This season, there will undoubtedly be another run for the Stanley Cup on the Canadian prairies. As the 2025–26 NHL season gears up, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a familiar position. Once again, they came right up to the window of greatness, looked in, but couldn’t grab the gold. For the second offseason in a row, the sting of another heartbreaking Stanley Cup Final loss is still fresh.
It’s not a question of whether the Oilers are good enough. That much is clear. The real question is whether they can finally finish the job.
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Connor McDavid remains the best player on the planet, and Leon Draisaitl—still under contract for multiple seasons—continues to be his unstoppable counterpart. But if last season taught us anything, it’s that superstar talent alone isn’t enough. The Oilers need every part of their roster to deliver when it matters most.
Three Storylines that Could Make or Break the Oilers’ Season
Here are three storylines that could make or break their season.
Storyline One – McDavid and Draisaitl: Can This Duo Finally Deliver a Cup?
This dynamic pair has carried Edmonton to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, and their numbers remain jaw-dropping. In 2024-25, Draisaitl scored 52 goals and posted 106 points. Both he and McDavid tied with 33 playoff points, leading the charge as Edmonton pushed to the Final for the second straight year.
McDavid, now entering the final season of his eight-year, $100 million contract, still hasn’t lifted the Cup. There are talks of an extension soon. Rumours are swirling that he might sign a short-term extension—or even test free agency—if the Oilers don’t prove they can win. Draisaitl is locked in for several more seasons, but their shared legacy will ultimately be defined by one thing: bringing a Stanley Cup back to Edmonton.
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They’ve done everything except win the last game of the year. The 2025–26 season may be their best—and perhaps last—chance to do it together.
Storyline Two – Goaltending: Will Skinner Be Steady Enough?
Stuart Skinner has delivered some of his best hockey during Edmonton’s recent playoff runs, but inconsistency under pressure remains a…
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