Edmonton Oilers News, Stats & Fan Discussion

Igor Shesterkin’s season-ending knee injury leaves the Rangers hunting for goaltending, and that could make life tougher for the Oilers. If New York joins the market for Connor Hellebuyck or another proven netminder, its deeper stash of draft picks and prospects could give it an edge over Edmonton. In short, one Rangers injury may turn the goalie market into a bigger bidding war for the Oilers.

The Oilers are 4-0-1 after five games, with their big guns driving the early charge. Connor McDavid leads the NHL with 13 points, Evan Bouchard is tied for the goal-scoring lead with six, and Vasily Podkolzin has five goals while skating on the top line. Leon Draisaitl is also controlling play at five-on-five, leading the league in several key possession and chance metrics.

Evan Bouchard has real defensive warts, especially when recovering loose pucks and managing the puck, but the numbers don’t support calling him a defensive liability. His zone-entry work and ability to move the puck out with possession are strong, while the Oilers’ expected-goals-against results have generally been comparable with him on the ice despite tougher matchups. In short, he’s not Nicklas Lidström, but the reputation has likely gotten ahead of the evidence.

The Oilers are 4-0-1 and the clearest reason is the dominant start from Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard. Through five games, the trio has combined for 12 goals and 34 points while also posting strong five-on-five defensive numbers, giving Edmonton the foundation to stay unbeaten in regulation. The depth has chipped in, but when the big guns are firing like this, everyone else gets a little more breathing room.

The early Bakersfield story is the pairing of Damien Carfagna and Tomas Cibulka, who have impressed both together and separately. Quinn Hutson and Aku Raty are also drawing attention up front, while Beau Akey has stumbled out of the gate and Eduards Tralmaks has been a disappointment.

The Oilers are playing a more structured brand of hockey early, with strong defensive efforts, goaltending and depth scoring backing up the hot starts from Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard. As for Alex DeBrincat, the panel sees him as a worthwhile scoring target but likely a deadline possibility at best: Edmonton would need to clear nearly $6 million in annual cap space to make a deal work now.

The Oilers are still rolling despite an incomplete roster, and reinforcements may be close. Zach Hyman is skating and could return by Tuesday, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is nearing the end of his approximate two-week timeline; Mattias Janmark, Frederik Andersen and Matt Savoie remain longer-term concerns, with Savoie not expected before December.

The Oilers head into a three-game week against the Kings and Mammoth as the NHL’s last team without a regulation loss, but the real test is in the crease. Devon Levi and Tristan Jarry showed better form last week, and another pair of solid performances in the home-and-home with Utah could give Edmonton’s goaltending some badly needed credibility.

Isaac Howard has scored twice in 29 games while stuck on Edmonton’s fourth line, prompting calls for the Oilers to give the young winger a better opportunity alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. The trade only works if Edmonton gives Howard a chance to show what he can do, though the club appears to want him to earn that promotion.