Oilers’ Best-Case Scenarios for 2026-27

This season, it seems like the Edmonton Oilers could either win it all or completely fall apart. Despite a summer of change, controversy and question marks, here’s a look at four best-case scenarios for the Oilers in 2026-27.

Oilers Coaching Change Finally Works

Chris Knoblauch and Mark Stuart are out. Mike Babcock is in, along with associate coach DJ Smith. The Oilers wanted Bruce Cassidy, but the Vegas Golden Knights didn’t let that happen, so the franchise settled on Babcock, who by all accounts seemed like yesterday’s man. But is he?

Babcock and Smith could have a few tricks up their sleeve to help this version of the Oilers finally get over the hump and win the Stanley Cup. However, can Babcock, who has a history of playing head games with some of his players, get out of his own way and raise the team’s level of play? It’s been done before, so why not this season?

Best Case Scenario: Babcock turns back the clock and recaptures the magic he had when he won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008.

Edmonton’s Three-Goaltender System Pays Off

Connor McDavid has gone through more goaltenders in his time in Edmonton than Spinal Tap has gone through drummers. Maybe the new three-goaltender tandem of Frederik Andersen, Devon Levi and Tristan Jarry will give the Oilers the best, most consistent goaltending of the McDavid era.

It’s a plan that could work, especially with the veteran Andersen playing fewer games, Levi being brought in at the right time, and Jarry recapturing the promise he showed early in his career.

Best Case Scenario: Jarry performs well and gets traded for a veteran defenceman or a scoring winger and the Oilers enter the playoffs with Andersen and Levi at the top of their games.

McDavid and Draisaitl Become Selke Trophy Finalists

It may seem far-fetched that two of the NHL’s best offensive players turn their focus to their own end, but it could happen under Babcock. Great players like Steve Yzerman, Bobby Clarke, Bryan Trottier and Anze Kopitar all did it, and their names are all over the Stanley Cup. The Cup is really the only trophy both McDavid and Draisaitl are after.