Oilers GM Stan Bowman Has His Work Cut Out for Him – The Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

The wounds of losing a second straight Stanley Cup Final are still fresh for the Edmonton Oilers. They were the second-best team for most of the series, and maybe had they scored in overtime in Game 2 instead of Brad Marchand, they might’ve had a better chance of dethroning the Florida Panthers. However, it just wasn’t meant to be. Again. And the window for winning the Stanley Cup is closing fast, especially in the Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl era of Oilers hockey. Both players deserved a better fate, but in the end, the Oilers got beaten by a more well-rounded team that doesn’t rely so heavily on its superstars.

Since the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is now in the history books, it’s time to look ahead at what could happen to this Oilers team with general manager Stan Bowman at the helm.

Bowman Needs to Sign Key Pieces of the Oilers’ Future

There are two main signings that Bowman needs to worry about in the 2025-26 season. First, he has to sign restricted free agent (RFA) defenceman Evan Bouchard to a new contract before Bouchard gets an offer sheet. And Bowman needs to worry about signing pending unrestricted free agent (UFA) McDavid as his current contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season.

Both players are due for big pay increases, but unfortunately, the Oilers are tight to the cap. Signing both players will mean sacrificing other players, and right now, it’s hard to say who is going to stay and who will be gone by the time the Oilers hit the ice for the 2025-26 season in October.

Bowman Needs to Trade Goaltender Stuart Skinner

Stuart Skinner is a pretty good goalie who needs a fresh start. After hearing about his wife say their family was receiving death threats during the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, it’s time for Skinner and his family to go to a market where fans won’t do this to him. Skinner has two things going for him: he’s young, and his contract isn’t expensive. He could still very well have a solid career, but for his sake and the Oilers, it’s time for him to move on. Skinner was given the starter’s net almost by default after former Oilers’ starter Jack Campbell lost his game. Campbell was signed to a five-year, $25 million contract by former…