The Edmonton Oilers, after consecutive Stanley Cup Final losses, have had a busy summer in 2025, making significant changes to their roster in hopes of finally capturing that elusive Stanley Cup in the 2025-26 season. General Manager Stan Bowman has been focused on getting younger and adding speed while managing a tight salary cap situation.

Key Acquisitions and Signings

To bolster their forward depth, the Oilers signed Andrew Mangiapane to a two-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $3.6 million. Mangiapane, known for his time with the rival Calgary Flames, brings valuable experience and scoring ability to the Oilers' top-six. The Oilers also brought back Trent Frederic with an eight-year extension at $3.85MM annually and re-signed Kasperi Kapanen on a one-year deal worth $1.3MM. Additionally, Curtis Lazar signed a one-year contract to return to Edmonton.

The Oilers acquired Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward prospect Sam O'Reilly. Howard, a Hobey Baker Award winner, is expected to compete for a middle-six role and inject more skill into the lineup. The team also signed Quinn Hutson, an undrafted winger from Boston University, to an entry-level contract.

Departures and Trades

To create cap space, the Oilers traded Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks and Viktor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins. These moves freed up significant cap room, allowing the Oilers to re-sign key players and add new talent. Other departures included Connor Brown (signed with New Jersey Devils), Corey Perry (signed with Los Angeles Kings), John Klingberg (signed with San Jose Sharks), and Jeff Skinner.

Focus on Youth and Prospects

The Oilers have been actively trying to inject youth into their lineup. Several young players and prospects are expected to compete for roster spots in the 2025-26 season. Matt Savoie is projected to earn a full-time role in the top-six forward group. Other prospects who may push for a roster spot include Quinn Hutson and Noah Philp. Top prospects in the Oilers' system include Samuel Jonsson (G), David Lewandowski (LW), Paul Fischer (D), Quinn Hutson (RW), Roby Jarventie (LW), Joshua Samanski, Beau Akey, Maxim Berezkin, Isaac Howard, and Matt Savoie.

At the 2025 NHL Draft, the Oilers selected Tommy Lafrenière, David Lewandowski, Asher Barnett, Daniel Salonen, and Aidan Park. With the 117th pick, Edmonton selected forward David Lewandowski from the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades. With the 223rd pick, Edmonton selected Green Bay Gamblers center Aidan Park.

Goaltending

One area where the Oilers did not make significant changes is in goaltending. Stuart Skinner is expected to remain the starting goaltender, with Calvin Pickard as his backup. Some had hoped that the Oilers would acquire a more proven goaltender to challenge Skinner, but the team seems content with their current tandem.

Salary Cap Situation

The Oilers are navigating a tight salary cap situation, with limited cap space available. According to Spotrac.com, the Oilers have $225,833 in cap space. The team has $250,000 in bonus overages. With Connor McDavid entering the final year of his contract, negotiating an extension will be a top priority for the Oilers. Leon Draisaitl will be in the first year of his NHL record contract eight-year, $112-million deal.

Season Outlook

Despite the changes, the Oilers' core remains intact, with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Darnell Nurse leading the way. The additions of Mangiapane and Howard should provide more offensive depth, while the continued development of young players like Savoie and Bouchard will be crucial. The Oilers are projected to be among the top contenders for the Stanley Cup in 2026. According to nhl.com, the Oilers will open the 2025-26 season with a Battle of Alberta against the Calgary Flames on October 8.

Some analysts believe that the Oilers' forward group may not be as strong as it was last season. However, the team is hoping that positive regression from players like Hyman and McDavid, along with contributions from new additions and young players, will offset the loss of scoring from departed veterans.

Overall, the Oilers have had a busy and strategic offseason, addressing key areas of need while managing their cap situation. The team is banking on a mix of veteran leadership, young talent, and improved depth to make another deep playoff run in 2026.