5 bold predictions of the Oiler 2025-26 season – Hockey writer – Edmonton Oiler

The Edmonton Oilers entered this season, relying on high expectations after the Stanley Cup final show. Despite their playoff success, they did not dominate in the regular season. The players last season were underperforming and if they wanted to get a successful regular season and secure a family ice advantage throughout the playoffs, that needed to change. That being said, these are five bold predictions from the Oilers entering the 2025-26 season.

Connor McDavid will score 50 goals

Connor McDavid recorded 64 times in the 2022-23 season, but he scored 40 goals in three other times. Last season, he had only 26 goals, the fewest since his rookie year. His goal-scoring decline can be attributed to his reduced number of shots. Last season, he recorded only 196 goals, the least since his rookie season, when he had 105 of his 45 games.

In a recent interview, the Oilers captain was asked about his confidence and what that means. “Confidence is shooting hockey, and it’s more decisive in decision making. I look back at scoring 50 or 60, shooting much more online, being more confident and aggressive, and that’s what I can go back to,” McDavid said. He has an elite shooting and should use it more. When he shoots, he gives the Defense Department some things to consider, which will open up more pass lanes and make the offensive offense unpredictable. He can score 50 goals per season, but needs to be more selfish than eliminating high-quality shots.

Vasily Podkolzin will score 20 goals

Vasily Podkolzin has been a fan base since he won from the Vancouver Canucks in August 2024. He led the team with 211 hits and did great things that often didn’t notice. His offense is the only thing that is lacking, but he has the potential to improve in the field, and 20 goals are not impossible. He scored eight goals last season but scored 14 goals in the 2021-22 rookie campaign. He played the right way and made the smallest mistake, so hopefully he will get more goals in 2025-26 to pay off.

Related: Draisaitl of the Oil Man praises Vasily Podkolzin

“Podzy does a lot of things that a lot of people don’t understand that hockey doesn’t see. He does a lot of work for me, which allows me to spend a lot of time on hockey and I really like playing with him in a lack of games. Hopefully it will come out.

The German superstar also added that Podecozin does not need to score to become a valuable and effective player. But if he can provide more crime, the Oiler will be better. You can’t score enough depth, and the Russian winger is on the verge of an offensive breakthrough. He has all the tools, but he has to put them together.

Matt Savoie to be nominated for Calder Trophy

This prediction is strangest considering the young talent in the league, but Matt Savoie will be nominated for the Calder Trophy this season. The award was “selected as the most proficient player in the first year of the National Hockey League”, which was voted by the Association of Professional Hockey Writers. An oilman has never won this award, but other nominees throughout history include Stuart Skinner (2023), McDavid (2016), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2012), Jason Arnott (1994), and Grant Fuhr (1982).

Savoie is likely to get the first six minutes consistent with McDavid or Draisaitl, which should boost his value. There is no player who can play or learn better than these two superstars. In just four games last season, he looked great with Draisaitl, recording an assist while doing well on the board and moving forward effectively. So if they can develop chemistry, the two can be dangerous. If the 21-year-old rookie can produce in the top six and become an effective contributor, his Calder trophy should be considered.

Stuart Skinner’s percentage savings are .910 or higher

Skinner has received serious criticism among his fan base. Although some of them are worthy, they are also unnecessary. The way some people talk about him, you’d think he was the worst goalkeeper in the league, which is far from the truth. He struggled last season, posting a .896 percent savings (SV%) in 50 games. He also scored incredible playoffs, posted .889 SV% in 15 games and was pulled a few times, which is what people will remember. However, fans tend to forget that he scored 0.913 SV% in 13 of the regular season and then 0.914 SV% in 50 games in 2022-23. He showed hope in the past, but has failed recently.

It is not unrealistic to assume he can return to form again, especially if it includes new goalkeeper Peter Aubry. Former goalkeeper coach Dustin Schwartz has been on the team since 2014, so a new voice is needed. Hopefully Aubry can help Skinner reach his full potential and keep his game consistent, which is his downfall throughout his young career. Netminder, 26, is in his final season of the deal and he has to perform if he wants to sign a contract. This is his chance to finally prove that he can be a true digital network for the Oilers.

Oilers will win the Stanley Cup

It doesn’t seem like a bold prediction considering they’ve reached the Stanley Cup final, but it’s a year they’ve finally overcome the hump. The Stanley Cup is the hardest to win trophy, and it requires two hard-earned intense, physical and close-checked hockey. So just because they’ve been to Big Dance doesn’t mean they’ll get there again.

However, they remain the elite team of the Western Conference. They have all the work to get the job done, but they have to stay healthy. They felt unfortunate about the injury pests in the late playoffs and lost Zach Heyman in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Mattias Ekholm and Nugent-Hopkins also suffered a significant injury in the Stanley Cup final, hindering their game. The point is that if you want to win big prizes, many things have to be right, so some level of luck is involved. Either way, the oilers are still built for the success of the playoffs and hope to end Canada’s long Stanley Cup drought.

Which of these predictions is most likely to become a reality? Continue to follow Hockey writer For all NHL content you approached in the 2025-26 season.