NHL News: Oilers urged to follow Brad Marchand, Panthers’ example to help Connor McDavid succeed

Edmonton Oilers fans have seen this before, a promising run that falls just short. For two straight years, Brad Marchand and the Florida Panthers have been the final hurdle, leaving Connor McDavid and his teammates to wonder what’s missing. The answer, some believe, may already be in plain sight.

The Oilers have the talent to compete with anyone in the NHL, but the gap between skill and silverware remains. The Panthers’ blueprint, which mixed aggression with timely acquisitions, might hold the key to finally breaking through a good roster.

Those inside and outside the organization are beginning to ask the same question: if Florida could add a proven game-changer midseason to push them over the top, why can’t Edmonton?

Why Edmonton needs a ‘next Marchand’

In a recent piece for The Athletic, Allan Mitchell argued that the Oilers need to find their own version of Marchand — a rugged, high-impact winger — before the 2026 trade deadline. He pointed to Florida’s bold move last season as the kind of opportunity Edmonton can’t afford to pass up.

SUNRISE, FLORIDA – JUNE 09: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers skates with the puck against Brad Marchand #63 of the Florida Panthers during the first period in Game Three of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on June 09, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Mitchell noted that losing Zach Hyman in the playoffs exposed the team’s lack of edge and staying power against the Panthers. Without Hyman’s relentless puck pursuit and physical presence, Edmonton’s offense sputtered, and their opponents dictated the pace.

The suggestion is clear: to keep McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in position to win, Edmonton must add grit alongside its skill. Whether that means targeting another aggressive forward like Trent Frederic or swinging big for a surprise rental, Mitchell believes following Florida’s example could be the move that finally gets the Oilers over the line.