Edmonton Oilers: Keys To 2026-27

Coaching: Maybe there’s 10% of the fanbase who like having Mike Babcock make his NHL return with this team. But that doesn’t matter; he was hired as the new head coach at the end of the day. Edmonton’s core players wanted it; they got it, so we have to live with it. We add him to the list of former controversial men brought into the Alberta capital, but he sounds like he may’ve changed, at least slightly. The last two coaching changes before this one happened after a midseason firing. Seeing the Oilers start a season with a new face is pretty different. Every time it looked like we were happy with what the new guy was doing, he’d revert to the same issues that every past coach did. Please, Babs. No fourth-line minutes for younger players, no more frequent line juggling, no more overplaying the stars, no more playing up and down like a toilet seat. Oilers fans just want to see a normal hockey team on the ice for once. Is that too much to ask?

Goalies: Who saw this topic coming? I’ve never heard anyone talk about it one time. The goaltending position will already be tested early for Edmonton. Frederik Andersen was a solid cheap signing, but he’s missing October with an injury. Tristan Jarry needs to rebound from a poor season with the Oilers last year. Devon Levi was a great trade, but he has only half a season’s worth of NHL experience. I’ve written this exact same feeling in previous articles; we can’t afford another Stuart Skinner scenario with this tandem. Here’s hoping the veteran plays well enough, and then the other veteran as well when he comes back, and the younger guy doesn’t have to burn out or rush his development because he was saving the season.

No Excuses: It was fair to pin a disappointing first-round exit last season on consecutive years of longer Playoff runs. Three Conference Final appearances in four years and back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances prior to 2025/2026 can wear on a hockey player’s body. Outside of a few Oilers who took part in the World Championships after losing Round 1, almost everyone on the roster had two extra months of summer. They have more than enough veteran experience, and Darnell Nurse isn’t here to be blamed for everything anymore. We’re afraid of Babcock, but that can’t mean the sky literally falls. If they’re relatively healthy for most of the year, there shouldn’t be major setbacks.