Edmonton Oilers Face Contract Limits, Depth Concerns Amid McDavid Talks

The Edmonton Oilers face a challenging 2025-26 season balancing a roster with several star players and long-term contract risks. While their core of elite talent including Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman remains highly valuable and has driven recent success, contracts like Darnell Nurse's $74 million and Trent Frederic's $30.8 million eight-year deals raise concerns over salary cap flexibility and long-term team management. The Oilers enter the season with limited cap space and a goaltending situation in flux, as discussions continue around veteran goalie acquisitions and the performance of rookies in transition. Connor McDavid’s contract negotiations are in early stages, with no urgency or panic from either side, and rising salary caps could facilitate a lucrative extension. Despite back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, the team has lost depth pieces like Corey Perry and Jeff Skinner, prompting worries about whether the Oilers can maintain their competitiveness without significant offseason reinforcements. NHL analysts caution that the combination of expensive long contracts, limited roster depth, and pending free agency decisions may jeopardize Edmonton's ability to capitalize on its current window of contention.