July 18, 2025 by Jackie Bondurant

The Edmonton Oilers enter the 2025–26 NHL season not just with momentum — but with unfinished business.

In each of the past two seasons, the Oilers have come heartbreakingly close to ending the longest Cup drought north of the 49th. Instead, fans were left staring at the TV like someone just unplugged the freezer during a long weekend in Jasper.

But no more. This season isn’t about redemption, it’s about domination. So, let’s throw caution, analytics, and humility into the North Saskatchewan River and make six bold predictions that are either going to age like fine Alberta whiskey or sour gas.

Disclaimer: The predictions below are extremely bold, possibly delusional, and definitely fueled by off-season optimism, caffeine, and replays of the 1984 Stanley Cup Final. Results may vary. They were written by someone who remembers the last Stanley Cup parade in Edmonton…from VHS footage. Please do not mortgage your house based on this forecast.

1. The Oilers will win the President’s Trophy

Forget just winning the Pacific. This year, the Oilers will take the President’s Trophy, and not as a consolation prize. Fueled by the best power-play in hockey history, a deeper top-six forward group, and just enough goaltending to keep blood pressure manageable, Edmonton will steamroll their way to 120-plus points.

Why it’s bold: Edmonton hasn’t finished first overall in the NHL since 1986-87. They did have a guy named Wayne Gretzky back then.

Why it’ll happen: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are entering full burn-it-all-down mode. And the NHL hasn’t figured out how to penalize teams for having too much chemistry. Yet.

2. Connor McDavid will record another 150-point season

After being robbed of the Conn Smythe Trophy last season harder than a truck stop vending machine in Red Deer, McDavid is entering the year with vengeance in his veins. He’s going to torch the league. I’m expecting him to put up 55 goals and 95 assists as well as one very awkward post-game presser where he answers a reporter’s question by just staring at them until they leave.

Side prediction: He’ll kill the “he’s too quiet to lead” narrative by mic-dropping an opponent mid-game with a chirp so savage it requires a league-issued apology.

3. Leon Draisaitl will win the Selke, Art Ross, and a German Day in Edmonton

Enough of this “underrated” nonsense. Draisaitl is the NHL’s Swiss Army knife—if the knife was 6-foot-2, fluent in sarcasm, and casually scoring 50 goals while backchecking like a demon.

Bold take: He’ll finish top-three in goals, points, and faceoff wins—and the Selke voters will finally look past Flo-rida long enough to notice.

Less bold: Oktoberfest in Edmonton will be renamed “Leonfest”. Sponsored by bratwurst.

4. Stuart Skinner will quiet the haters and shut out the Canucks, Flames, and Kings

Skinner’s breakout moment came last season, but this is where he cements his status. No longer a “tandem option” or “serviceable No. 1,” he’s going full franchise mode. I’m predicting 38 wins, a .919 save percentage, and at least three glove saves that make you involuntarily yell “WOO” like Ric Flair.

Noteworthy: His moustache, now considered a separate entity under the NHL CBA, may get its own endorsement deal.

5. The Oilers will win the Stanley Cup and break the city

You heard it. This is the year. Parades will happen. Legends will be born. Potholes will finally be ignored again. The Oilers will raise the Cup, and somewhere in Alberta, an old man in a Ryan Smyth jersey will finally rest.

Game 6 prediction: Oilers over Rangers at Rogers Place. The overtime winner will be scored by Evan Bouchard after McDavid and Draisaitl get triple-shifted into exhaustion.

Post-Cup fallout: Every road sign in Alberta is temporarily replaced with “Play La Bamba Baby,” the Stanley Cup takes a detour through Whyte Ave in a Zamboni, and Flames fans will pretend they “weren’t really watching this year anyway.”

6. Darnell Nurse will get a surprise stint as a winger — and you’ll finally see my dream come true

In a move that shocks analytics types everywhere, the Oilers will slide Nurse from defence to the wing for a handful of games. Why? Because why not mix elite skating, hard hits, and unexpected offence in one package? Fans will cheer, opponents will be confused, and somewhere, a secret fan blog will officially declare this the best thing ever.

Caveat: Nurse’s brief winger career will probably involve a few hilarious missed passes and one epic, accidental goal.

Final Thoughts

It’s hard to predict anything in the NHL, except, of course, the annual Toronto Maple Leafs collapse in the playoffs. But something feels inevitable about this Oilers team. It’s not just about McDavid and Draisaitl anymore. It’s about the whole machine. Built. Battle-tested. Ready. So gear up, Edmonton. We’ve suffered long enough. This season is going to be wild, loud, and—if all goes according to this completely flawed prophecy—absolutely glorious.