Edmonton Oilers Season Preview 2025-26: More Than Just a Cup Run

0 Diana khan August 10, 2025

The air in Edmonton is thick with anticipation. Coming off back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, the Oilers are no longer just a good team; they’re a team with a target on their back. But as we look ahead to the 2025-26 season, two massive questions loom over Rogers Place, the answers to which will define not just this season, but the next era of Oilers hockey. As an expert who has been covering NHL rumors for years, I can tell you that this is a pivotal moment for the franchise.

The Connor McDavid Contract and Goaltending Gamble

First, the million-dollar question—or rather, the $100-million question: will Connor McDavid re-sign? The best player in the world is entering the final year of his contract. While Leon Draisaitl is locked in long-term, McDavid is taking his time, and who can blame him? This isn’t just about money; it’s about legacy. He’s a three-time Hart Trophy winner and a four-time Ted Lindsay Award winner. He wants a Stanley Cup, and he needs to be sure that the Oilers are the team that can get him there. The rumors around the league are that he will re-sign, but until that contract is signed, every game, every win, every loss will be viewed through the lens of McDavid’s future.

Then there’s the situation between the pipes. Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, the duo that backstopped the Oilers to the Final, are both unrestricted free agents after this season. Both have shown flashes of brilliance, but also moments of inconsistency. Skinner had three shutouts in the playoffs, but also let in five or more goals five times. Pickard was a rock in some games and a sieve in others. The Oilers have brought in a new goalie coach, Peter Aubry, to try and get more out of the tandem. But the question remains: is this the goaltending that can win the Stanley Cup? Or will the Oilers be forced to look elsewhere? The Oilers have been linked to free agent goalie Carter Hart.

Edmonton Oilers Pre-Season Schedule 2025-26

The road to the regular season begins with an eight-game pre-season schedule that will see the Oilers face off against some of their biggest rivals. Here’s a look at the full schedule:

Sunday, September 21st vs. Calgary Flames (Split Squad) – Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB (Time TBD)
Sunday, September 21st @ Calgary Flames (Split Squad) – Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, AB (Time TBD)
Tuesday, September 23rd @ Winnipeg Jets – Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg, MB (Time TBD)
Wednesday, September 24th vs. Seattle Kraken – Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB (Time TBD)
Friday, September 26th vs. Winnipeg Jets – Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB (Time TBD)
Sunday, September 28th vs. Vancouver Canucks – Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB (Time TBD)
Wednesday, October 1st @ Seattle Kraken – Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA (Time TBD)
Friday, October 3rd @ Vancouver Canucks – Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC (Time TBD)