Connor McDavid didn’t need a long session with the Edmonton media on Sept. 9 to make his point. The Oilers captain used his captain’s skate in Edmonton to lay out exactly what he thinks this team needs heading into 2026-27: more steadiness, more continuity, and fewer moving parts.
What stood out most was how directly McDavid talked about line stability and chemistry. “I think this year we’d like a bit more stability.” he said.
He expanded on that idea with a blunt explanation of why it matters: “we’ve asked a long time for some consistency throughout lines and building chemistry. It’s not easy just to kind of jumping around from spot to spot, switching positions and having guys playing up and down the lineup.”
That’s not just a passing comment. McDavid made it clear the constant shuffling has had an impact, even if he didn’t name names or point fingers.
“It’s hard mentally. It’s hard to understand what your job is, so I think we’re looking for some consistency throughout the lineup in terms of where guys are playing.”
The message lands squarely with new Oilers head coach Mike Babcock and associate coach D.J. Smith. Whether those concerns came up in the hiring process this summer or not, McDavid’s remarks sound like a team asking for a cleaner structure after too much movement in recent years.
He also stressed that Edmonton can’t afford another sluggish opening stretch. McDavid said the group is already ramping up for camp and wants to come out firing: “Guys are already digging in hard and getting ready for camp. We want to hit the ground running this year.”
That matters because the Oilers have too often spent recent seasons trying to dig out of early holes. The slow starts under former head coaches Jay Woodcroft and Kris Knoblauch left the team burning energy to chase the pack later on. Under Babcock, the first 10 games or so could tell a lot about where this season is headed.
There’s also a scheduling wrinkle that could help. With no Winter Olympics or Four Nations Face-Off breaking up the NHL calendar, McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Mattias Ekholm and the rest of the Oilers won’t have to deal with the extra travel and added strain that come with those events. That should leave more room for rest, recovery and pacing over the course of the season.
For McDavid in particular, that could matter. He has likely played more high-pressure hockey over the past three seasons than almost anyone in the league, and the wear showed in Edmonton’s first-round playoff exit to the Anaheim Ducks last April. The team looked tired and injured, and McDavid didn’t seem like himself in that series.
A longer offseason and a chance to reset could change that. If McDavid, Draisaitl and players such as Evan Bouchard get the kind of recovery window they haven’t always had, the Oilers could be better positioned at both ends of the ice.
For now, though, the clearest takeaway from McDavid’s comments is simple: Edmonton wants order, not chaos. And if the lineup finally settles down, the Oilers think that alone could make a real difference in 2026-27.
In Other News...
Oilers Just Made A Move Fans Will Have Strong Opinions On
The Oilers added Alex Formenton on a one-year deal, a move that immediately stood out around the league because of the wingers past and the baggage that comes with it. On a roster that is always judged through the lens of contention, Edmontons front office made a bet that is already sure to stir up strong reactions from fans who follow every layer of the teams decision-making.
Formentons name has lingered in hockey conversations because of his involvement in the 2018 Hockey Canada case involving five players, which makes this signing about more than just depth on paper. Edmonton has left itself open to scrutiny by bringing him in now, and the real question is how much patience supporters will have for the move once the initial surprise gives way to the details. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Spark Immediate Backlash With Controversial Alex Formenton Decision
The Oilers decision to bring in Alex Formenton has already turned into one of the most scrutinized moves of their offseason. Formenton, who had previously been involved in a trial stemming from the 2018 Hockey Canada team, said he was grateful for the chance to get back to the NHL, while the signing immediately put Edmonton under a brighter spotlight than most late-summer additions ever draw.
What has only added to the chatter is how little advance notice the league appeared to have before the move became public. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the Oilers did not need league approval for the signing and learned about it at the same time everyone else, a detail that only sharpened the sense that Edmonton was willing to move first and sort out the reaction later. [Read more 🡒]
Bruins Just Raised The Price On Keeping Young Talent
Bostons new deal for Fraser Minten has added another data point to the market for young forwards, and it is one Edmonton will have to watch closely. Mintens seven-year extension, which begins in 2027-28, gives the Bruins a fresh benchmark for players with similar age and upside, and Matthew Savoie fits right into that conversation as the Oilers sort through his next contract.
Edmonton has room to maneuver with cap space opening up for 2027-28, but that flexibility also comes with a decision the front office cannot afford to delay. Savoie is eligible for an extension, and with comparable experience and production to Minten, the Oilers likely need to get serious about a long-term arrangement before the market gets any louder and the risk of an offer sheet becomes harder to ignore. [Read more 🡒]