Edmonton Oilers: All-Stars of the 2020s (so far)

Leon Draisaitl again, who is arguably one of the best German-born players of all time, has dominated the NHL this decade and has had five 100-point seasons with four in a row. In 439 games across his past six seasons, Draisaitl has been able to produce 274 goals and 370 assists for a total of 644 points.

His points per game pace during this time is a mind-blowing 1.47 and his best season this decade was in 2022–23, when he put up 52 goals and 76 assists for 128 points in just 80 games. That season, he was averaging 1.60 PPG.

Leon Draisaitl has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and has unfortunately lost in the last two Finals that the Oilers have appeared in. One thing is for sure, he has been one of the highest producing players so far this decade.

Connor McDavid, Centre

Connor McDavid who is the current Captain of the Oilers and the best player in the entire NHL, has been dominant this decade as well. In his past 325 games, McDavid has lit the league on fire and has posted video-game stats, with 233 goals and 477 assists for a total of 710 points.

Five straight 100-point seasons, has seen him average a points per game pace of 2.18 and only through six years of play. His best season of this decade and one of the best that we have ever seen, was in 2022–23, when he put up 64 goals and 89 assists for 153 points in a complete season. That season, he averaged 1.87 PPG.

Connor McDavid has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and has unfortunately lost in the last two Finals that the Oilers have appeared in. With video-game-like numbers, McDavid has accomplished some things that no one would ever expect to happen.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Centre

The longest tenured Oiler and current alternate captain, has seen some solid production for Edmonton so far this decade. In 420 games across six seasons, Nugent-Hopkins was able to produce 124 goals and 242 assists for a total of 366 points.

His points per game pace during this time was 0.87 and his best season was in 2022–23, when he put up 37 goals and 67 assists, for a career-best 104 points in a complete 82 game season. That year, he averaged 1.27 PPG.

Although Nugent-Hopkins has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and has lost the last two Finals that the Oilers have appeared in, he was a part of the team’s three players with 100+ points in 2022–23.

Zack Hyman, Winger

Zack Hyman has played his last four seasons with the Oilers this decade. In 308 games across that span, he has been able to produce 144 goals and 114 assists for a total of 258 points. His points per game pace so far this decade has been 0.84.

Hyman has been stellar for Edmonton in the playoffs with 35 goals and 25 assists for 60 points in 68 post-season games. His best season was in 2022–23, when he put up 36 goals and 47 assists for 83 points in only 79 games. That season, he averaged 1.05 PPG.

Zack Hyman has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and has unfortunately lost in the last two Finals that the Oilers have appeared in. He has proven to be one of Edmonton’s best offensive players since joining the squad.

Darnell Nurse, Defenceman

Darnell Nurse who is a current alternate captain, has spent six seasons with the Oilers so far this decade. In his 437 games across this time, Nurse was able to produce 57 goals and 155 assists for a total of 212 points, all as a defenceman.

His best season of the decade was in 2022–23, when he put up 12 goals and 31 assists for 43 points in a complete season. That season, he averaged 0.52 PPG and has racked up 374 penalty minutes during this decade. He spent an average of 0.86 minutes in the penalty box per game.

Darnell Nurse has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and has unfortunately lost in the last two Finals that the Oilers have appeared in.

James Neal, Winger

James Neal played two seasons with the Oilers in 2019–20 and 2020–21. In those 84 games, Neal was able to produce 24 goals and 17 assists for a total of 41 points.

His points per game pace as an Oiler was 0.49 and his best season was in 2019–20, when he put up 19 goals and 12 assists for 31 points in only 55 games. That season, he averaged 0.56 PPG.

James Neal did not win a Stanley Cup in his career, but he still managed to play for a good time, not a long time in Edmonton and retired in 2021–22.

Kailer Yamamoto, Winger

Kailer Yamamoto played four seasons with the Oilers in the 2020s. In 228 games across this time, Yamamoto was able to produce 49 goals and 64 assists for a total of 113 points.

His points per game pace during this time was 0.49 and his best season was in 2021–22, when he put up 20 goals and 21 assists for 41 points in 81 games. That season, he averaged 0.51 PPG.

Kailer Yamamoto has not won a Stanley Cup in his career, but he still meant something to the Oilers when he played for them.

Alex Chiasson, Winger

Alex Chiasson played three seasons with the Oilers in the late 2010s and early 2020s. In 183 games as an Oiler, Chiasson was able to produce 42 goals and 36 assists for a total of 78 points.

His points per game pace in Edmonton was 0.43 and his best season was in 2018–19, when he put up 22 goals and 16 assists for 38 points in 73 games. That season, he averaged 0.52 PPG.

Alex Chiasson did not win a Stanley Cup in his career and played for a short time in Edmonton, before retiring two years later.

Tyson Barrie, Defenceman

Tyson Barrie played three seasons with the Oilers this decade. In 190 games as an Oiler, Barrie was able to produce 25 goals and 107 assists for a total of 132 points.

His points per game pace during this time was 0.69 and his best season was in 2020–21, when he put up eight goals and 40 assists for 48 points in just 56 games. That season, he averaged 0.86 PPG.

Tyson Barrie did not win a Stanley Cup in his career and just recently announced his retirement on August 25 after playing for the Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Nashville Predators, and Calgary Flames.

Jesse Puljujarvi, Winger

Jesse Puljujarvi played three seasons with the Oilers this decade. In those 178 games, Puljujarvi was able to produce 34 goals and 41 assists for a total of 75 points.

His points per game pace during this time was 0.42 and his best season was in 2021–22, when he put up 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points in 65 games. That season, he averaged 0.55 PPG.

Jesse Puljujarvi has not won a Stanley Cup in his career, but he was still able to play for what is now, a decent Edmonton Oilers squad.

Evan Bouchard, Defenceman

Evan “Bouch Bomb” Bouchard, started his NHL career with the Oilers after being drafted tenth overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. In his first 347 games across six seasons, Bouchard has been able to produce 55 goals and 183 assists for a total of 238 points, all as an offensive defenceman.

His best season this decade was in 2023–24, when he put up 18 goals and 64 assists for 82 points in 81 games. That season, he averaged 1.01 PPG and as an Oiler, has a point per game pace of 0.69.

Evan Bouchard has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and has unfortunately lost in the last two Finals that the Oilers have appeared in. So far he has proven to be one of the best defensive players that the Oilers have seen, in terms of offensive ability.

Evander Kane, Winger

Evander Kane has played his last three seasons with the Oilers this decade. In 161 games during this time, Kane has been able to produce 62 goals and 49 assists for a total of 111 points. His points per game pace this decade has been 0.69 and he racked up 198 penalty minutes thanks to two 60+ PIM seasons.

He spent an average of 1.23 minutes in the penalty box per game and his best season was in 2023–24, when he put up 24 goals and 20 assists for 44 points in only 77 games. That season, he averaged 0.57 PPG.

Evander Kane has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and has unfortunately lost in the last two Finals that the Oilers have appeared in. In Edmonton he has definitely been able to make his physical presence known.

Cody Ceci, Defenceman

Cody Ceci played three seasons with the Oilers this decade. In 237 games as an Oiler, Ceci was able to produce 11 goals and 57 assists for a total of 68 points.

His points per game pace during this time was 0.29 and his best season was in 2021–22, when he put up five goals and 23 assists for 28 points in 78 games. That season, he averaged 0.36 PPG.

Cody Ceci has not won a Stanley Cup in his career and was a part of the Oilers roster when they lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, 2–1 in Game 7.

Warren Foegele, Winger

Warren Foegele played three seasons with the Oilers this decade. In 231 games across this time, Foegele was able to produce 45 goals and 50 assists for a total of 95 points.

His points per game pace during this time was 0.41 and his best season was in 2023–24, when he put up 20 goals and 21 assists for 41 points in a complete season. That season, he averaged 0.50 PPG.

Warren Foegele has not won a Stanley Cup in his career and was a part of the Oilers roster when they lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, 2–1 in Game 7. This is a player that a lot of fans were hoping that the organization would hang on to.

Derek Ryan, Centre

Derek Ryan has played his last four seasons with the Oilers this decade. In 261 games across this time, Ryan has been able to produce 29 goals and 31 assists for a total of 60 points.

His points per game pace during this decade has been 0.23 and his best season was in 2021–22, when he put up 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points in 75 games. That season, he averaged 0.29 PPG.

Derek Ryan has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and has unfortunately lost in the last two Finals that the Oilers have appeared in.

Ryan McLeod, Centre

Ryan McLeod started his NHL career with the Oilers after being drafted 40th over in the 2018 NHL Draft. In his first 219 games across four seasons, McLeod was able to produce 32 goals and 43 assists for a total of 75 points.

His points per game pace during this time was 0.34 and his best season was in 2023–24, when he put up 12 goals and 18 assists for 30 points in 81 games. That season, he averaged 0.37 PPG.

Ryan McLeod has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and was a part of the Oilers roster when they lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, 2–1 in Game 7.

Brett Kulak, Defenceman

Brett Kulak has played his last four seasons with the Oilers this decade. In 264 games across this time, Kulak has been able to produce 15 goals and 54 assists for a total of 69 points.

His points per game pace during this time has been 0.26 and his best season was in 2024–25 (last year), when he put up seven goals and 18 assists for 25 points in a complete season. That season, he averaged 0.30 PPG.

Brett Kulak has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and has unfortunately lost in the last two Finals that the Oilers have appeared in.

Mattias Ekholm, Defenceman

Mattias Ekholm has spent his last three seasons with the Oilers this decade. In his first 165 games as an Oiler, Ekholm has been able to produce 24 goals and 68 assists for a total of 92 points, all as a defensive defenceman.

His best season this decade was in 2023–24, when he put up 11 goals and 34 assists for 45 points in 79 games. That season, he averaged 0.57 PPG and as an Oiler, has a point per game pace of 0.56.

Mattias Ekholm has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and has unfortunately lost in the last two Finals that the Oilers have appeared in. So far he has proven to be one of the best defensive players that the Oilers have seen, in terms of defensive ability.

Corey Perry, Winger

Corey Perry played two seasons with the Oilers this decade. In 119 games across that time, Perry was able to produce 27 goals and 16 assists for a total of 43 points.

His points per game pace in Oil Country was 0.36 and his best season was in 2045–25 (last year), when he put up 19 goals and 11 assists for 30 points in 81 games. That season, he averaged 0.37 PPG.

Corey Perry has won one Stanley Cup in his career with the Anaheim Ducks back in 2006–07 and has not just lost in the last two Finals that the Oilers have appeared in, but has lost a total of five Stanley Cup Finals in the past six years.

Jeff Skinner, Winger

Jeff Skinner only ended up playing one season for the Oilers this decade. In his 72 games as an Oiler, Skinner was able to produce 16 goals and 13 assists for a total of 29 points.

His points per game pace in Oil Country was 0.40. Jeff Skinner has only made one playoff appearance in his 15-year career and put up one goal and one assist for two points in five games.

Jeff Skinner has yet to win a Stanley Cup and was a part of the Oilers roster when they lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, 5–1 in Game 6. He still meant something to the Oilers when he played for them.

Viktor Arvidsson, Winger

Viktor Arvidsson only ended up playing one season for the Oilers this decade. In his 67 games as an Oiler, Arvidsson was able to produce 15 goals and 12 assists for a total of 27 points.

His points per game pace in Oil Country was 0.40. He was pretty solid for Edmonton in the playoffs, after he put up two goals and five assists for seven points in 15 games.

Viktor Arvidsson has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and was a part of the Oilers roster when they lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, 5–1 in Game 6.

Mikko Koskinen, Goaltender

Mikko Koskinen spent pretty much the entirety of his NHL career with the Oilers in the late 2010s and early 2020s. In 164 games across four seasons, Koskinen was able to earn 83 wins, 59 losses and 13 ties.

Repping the Orange and Blue, he was able to finish with a 2.98 GAA and a save percentage of .907. His best season in Edmonton came in 2019–20, when he finished with a 2.75 GAA and a .917 SV%.

Mikko Koskinen did not win a Stanley Cup in his career, but he was still able to put up some very solid numbers in Edmonton when he played for them.

Stuart Skinner, Goaltender

Stuart “Stuuuuu” Skinner has played his entire NHL career with the Oilers after being drafted 78th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. In his first 174 games through five seasons, Skinner has been able to earn 98 wins, 54 losses and 14 ties.

Repping the Orange and Blue, he has been able to finish with a 2.73 GAA and a save percentage of .906. His best season so far, came in 2022–23, when he finished with a 2.75 GAA and a .913 SV%.

Stuart Skinner has yet to win a Stanley Cup in his career and even though he has unfortunately lost in the last two Finals that the Oilers have appeared in, he has been a massive part of ensuring that the team could make it to back-to-back Cup Finals.

All-time 2020s roster construction

The Edmonton Oilers have been able to roster a pretty solid team throughout the 2020s. Even though a Stanley Cup has not been won yet, they still managed to make an appearance in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals through the first six years of this decade: 2023–24 and 2024–25.

If you took these players and put them onto a 20-man roster, what would it look like? Here is what I came up with.

Evander Kane – Connor McDavid – Zack Hyman
Warren Foegele – Leon Draisaitl – Kailer Yamamoto
James Neal – Ryan Nugent-Hopkins – Alex Chiasson
Jeff Skinner – Ryan McLeod – Jesse Puljujarvi

Darnell Nurse – Evan Bouchard
Mattias Ekholm – Tyson Barrie
Brett Kulak – Cody Ceci

Stuart Skinner
Mikko Koskinen

Bench: Viktor Arvidsson – Derek Ryan – Corey Perry