The Edmonton Oilers have fallen short in back‑to‑back Stanley Cup Finals, but how different were the 2023‑24 and 2024‑25 teams? Host Nick Zararis examines the numbers behind the Oilers’ regression from Zach Hyman’s scoring drop to the loss of Evander Kane and a less dominant power play to explain why Edmonton couldn’t get over the hump.

We also break down playoff performance, penalty kill swings, and goaltending consistency from Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, plus what roster adjustments could help Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the Oilers finally bring the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton.

0:00 Intro: Comparing Oilers' last two seasons

10:46 Situational opportunity and randomness in sports

16:22 Playoff performance and goaltending analysis

25:00 Lessons learned and potential for improvement

Edmonton Oilers: Lessons From Two Stanley Cup Final Losses

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The Edmonton Oilers are entering the new season with more questions about their forwards than their defense. Can they still score enough to make a serious playoff push?

Host Nick Zararis breaks down:

The Oilers’ 5-on-5 and power play scoring from last year

Which scorers are gone—and how many goals they’re taking with them

Projected goal regression (good and bad)

Who can realistically fill the gap

This is a stat-heavy, logic-first deep dive that every Oilers fan should hear. Can McDavid and Draisaitl still carry the load—or will they need help?

Locked On Oilers is part of the Locked On Podcast Network—your team, every day.

0:00 Intro: Oilers defense may outperform forwards

5:43 McDavid and Draisaitl's massive goal contributions

11:21 Analyzing player performance within team structure

16:56 Replacing 60-80 goals lost in offseason

22:34 Potential for positive regression in scoring

27:38 Outro: Evaluating roster changes and goals

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For as good as Leon Draisaitl is for the Edmonton Oilers, the center fails to get credit for being as good as he is because he's teammates with Connor McDavid. Host Nick Zararis makes a case for Draisaitl being in the same vein as Evgeni Malkin, an equally worthy superstar companion to one of the best to ever play the game.

0:00 Intro: Leon Draisaitl's overlooked superstar status

5:51 Draisaitl's impressive Oilers franchise records

11:28 Thriving with less-than-ideal linemates

16:32 Draisaitl's versatility opens opportunities for teammates

21:38 Argument for best European player ever

27:13 Conclusion: Draisaitl's legacy and future

Why Leon Draisaitl deserves more credit across the NHL | The league's most under appreciated star
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#NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers

The Edmonton Oilers' future hangs in the balance. What happens if Connor McDavid doesn't sign an extension? On today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis breaks down why failing to extend the best player in the NHL would be an organizational disaster. We dive into potential trade packages, what kind of return Edmonton could even hope for, and the long-term implications of losing McDavid.

From the ripple effect on free agency to the psychological impact on the franchise, this episode explores every angle of the doomsday scenario. Featuring discussions on players like Macklin Celebrini, Will Smith, Lane Hutson and more.

5:16 McDavid's impact as best player in NHL

10:52 Exploring potential McDavid trade scenarios

16:29 Challenges of getting fair value for McDavid

21:33 Why superstars like McDavid are irreplaceable

26:41 Importance of extending McDavid for Oilers' future

What If the Oilers Lose Connor McDavid? | McDavid Trade Scenarios + Edmonton's Future Without Him
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#NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers

With Mattias Ekholm entering his mid-30s and playing a crucial role in unlocking Evan Bouchard, the Edmonton Oilers face a difficult decision. Host Nick Zararis breaks down the pros and cons of a potential extension, including aging curves, salary cap implications, and comparable contracts for Chris Tanev, Ryan McDonagh, and more.

Nick also looks at:

Ekholm’s value beyond the box score

How defense-first players age in today’s speed-and-skill NHL

Why Jake Walman might be the long-term solution

📲 Subscribe and leave a five-star review to support the show!

0:00 Intro: Oilers' decisions on Matthias Ekholm's future

5:14 Challenges in valuing defensive defensemen

10:22 Current NHL market for aging defensemen

15:58 Comparing Ekholm to other defensive contracts

20:04 Ekholm's importance to Oilers' playoff success

24:38 Finding the right partner for top defensemen

28:41 Outro: Subscribe to Locked On NHL

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The Edmonton Oilers made a deep run to the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, but age is becoming a real concern for this veteran-heavy roster. In this episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down whether the Oilers' older core including Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, Mattias Ekholm, and Adam Henrique can hold up in another playoff run.

We analyze each player's trajectory, the Oilers’ succession plan with Jake Walman, Ike Howard, Matthew Savoie, and Trent Frederic, and ask the big question: how long can this group stay competitive around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl

0:00 Intro: Oilers' age curve crisis

5:14 Experience valuable, teams avoid young players

10:18 Game Time app for last-minute tickets

15:23 Analyzing older Oilers players' futures

20:28 Balancing contention window and aging roster

25:32 Potential replacements for aging players

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FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now, new FanDuel customers can get $150 in Bonus Bets if your first $5 bet wins!
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

The Edmonton Oilers have made a surprising long-term investment, signing Trent Frederic to an 8-year deal. But does it make sense? On today's episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down Frederic's usage in Boston, his skillset, and what his future might look like in Edmonton. We analyze Frederic’s underlying numbers, the impact of environment on player performance, and why this move says more about projection than past production.

0:00 Intro: Oilers commit to Trent Frederick

3:41 Ice time and player evaluation factors

7:45 Frederick's usage and role with Bruins

12:18 Potential roles for Frederick on Oilers

16:22 Frederick's underlying stats and play style

21:27 Contract value and production expectations

25:41 Projecting Frederick's future with Oilers

Why the Oilers Gave Trent Frederic an 8-Year Contract | Edmonton Oilers Roster Deep Dive
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FanDuel
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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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#NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers

The Edmonton Oilers are entering the 2025–2026 NHL season with a lot of uncertainty and potential on the wings. Who earns a spot in the top six? In this episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis ranks Andrew Mangiapane, Ike Howard, Matthew Savoie, Trent Frederic, and David Tomasek based on their chances of sticking alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.

Will Andrew Mangiapane rebound and win Knoblauch’s trust? Can Ike Howard step in immediately and produce? Is Matthew Savoie ready for an NHL breakout? What about the wildcard David Tomasek? Nick analyzes their roles, expectations, and what could make or break their season.

0:00 Intro: Oilers' top six winger candidates

16:32 Matthew Savoie's path to NHL success

19:35 Trent Frederick's role and expectations

24:42 David Tomasek: European free agent potential

Ranking the Edmonton Oilers’ Top Six Winger Options for 2025–26

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#NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers

The NHL has officially released the 2025–26 schedule, and the Edmonton Oilers have a lot to navigate from a brutal November road trip to key matchups down the stretch. Host Nick Zararis breaks down the NHL’s scheduling philosophy, why gate revenue drives the structure, and how the Oilers can take advantage of a soft divisional layout. Plus: a big-picture look at why the Stanley Cup grind is so brutal and beautiful.

0:00 Intro: NHL schedule release and analysis

5:39 Why NHL values home-and-home matchups

11:15 Oilers' toughest stretch: November road trip

16:52 Oilers' favorable late-season schedule

22:30 Drawbacks of NHL's long 82-game season

28:37 Wrapping up: Looking ahead to training camp

NHL Schedule Breakdown: How the 2025–26 Season Shapes Up for the Edmonton Oilers
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FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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#NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers

Stan Bowman has been the Edmonton Oilers general manager for almost a year and he’s been busy. In this episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down every significant move Bowman has made, from signing Evan Bouchard and trading for Jake Walman to waivers, PTOs, and the big Leon Draisaitl extension. Did the Oilers get better? Did Bowman actually make smart use of limited cap space? This is the full evaluation of Bowman’s first offseason with Edmonton.

0:00 Grading Stan Bowman's job as GM

3:10 Analyzing Vasily Podkolzin and Ty Emerson trades

5:42 Leon Draisaitl extension and performance review

9:48 Game Time app sponsorship message

11:50 Mike Hoffman PTO and Kasperi Kapanen waiver claim

16:54 John Klingberg signing and playoff performance

19:58 Monarch Money sponsorship message

21:59 Jake Walman trade and impact on defense

24:32 Trent Frederic trade criticism and concerns

26:35 Free agent signings and European additions

28:37 Upcoming contract decisions for Oilers

Grading Every Stan Bowman Move as Edmonton Oilers GM | Thriving in the bargain bin
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#NHL #Oilers #EdmontonOilers