Articles for author: EdgeHockey Staff

August 12, 2025

EdgeHockey Staff

Leon Draisaitl Connor McDavid Edmonton Oilers

Feeling Like Make-or-Break: Oilers Facing Big Questions in 2025-26

After years of being on the precipice, the Edmonton Oilers are once again staring down a season with Stanley Cup aspirations. But as any fan knows, that hope comes with a healthy dose of anxiety. Another deep playoff run that ended without a parade means the pressure is on, and the team’s strategic priorities for the upcoming season are under a microscope. It’s a high-stakes game of chess for second-year general manager (GM) Stan Bowman, and every move will be scrutinized. Let’s break down the biggest challenges facing the Oilers as they look to finally get over the hump. The

August 12, 2025

EdgeHockey Staff

Brock Boeser Vancouver Canucks Celebration

5-Alarm Fire in Vancouver: Canucks Face Franchise-Defining Season

The vibe around the Vancouver Canucks heading into the 2025-26 season isn’t just tense; it’s bordering on DEFCON 2. After a 2024-25 campaign that went sideways faster than a greased puck, marked by more drama than a reality TV show and playoff aspirations that evaporated like morning dew, this upcoming year isn’t just important – it’s potentially the most pivotal in the team’s history. “Make-or-break moment” doesn’t even begin to cover it. So, let’s dive headfirst into the five burning issues that will dictate whether the Canucks are building towards a contender or staring down the barrel of a full-scale

August 11, 2025

EdgeHockey Staff

Igor Shesterkin New York Rangers

Blueshirts’ Crossroads: Burning Questions for the 2025-26 Rangers

Another season in the books, another summer of what-ifs for the New York Rangers. To call the 2024-25 campaign a disappointment would be an understatement. From Presidents’ Trophy winners to missing the playoffs entirely, the fall from grace was as swift as it was brutal. The firing of Peter Laviolette and the hiring of Mike Sullivan signals a clear shift in direction, but a new bench boss doesn’t magically erase the question marks hovering over this roster. As we head into the dog days of summer, let’s break down the most pressing issues facing the Blueshirts as they look to

August 10, 2025

EdgeHockey Staff

Montreal Canadiens Arber Xhekaj

Habs on Notice: 3 Players Who Need to Find Another Gear in 2025-26

The Montreal Canadiens surprised many last season, scratching and clawing their way into the playoffs. It was a year of growth, a sign that the rebuild is finally starting to bear fruit. The young guns showed up, the veterans provided leadership, and for the first time in a while, there was a real buzz around the Bell Centre. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. A first-round exit is a stark reminder that this team is not yet a contender. To take that next step, to become a team that can do some real damage in the postseason, the Habs

August 10, 2025

EdgeHockey Staff

Boston Bruins Jeremy Swayman

Bruins in the Hot Seat: Which Players Need a Big Bounce-Back Season?

Another season has come and gone, and for the Boston Bruins, the 2024-25 campaign was one to forget. After the historic, record-breaking season of 2022-23, last year felt like a cold shower. The B’s missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016, a bitter pill to swallow for a team and a fanbase accustomed to contending. While there were a few bright spots – David Pastrnak doing Pastrnak things and Morgan Geekie having a career year – there were also a handful of guys who, to put it bluntly, didn’t pull their weight. The Bruins made some big moves

August 10, 2025

EdgeHockey Staff

Edmonton Oilers Stuart Skinner

Time for a Gut Check: Oilers Who Need to Step Up in 2025-26

Another season in the books, and another that ends with a bitter taste for the Edmonton Oilers and their faithful. The 2024-25 campaign was a rollercoaster, to say the least. Flashes of brilliance were often overshadowed by stretches of inconsistency, and while the team remains a contender, it’s clear that some key players need to find another gear if the Oilers are to finally hoist the Stanley Cup in 2026. This isn’t about piling on, but about accountability. The NHL is a results-driven league, and multi-million dollar contracts come with lofty expectations. Here’s a look at a few Oilers who

August 10, 2025

EdgeHockey Staff

Elias Pettersson Vancouver Canucks

Time to Hit the Panic Button? 6 Players Who Need a Big Bounce-Back Season in 2025-26

Well, another NHL season is in the books, and as the dust settles on the 2024-25 campaign, it’s time to start looking ahead. For some guys, the offseason will be a time for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. For others, it’ll be a summer of soul-searching and hard work, a chance to right the ship after a season they’d rather forget. Every year, there are players who, for one reason or another, just don’t live up to expectations. Whether it’s due to injury, a new system, or a good old-fashioned slump, some guys just can’t seem to find their game.

August 3, 2025

EdgeHockey Staff

Stan Bowman Kris Knoblauch Edmonton Oilers

McDavid and the Oilers: “Encouraging” Signs, but Don’t Pop the Champagne Just Yet

The hockey world is holding its breath, and for once, it’s not because of a highlight-reel goal from No. 97. This time, it’s all about the contract negotiations between Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers. After another season that saw the Oilers flash their high-end skill but ultimately fall short of the ultimate prize, the focus has shifted from on-ice dominance to off-ice dealings. The big question on everyone’s mind: will the best player in the world commit his long-term future to the city of champions? Recently, Oilers’ general manager (GM) Stan Bowman gave the media a much-anticipated update, and

August 3, 2025

EdgeHockey Staff

Los Angeles Kings Alex Laferriere

Kings Go All In On Laferriere with a Three-Year Deal

The Los Angeles Kings have locked down one of their key young guns, inking forward Alex Laferriere to a three-year contract extension worth $12.3 million ($4.1 million average annual value). For a player who just completed a stellar sophomore campaign (19 goals and 42 points), this deal is a solid vote of confidence from general manager (GM) Ken Holland and the Kings’ front office, signalling that they see him as a crucial part of their core moving forward. Laferriere, who just turned 23, made the jump to the show in 2023-24 and didn’t look out of place for a single

August 2, 2025

EdgeHockey Staff

Montreal Canadiens Arber Xhekaj

Forged in Fire: Projecting the Montreal Canadiens’ Elite 2025-26 Blue Line

For the first time in what feels like a generation, the conversation surrounding the Montreal Canadiens’ defence isn’t about hope and potential; it’s about power and dominance. The patient, methodical rebuild has given way to palpable, electrifying excitement. With the blockbuster acquisition of a true number one defenceman and the continued maturation of an incredible young core, the Canadiens are poised to ice one of the most dynamic and well-rounded blue lines in the entire league for the 2025-26 season. This is no longer a group finding its way; this is a unit built to win, and it’s ready to