Edmonton Oilers: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

‘I am just horrified’: Mark Messier questions player role in Oilers’ Babcock hire

Mark Messier is not too impressed with the Edmonton Oilers’ decision to hire Mike Babcock as head coach, saying the organization’s handling of the process was “something that I’ve never heard of before.” The team’s former captain from 1988-91 specifically took issue with Oilers players conducting interviews with Babcock.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Oilers Legend Mark Messier Makes Strong Argument Against Mike Babcock Hiring

Edmonton Oilers legend Mark Messier has made it clear that he was not impressed with his old team’s decision to hire Mike Babcock as their new head coach.

Edmonton Oilers News / Yardbarker / September 23

Mark Messier torches Oilers for controversial Mike Babcock hiring

As part of their desperate desire to win a Stanley Cup with Connor McDavid, the Edmonton Oilers have made a lot of controversial decisions over the past few years.

Mike Babcock has already made an impact on the Oilers during preseason

Coach Pete DeBoer expects Matthew Schaefer to become future captain of Islanders

Rangers' Adam Sykora out multiple months with lower-body injury

Three NHL defensemen poised for a breakout season

The 10 best value contracts in the NHL for 2026-27

The 'Most 5-point NHL games' quiz

San Jose Sharks News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The ''EA NHL,'' covers since 2000' quiz

How many of the players to grace the cover of each EA NHL video game going back to 'NHL 2000?"

The 'First-overall NHL Draft picks' quiz

The 'Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The 'Most NHL goals all-time' quiz

Beau Akey News / Oilersnation / September 23

Oilers assign Beau Akey, four players to Condors

The Edmonton Oilers roster trimming continued on Wednesday afternoon. After their second preseason game in Winnipeg, a 2-1 overtime win for Edmonton, the team announced that five players will head to the Bakersfield Condors.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The best and worst NHL free agency deals since 2000

The NHL has had an interesting new millennium. It was a league sans a salary cap when the 2000s started… and then the owners locked the players out for an entire season.

Mike Babcock News / Daily Faceoff / September 23

Mike Babcock has already made an impact on the Oilers during preseason

For many teams in the NHL, preseason hockey may feel like a meaningless, obligatory task that has to be completed before getting to the regular season.

Connor McDavid News / Oilersnation / September 23

Why cutting Connor McDavid’s ice time won’t fix the Oilers’ depth scoring

From the moment he was hired, Mike Babcock and the leaders of the Edmonton Oilers have talked about making everyone feel important. It makes sense, but we shouldn’t pretend this hasn’t happened in the past.

Mike Babcock News / Oilersnation / September 23

Early impressions from Mike Babcock’s first week behind the Oilers’ bench

The Edmonton Oilers took a chance hiring Mike Babcock. A lot has been said this summer about Edmonton’s controversial choice for their head coach. Now we’ve seen Babcock in action through a week of training camp and two pre-season wins over the Winnipeg Jets.

Edmonton Oilers News / The Hockey Writers / September 23

Mike Babcock’s Line Experiments Could Change Everything for the Oilers

Mike Babcock has spent the opening days of Edmonton Oilers training camp testing a familiar question: Should Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl play together, or should each drive his own line?

NHL News / The Oil Rig / September 23

2026–27 Edmonton Oilers Pacific Division rival preview: Seattle Kraken

Welcome to the Oil Rig’s Pacific Division preview series. Today let’s take a closer look at the Seattle Kraken. While there have been some bright spots, the early stages of the Kraken have been decidedly mediocre.

Edmonton Oilers News / The Hockey Writers / September 23

Oilers’ Depth Is Stronger to Start This Season Versus Last

It’s still early, but it’s also fun to look at the teams on paper and make predictions and get excited. The Edmonton Oilers are a team that came out hot in the first preseason game, albeit against a Winnipeg Jets team with far less stars playing, but it’s still an exciting sight to see.

NHL News / Yardbarker

The defining figure for every NHL franchise

People will talk about the “Mount Rushmore” for a franchise, which is to say the four people, usually four players, that most define the franchise. Not always the four-best players, but the four that evoke the essence of the franchise.

NHL News / The Hockey Writers / September 23

3 Takeaways From Oilers’ 2-1 Preseason Win Against Jets

Viljami Marjala scored 1:26 into overtime to lift the Edmonton Oilers to a 2-1 victory over the host Winnipeg Jets in NHL preseason action at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday (Sept.

Edmonton Oilers News / The Hockey Writers / September 23

Analyst Suggests Oilers Hired Babcock to Distract Fans From McDavid, Draisaitl

The Edmonton Oilers hiring Mike Babcock seemingly came out of nowhere this offseason, and it shocked many fans around the league. There was speculation they could look at bringing in Bruce Cassidy, but that never came to fruition.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'NFL 100-touchdown club' quiz

The 'Most 300-yard, 3-TD NFL games' quiz

The 'NFL all-time passing leaders' quiz

The 'FBS animal nicknames' quiz

Viljami Marjala News / Oilersnation / September 23

Marjala and Leppänen shine as farmhands lead Oilers to OT win

There were stretches without many chances, some lagging veterans at pre-season speed, and terrific minor-leaguers who left a good impression in the Edmonton Oilers’ second exhibition game.

Mike Babcock News / The Hockey Writers / September 23

Oilers’ Babcock Willing to Be Patient With Ike Howard

Edmonton Oilers fans are hoping they can finally make a deep playoff run and win their first Stanley Cup since 1990 with new head coach Mike Babcock behind the bench, and his willingness to be honest and hold players accountable is a breath of fresh air for fans and players alike.

Edmonton Oilers News / Oil on Whyte / September 23

Oilers win again but their offence has shown little improvement

While the Edmonton Oilers were not able to put as strong a performance together as they did on Saturday, they were still able to earn a 2-1 overtime win against the Winnipeg Jets, concluding a home-and-home series with their cross-country rivals.

Viljami Marjala News / Oilersnation / September 22

Instant Reaction: Viljami Marjala scores OT winner to lift Oilers over Jets 2-1

Let’s hope that this game ends up being the most boring Edmonton Oilers game of the season. On Tuesday evening, the Oilers played their second of four

Devon Levi News / Professor Press Box / September 22

The Oilers May Be About to Learn Something Important

The Edmonton Oilers didn't bring Devon Levi to town simply to give him a nice tour of the facilities. They acquired the 24-year-old goaltender in July because they needed another option in the crease.

Eduards Tralmaks News / Oilersnation / September 22

Eduards Tralmaks on NHL ambitions: ‘I still haven’t given up on my dream yet’

Even from all the way over in Riga, Latvia, Eduards Tralmaks dreamt of playing in the National Hockey League as a kid. Now, at 29-years-old, he’ll get a chance to play for the Edmonton Oilers in the pre-season on Tuesday night against the Winnipeg Jets.

Connor McDavid News / NHL Trade Talk / September 22

How the Oilers’ Connor McDavid Is Forcing NHL Veterans to Rethink Retirement

Connor McDavid isn’t just fast. He’s career‑questioning fast. The kind of fast that makes NHL veterans rethink their place in the sport after one bad matchup.

Kris Russell News / The Hockey Writers / September 22

Kris Russell: The Most Underrated Oilers Blueliner of All Time

The Edmonton Oilers’ organization has a long history of very notable and impactful players. Some of these players are in the Hall of Fame or on their way there, some of them have won Stanley Cups and other honours, and the rest have made their names known in other ways.

Ty Rattie News / Oilersnation / September 22

Remember Ty Rattie? Revisiting ‘The Answer’ and searching for Edmonton’s next one

Does anyone remember “The Answer”? The year was 2018, and two Edmonton Oilers were scoring at a record-breaking pace in the pre-season. No, it wasn’t Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Edmonton Oilers News / NHL Trade Talk / September 22

Oilers Using Mike Babcock Hire to Hide the Real McDavid Story in Edmonton, Insider Suggests

Did the Edmonton Oilers have a grand scheme in play when they hired new head coach Mike Babcock? Bryan Hayes of TSN seems to think so, suggesting in a recent interview that this hire wasn’t just about getting a good coach.

Edmonton Oilers News / Daily Faceoff / September 22

Schedule unveiled for 2027 World Juniors in Edmonton, Red Deer

It’s crazy to think, but we’re just over three months away from the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship. On Tuesday, the International Ice Hockey Federation released the schedule for the upcoming event, set to take place in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.

Edmonton Oilers News / The Oil Rig / September 22

From Edmonton Oilers to NHL GMs: An unexpected front-office pipeline

Former Edmonton Oilers are scattered throughout professional hockey from the NHL to leagues elsewhere in North America and overseas. Others have moved behind the bench, into broadcasting, or into front offices.

Edmonton Oilers News / The Oil Rig / September 21

The Matt Savoie injury brings a key opportunity for Isaac Howard

Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Savoie is injured and will miss training camp. With him likely beginning the year a step behind everyone, this opens the door for another young Oilers forward.