Another season, another autumn of hope and anxiety descends upon the city of Edmonton. But this year feels different. For the Oilers, the chill in the air isn’t just a sign of changing seasons; it’s a palpable tension that has settled over a franchise standing at a monumental crossroads. After two consecutive, gut-wrenching losses in the Stanley Cup Final, this is no longer just about making a run. It’s about finishing the job. As players report for medicals and fitness testing, they aren’t just entering another training camp. They are walking into what one senior NHL writer has dubbed “the most intriguing camp in the entire league,” a pressure cooker fueled by massive questions, intense positional battles, and the one storyline that eclipses all others: the future of their captain.
The Billion-Dollar Specter
Let’s not bury the lede. The contract negotiation with Connor McDavid is the elephant in the room, the state-of-the-art facility, and the entire city block. It hangs over every drill, every line combination, and every decision made by the front office. The fanbase is in what can only be described as a “slow burn,” a state of suspended animation where any whisper of news, good or bad, could ignite a firestorm.
McDavid himself has tethered his long-term decision to the organization’s ability to ice a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. This isn’t just about money; it’s about legacy. He has made it clear that winning is the paramount factor, which transforms this season from a marathon into an 82-game sprint to prove the franchise’s worth. Consequently, the pressure to find affirmative answers to the team’s lingering lineup questions is immediate and immense. In a normal year, the battle for the seventh defenceman spot is a minor subplot. This year, with every move scrutinized for its impact on the big picture, even the fringe roster spots carry a disproportionate weight in the eyes of an intensely focused hockey world.
Coming off a second straight Final defeat to the Florida Panthers, the mood is subtly different. The first loss was pure, unadulterated heartbreak. This past summer, however, McDavid noted the loss was “less emotional” and “less draining.” It’s a fascinating insight. Perhaps the numbness of a repeat failure has allowed the group to feel “a little bit fresher,” replacing despair with a cold, hardened resolve. They’ll need it, because the questions facing them are daunting.
Also on the EDGE – The Battles That Will Define the Edmonton Oilers’ 2025-26 Training Camp
The Goalie Gauntlet: A Make-or-Break Year in the Crease
If the McDavid contract is the overarching narrative, the situation between the pipes is the most critical on-ice storyline. It’s one of the “massive questions” facing General Manager Stan Bowman and Head Coach Kris Knoblauch, and it will be the focal point from day one of camp.
Stuart Skinner enters the season as the presumptive No. 1, but his grip on that title is far from absolute. The 26-year-old has a tremendous amount to prove after watching his save percentage dip for two consecutive seasons. This isn’t just a big year; it’s a contract year. Skinner is a pending UFA, and this campaign will determine whether he is the long-term solution Edmonton can win with, or simply a bridge to someone else. He must establish himself as a consistent, top-10 calibre goaltender. To that end, the organization has brought in a new goalie coach, Peter Aubry, tasked specifically with refining Skinner’s game, particularly his east-west movement. For his part, Skinner isn’t shying away from the pressure, publicly stating his lofty goals: to be the starting goalie for Team Canada at the Olympics and to “finish the job” in the Stanley Cup Final.
He won’t be without a serious challenger. Calvin Pickard, also a pending UFA, is breathing down his neck. Pickard’s remarkable performance in last year’s playoffs, where he stepped in and posted a sterling 7-1 record in ten appearances, wasn’t just a feel-good story; it was a legitimate audition. He proved he can handle the heat of the postseason, giving Knoblauch a trusted alternative and Skinner a rival who will be pushing for a significant number of starts. The dynamic between these two netminders could very well define the Oilers’ season.
Also on the EDGE – Inside the $400 Million Bet to Reshape the Oilers’ Fan Experience
Musical Chairs on the Wing: A Top-Six in Flux
The forward group that takes the ice this fall will look markedly different. The veteran grit and occasional volatility of Evander Kane, Corey Perry, Viktor Arvidsson, and Jeff Skinner are gone. In their place, GM Stan Bowman has assembled a fascinating collection of veterans and blue-chip prospects, creating an open casting call for coveted spots in the top six.
Leading the list of new recruits is former Calgary Flame Andrew Mangiapane, who is penciled in to ride shotgun with Leon Draisaitl on the second line. He’s joined by gritty forwards Trent Frederic and Vasily Podkolzin, along with European import David Tomasek. The microscope will be on Mangiapane and Frederic in particular, as both are looking to rebound from what could be charitably described as “iffy seasons.” If enough of these new wingers can solidify top-nine roles, it unlocks a key strategic advantage for Knoblauch: the ability to move Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to centre the third line, a position where his two-way acumen could flourish and give the Oilers unparalleled depth down the middle.
Perhaps the most compelling battle, however, will be between two of the organization’s top prospects: Matthew Savoie and Isaac Howard. Both are vying for a roster spot and potentially a prime offensive role. Savoie, the speedy playmaker, has a leg up after a full season in the AHL and a brief NHL debut last year. Howard, the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner, is coming off a season of tremendous development but will need a lights-out camp to prove he’s ready to bypass the AHL entirely. The outcome of this duel is critical not just for on-ice production, but for the team’s salary cap health. Hitting on young, inexpensive, and skilled wingers is the lifeblood of any modern contender.
The X-Factors: Hyman’s Health and Knoblauch’s Chessboard
A cloud of uncertainty hangs over the health of one of the team’s most important players. Zach Hyman, the heart-and-soul winger, suffered a dislocated wrist and serious ligament damage during last year’s Western Conference Final. There are legitimate suspicions that he may not be ready for the start of the regular season. His absence, however temporary, would blow a massive hole on McDavid’s left wing, creating a golden opportunity for another forward to seize a top-line role out of the gate.
On the back end, there is a welcome sense of stability. The defensive corps returns largely intact, providing familiarity and chemistry. However, age is becoming a factor. The health of the 35-year-old Mattias Ekholm is a concern, and the coaching staff may look to strategically shelter his minutes to keep him fresh for the playoffs. This could mean elevated roles for smooth-skating defenders like Brett Kulak or Jake Walman alongside the dynamic Evan Bouchard. Further down the depth chart, a quiet but important battle will unfold for the seventh defenceman spot between Atro Leppanen, Ty Emberson, and Troy Stecher. Keep an eye on a dark horse candidate: Alec Regula, a 6-foot-4 right-shot defenceman who missed all of last season with an injury.
This collection of talent, questions, and variables provides Coach Knoblauch with a fascinating tactical chessboard. He has proven he isn’t afraid to be creative. He can deploy the “nuclear” option of pairing McDavid and Draisaitl. He can roll four deep at centre with McDavid, Draisaitl, Nugent-Hopkins, and Adam Henrique, creating matchup nightmares for opposing coaches. He can mix and match his defensive pairings based on performance and opponent.
The answers will begin to emerge in the coming weeks. From the crease out, this Oilers training camp is laden with storylines that will shape not only the 2025-26 season, but the very future of the franchise. For a team and a city starved for the final victory, the quest to find those answers starts now.
Created with the aid of Gemini AI