The Edmonton Oilers are determined to wipe the slate clean this NHL offseason. Back-to-back defeats in the Stanley Cup Final have prompted big changes in Alberta. Now, as Connor McDavid and company bid farewell to several longtime teammates, general manager Stan Bowman has reportedly made his stance clear.
Business is far from booming in Edmonton, but Bowman and the front office are certainly working overtime during the ever-dramatic free agency period. Last season’s loss in the Stanley Cup Final remains an open wound for the Oilers—scars they don’t wear proudly, but as a vivid reminder. The goal for the upcoming NHL campaign is self-explanatory.
However, the climb remains just as steep. McDavid and the Oilers know what it takes to reach the Final, but they’re still searching for the last piece of the puzzle. Re-signing Evan Bouchard to a four-year contract secured a key part of Edmonton’s core. But the most important piece has yet to extend his stay for the long-haul.
No problem
While McDavid’s future continues to draw speculation ahead of 2026 free agency, Bowman is reportedly confident in where the Oilers stand heading into the 2025-26 NHL season. Not even the key departures are a headache for Edmonton’s general manager.
Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers competes in the Pepsi NHL Obstacle Course during 2024 NHL All-Star Skills Competition at Scotiabank Arena on February 02, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario.
“The one thing about Stan Bowman, he’s not fretting about what they lost,” insider Gene Principe said in dialogue with Sportsnet 590 The Fan.
see also
NHL News: Connor McDavid’s Oilers reportedly insisting on young star in trouble with Lightning
Key departures
Following the loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers have wasted no time in reshuffling its roster. These are some of the biggest names that have left The Oil Capital of Canada during the 2025 free agency.
- Viktor Arvidsson (via trade to the Boston Bruins)
- Corey Perry (to the Los Angeles Kings)
- Connor Brown (to the New Jersey Devils)
- John Klingberg (to the San Jose Sharks)
- *Jeff Skinner, expected to sign elsewhere
