2025-26
Record: 41-30-11, 93 points, 2nd in Pacific Division
Playoffs: Lost to Anaheim in First Round
Key Losses
Head Coach – Kris Knoblauch (Fired), F – Adam Henrique (Free Agency), F – Jack Roslovic (TOR), G – Connor Ingram (Free Agency), G – Calvin Pickard (MIN), D – Darnell Nurse (Trade w/ SJ)
Key Additions
Head Coach – Mike Babcock (Hired), G – Devon Levi (Trade w/ BUF), D – Shakir Mukhamadullin (Trade w/ SJ), D – Ryan Shea (Signed via FA), G – Frederik Andersen (Signed via FA)
2026-27 Preview
Surviving Babcock
The Oilers were at the center of one of the offseason’s most controversial storylines. During the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, reports surfaced that Edmonton had requested permission to speak with Bruce Cassidy, who was under contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. That request was denied, but what raised eyebrows was that the news became public while Kris Knoblauch was still the Oilers’ head coach. Shortly thereafter, Knoblauch was dismissed, making a coaching search unavoidable.
That search ultimately ended with the hiring of Mike Babcock, a decision that immediately sparked debate across the hockey world. Babcock’s coaching résumé is impressive, with successful stints behind the benches of the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Anaheim franchise, as well as a brief tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, his career has also been overshadowed by numerous allegations regarding his treatment of players. Former players, including Hall of Famers Mike Modano and Chris Chelios, along with Mike Commodore, Johan Franzen, and Mitch Marner, have publicly shared stories describing difficult experiences under Babcock’s leadership.
Those concerns resurfaced in 2023, when Babcock resigned from the Blue Jackets before training camp following an NHL Players’ Association investigation into complaints about his interactions with players. The abrupt departure left Columbus scrambling to replace its head coach just days before the training camp began. In subsequent public comments, Babcock maintained that his intentions had been misunderstood, a response that did little to quiet criticism from those who believed he had not fully accepted responsibility for the controversy.
Given that history, Edmonton’s decision to hire Babcock is a significant gamble. The organization is betting that his coaching ability will outweigh the concerns surrounding his past. Whether that proves to be the right decision will depend not only on wins and losses but also on his ability to earn and maintain the trust of the Oilers’ locker room.
The hire also raises questions about the leadership group’s confidence in the decision. Veteran players, led by Connor McDavid, will play an important role in setting the tone for the relationship between Babcock and the team. If the partnership works, the Oilers could benefit from the experience of a veteran coach. If it doesn’t, the decision could become one of the defining storylines of Edmonton’s season.
Do the Oilers Have What it Takes?
As the Oilers enter the season with a new look behind the bench, with Mike Babcock taking over as head coach. Edmonton made significant changes on the blue line, trading Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Shakir Mukhamadullin and signing Ryan Shea in free agency.
The changes continued in goal. Fresh off winning the Stanley Cup with Carolina, Frederik Andersen signed a one-year contract with Edmonton, while the Oilers acquired Devon Levi from Buffalo in hopes that a change of scenery will help him reach his potential and provide a more consistent option than the often-inconsistent Tristan Jarry.
While Edmonton made much-needed upgrades on defense and in net, the team’s forward group remained largely unchanged heading into the new season. Both Jack Roslovic and Adam Henrique left via free agency with the expectations that Colton Dach, Matt Savoie, and Josh Samanski continue to grow and develop into everyday NHLers.
However, it will all also depend on how things go with Babcock as head coach as noted above. That will be the biggest X factor for the Oilers success during the 2026-27 season.
Projected Lineup
Offense
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — Connor McDavid — Zach Hyman
Vasily Podkolzin — Leon Draisaitl — Matthew Savoie
Isaac Howard — Jason Dickinson — Kasperi Kapanen
Mathieu Joseph — Josh Samanski — Trent Frederic
Defense
Mattias Ekholm — Evan Bouchard
Jake Walman — Connor Murphy
Ryan Shea — Shakir Mukhamadullin
Goalies
Frederik Andersen
Tristan Jarry