As the Edmonton Oilers have now passed the quarter season mark on the 2025-26 NHL campaign, they sit outside the playoffs despite being tied for the lead in games played.
Luckily, the team plays six of their next seven games at home, giving them a good opportunity to be in a position to make up some wins. It will also be a good test to see where they are and if they can bounce back from their early skid.
As of right now, things do not bode well for the Oilers and those same feelings appear to be felt within the organization according to reporting from NHL insiders.
Elliotte Friedman on his 32 Thoughts podcast said "I think internally the heat is really on," continuing "the owner is a guy who puts a lot of pressure on the people he works with and I think everyone's feeling it now."
Oilers feeling the heat after early season struggles
It is clear that the Oilers are not happy with their performance to start the 2025-26 NHL campaign. This seems to be from up and down within the organization as there have been rumours of the Oilers bringing back former star and assistant coach, now advisor, Paul Coffey behind the bench.
Even aside from Coffey, the Oilers bench is not a safe place to get away from the heat with head coach Kris Knoblauch likely on the hot seat. This is despite him signing an extension to start the year and with his rock solid tenure behind the bench, overseeing back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals appearances.
This is the same all throughout the organization. If the Oilers fail to make the playoffs and do not go on a deep run, it is not only a step back but an utter failure for the front office and coaching staff.
Positive injury news
It was revealed Monday that two Oilers forwards are nearing returns to the lineup. Kasperi Kapanen and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins are expected to return at some point this week. Kapanen got injured ealry on in the season has been missing since mid-October while Nugent-Hopkins has been injured since the 9-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Adding these players to the lineup will help majorly, especially with 'RNH' having been on a heater scoring five goals and 11 assists for 16 points in as many games. Kapanen, although not as productive notched two assists in six games and helped provide solid depth.
Defenceman Jake Walman was recently sidelined but is not expected to miss much time after sacrificing the body in recent outings. Gaining all three of these players back into their NHL lineup will be a huge boost for the Oilers as they hope to turn their season around.
They will have the chance to do this their next game is against the Dallas Stars at home in Edmonton, Alberta.