Good morning, everyone, and a happy Thanksgiving Monday to you all. As per tradition, I’ve got a brand new mailbag set to go after taking your questions and sending them to the crew for their takes. This week, we’re discussing the big three’s hot start to the season, first impressions of the new guys, injury talk, line combos, and more. If you’ve got a question you’d like to ask, email it to me at baggedmilk@oilersnation.com or on Twitter at @jsbmbaggedmilk, and I’ll get to you as soon as I can.
David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Oct 10, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Trent Frederic (10) and center Josh Samanski (81) celebrate after the Oilers’ first goal against the San Jose Sharks in the first period at SAP Center in San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
1) Yves asks – Is this team actually playing well, or are McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard just playing out of their minds?
Jason Gregor:
Edmonton has allowed one goal against at 5×5 the past three games. Not sure you can ask for them to play much better defensively. The fourth line had two assist on the opening goal in San Jose, then the third line scored. The stars are paid to produce and they are, but the team is playing well defensively.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
After the win over the San Jose Sharks, I’m willing to say it’s a bit of both. Yes, their star players have carried them to a couple of victories (Vancouver, Anaheim), but the wins over Seattle and San Jose were both strong defensive efforts with goals from different parts of the lineup. They also got some really good goaltending in those two wins. A few wins are because of the stars and a few are because of goaltending and depth. I think that’s what you’d call being a well rounded team.
Baggedmilk:
They’re playing well. These last three games have been a totally different flavour of Oilers hockey than we’re used to seeing. More structure, less pond hockey. It just so happens that the big dogs are also on fire. But let’s not forget the depth scoring that’s been sprinkled in as well.
Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Oct 1, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Paul Cotter (47) defends against Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ryan Shea (6) in the third period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
2) Oilers fan in Van asks – It’s still early but what are everyone’s first impressions on Ryan Shea, Shakir Mukhamadullin, Devon Levi, and Mathieu Joseph?
Jason Gregor:
I like Shea. Smart, good stick defensively and sneaky offensive upside. Joseph works hard. When RNH, Hyman, Dach and Savoie return he will be in tough to stay in the lineup. Mukhamadullin got to play his natural side for the first time and looked okay. I’d like to see him use his massive frame to his advantage more.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Shea has been solid. His bad games aren’t very noticeable, which is a compliment. When he’s on, he’s another quality puck mover who can help the Oilers get out of their own end. Mukhamadullin was bad on the left-side of the ice and better on the right-side, so they should probably keep him there. Levi has been excellent after looking nervous in his debut, they wouldn’t have the record they do without him. He’s a smaller goalie, but his athleticism makes him very fun to watch. Mathieu Joseph is a quality bottom-six player who brings some jam to the bottom of the lineup. He should be a regular even when everyone gets healthy.
Baggedmilk:
I like Ryan Shea quite a bit. I think it’s still going to take some time for him to fully settle in, but he’s off to a pretty good start by my eye. Mukhamadullin is a project. I think he’d be better set up for success on the left side, but the Oilers are pretty crowded in that spot. Devon Levi is playing like he wants me to fall in love. Mathieu Joseph works hard, throws the body around, passes better than I expected, and seems like a nice fit in the bottom six.
Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
Oct 6, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings right wing Alex DeBrincat (93) passes the puck during the first period against the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
3) Kevin asks – The Oilers have been linked to Alex Debrincat, which would be a fantastic scoring add to their lineup if they could make it work. The thing I don’t understand, though, is how a trade like this would even work given Edmonton’s cap limitations. Do you see any plausible truth to an idea like this?
Jason Gregor:
I don’t see them adding him until close to the deadline, if at all. To do it now, means they’d have to move out almost $6m in AAV, so unlikely. Close to the deadline is when I see them being aggressive, plus they will have a more games to accurately determine what they need.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
If they can get healthy, they can start accruing cap space, which could mean that by the time the deadline rolls around, they’ll be pretty close to being able to afford him. I would love to add a piece like Debrincat, who is a pure goal scorer, but I understand that it’d be smart to wait until closer to the deadline to make sure there aren’t any other big holes that pop up throughout the season.
Baggedmilk:
Seems more like a deadline deal kind of thing, so I don’t know why we’re talking about it now. The cap math doesn’t make sense unless a Jarry-level contract is moving out. Either way, I do love me an early season rumour.
Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Sep 26, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames defensemen Simon Nemec (71) and Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman (18) chases a loose puck during the third period at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
4) Turner asks – This may be a case of correlation as opposed to causation, but it seems there have been a TON of injuries, league-wide, since the beginning of this season. Is it possible that the shorter training camp and lack of games has left players less ready for the rigors of regular-season play? Or is it recency bias, and we see this same sort of thing every year, but it just seems they’re all bunching up this season due to increased attention with the earlier start and multiple ongoing storylines?
Jason Gregor:
I don’t see why. In previous years top players would play three preseason games. I don’t think one less game is why there are injuries. But each year we have them, I just think we forget who was injured early on last year or in the preseason.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
I don’t have the numbers, but I think it’s recency bias. Teams might also just be a little more cautious with injuries because there wasn’t a long camp and the regular season is two games longer.
Baggedmilk:
I don’t know what we’ve done to anger the Gords, but I am looking for interns that could work as a sacrifice. Will keep you posted.
Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Sep 29, 2026; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defensemen Evan Bouchard (2) celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
5) Gregg asks – What does Evan Bouchard possibly need to do to start getting respect from hockey fans and media outside of Edmonton?
Jason Gregor:
He is getting loads of respect. He was fourth in Norris trophy voting last year. If he had been a finalist, I sense Oilers fans feel he would be respected, but because he finished fourth he isn’t. I disagree. Being fourth is a sign of people seeing his talents. Are there some people who still focus more on his mistakes than great plays, yes, but many of those are fans in Edmonton. It’s not like Oilersnation was all in complete agreement on Bouchard’s talent last year. You can go back and read the comment section.
Bouchard did need to reduce the glaring errors, and he has. He’s been the Oilers best player through five games, and if he continues to play this well, although no one should expect six goals every five games, I have no doubt he will be in the Norris conversation again this season. But please for the love of everything holy, there should be no mention of where a player is on awards until AT LEAST one quarter of the season is played, and even better half the year. A lot can change.
Tyler Yaremchuk:
Just keep doing what he’s currently doing. He’s been on the ice for one 5v5 goal against this year, which is wildly impressive and hard to ignore. My other thought on this: I don’t care if people who don’t watch the Oilers the way we all do disrespect him. They’re exposing themselves and that’s fine by me.
Baggedmilk:
He’s the best defenceman in the NHL today, on October 11th as I’m filling this out. He has been absolutely electric to start the season, and I hope he never ever walks away from the table on this heater. He’s going to make mistakes, that happens when you always have the puck, but he’s also going to have stretches of brilliance that make you wonder how he pulled off whatever it was that we just saw. Live by the sword, die by the sword. That said, I think a bunch of people who vote and make content about these predictions don’t actually watch many Oilers games.
PRESENTED BY STAKE