Locked On Oilers - Daily Podcast On The Edmonton Oilers

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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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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Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
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Evan Bouchard just signed a 4-year deal to stay with the Edmonton Oilers, and the numbers prove it’s a bargain. In today’s episode, host Nick Zararis breaks down why Bouchard is one of the best defensemen in the NHL, how his connection with Connor McDavid transforms the Oilers’ offense, and why his postseason numbers are being overlooked. Bouchard is one of the game's best and is integral to the Oilers contender status

0:00 Evan Bouchard signs with Oilers

3:11 Offensive defensemen are valuable inefficiency

7:16 Bouchard's impact outweighs occasional mistakes

11:52 McDavid-Bouchard pairing dominates minutes

16:28 Bouchard's impressive playoff performance stats

21:04 Offense more valuable than defense for defensemen

24:36 Ranking top NHL defensemen, Bouchard 5th-8th

Why Evan Bouchard Is a Top-5 Defenseman in the NHL and the Edmonton Oilers got a steal
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The Edmonton Oilers didn’t have a splashy offseason, but they might still be one of the best teams in the NHL. Host Nick Zararis lays out the three key reasons why Edmonton remains a true Stanley Cup threat: a more stable defensive group led by Jake Walman and Evan Bouchard, the offensive upside of Ike Howard and Matthew Savoie, and the experience gained from two deep playoff runs. Plus: Can Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl elevate this new-look group?

0:00 Intro: Oilers still Stanley Cup contenders

5:17 Jake Walman's impact on Oilers defense

16:57 Balancing proven veterans with rookie talent

22:35 Learning from playoff experience builds contender

28:41 Outro: Oilers among top teams in West

Why the Oilers Are Still Cup Contenders, Even After Losing Key Pieces
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Now, you can speed up your hiring process with a $75 Sponsored Job Credit. Just go to Indeed.com/LOCKEDON right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Terms and conditions apply.
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With free agency slowing down, the Edmonton Oilers enter the summer with major questions. On today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis dives deep into 10 pressing questions about the franchise: What kind of deal will Connor McDavid sign? Can Matthew Savoie or Ike Howard crack the lineup? Is this team wasting another Cup window by running it back with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard? Plus: Bouchard’s extension, Andrew Mangiapane’s role, and where the Oilers still need help if they want to win the Stanley Cup.

0:00 Intro: Oilers' biggest questions this summer

5:08 Connor McDavid's next contract speculation

15:49 Goaltending situation and potential upgrades

20:26 Analyzing Oilers' depth, especially on wings

25:31 How close are Oilers to Cup contention?

10 Big Questions for the Edmonton Oilers Ahead of the 2025–26 NHL Season
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The Edmonton Oilers have acquired NCAA standout and Hobey Baker winner Isaac “Ike” Howard. On today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis explains why this low-risk, high-upside bet makes sense for a contending team, what Howard brings as a scorer, and how Edmonton can create the right development runway to help him thrive next to Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. With limited cap space, the Oilers are betting on youth now it’s up to them to build the right environment.

0:00 Intro: Ike Howard joins Edmonton Oilers

3:13 Oilers' creative approach to roster building

7:50 Importance of taking chances with superstars

11:24 Breaking down Ike Howard's skill set

15:32 College hockey vs NHL transition challenges

19:36 Where Howard fits in Oilers lineup

24:11 Player development and opportunity importance

28:46 Outro: Expectations for Howard's rookie season

Edmonton Oilers add Isaac (Ike) Howard in prospect trade | Why the gamble is worth the risk

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The Edmonton Oilers didn’t ask Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Adam Henrique to waive their no-trade clauses this offseason, but should they have? In today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis explores what aging curves, usage rates, and cap space realities mean for both veteran forwards. Is there still value left in Nugent-Hopkins and Henrique? Or is Edmonton holding on too long during a tight Stanley Cup window with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl?

0:00 Intro: Oilers offseason player consultations

4:47 Aging curves and player performance peaks

10:54 Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' value to the Oilers

15:59 Potential lineup changes for Nugent-Hopkins

20:04 Adam Henrique's role and playoff performance

24:39 Concerns about Oilers' bottom six next season

Should the Edmonton Oilers Have Tried to Trade Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Adam Henrique?
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Jeff Skinner remains unsigned as NHL free agency hits week two. Could the Edmonton Oilers bring him back for another shot at a depth scoring role? On today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis explains why Skinner’s first stint didn’t work, why the underlying numbers with Connor McDavid were better than you remember, and why Edmonton still needs one more top-nine forward.

0:00 Jeff Skinner's potential return to Oilers

5:52 Skinner's initial struggles in Edmonton

11:29 Advantages of signing later in free agency

16:34 Oilers' current lineup and forward needs

22:08 Oilers' defense and goaltending situation

26:13 Skinner's fit and potential role on Oilers

Could Jeff Skinner Return to the Edmonton Oilers? Why It Didn’t Work and Why It Still Could

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The Edmonton Oilers added Andrew Mangiapane to their forward group but can the former 30-goal scorer recapture that form in a top-six role? On today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down Mangiapane’s usage history, scoring profile, and why his forechecking and puck retrieval could be a great fit alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Plus: the risk-reward of a reclamation project, and how this move compares to last year’s disappointing Jeff Skinner and Victor Arvidsson signings.

Andrew Mangiapane Joins the Edmonton Oilers | Why upside makes the gamble worth it
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Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Eddie Garcia (Locked On Kings, David Morassutti (Locked On Leafs) and Seth Toupal (Locked On Wild are here to talk about the big moves of free agency so far, including the Mitch Marner saga finally coming to an end, what the heck the LA Kings are doing, and where Nikolaj Ehlers is going to end up!

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Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNHL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.
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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!
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