In this episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis answers 20 burning questions about the Edmonton Oilers, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the team’s path forward. Can the Oilers win a Stanley Cup during the McDavid‑Draisaitl era? Who should Edmonton prioritize adding a first‑line winger or a top‑pairing defenseman? And what is Chris Knoblauch’s biggest weakness as a coach?

Nick also dives into key hypotheticals: What if the Oilers had drafted Matthew Tkachuk, Charlie McAvoy, or Jake Guentzel? Could Connor McDavid realistically reach 2,000 career points? And who’s the next Edmonton Oilers player to get their number retired? Plus, we debate the impact of players like Zach Hyman, Matthias Ekholm, Evan Bouchard, Dylan Holloway, and Vasily Podkolzin, and what it will take for this team to stay in contention in the 2025‑26 NHL season.

5:10 Comparing goal scoring potential of young players

10:14 FanDuel sponsorship and betting opportunities

15:52 Zach Hyman signing as turning point

21:27 Draft misses and alternative player selections

26:32 Hypothetical Connor McDavid trade scenarios

31:06 Outro: Feedback request and upcoming content

1. Do the Oilers need a first liner winger or 1LD more?

2. Lowest caliber starting goalie to win a cup?

3. Knoblauch's biggest weakness as a coach

4. More goals: Evander Kane or Ike Howard+Matthew Savoie+ Vasily Podkolzin?

5. 3rd line center or 4th defenseman?

6. Which flop hurt worse: Kailer Yamamoto or Jesse Puljujärvi

7. Could Taylor Hall have won a Hart trophy as an Oiler?

8. Biggest mistake contract?

9. Would Darnell Nurse been extended if Oskar Klefbom never got hurt?

10. Next number retired?

11. Best and worst contract?

12. Most important sliding doors moment?

13. Draft what ifs?

14: Yakupov: Forsberg, Hertl, Teräväinen
Nurse: Guentzel, Horvat, Morrissey
Puljujarvi: Tkachuk, Keller, Sergachev, McAvaoy

1. Who helps most right now: Holloway, Broberg, Foegele, Brown, Perry

2. Dream McDavid trade return package?

3. Can McDavid hit 2000 career points?

4. Can McDavid and Draisaitl run down Crosby and Malkin?

5. O/U 4.5 years on McDavid's extension

6. Will the Oilers win a cup with McDavid and Draisaitl?

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl & the Edmonton Oilers: 20 Burning Offseason Questions

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