The Edmonton Oilers are practically set for the 2025-26 NHL season, so what should we expect from them?<\/p>\n
The most obvious difference is the amount of changeover for this team. Several new players have been added to the roster, and a youth movement is expected to take place heading into the new season. Matt Savoie and Ike Howard are leading that youth movement, but players like Andrew Mangiapane will help this team get a lot younger than last season.<\/p>\n
Goaltending remains the same, but some changes have been made to the coaching staff with Peter Aubry becoming Edmonton\u2019s new goaltending coach.<\/p>\n
Expectations couldn\u2019t be any higher for the Oilers with two straight Stanley Cup Final losses under their belt. The objective is clear: they are still trying to win it all.<\/p>\n
So, with all the moves we\u2019ve seen so far, here are six bold Oilers predictions heading into the new season:<\/p>\n
1. Matt Savoie or Ike Howard is a Calder Trophy Finalist<\/p>\n
Both Matt Savoie and Ike Howard are expected to not only be full-time NHL players but also get significant roles in the Oilers\u2019 top nine.<\/p>\n
Between Howard\u2019s offensive toolset and Savoie\u2019s two-way acumen, it\u2019s a good bet that at least one of them will find success in their rookie season. Howard could potentially line up next to Connor McDavid on the first line, giving him ample opportunity to show off his shot, while Savoie could play beside one of Draisaitl or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s about as good an opportunity two rookies could ask for in the NHL, and we shouldn\u2019t be surprised if one of them winds up being a finalist for the Calder Trophy.<\/p>\n
2. Oilers (finally) trade for a goalie at the trade deadline<\/p>\n
The Oilers\u2019 goaltending saga seems destined to continue at least for the start of the 2025-26 NHL season.<\/p>\n
Both Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard are in line to make up the team\u2019s goalie tandem on opening night, but we shouldn\u2019t expect that to last. The goalie market has grown stale in the summer, but as the season wears on, that should change.<\/p>\n
Depending on where teams wind up, it\u2019s a good bet that at least one NHL starting goalie becomes available. Don\u2019t expect GM Stan Bowman to hesitate this time around, as that remains one of the only remaining question marks surrounding this roster.<\/p>\n
Who that goalie could be remains a mystery.<\/p>\n
3. Andrew Mangiapane scores at least 20 goals<\/p>\n