The countdown is almost over. We’re about a week away from the start of the 2025–26 NHL season, and for the Edmonton Oilers, the focus is clear: they need new players to step up and make an impact if they want to return to the Stanley Cup Final — and win it this time.
The Oilers have been one of the NHL’s most dangerous teams over the past two years, but cracks in their offensive armor have started to show. With roster turnover, injuries, and declining numbers from some of their stars, the team’s offensive identity is at risk. Let’s dive into the numbers, the concerns, and which players must rise to the occasion.
Oilers offence has been on the decline
In 2022–23, the Oilers led the league with 325 goals. That number dropped to 292 in 2023–24 and then slid again to just 259 last season. That’s a staggering 66-goal drop in three years (according to NHL.com).
Yes, their goals against improved slightly (down 21 in that span), but their overall goal differential has fallen from plus-69 to plus-24. That’s the difference between being a contender and just being a playoff team.
Special teams also tell part of the story. The power play, once historic, has cooled off dramatically:
- 32.36 percent in 2022–23
- 26.34 percent in 2023–24
- 23.76 percent last season
Meanwhile, the penalty kill improved only marginally, by two percent. Without the power play dominance they once relied on, Edmonton has struggled to outscore opponents.
The Oilers stars production has slipped
Much of the scoring decline comes from their top players:
- Zach Hyman dropped from 54 goals to 27.
- Connor McDavid went from 64 goals to just 26.
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins slipped from 37 goals to 20.
That’s 81 goals lost from three players alone. Add in the 63 goals gone from departures of players like Perry, Arvidsson, Brown, and Kane, and it’s no surprise Edmonton finished only 12th in goals-for last season.
Who needs to make an impact?
Trent Frederic
Fresh off a trade, Frederic is expected to start on the top line with McDavid and Draisaitl. At 6’3”, 221 pounds, he brings size, grit, and underrated finishing. His career high is 40 points with Boston, but if he stays healthy (ankle injuries slowed him last year), he could easily surpass that in Edmonton. Skating with the league’s two best playmakers is the opportunity of a lifetime — and he has to seize it.
Andrew Mangiapane
The Oilers are betting big on Mangiapane rediscovering his form from 2021–22 in Calgary, when he scored 35 goals. Last season in Washington, he managed just 14 goals. Now, back in Alberta, he’s motivated and looks sharp in preseason. If he can rebound to even the 20–25 goal range, he’ll give Edmonton much-needed secondary scoring.
Matt Savoie
Oilers No. 1 ranked prospect Matt Savoie is knocking on the door after a strong 54-point season in the AHL. He had brief chemistry with Draisaitl last year, and if head coach Kris Knoblauch gives him meaningful minutes, he could surprise. A spot on the second or third line would give Savoie a chance to show he belongs — and Edmonton desperately needs his speed and creativity.
Vasily Podkolzin
The Oilers gave Podkolzin a three-year, $8.85M deal, and expectations are high. His 24 points last season don’t tell the full story — in the playoffs he exploded with 10 points and a +7 rating. Edmonton hopes that confidence carries over. If Podkolzin hits his stride, 40–45 points is a realistic target, and that would be a major boost for Edmonton’s depth.
Depth forwards
Beyond the big names, the Oilers will also look to depth players like Curtis Lazar, Kasperi Kapanen, Ike Howard, and Mattias Janmark to chip in. Over the last two seasons, Edmonton’s bottom six produced a combined 137 goals — production that has since evaporated with roster turnover. Replacing that offense is critical.
Final thoughts
The Oilers still boast two of the game’s best players in McDavid and Draisaitl, but they can’t do it alone. With declining production from the stars and so much offense lost through trades and free agency, this team needs impact from new faces.
Frederic, Mangiapane, Savoie, and Podkolzin hold the keys to Edmonton’s season. If even two of them break out, the Oilers could return to the league’s elite offensive tier and chase the Stanley Cup once again. If not, the goal drought could continue — and the window could get smaller.