitras, Arthur Kaliyev and Conor Geekie while leveraging cap space and assets.

From Chicago’s struggling bench to Edmonton’s Cup‑or‑bust expectations, the league’s lowest‑ranked coaches are under intense scrutiny as the new season unfolds.

From how he will handle Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to which veterans might earn his favor, Edmonton’s faithful are eager to see how Babcock’s structured approach translates to the ice.

Three University of Minnesota standouts — Chloe Primerano, Abbey Murphy and Caitlin Kraemer — participate in the Edmonton Oilers' development camp, marking a first for the NHL and highlighting a new push to integrate women's talent into professional hockey.

For the first time, the Edmonton Oilers opened their development camp to three standout women’s college players and a female coach, signaling a shift toward greater inclusion in hockey.

With a record‑breaking offer sheet for Leo Carlsson setting a new benchmark, the Oilers are poised to secure Matt Savoie now to avoid a costly second‑contract surge.

With a full roster and ample cap space, Edmonton’s management is betting on undervalued talent to bolster the team’s future prospects.

General manager Stan Bowman executed a series of high‑impact moves during free agency, trading Darnell Nurse, signing Frederik Andersen and securing key depth players, while preserving cap flexibility for a playoff‑contending Oilers.

Three of the sport’s most promising women’s hockey players are participating in the Edmonton Oilers’ development camp, a program designed to provide elite female talent with NHL‑level resources and exposure ahead of the 2028 PWHL Draft.

Edmonton’s front office has secured Connor Murphy through 2029, a move that follows Jason Dickinson’s extension and signals a deliberate push to sharpen a defense that could finally unlock a championship for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

The Edmonton Oilers must balance re‑signing key free agents with strategic trades to address roster needs.

From Connor McDavid's early warnings to Brady Tkachuk's blockbuster trade, the NHL is witnessing a cultural shift as top talent seeks superteams and control over their careers.

The Oilers are weighing a controversial coaching hire while the league investigates Babcock's behavior and the team copes with the aftermath of a senior executive's resignation.

The Chicago Blackhawks have released a six‑game schedule for their minor‑league affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, while rookie Roman Kantserov is expected to play a key offensive role. Trade rumors swirl around Darnell Nurse, coaching changes loom for the Oilers, and draft predictions point to Carson Carels as a top prospect.