Locked On Oilers - Daily Podcast On The Edmonton Oilers

By Locked On Podcast Network, Austin HarrisonSports Hockey

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Locked On Oilers - Daily Podcast On The Edmonton Oilers episodes

May 14 The Edmonton Oilers' Power Struggle is Getting UGLY
The Edmonton Oilers have a behind-the-scenes power struggle playing out, and things are starting to get ugly. On this Thursday edition of Locked on Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down the messy situation unfolding in Edmonton's front office.
We dive deep into the theory of leverage in sports management and how it applies to Stan Bowman and Kris Knoblauch. Are the Oilers about to fire Knoblauch? We analyze the conflicting reports surrounding Bruce Cassidy's potential arrival and discuss why keeping Knoblauch in the dark is a terrible look for the organization. Plus, we look at roster issues, including Darnell Nurse's ongoing defensive struggles and the team's failure to meet their "Cup or Bust" expectations
03:29 Spending initial political capital
09:00 Taking a break for an ad
11:32 Anaheim Ducks Stanley Cup odds
16:04 Discussing disappointing player performances
17:51 Oilers' risky contracts and scouting
22:25 Bruce Cassidy's job prospects
25:14 Coaching changes and career transitions
28:02 Discussing Oilers coaching decisions
The Edmonton Oilers' Power Struggle is Getting UGLY
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29 min
May 13Edmonton Oilers Offseason Roster Breakdown: Who Stays, Who Goes, and What Still Needs to Be Fixed
The Edmonton Oilers offseason is fully coming into picture. The team has a one year audition to woo Connor McDavid into another extension, $16 million in cap space, in a rising cap environment and several open roster spots going into the summer.
Host Nick Zararis goes position by position through the Oilers' forward group identifies the holes, evaluates the returning pieces and starts the conversation as to what an improved supporting cast for next season looks like.
What is covered in this episode:
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl together at 5-on-5 — why they outscored opponents just 18-16 this season compared to a 64% combined goal share over the previous two years, and what that decline actually means for how Kris Knoblauch deployed them

Zach Hyman — why Nick considers him one of the best unrestricted free agent signings of the salary cap era and what a realistic production floor looks like as he enters his mid-30s

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins — the uncomfortable conversation about whether Edmonton's longest-tenured star is still a first-line player, and why a third-line role with softer competition might actually unlock more value from him

Vasily Podkolzin and Leon Draisaitl — why this pairing was the Oilers' best forward duo against the Anaheim Ducks and why it is non-negotiable going into next season

Kasperi Kapanen — what a realistic market looks like for him as an unrestricted free agent, whether the Oilers can afford to bring him back, and why sentimentality cannot drive the decision

Jack Roslovic — why three career playoff goals in 51 playoff games makes him a plug-and-play mercenary and not a player worth a four or five year commitment, regardless of his regular season numbers

Matt Savoie — what his one point in six playoff games at 14:17 average ice time actually tells you, and whether he has a realistic path into the top six next season

Ike Howard — why he is simultaneously the Oilers' most interesting internal option and their most liquid trade asset, and how Kris Knoblauch's track record with skill wingers in the bottom six complicates his future in Edmonton

Darnell Nurse at $9.25 million — why Nick believes that number is functionally untenable on a roster that needs to pay for offense, and what a retention trade might actually look like

Jason Dickinson — why paying a defensive-minded center unrestricted free agent money is a trap the Oilers cannot afford to fall into

The Matthew Tkachuk trade comparison — why the Oilers do not have a Jonathan Huberdeau or Mackenzie Weegar equivalent, and why chasing a blockbuster trade is probably not the answer

Quinn Hughes and the $20 million defenseman era — what the coming cap inflation means for how Edmonton values every contract it signs this summer

The two-year horizon — why the summer of 2028 represents a near-total roster reset, and why every decision made now needs to account for what the Oilers look like when almost every contract outside of Evan Bouchard and Leon Draisaitl comes off the books
05:27 Defensive challenges and player stats
07:09 Oilers' strategy with McDavid and Draisaitl
12:09 Discussing Oilers' off-season plans
15:06 Hyman's current and future performance
19:21 Evaluating team roster needs
23:29 Nugent Hopkins' future role
24:39 Managing player roles and strategies
28:43 Evaluating Oilers' trade options
Edmonton Oilers Offseason Roster Breakdown: Who Stays, Who Goes, and What Still Needs to Be Fixed
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonoilers.supercast.com
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
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Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
KALSHI
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Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.
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30 min
May 12 What history says about Connor McDavid's aging curve | How the Oilers can maximize his value
Connor McDavid has been the world's best hockey player for almost the entirety of his entire NHL career. At age 29, the forward is approaching the end of his physical prime and the Edmonton Oilers need a plan to maximize his value to stay competitive.
On this episode, host Nick Zararis explores the aging curves for superstar players including: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin Patrick Kane, Steven Stamkos, and Corey Perry to provide context for McDavid's future. In addition, Nick explores how teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning were able to reinforce their franchise players with quality young depth over time to ultimately win Stanley Cups.
05:37 Evaluating player performance and potential
08:44 Ovechkin and Crosby's Performance Analysis
11:48 Finding the right hire with Indeed
13:35 Understanding hockey analytics basics
17:36 Evaluating McDavid's Peak Performance
20:51 Discussing Connor McDavid's future with Oilers
25:06 Penguins' contention window discussed
28:22 Finding young talent for the future
What history says about Connor McDavid's aging curve | How the Oilers can maximize his value
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonoilers.supercast.com
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Hims
To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, hair loss, weight loss, and more, visit https://Hims.com/LOCKEDONNHL.
Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
KALSHI
For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.
5-Hour ENERGY
The Cotton Candy flavor is HERE on https://5hourEnergy.com or Amazon, crack open Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today!
Rocket Money
Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join athttp://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON
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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30 min
May 11Why the Oilers should clean house | Bowman and Knoblauch should go
The Edmonton Oilers did not just lose players this season. They lost coherence. General Manager Stan Bowman and Head Coach Kris Knoblauch were never philosophically aligned and player after player paid the price for it.
Nick Zararis breaks down the structural problem at the root of Edmonton's collapse, and why fixing the roster without fixing the leadership dynamic first is a dead end.
In this episode:
What philosophical alignment actually means in the NHL — why a General Manager's roster vision and a Head Coach's deployment system have to match, and what happens over a full season when they do not

The Jeff Skinner and Victor Arvidsson case study — two players signed by interim General Manager Jeff Jackson who did not fit what Kris Knoblauch wanted to run, and how that same disconnect carried into Stan Bowman's tenure

The Trent Frederic example in plain numbers — a player whose career high in average ice time was 13 minutes and 45 seconds per game, who played 11 minutes per game this season, at $3.85 million per year on an eight-year deal, signed before Kris Knoblauch had any input

Why the coach-predating-the-GM dynamic is historically rare and almost always damaging — and why Edmonton's version of it was made worse by the timing of Stan Bowman's August 2024 hiring, after the first wave of free agency had already passed

The diversity of skill set argument — why the modern NHL requires shooters, passers, forecheckers, and puck carriers at every level of the lineup, and how the Edmonton Oilers have failed to build that across the forward group and defense for three straight seasons

The weak link problem — why hockey punishes a bad third-line center or fourth-line winger more severely than any other major sport, and how Edmonton's penalty kill depth collapsed under playoff pressure because of it

The Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen success stories — what good alignment looks like when a player's role matches what the coaching staff actually wants, and why those wins were not enough to offset the larger structural failures

Why changing the coach without changing the General Manager, or vice versa, likely produces the same misalignment problem in twelve months
00:00 Weekend thoughts on Oilers' struggles
05:41 Coaching challenges with player roles
07:04 Challenges with inexperienced players
12:46 Joining the Everyday Club
16:07 Oilers' player transfer speculation
17:12 Critiquing team management decisions
22:01 Podcast sponsorship message
25:37 Oilers management and roster issues
27:53 Oilers' offseason decisions
30:10 Building a contender efficiently
Why the Oilers should clean house | Bowman and Knoblauch should go
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Hims
To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, hair loss, weight loss, and more, visit https://Hims.com/LOCKEDONNHL.
Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
KALSHI
For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.
5-Hour ENERGY
The Cotton Candy flavor is HERE on https://5hourEnergy.com or Amazon, crack open Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today!
Rocket Money
Let Rocket Money help you reach your financial goals faster. Join athttp://RocketMoney.com/LOCKEDON

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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31 min
May 08 Every Stan Bowman Trade and Signing Graded: Edmonton Oilers GM Report Card
Twenty months. Dozens of roster decisions. How many actually made the Edmonton Oilers better? Nick Zararis goes through every major move Stan Bowman has made as Edmonton Oilers General Manager: free agent signings, trades, and contract extensions, grades each one, and explains what it means for the team's future with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the clock.
What's covered: Free agency grades: Josh Samanski and David Tomasek (smart low-risk gambles), Andrew Mangiapane (a clean miss), John Klingberg (fine), Curtis Lazar (fine), Jack Roslovic (acceptable at the price)
Extension grades: Leon Draisaitl at 8 years/$14M (had to be done), Trent Frederick at 8 years/$3.85M (inexcusable), Evan Bouchard at 4 years/$10.5M (fine), Jake Walman at 7 years/$7M (does not look good), Vasily Podkolzin at 3 years/$2.95M (lights out), Mattias Ekholm at 3 years/$4M (concerning for his age)
Trade grades: The Tristan Jarry acquisition (catastrophic miss), the Jake Walman trade for a first-round pick (miss), the Vasily Podkolzin trade for a fourth-round pick (win), the Connor Ingram waiver claim (win), Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach for a first and Andrew Mangiapane (TBD but likely a miss)
Why the NHL is changing: How the league is skewing younger, faster, and more skill-based, and why Bowman's approach of targeting proven veterans at depressed prices hasn't worked in Edmonton
The excess value problem: Why the Oilers' best years came when they had players like Evan Bouchard, Dylan Holloway, and Philip Broberg on cheap deals and how they've lost that edge What $16 million in cap space actually buys: Why it sounds like a lot and isn't, once you factor in goaltending, top-six forwards, and Colton Dach's restricted free agency Every Stan Bowman Trade and Signing Graded: Edmonton Oilers GM Report Card
06:47 Oil's pitch to veteran players
08:56 Critiquing Stan Bowman's decisions
11:42 Using the GameTime app benefits
14:06 Discussing player roles and signings
19:52 Debating Oilers' recent trades
23:24 Discussing GM and coach changes
24:14 Impending McDavid free agency concerns
28:39 Predicting a coaching change
Every Stan Bowman Trade and Signing Graded: Edmonton Oilers GM Report Card
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
KALSHI
For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.
5-Hour ENERGY
The Cotton Candy flavor is HERE on https://5hourEnergy.com or Amazon, crack open Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today!
Rugiet
Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men.
Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away.
Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go tohttp://Quo.com/lockedonnhl.
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)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
29 min
May 07The Edmonton Oilers Have Gotten Worse Every Single Year | Here's the Proof
Should Edmonton Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch keep his job after a first-round exit to the Anaheim Ducks?
Nick Zararis breaks down the full case: the numbers, the politics, and the candidates waiting in the wings, to give you the most honest answer you'll hear this offseason.
What's covered:
Has Kris Knoblauch actually gotten worse results from the Oilers each season? The 3-year even strength decline, explained in plain numbers

Why firing a coach in the NHL is more of a political decision than a hockey one — and what that means for General Manager Stan Bowman

Bruce Cassidy: Is the Stanley Cup-winning coach really available, and would he actually take the Edmonton job?

John Cooper: Why he might be the best coach in the NHL right now — and why that still might not matter for the Oilers

Connor McDavid's contract situation in 2027 and how the coaching decision this summer could directly affect it

Why Knoblauch's .624 points percentage makes him the best Oilers coach of the 21st century — and why that might not be enough to save his job

The Oilers went to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals in 2024 and 2025. They got bounced in Round 1 in 2026. Something has to change
05:12 Intuitive decision-making in hockey
07:55 Discussing player development in hockey
12:19 Evaluating coach influence on Oilers
15:34 Oilers' declining performance metrics
17:51 Oilers' offensive struggles
21:46 Tough decisions as an NHL GM
25:03 Connor McDavid's contract future
29:39 Discussing Knoblauch's future with Oilers
30:24 Promoting Locked On channels
The Edmonton Oilers Have Gotten Worse Every Single Year | Here's the Proof
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonoilers.supercast.com
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
KALSHI
For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.
5-Hour ENERGY
The Cotton Candy flavor is HERE on https://5hourEnergy.com or Amazon, crack open Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today!
Rugiet
Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men.
Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away.
Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go tohttp://Quo.com/lockedonnhl.
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)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
32 min
May 06Edmonton Oilers Goalie Crisis: Stuart Skinner, Tristan Jarry & the Brutal Truth
Nick Zararis delivers his full goaltending evaluation of the 2025-26 Edmonton Oilers, breaking down every starter, every failed gamble, and what Stan Bowman must do this offseason to fix the position that cost them the season.
Topics Covered:
Stuart Skinner — 11-8-4, .891 save percentage, benched two straight playoffs. Is he done in Edmonton? And where does he land as a pending UFA?

Tristan Jarry — 9-6-2, .857 save percentage, outplayed by a waiver-wire pickup. Two years and $5.375M remaining. How do the Oilers move him?

Connor Ingram — The unlikely best Oiler goalie in 2025-26 with a .899 save percentage and 10.3 goals saved above expected. Is he the answer?

Calvin Pickard — Likely at the end of the road as an NHL-caliber option

The Jarry trade autopsy — Why trading a goalie with term for a goalie with term was a massive miscalculation by Stan Bowman

Free agency targets — Sergei Bobrovsky, Frederik Andersen, Cam Talbot, and the case for each

Trade candidates — Filip Gustavsson and Jesper Wallstedt from the Minnesota Wild, Devin Levi from the Buffalo Sabres, Jacob Fowler from the Montreal Canadiens

The goalie market explained — Franchise tier (Igor Shesterkin, Connor Hellebuyck, Andrei Vasilevsky, Juuse Saros, Ilya Sorokin) vs. what the Oilers can actually afford

$16.48M in cap space — What the Oilers can realistically do and why moving Jarry is the key to unlocking the offseason
06:36 Path to becoming an NHL goalie
09:53 Introducing sponsor: Quo for business communication
13:38 Discussing team goaltending volatility
16:04 Skinner's performance and challenges
19:58 Evaluating Oilers' Stanley Cup chances
22:22 Evaluating Oilers' playoff performance
25:19 Discussing goalie expectations and comparisons
29:57 Oilers' goalie concerns for future
32:01 Podcast and YouTube recommendations
The Oilers' bottom-six goal share without Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl collapsed to under 40% this year. No goalie in that situation was going to cover for it — but .857 save percentage made a bad situation catastrophic.
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonoilers.supercast.com
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
KALSHI
For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.
5-Hour ENERGY
The Cotton Candy flavor is HERE on https://5hourEnergy.com or Amazon, crack open Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today!
Rugiet
Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men.
Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away.
Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go tohttp://Quo.com/lockedonnhl.

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32 min
May 05 The Darnell Nurse Conundrum: Can The Oilers Fix Their Defense?
The Edmonton Oilers' defense was exposed in the playoffs, and the massive contracts of Darnell Nurse and Jake Walman are creating a salary cap nightmare

On today’s Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis evaluates the state of the Edmonton Oilers' blue line following their first-round exit against the Ducks. From the evolving speed of the NHL to the severe limitations of the current defensive core, this offseason evaluation leaves no stone unturned. We break down the struggles of the Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm pairing while dealing with Connor McDavid's foot injury. Finally, we dive into the Darnell Nurse conundrum and why his $9.25M cap hit is an anchor, plus the alarming underlying numbers behind Jake Walman's seven-year deal.
05:45 Discussing Ekholm-Bouchard defensive pairing
06:59 Oilers defensive struggles in playoffs
13:09 Highest paid NHL defensemen
14:45 Darnell Nurse's career year factors
19:56 Promoting Indeed Sponsored Jobs
22:19 Evaluating Jake Walman's role
24:20 Evaluating Jake Wallman's performance
28:17 Concerns about team's defense
The Darnell Nurse Conundrum: Can The Oilers Fix Their Defense?
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonoilers.supercast.com
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Indeed
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KALSHI
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Gametime
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FanDuel
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Rugiet
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Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away.
Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go tohttp://Quo.com/lockedonnhl.
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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29 min
May 04 Why the Edmonton Oilers Forward Group Failed in 2026 — And What Needs to Change
The Edmonton Oilers failed to live up to expectations in 2026. Chief amongst their problems in a first round exit was a top heavy forward group. While Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were their usual sublime selves, cracks are beginning to show on the edges.
Topics covered include:
•Diversity in skillsets: Did the Oilers have too much of the same thing up front?
•The waning depth: For three straight years, the split between the top six and bottom six goal share has declined
•Gambles that don't pay off: The Oilers came into the year with more uncertainty than years past and got burned
05:13 Oilers' challenges in tight games
08:50 Impact players in the NHL
11:32 Discussing Oilers' 5 on 5 play
17:14 Offense strategies and styles
27:34 Analyzing Oilers' scoring stats
29:58 Intro and podcast recommendations
Why the Edmonton Oilers Forward Group Failed in 2026 — And What Needs to Change
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
KALSHI
For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.
5-Hour ENERGY
The Cotton Candy flavor is HERE on https://5hourEnergy.com or Amazon, crack open Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today!
Rugiet
Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnhl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men.
Quo
Make this the year where no opportunity — and no customer — slips away.
Try Quo for free plus get 20% off your first 6 months when you go tohttp://Quo.com/lockedonnhl.
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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31 min
May 01 IT’S OVER. The Edmonton Oilers' Season Ends in Disaster
The Season is Over. The Edmonton Oilers have been eliminated from the NHL Playoffs in Game 6 by the Anaheim Ducks. In this "morbid elimination Friday" edition of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis sifts through the debris of a series where the Oilers simply "didn't have it"
In Today's Episode:
The Fatal Flaw: Why a lack of foot speed and mobility throughout the lineup became the Oilers' undoing against a fast Ducks team
Star Performance: We look at why Connor McDavid was outscored 7-3 in the series and the impact of his ankle injury
Defensive Struggles: Analysis of why Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm couldn't meet the transition standards required to win
The Big Picture: Is this version of the Oilers still a contender, or are they now a "fringe team" facing an offseason of "awkward conversations"?
05:14 Panthers' aggressive forecheck strategy
08:25 Disappointing end to the series
10:20 FanDuel betting promotion
15:17 Analyzing left-handed play strategies
17:44 Oilers struggle with defensive issues
22:09 Reflecting on lost talent
26:05 Expectations for Oilers' playoff performance
26:53 Analyzing the team's goalie situation
30:02 Wrapping up the playoff run
IT’S OVER. The Edmonton Oilers' Season Ends in Disaster
Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Indeed
Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to https://indeed.com/podcast right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
KALSHI
For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game.
5-Hour ENERGY
The Cotton Candy flavor is HERE on https://5hourEnergy.com or Amazon, crack open Cotton Candy 5-hour ENERGY®️ shot today!
Warby Parker
It’s the perfect time to upgrade your glasses for spring. Buy one prescription pair and get 20% off any additional prescription pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/LOCKEDONNHL.
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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30 min

About Locked On Oilers - Daily Podcast On The Edmonton Oilers

From the publisher's feed

From reaction inside the locker room to the buzz on the street, join hockey media professional Nick Zararis daily for the Locked On Oilers Podcast. Edmonton bleeds Orange and Blue and Locked On Oilers…