Hot takes for the 2025-2026 Edmonton Oilers

It’s that time of the year again folks. The annual season hot takes have arrived. Last year I didn’t do so well. I went 0.5/5. I gave myself .25 on calling Ty Emberson a reliable defenceman and another .25 on my cup final prediction.

This is the year where I’m going at least 3/5. I thought long and hard about this upcoming season have a prediction for each of the major storylines coming into the year: Connor McDavid, the wingers, goaltending, the two rookies, and the playoffs.

Without further ado, let’s get into it.

McDavid scores 50+ goals

While on the surface this seems pretty tame, if you take a look at McDavid’s production and actually have watched how he’s played the last two seasons, you’d know that McDavid’s goal-scoring has been pretty much non-existent. Ever since that wonderful 64-goal campaign in 2022–23, he got 32 the next season and only 26 last season. McDavid also had his lowest shots per game rate in his career ever last year.

Even in the playoffs the last two years, he only has fifteen goals in 47 games with two of those being an empty net and one deflection off a Vegas skate. He needs to be more selfish and shoot the puck more as there’s been countless chances where McDavid could have easily scored, but dishes it off for his wingers to fan on it. I think he knows this coming into the season. He’s hitting 50.

Mangiapane/Podkolzin combine for 70+ points

After last year’s *amazing* prediction of saying both Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson would have 30–30–60 seasons and Connor Brown scoring 30 in 2023–24, I went a bit more conservative here.

I don’t think people outside Edmonton know how close Vasily Podkolzin is to breaking out. He’s a dog on the forecheck, a physical presence, has an active stick, and is a great defensive player and linemate for Draisaitl. He was arguably our second best forward in the Final. He just needs to hone in on his offensive skills. He had eight goals and 24 points last regular season. It’s not a stretch to say he can score 15 goals and around 30–35 points.

Andrew Mangiapane won’t get the power play time, but being in the top-six should help his numbers out too. I say a 35–40 season for Bread should be good.

Rust and Luukonen become Oilers

It’s no secret that the Oilers still need to upgrade the goaltending of their team even if new Goaltending Coach Pete Aubry fixes some of Stuart Skinner’s issues. The winger depth also needs some work even if Isaac Howard and Matthew Savoie exceed expectations.

My very bold prediction is that the Oilers acquire Ukko-Pekka Luukonen, a starter on Buffalo who is toiling away on the Sabres much like Linus Ullmark before him (who I desperately wanted). The Oilers will also get Bryan Rust, a capable top-six winger who can finish, check, and has cup experience along with knowing how to play with elite centres in this league. Both Pittsburgh and Buffalo won’t make the playoffs and it’s about time the Oilers truly go all in. Imagine a lineup of:

Rust-McDavid-Hyman
Savoie-Draisaitl-Mangiapane
Frederic-RNH-Howard
Podkolzin-Lazar-Henrique

Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Walman
Kulak-Emberson

Luukonen

Come the playoffs? No one is stopping that.

Savoie has more success than Howard

This one may not be much of a hot take, but let’s just go with it. The main reason for this is Howard has yet to play pro hockey. It’s a huge change from the NCAA to the NHL and Howard may need some seasoning in Bakersfield. Even though he possesses a hell of a shot, he may need work on his defensive game and other tools for the pros.

Savoie has a full year under his belt with the Bakersfield Condors. He also has spent time on the penalty kill and had a cup of coffee with the Oilers. I think it’s likely Savoie falls in the 35–40 point range while Howard is lower at 25–30.

Rematch and win against Florida

The Oilers are the best team in the West and will only get better by the deadline. They’ve proved through the last two years no one is close to them. Yes, Vegas added Mitch Marner, but Alex Pietrangelo is still a huge blow to the team.

With the emergence of the young kids, improved depth and a capable goalie, the Oilers meet Florida again, who is still quite clearly the best team in the East. How on earth did they keep that entire team together? In 2024, it was heartbreak. In 2025, it was just a matter of being outmatched, but this time they get revenge. Oilers in seven. McDavid gets his cup. It’s happening (I hope).