What’s Actually Going Wrong With the Oilers Right Now?

Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

What’s Actually Going Wrong With the Oilers Right Now?

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | By Old Prof | Last updated Apr 24, 2026 3:51 PM ET

If you scroll through fan reactions right now, it’s always a bit of a circus on Reddit. There are always some jokes, some rage, and a lot of “fire this guy” energy. But underneath all that, a few real concerns are starting to pop up about the Edmonton Oilers.

Everything with the Oilers Flows Through Connor McDavid

First, everything seems to come back to Connor McDavid. More specifically, it’s about how teams are playing him. The book is pretty simple right now: don’t let him attack the middle with speed. Instead, throw two or even three defenders at him and force him to the boards.

It’s not exactly new, but the Anaheim Ducks are executing it really well. And instead of adjusting, the Oilers kind of keep trying the same thing over and over.

That’s where some of the frustration with the coaching staff comes from. Fans are seeing the same setups game after game, with almost no adjustments. The power play hasn’t changed, the way they enter the zone hasn’t changed, and when it’s not working, they just keep hammering away at it. For a team this skilled, that’s what’s frustrating fans. It’s not just the failure — it’s how predictable it all feels.

The Oilers’ Power Play Has Been Lifeless

The power play deserves its own spotlight here. When you’ve got McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, it should be automatic goals. Instead, it’s been flat-out bad. We’re talking missed chances against weak penalty kills, and even giving up momentum the other way. That’s a huge red flag, especially in the playoffs, where special teams can decide a series fast.

There’s also this sense that McDavid himself may be overthinking it a bit. Instead of just attacking and reacting, he’s trying to beat everyone at once. Fans pointed out he’s going one-on-four more than usual, or forcing plays instead of using his teammates when the coverage collapses.

The weird part is that the strategy to beat that is actually simple. Let the pressure come, then move the puck quickly. But it’s not happening consistently.

The Oilers Are Failing to Adapt as a Team

Another big complaint: lack of adaptation as a team. When something isn’t working, the Oilers don’t really switch things up. You don’t see enough dump-and-chase, not enough grinding shifts, not enough adjustment to how tight the games are getting. It’s still very much a “we’ll skill our way through this” approach—even when that’s clearly being taken away.

And finally, there’s the classic Oilers criticism that never really goes away. The depth and balance are too weak. When the top guys get bottled up, the rest of the lineup isn’t consistently making teams pay. That’s when everything starts to feel harder than it should.

The thing is, none of this means the Oilers are done. It just means they’ve got to adjust—and fast. Because right now, teams aren’t guessing anymore. They’ve got a plan, and it’s working.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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