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Edmonton Oilers Ranked Among NHL's Biggest Off-Season Losers

Originally posted on House of Hockey | By Tom Banks | Last updated Aug 26, 2025 4:35 PM ET

The Edmonton Oilers saw an immense overhaul this off-season, and according to the Daily Faceoff, they're one of the biggest losers from this summer.

After losing in the Stanley Cup Finals for the second straight year, many knew it was time for change with the Edmonton Oilers, but over the summer, things changed way more than expected.

The team moved on from veterans like Evander Kane and Corey Perry, and have now put their faith in young players like Isaac Howard and Matthew Savoie, and while the potential is still there, many have questioned those moves.

Why Analysts Believe the Oilers Took a Step Back in 2025

Sure, the talent is still there, but in Howard and Savoie, the team are banking on potential rather than proven production, and with a lack of depth down the middle and question marks on the wing make them difficult to judge heading into next season.

The Daily Faceoff have taken their turn to judge the Oilers however, as Matt Larkin has named them as one of five teams that have gotten worse since their second straight Stanley Cup Finals loss to the Florida Panthers.

How Edmonton's Off-Season Moves Compare to Other NHL Contenders

The moves in Edmonton simply look worse as well when comparing them to Florida and other teams, as the Panthers locked in three key pieces and made some small additions, while teams like Vegas added Mitch Marner to their already loaded roster.

Sure, the Oilers will and should still be considered genuine contenders for the upcoming season, but if these risky moves by GM Stan Bowman don't end up paying off, it could be a very bad look for a team that was within one or two games of a Stanley Cup in 2024 and 2025.

This article first appeared on House of Hockey and was syndicated with permission.

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