The Edmonton Oilers are just eight games into their 2026-27 NHL campaign and things have been off to a great start.
The team is red hot, sporting a 6-1-1 start, putting them first in the entire NHL in terms of points percentage. In addition to the team success, individual players have been having career years to start the season.
After new head coach Mike Babcock reunited Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to begin the season, it has been a huge success with both having phenomenal beginnings to the season. So far, the Oilers' individual success has helped the team to have overall success, something that is not always common.
Oilers stars are red hot
Oilers captain, McDavid is on pace to have the best season of his career, scratch that, ever. He has scored six goals, 17 assists for 23 points, putting him on pace for 241 points over an 84 game schedule.
The last time a player has surpassed the 200 point mark was former Edmonton Oilers captain, Wayne Gretzky, who scored 215 points in 80 games during the 1985-86 season. This also stands as the record for most points in a single NHL season. It is unlikely that McDavid reaches let alone surpasses that mark but it is fun to imagine if he did and his hot start gives him the foundation to have an incredible season, regardless.
McDavid's linemate Draisaitl has had a big start to the year. It is unfortunately being overshadowed by his teammates to some extent. Draisaitl has scored six goals and eight assists for 14 points in eight games, putting him on pace for 147 points in 84 games. It would not only be the highest point toals of his career but if his goal scoring pace keeps up (currently on pace for 63 goals) it would be the highest of his career as well.
Draisaitl's production is much more realistic and would put him on pace to contend for the Art Ross Trophy and Maurice 'Rocket' Richard trophy. That is, if his teammate McDavid does not hit his current projection.
Last but certainly not least is Oilers number one defenceman, Evan Bouchard. He has started his redemption season on fire. Through eight games, Bouchard has scored six goals and 10 assists for 16 points, putting him tied for third in the NHL , leading all defenceman in scoring.
His current production puts him on pace for 168 points in 84 games played. This would be the highest scoring season by an NHL defenceman of all time, surpassing Bobby Orr who set the current record with 139 points in 78 games in 1970-71.
Again, this is highly unlikely but it does look like Bouchard will once again be one of the top scoring defencemen this season. He did the same last year, where he scored 95 points (21 goals, 74 assists) in 82 games but was somehow not even nominated for the James Norris Trophy as the league's top defenceman. Now, it would be impossible for the voters not to notice just how great he has been.
The Oilers stars have remained red hot and if they can keep this up, it could be a big year for each player and for the team as a whole.
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