Did the Oilers Fix the Right Problem This Offseason?

The Edmonton Oilers made a lot of moves this offseason. But did they fix the right problems? Fans won’t know until well into the 2026-27 season. It’s easier to grade the Oilers’ moves today than it will be when we know how they actually worked out.

Every summer, fans look at NHL moves and immediately start handing out grades. A trade is an A. A signing is a B. A questionable move gets a C or worse.

But after watching enough hockey summers, I’ve learned something: the best offseason is not always the one with the biggest names. It is the one that solves the problems that actually cost you games. And that is the interesting thing about the Oilers this summer. They made some very smart moves. They created flexibility. They improved their depth. They changed the shape of the roster.

But one question remains. Did they fix the biggest problem?

The Nurse Trade Changed Everything.

The easiest move to praise is the Darnell Nurse trade. If you’re not a Nurse fan, getting his contract off the books without retaining salary was outstanding work. This is not about blaming Nurse. He was a big-minute NHL defenceman who played difficult minutes in Edmonton for years.

But contenders need flexibility. A large contract that limits your ability to improve elsewhere becomes a challenge, especially when you are trying to build around two of the best players in the world. The Oilers created room. Now they have to make sure they use that room wisely.

Goaltending Remains the Big Question.

This is where the summer becomes harder to evaluate. Frederik Andersen makes sense. He has experience, has played at a high level, and, if he stays healthy, can provide stability. And, financially, the move does not put Edmonton in a difficult position.

But the Oilers are not just looking for a good regular-season story. They are looking for a goalie who can win playoff games. That is where Devon Levi becomes fascinating.

The talent is obvious. The upside is real. But upside is not the same thing as certainty. The Oilers are built to win now. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are not waiting for every prospect to reach his potential.

Final Thoughts About the Oilers’ Summer.

The Oilers had a productive summer. They made a strong salary cap move, improved their supporting cast, and gave themselves more options. But championship teams are built by removing uncertainty. And right now, the biggest uncertainty in Edmonton remains between the pipes.

It’s going to take a while before we see just how well the Oilers have done in that regard. The question is whether Edmonton fixed its biggest weakness — or simply fixed its most obvious one.