The Edmonton Oilers are heading into the stretch run of the 2025-26 NHL season with momentum, ambition, and a roster that looks ready to make noise come playoff time. With the Olympic break in full swing and the trade deadline looming, the Oilers find themselves at a pivotal moment-balancing international success with some intriguing decisions ahead on the trade front.
Let’s break down where things stand for Edmonton right now, starting with the obvious: Connor McDavid is doing Connor McDavid things-only this time, he’s doing it on the world’s biggest stage.
McDavid Dominating at the Olympics
Connor McDavid is reminding everyone why he's the most electrifying player in hockey. Suiting up for Team Canada at the Olympics, McDavid has been nothing short of sensational.
In just three games, he’s already set a new record for the most points through the first three games of an Olympic tournament with NHL participation. That’s not just hot form-it’s historic.
He’s also passed Jonathan Toews for the most points by a Canadian skater in a single Olympic tournament featuring NHL players. And he’s not done yet. McDavid is now just three points shy of owning the all-time record for most points in an Olympic men’s hockey tournament with NHL players involved.
What we’re watching isn’t just great hockey-it’s legacy-building. McDavid is chasing his first Olympic gold, and if he keeps playing at this level, Canada has to like its chances. For Oilers fans, it’s both a source of pride and a reminder of what he’s capable of when the stakes are at their highest.
Oilers Eyeing Bobby McMann Ahead of Trade Deadline
Back home, the Oilers’ front office is keeping tabs on the trade market, and one name continues to surface: Bobby McMann of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
While some have downplayed the connection, there’s still plenty of smoke here. McMann fits the mold of a deadline addition for a team looking to go all-in without blowing up the salary structure. With a $1.35 million cap hit-potentially reduced to $675,000 if the Leafs retain half-McMann brings 20-goal potential at a bargain price.
The Oilers are tight against the cap, so every dollar matters. But if they can make the math work, McMann could be the kind of depth scorer who makes a difference in a long playoff run. He plays with pace, has a nose for the net, and doesn’t shy away from physical play-exactly the kind of player who can tilt a playoff series in your favor.
Draisaitl Shining for Germany-and Mixing It Up
Leon Draisaitl is also turning heads at the Olympics, leading Team Germany with the kind of poise and skill we’ve come to expect from one of the league’s premier centers. He wasted no time making an impact, scoring just 23 seconds into Germany’s game against Denmark-good for the third-fastest goal ever scored in an Olympic game featuring NHL players.
Germany picked up a 3-1 win in that one, and Draisaitl has helped guide them to a 1-0-0-2 record heading into a qualification playoff matchup with France. There’s still a long road ahead if Germany wants to medal, but with Draisaitl leading the charge, you can’t rule them out.
And in true Olympic fashion, the emotions have been running high. Draisaitl found himself in a spirited exchange with Brady and Matthew Tkachuk during Germany’s game against Team USA, trading chirps and showing that competitive fire we’ve come to love. It’s the kind of moment that reminds you just how intense international play can get-and how much pride these guys have when representing their countries.
Draisaitl isn’t the only Oiler on Team Germany, either. Josh Samanski is also in the mix, giving Edmonton fans another reason to keep an eye on Germany’s Olympic journey.
What’s Next for the Oilers?
The Olympic break wraps up soon, and the Oilers will return to NHL action on Wednesday, February 25, with a matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. That gives them just over a week to monitor the trade landscape, assess their needs, and potentially pull the trigger on a move or two.
With McDavid and Draisaitl both in peak form and the rest of the roster rounding into shape, Edmonton looks like a team that’s gearing up for something special. The next few weeks will be crucial-not just for Olympic glory, but for setting the stage for a playoff run that could define this era of Oilers hockey.
Stay tuned. This team has big ambitions, and they’re not shy about chasing them.