With the recent re-signing of restricted free agent (RFA) Colton Dach, Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman continues to have himself a heck of a summer. All eyes are on him, and having used his "get out of jail" GM-card, otherwise known as firing your coach, that surely includes owner Daryl Katz. But with so little room for error, it seems that Bowman is finding a path toward a more competitive and consistent roster.
The offseason started early, with the Oilers' exiting the Stanley Cup Playoffs in a first round loss to the San Jose Sharks. That may be a blessing in disguise, as few would argue that the 2025-26 version of the Oilers was a favorite to come out of the Western Conference, let alone win the Stanley Cup. It means the core of star players has more time to heal from the bumps and bruises of the past season, and the two extended ones prior.
Big deals and patience
The Darnell Nurse trade was an act of wizardry. We can't call it a win because, for all his detractors, Nurse was clearly the best player in the deal. But working with the dual disadvantages of an outsized contract, and a publicly known trade demand, many thought Bowman would have to retain salary or give back significant pieces. He somehow managed to do neither.
The NHL Entry Draft was underwhelming, but the Oilers' didn't go way off the board with the selections they did make, and this franchise is all about the present. While some pundits called Edmonton "losers" at the draft, they got some assets, and nobody truly knows who the winners are until these prospects hit the NHL (or don't).
Solid signings trickled in over the early summer months, with deadline acquisitions Connor Murphy and Jason Dickinson electing to stay in Edmonton long term. And while the term on those deals is a potential issue, it's again an issue for a few years from now. The more recent contract handed to Dach puts the Oilers one player closer to a full roster.
Free Agency wasn't a massive day for the Oilers, but they re-upped the always competitive Kasperi Kapanen, brought in goaltending and defensive depth, and didn't waste all their newly acquired cap space on an overpayment. The Oilers have flexibility, and that could allow them to add an impact player when the upcoming season's trade deadline arrives.
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